Chapter 4 — The Baby Shower Nobody Expected
Vanessa insisted on hosting an early baby celebration.
"It's never too soon to celebrate life," she declared.
Nathan rented a private ballroom.
Flowers covered every table.
Friends arrived carrying expensive gifts.
Champagne flowed.
Music echoed through crystal chandeliers.
Everyone congratulated the happy couple.
Everyone admired Vanessa's pregnancy.
Except Ethan.
He watched quietly from a corner.
Vanessa hugged guest after guest.
Each embrace squeezed directly against her stomach.
Hard.
Too hard.
Nobody protested.
Nobody worried.
One elderly woman finally laughed.
"My dear, you're brave letting everyone hug the baby!"
Vanessa froze.
Only for half a second.
Then smiled again.
"The baby's tougher than I am."
The room laughed.
Ethan didn't.
He remembered his health teacher explaining something.
Pregnant women naturally protected their abdomen.
Vanessa never did.
She leaned against tables.
Balanced trays.
Even carried heavy flower arrangements herself.
May you like
His notebook gained another page.
She protects her hair more than the baby.
