Forbidden Desires: The Neighbour Next Door

Secrets Beneath the Surface

Chloe stood in front of the mirror, her hands resting lightly on her stomach. The past month had been a whirlwind of emotion and anticipation. When she missed her period the first time, she had been cautious, unsure if it was just an irregular cycle. But as the weeks passed and another month went by without any sign, the reality began to sink in. She was pregnant. The realisation filled her with a heady mix of joy and triumph. Her plan had worked. She was carrying Ethan's child, and there would soon be no hiding it.

Still, Chloe decided to keep quiet for now. She wanted to let things unfold naturally, knowing that when her belly started to show, there would be no way to conceal the truth. Ethan and Isabelle would be forced to acknowledge her presence, and by then, it would be too late for them to change anything. She would finally have her piece of Ethan.

Her eating habits began to change. She craved the same things that pregnant Isabelle did, mirroring her every meal. Isabelle noticed but simply brushed it off, laughing at how Chloe seemed to be showing her support by eating the same things.

Ethan, however, was more perplexed. He observed Chloe's strange behaviour with growing suspicion. "You're eating exactly what Isabelle's eating," he remarked one afternoon as they all sat together at lunch. "Isn't that a bit odd?"

Isabelle chuckled, dismissing his concern. "Oh, she's just being sweet, Ethan. It's like she's supporting me through this pregnancy in her own way."

Chloe smiled, hiding her satisfaction behind a playful look. "It's true. I just want to be there for you, Mum."

Isabelle, heavily pregnant and nearing her due date, gave Chloe a warm smile, her hands gently rubbing her own swollen belly. "You're such a lovely daughter, Chloe. I appreciate it."

Ethan remained unconvinced, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what was bothering him. Something felt off, but Isabelle's happiness and Chloe's seemingly innocent behaviour kept him from digging deeper. Besides, Isabelle was nearing the end of her pregnancy, and the focus was on preparing for the home birth.

Meanwhile, Chloe was five months along herself, though her pregnancy wasn't as obvious. Her bump was small, and she had been careful to wear oversized clothing that concealed any noticeable changes. She had managed to brush off any suspicion, chalking up her slightly fuller stomach to big meals. Isabelle never questioned it, assuming Chloe was just indulging a bit more than usual.

But Chloe knew the truth. She could feel the baby moving inside her, tiny flutters that brought her immense happiness. Every time the baby kicked, a wave of satisfaction rushed over her. Soon, everyone would know, and her secret would no longer be hidden. She often found herself rubbing her belly absentmindedly, a soft smile playing on her lips.

One evening, as they sat together in the living room, discussing the final touches for the nursery, Ethan couldn't help but notice how often Chloe's hand rested on her stomach. She seemed far more interested in the baby preparations than he had expected.

"You've been rubbing your belly a lot lately," Ethan said, trying to sound casual. "Are you alright?"

Chloe quickly pulled her hand away, giving him a nervous smile. "Oh, I didn't realise I was doing that," she lied smoothly. "I suppose I'm just excited for the baby to arrive."

Isabelle, sitting beside her, smiled at Chloe. "We're all excited, Chloe. The nursery is nearly done, and we're almost ready for the home birth. It won't be long now."

The nursery had been a labour of love, filled with soft pastels and delicate touches. Isabelle had been meticulous in every detail, wanting to create the perfect space for their baby. The birth itself was planned to be intimate and at home, just as Isabelle had always dreamed. Ethan had supported her decision wholeheartedly, eager to welcome their child into the world in the comfort of their own home.

Chloe watched them both, her heart racing with excitement. She could feel her baby moving again, a tiny kick that made her smile. But this time, she kept her hand still, not wanting to draw any more attention to herself. The last thing she needed was Ethan growing suspicious.

As the days passed, Isabelle's due date drew closer. She was glowing, despite the fatigue of late pregnancy, and she spent most of her time preparing for the birth. Chloe remained in the background, continuing to hide her growing bump beneath loose clothing, biding her time. She knew that soon, there would be no hiding it, but for now, she was content to wait. She was patient, and she knew that when the truth came out, it would be impossible for Ethan to ignore her any longer.

One afternoon, as Chloe stood in the kitchen preparing tea, she felt a particularly strong kick from the baby. Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach, and she couldn't help but grin. The baby was getting stronger, and the movements were becoming more frequent. She was overjoyed by the sensation, but she had to be careful. She couldn't afford to slip up now.

Later that evening, as she sat alone in her room, Chloe allowed herself to fully enjoy the moment. She placed both hands on her belly, feeling the baby's gentle movements beneath her fingers. Soon, she thought. Soon, everyone would know.

The following day, the nursery was completed. Isabelle stood in the middle of the room, admiring the soft colours and the carefully arranged furniture. "It's perfect," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "I can't wait to bring the baby to this."

Ethan smiled, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "It's all coming together," he said softly. "We're ready."

Chloe stood in the doorway, watching them with a strange mixture of envy and satisfaction. She felt her own baby move again, and she smiled to herself. Her time would come. The home birth was approaching, and once Isabelle had given birth, Chloe's secret wouldn't be far behind.

She left them alone in the nursery, a contented smile on her lips as she walked down the hallway. Everything was falling into place, just as she had planned. Soon, there would be no denying the truth—and Chloe would have her piece of Ethan forever.