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After exchanging a few words, Ronan left on his own.
Lyla came in and instructed me, “I’m staying here tonight. Hurry up and make dinner. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just eight dishes and a soup.”
I sprawled on the couch and rubbed my belly. “I’m too pregnant to cook. If you want something to eat, make it yourself.”
Lyla was furious.
She poked my nose and scolded, “What kind of girl doesn’t cook? Today, I’m going to set some rules for you!”
I didn’t indulge her. “This is the Montgomery household, not the Pierce household. If you want to set rules, go back to your own house.” Archer’s father passed away early, leaving Lyla to raise their two sons alone.”
After I got married, I treated her like my own mother.
I’d buy her clothes when the seasons changed, give her a gift every Christmas, and never show up empty–handed.
Little did I know, I was feeding a family of ingrates.
Lyla’s face turned pale, and her hands trembled. “What did you say? Say it again!“}
I got up and went back to the bedroom, slamming the door shut.
Lyla was about to pound on the door when her phone rang.
A while later, Lyla called me for dinner. “Ava, come out and eat.“}
Her voice was saccharine sweet, making my skin crawl. I opened the door to a table laden with dishes, including a pot of broth. Lyla beamed at me.
“Ava, come and eat.”
The house was tidy, the floor spotless. My eyes drifted to the stairs.”
Sure enough, there was a suspicious yellow smear on them, looking a lot like lard. Had she failed to find the will and resorted to new tricks?!
“I’m not hungry. Eat by yourself.“}
“How can you not eat? You’re carrying a child. You can’t deprive the baby.“}
As I began to close the door, Lyla panicked and dashed me.”
She forgot her setup and slipped, crashing hard on the steps.}
“Oh, my back! Ava, help me up!“}
Help her just to be tricked again?}
་ར – ཞ་
I closed the door, turned up the music, and leaned against it, listening to her screams. When her cries weakened, I finally called for an ambulance.}
As the paramedics took her away, I didn’t open the door, claiming I felt sick.@
Soon, Lyla’s call came through.}
She had fractured her pelvis and needed to be hospitalized.@
“Ava, my son has taken care of you for so long. It’s time for you to do your part. Come and take care of me, do your duties!“}
T
Her son took care of me? She had some nerve.
“I won’t come. I’m about to give birth, and you want me to serve you? Aren’t you afraid of shortening your own life?”
I hung up and silenced my phone.
