Claim
Chapter 14, She Is Not Pregnant
Stella didn’t low what had gone down at the Packer Genap but judging by Martha’s tone, she could piece together the gist of it.
She said, “I didn’t say anything. Licked my finger doing laundry, that’s all.”
Just thinking about that night made her heart skip. She’d had a bandage on since the cut and had forgotten to take it oft that night. Did Jeremy noticed it?
Martha didn’t buy a word of it. She grabbed a vase from the side table and hurled it at her. “You ungrateful slut! I paid you all that money, and you’re trying to stab me in the back?”
Being three months pregnant, Martha didn’t move as fast as she used to. Stella wasn’t about to just stand there and take the hit either. She dodged to the side, and the vase grazed past her arm and shattered on the floor.
nut Martha wasn’t done, She snatched a broom and charged at Stella, smacking her hard across the back.
Stella didn’t have time to duck, and a sharp, burning pain exploded across her spine,
This woman was insane. Didn’t she care about Jeremy seeing the wounds?
Stella grabbed the broom and yanked it from Martha’s hands, throwing it to the floor. “Are you done yet?”
“I’ll kill you, you manipulative bitch! Martha was pregnant, sure. However, she was no fighter.
stella kept her distance, glaring. “If Mr. Parker gave you that ointment, it means he didn’t figure out I’m your stand–in. But you? You come storming in here, throwing things around like you want people to find out.”
Breathing hard and red in the face, Martha practically snarled, “Are you threatening me?”
Stella’s voice tumed gold. Her eyes dropped to Martha’s barely noticeable baby bump. “Don’t forget that your baby is part of the plan. If anything happens to it. even if I do get pregriant, it won’t mean a thing.”
Martha froze the moment she heard what Stella said.
““Don’t think hiding behind the baby’s gonna save your ass,” she snapped, “You’re dreaming if you think you’ll get away with this. You just wait!”
With that, Martha spun on her heel and stormed out, leaving shattered glass and chans in her wake.
Still fuming, she marched out of the house. The image of Stella’s face alone made her blood boil.
No way, she couldn’t just let this slide. She had to give Stella a lesson.
She pulled out her phone and made a call. “Hello, this is Concord Hospital-
Impatient, Martha interrupted, “Stop Allson’s meds for a day.”
She wanted to see just how far Stella thought she could go when her dying mother was completely under her control, what could Stella possibly fight her with? The nurse on the other end sounded hesitant. “Ms. Nord, that could be dangerous. Her treatment
“One day won’t kill her. Just don’t let her die. Keep her breathing,” Martha sait.
The other end fell silent, clearly disapproving
Hearing the silence, Martha threatened, “Don’t forget how much stake the Nords hold. If you don’t want to get fired, do as I say.”
After a long pause, the nurse’s voice came back, barely audible, “Yes, Ms. Nord.”
She ended the call and exhaled slowly, just as Bemice arrived.
Martha couldn’t help but stalt venting “Mom, you won’t believe what that Stella-”
“Enough, Bernice waved her off. “You’re the heiress of the Nord family. Why are you wasting your time fighting with a maid? How are you feeling, by the way? It’s been a week. You need to get your checkup.”
They went together to the hospital. They went through a VIP lane, so the results came in quickly.
“The baby’s healthy,” the doctor said with a smile. “Keep up your nutrition. You can pick up some folic acid at the pharmacy.”
The doctor then handed over the report and left.
She wouldn’t be in such a mess now if it hadn’t been for that one mistake that night, Staring at the report with “13 weeks pregnant” printed in bold, Martha couldn’t help letting out a long sigh.
“If this bump gets any bigger, I won’t be able to hide it. And Stella’s belly has Leven started to show,” Martha complained.
Her nausea was getting worse too. Sometimes a faint smell was enough to make her gag, Worse still, Stella wasn’t even pregnant.
Bemice squeezed her hand reassuringly. “So, what? If she still isn’t pregnant, have her get hormone injections. That stuff boostsegg production, so she might end uptanying twin. Even if she delivers early, no one will suspect anything.”
Martha’s eyes lit up. “Moms, you’re a genius!
Those injections could push her ovaries into overdrive, with twins, Stella’s belly would grow faster, giving Martha the perfect excuse to cover up the due date difference.
Bernice smickard. Stella looks so much like you. Once the babies are bom and handed over, no one will question it.”
Her plan was alright with no cracks. And when the time came, telling Alison the truth would be the cherry on top.
Neither of them noticed that the man standing around the cones was staring at them. Frank froze as soon as he caught a glimpse of Martha’s face.
why was she at the hospital? And why the on–GYN wing?
Chapter
Not Pregnant
That evening, Martha returned with a fertility supplement. This time, it was even more concentrated. It was black and sticky, with floating chunks of herbs stil swirling in the bowl.
“Drink this before Jeremy gets home,” she ordered.
Stella frowned. Something was off. “What did you put in it?”
Martha lounged on the couch, legs crossed, looking annoyed. “I just doubled the dose. The stronger it is, the better it works. Now quit whining and drink,” Stella picked up the bowl, and the smell hit her so hard her eyes watered.
Martha had done this on purpose. But the contract didn’t leave her with much of a choice. Plugging her nose, she gulped it down in big swallows.
By the time she hit the bottom of the bowl, she was gasping for air. The bitter taste flooded her throat, and she started coughing violently.
Martha glanced over in disgust. “It’s just a bowl of medicine. Stop being so dramatic”
Stella couldn’t respond. Her throat burned; it felt completely raw
She shot Martha a furious look, then tushed into the kitchen. She had her hands over her mouth, doubled over the sink, gagging. She vomited black liquid into the drain, eyes tearing, her stomach heaving.
Martha ranover in a panic and grabbed her. “Don’t throw it up! That medicine costs a fortume!”
“What are you two doing in the lechen Jeremy’s voice cut through the chaos like a life.
Both women froge
Martha turned, her face stiff with a too–wide smile. “Jeremyl You’re back!”
He didn’t even glance at her. His eyes locked on Stella. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She’s pregnant, remenaber? It’s just morning sickness!” Right as the words left her mouth, the lingering scent of the herbs hit Martha’s nose. She gagged twice, unable to stop the sour bile rising in her throat
Trying to play it off, she forced down the nausea and mumbled, “I just got queasy from watching her throw up.”
“You two seem pretty close.” Jeremy said casually, turning away.
However, something tugged at him. He hadn’t missed the pungent herbal smell in the kitchen. Most people wouldn’t react so strongly to someone else’s moming
sickness
