I was three months pregnant, suffering from severe Morning Sickness. My husband proposed at this time to bring his daughter with his ex-wife over. "She has depression and needs fatherly love." I nodded calmly: "Okay." While he was overjoyed, I pointed to the door: "Bring her mother along too. Your family of three can stay in the guest room, I'll take the master bedroom." His face turned pale, and his ex-wife's call had already come in. ... Chapter 1 The phone ringtone sharply pierced the silence of the living room. Three words flashed on the screen —— Giselle. My husband Julian Vance's ex-wife, his daughter Lila's biological mother. That familiar nausea surged in my stomach, mixed with suffocating sourness. Julian's face was even uglier than mine, a pregnant woman's, pale white, eyes dodging, daring not to meet mine. He pinched the phone, like pinching a burning iron. "Answer it." I leaned on the sofa, voice very light, but carrying undeniable coldness. His Adam's apple rolled, stiffly swiped the answer button. One second before pressing speaker, he mouthed to me begging: Don't. I ignored him, just looked at him coldly. From the other end immediately came a female voice gentle to near guilt, every word seemed carefully polished, carrying just the right amount of fragility. "Julian... did you tell Serena? All blame me, all blame me useless, can't take care of Lila well..." Voice not loud, but clearly transmitted to my ears, piercing into my nerves. I ignored her performance, gaze still locked on Julian's pale face, word by word repeated what I just said. "Pick up, let her bring daughter, live in guest room." "You are crazy!" Julian finally couldn't help it, lowered voice roared at me, eyes full of horror and anger, "Serena! Don't make trouble! Giselle just let Lila come to live!" His reaction, fiercely stabbed into my heart. I suddenly smiled, but this smile didn't reach heart. I reached out, fingertip heavily pressed the speaker button. That weak female voice stopped abruptly. I faced the cold phone receiver, word by word, clearly said: "Miss Giselle, hello." "Child depressed, most need is complete family, is biological parents' company." "Me this stepmother, won't be an eyesore here." "I fulfill your family reunion, you and Julian take child live in guest room, good good cultivate feelings." "This house, down payment was paid by my parents, pre-marital property, I live in master bedroom, no problem right?" Other end of phone, was death-like silence. I could imagine on Giselle's gentle face, what kind of wonderful expression would be at this moment. "Serena!" Julian finally exploded, he snatched the phone from my hand, whole face twisted because of anger, glared at me, "Must you be so mean? Lila is my daughter! She is sick!" His voice was trembling, not because of guilt, but because his "White Moonlight" was publicly humiliated by me. He ran to the balcony, back to me, voice instantly switched to soothing mode, pressed extremely low, but fragments still drifted into my ears. "Giselle you don't listen to her nonsense... she pregnant, emotions unstable..." "Don't think too much, I know what I'm doing..." "Wronged you..." Every word, like a heavy hammer, fiercely smashed on my heart. Stomach churned a while, no longer could suppress, I fiercely sprang up from sofa, rushed into bathroom. "Vomit——" Acid water, bile, mixed with few mouthfuls of plain porridge barely swallowed at noon, all surged out. I lay by the cold toilet, vomited dark heaven dark earth, felt internal organs all displaced, physiological tears flowed out. Bathroom door was pulled open a crack. I thought he finally still had conscience, knew to come in check on me. But Julian just stood at the door, looking at my embarrassed appearance, brows tight locked, eyes had half cent concern none, instead all blame and impatience. "You scared Giselle." "She a woman bringing a child, not easy." My heart instantly fell into ice cave. I lifted head, through blurred teary eyes, looked at this man I loved for three years, married for two years. His face was still that familiar face, refined, handsome, but I felt so strange, strange enough to make me cold all over. Turns out, my pain, my morning sickness, his biological flesh and blood in my belly, all couldn't compare to his ex-wife's one sentence "not easy". I had no strength to argue with him anymore, just supported wall, swaying stood up, rinsed mouth, wiped tears on face. I said nothing, passed him, walked into master bedroom. "Click" a sound. I locked the door. Shut him and his "not easy", shut that hypocritical "family of three", all outside the door. At night, I lay in bed, could clearly hear tossing and turning sounds from living room. Finally, was muffled sound of pillow thrown on sofa. He used this silent way, to accuse my "unreasonable trouble", declare his protection for ex-wife. Very good. I closed eyes, hand gently placed on flat lower abdomen. Julian Vance, this is what you chose. From this moment, my defense, has been built. Chapter 2 Silent Treatment, is Julian's best weapon. Next day, when I woke up, he had already made breakfast. On dining table placed golden oily fried dough sticks, sizzling fried eggs, and a bowl of beef noodles floating thick red oil. All food I loved before pregnancy, now smell make me sick. That heavy greasy smell, like an invisible hand, choked my throat. I covered mouth, face green, rushed into bathroom again. Behind, came his slow chewing sound, and his complete ignore to me. Whole day, I almost lived on warm water. He turned a blind eye. Off work home, he no longer hugged me asking baby good today not like before, but first time picked up phone, video call with Lila. "Did Lila eat obediently today?" "Miss Dad not? Dad bought you new Lego." "Listen to Mom's words, Dad will go see you soon." His voice gentle enough to drip water, doting between brows and eyes, was what I never seen. As if other end of video, was his real family, real wife and daughter. And I, just a parasitic under this roof, eyesore tenant. Night, after another burst of severe vomiting, I whole body exhausted, lips cracked. I leaned on sofa, voice weak said to him: "Julian, help me pour cup warm water." He was holding phone, screen was Lila giggling sound. He didn't even lift head, eyes dead glued on screen, tone full of impatience. "Didn't see I busy? Lila refuses eat today again, I have to coax her." I looked at that careful pleasing on his face, heart inch by inch cold down. I no longer begged him. I supported wall, slowly walked to kitchen myself. Maybe dehydrated too long, my eyes went black, foot slipped, whole person uncontrollably fell forward. "Bang" a sound, my arm heavily hit on wall corner, pain made me gasp. He finally heard movement, but just swept me a glance from phone screen, full of impatience. "So big person, walk can't even walk steady." That tone, as if I was such an unsensible trouble. My heart, at that moment, thoroughly cool through. Last bit expectation, also crushed by his sentence. I didn't cry, didn't make noise, just silently walked to water dispenser, poured water for myself, then returned to room, closed door. I took out phone, sent a message to my best friend Fiona, also a very excellent lawyer. "Fiona, help me check, during marriage one party continuous funding ex, in divorce property division, count as property transfer not?" Fiona's call immediately came, voice full of shock and worry: "Serena, what happened? Julian he..." "Nothing," I interrupted her, voice calm scary, "I just, want for myself and child, prepare a bit in advance." Julian seeing silent treatment ineffective to me, then started his second step chess —— family affection offensive. Next afternoon, I received mother-in-law's call. Phone connected, before I open mouth greet, mother-in-law that sharp mean voice just split head cover face smashed over. "Serena! I really didn't expect you so unsensible! How can you be so vicious!" "Lila is Julian's own flesh and blood, is Vance family blood! She sick, miss dad, come home stay few days what wrong?" "You a stepmother, we not ask you treat her as biological pain, but you can't be so intolerant of her right!" "You doing this, is poking Julian's heart nest ah!" Her every sentence, like a knife, sentence sentence stab my heart. My hands and feet cold, even child in belly, seemed felt this coldness, gently moved a bit. I steadied mind, used all strength let my voice keep steady. "Mom, do you know I pregnant?" Voice on other end choked a bit, obviously, Julian simply didn't tell her. But just one second pause after, she exploded more righteous anger. "Pregnant amazing? Which woman hasn't been pregnant? I see you just too delicate!" "You now precious, even a child can't tolerate, later how be mom? Julian married you back is let you be virtuous wife good mother, not let you be ancestor offered!" "I tell you Serena, Lila must take back! If you dare make noise again, don't blame me not recognize you this daughter-in-law!" I didn't speak again. I just silently, pressed call recording save button. Then, I calmly hung up phone, and pulled her into block list. Immediately, I flipped out Julian these days all call records, and his chat records with Giselle, one by one screenshot, backed up to cloud. Done all this, I looked at gray sky outside window, heart a piece dead silence. Julian, mother-in-law, Giselle... They are one family. And I, from beginning to end, am just an outsider. A provider of uterus and free residence, tool person. Since so, then don't blame me, not talk feelings. Chapter 3 I booked this Friday's prenatal checkup. I told Julian in advance, let him free up time accompany me. He full mouth agreed, tone carried long lost gentleness, seemed want borrow this ease our stiff relationship. I believed. Or say, my heart still held pathetic fantasy. However, Friday morning, just when I changed clothes ready go out, he called. "Wifey, sorry ah, company temporary has urgent meeting, special important, I really can't leave." His voice sounded full of apology. "Checkup how about you go yourself first? Or change day I accompany you again?" I held phone, stood at entrance, looking at mirror self pale haggard face, only felt ridiculous. "Good." I said. Then hung up phone. I went hospital alone. Weekend obstetrics and gynecology department, crowded. Corridor, waiting area, everywhere pairs of couples. Husbands carefully supporting wives, serve tea pour water, soft voice comforting. And I, only myself. I queued alone, paid alone, holding ultrasound slip alone, waiting number call in cold corridor. Watching other pregnant women held in palm by husbands care, my heart sour and astringent. Loneliness and helplessness drowned me. My turn. Lying on examination bed, cold coupling agent smeared on my lower abdomen. When doctor put probe up, I pinched palm tight. On screen, appeared a small image, like a beating small bean. "Look, baby very healthy, heartbeat also powerful." Doctor said gently. My tears, at that moment, without warning surged out. This is my child. Is in this world, only relative blood connected with me, completely belong to me. I held that precious ultrasound slip, looking at that small life on it, said to myself in heart: Serena, for him, you must be strong. From today, you are not alone. Back home, already afternoon. I dragged exhausted body, took out key open door. Door opened, I froze in place. On entrance floor, impressively placed a pair not belong to me lady high heels, and a pair pink child sneakers. In living room, came Julian and woman talking laughing sound. My home, when I didn't know, already occupied by turtledove (usurper). I walked in, saw Giselle wearing my home slippers, directing Julian: "Julian, move that pot of pothos to balcony, doctor said Lila bit allergic to pollen." And her daughter, that so-called "Depression" patient Lila, was holding my cat "Mochi", two hands forcefully pulling Mochi's tail. Mochi let out painful whimper, desperate struggle. "Stop!" A string in my brain "Snap" broke, almost roared rushed over, from Lila arms snatched back my cat. Mochi scared bad, broke free from my arms, lightning like drilled under sofa. Lila scared by my action a jump, stunned two seconds after, "Wah" a sound, sky breaking earth shattering cried loud. Giselle immediately like cat stepped on tail, a dash rushed over, hugged Lila tight in arms, face but towards me, revealed a look of about to cry apology expression. "Serena, don't angry, Lila she... she just too like small animals, no malicious intention." Voice not fallen, Julian already rushed over. He didn't even look at me, fierce pushed me away, my lower back heavily hit on shoe cabinet sharp corner, a burst severe pain hit. He nervously squatted down, holding Lila's hand, flip come flip go check. "You calculate what with a child! Scratched by cat not? Lila, quick let Dad look!" His voice full of anxiety and heartache, as if Lila was the one suffered sky big grievance. I leaned on cold shoe cabinet, looking at this blinding scene in front, only felt incomparable irony. That girl needing father love because "Depression", this moment cry loud, qi full, where has half bit depression look? And I this wife carrying his biological flesh blood, pushed down by him, he didn't even spare a glance. My gaze, slowly moved from their "Father Kind Daughter Filial" picture, landed on living room display cabinet. There, originally placed a celadon vase. That was my deceased mother left me, only thought. But now, there empty. On floor, is a pile blue white porcelain fragments. My blood, instant rushed to top of head, whole body start shaking. Lila hid in Giselle arms, while sobbing, while from behind her mom's arm, cast me a proud, provocative look. That instant, I understood everything. "Allergy" is fake, like small animals is fake, so-called "Accidental", more is fake. They are intentional. They are using this way, declare war to me, declare their sovereignty over this home. Giselle still hypocritically performing. "Aiya, Serena, really sorry, all blame me not watch good Lila, she accidental knocked vase... don't angry, how much money, I compensate you is fine..." Compensate? She thought money can buy back my mother's relic? Can buy back my only thought? I feel myself like a balloon blown to limit, about to explode. All grievance, anger, disappointment, heart cold, at this moment, all burst. I slowly stood up from ground, lower back pain let every move like needle stick. I didn't care Giselle, also didn't look that still crying child. My eyes, dead staring Julian. That man I once deeply loved, that man now using back facing me, concentrate comforting other's daughter, my husband. I pointed door, used all body strength, word by word, voice hoarse and cold. "Julian Vance." "Take your people." "Now, immediately, right now." "Get the hell out for me!" Chapter 4 My roar, like a bomb, exploded in living room. Julian holding Lila, fierce turned around. His face no longer had any disguised warmth, only left offended rage. "Serena Sterling are you f*cking crazy! For a broken vase, you want drive away my daughter?!" "Broken vase?" I angry whole body tremble, tears spin in eyes, "Julian Vance, you forgot that is my mom left me ma? You forgot ma!" Giselle see situation, immediately holding daughter stand up, walk to Julian side, put on a "Virtuous Persuade Fight" posture. "Julian, say few words less, Serena pregnant hard, emotion excited also unavoidable..." She turned to me, eyes carrying fake sympathy, "Serena, I know that vase very important to you, all our fault. You calm down, want how much money we all pay, million don't angry bad body, hurt baby in belly ah." Her every sentence, all seem persuade peace, but sentence sentence all add oil on fire. Remind Julian I "Emotion Excited", imply I take child as chip. Good a prosper world white lotus. Good a top tea artist. I angry almost speak not out words, only feel chest block severe, breath become difficult. Just then, my lower abdomen suddenly came a burst sharp, unbearable cramp. That feeling, like countless needles poking lower abdomen. I pain muffled hum, body uncontrollably bent down, forehead instant pop out a layer fine cold sweat. A ominous premonition grabbed me. I felt, have a stream wet hot warm flow, slowly gushing out from between my legs. I scared bad, face pale as paper, trembling reach out hand, grabbed Julian clothes corner. "Julian... I... my stomach pain..." My voice shake not shape, carrying cry tone. "Bleeding... I seem bleeding..." This moment Julian, right surrounded by daughter tear heart crack lung cry and Giselle "Considerate Gentle" comfort. He grabbed by me clothes corner, like touched what dirty thing, disgusted frown. He didn't even lower head look me, impatient roared at me: "Serena, can you stop acting?!" "Every time use this trick interesting ma? Isn't just want drive away Lila? As to ma?" "To achieve goal, you even curse own child can do out? Your heart exactly what made of!" His words, like a burning iron, fierce burn on my heart. Acting? Curse child? In his eyes, my pain, my child danger, actually just a clumsy drama for jealous. Beside Giselle, holding still fake crying daughter, ghostly float a sentence, gave me fatal blow. "Some people, to gain sympathy, is what all can do out." "Julian, you also don't blame Serena, she maybe just too no security. Just pitiful Lila, she originally afraid stranger, this time, more want be scared bad." I leaned on cold wall, lower abdomen cramp one burst compare one burst severe. I lift head, look front this "Happy Harmonious" family of three. Man holding crying daughter, woman gentle stroke man back. They are so harmony, so inseparable. And me, a pregnant woman painful almost die, but like a clown break into their happy life, a madman. Every sentence they said to me, like most vicious curse, punish heart pierce bone. Heart as if by an invisible big hand tight grab, pain to unable breath. Turns out, my pain, my child, in his eyes, really count nothing. That instant, all love, all unwilling, all anger, all retreat like tide. Remaining, only boundless ice cold and dead silence. Nothing greater than heart death. I finally understood this sentence meaning. I used last strength, support cold wall, slowly stood straight body. Lower back dull pain, lower abdomen cramp, between legs wet hot, all become not important. I didn't look them again. I from door bag, touched out my car key, and that Hospital Bag I early prepared, in case of emergency. I step by step, walk unusual difficult, but also unusual firm, walk towards door. Julian and Giselle both stunned, they probably didn't expect, under this situation, I actually didn't continue cry make noise, but chose leave. Under their astonished gaze, I opened apartment big door. Door outside cold wind pour in, let me instant sober. I turned head, face is dead water like calm. My gaze cross Giselle and child in her arms, straight fall on Julian face. I look him, word by word, pronounce clear, voice not loud, but enough let him hear clear every word. "Julian Vance." "I wish you guys family of three." "In my house." "Hundred years good union." Finished, I pull open door, head not back walked out. Door behind me heavy close, isolated that place once called "Home", also isolated my pathetic past. From today, Julian Vance, you and me, grace cut justice break. Chapter 5 In elevator mirror, reflect my pale like ghost face. I press first floor, body lean cold elevator wall, then not slip on ground. Lower abdomen pain more and more dense, I can clearly feel life force follow that stream heat bit by bit lost. I can't fall. I tell myself, Serena, you can't fall, your baby still waiting you. I endure severe pain, start car, use whole body strength step gas, drive to nearest hospital. All way, I run good few red lights, brain only one thought: Save child. Arrived hospital emergency, I almost roll off car. "Doctor! Save life! I pregnant, I bleeding!" My voice hoarse, carry despair cry tone. Nurses see situation, immediately push come flat cart, I emergency sent into rescue room. Pass a series tense check, doctor face heavy walked over. "Are you patient family?" He see me alone, stunned a bit. "I am." I lie on sickbed, voice weak but sober. "Diagnose result is stress threatened miscarriage, progesterone low, have bleeding. Mainly due to patient suffered severe mental stimulation and violent emotion fluctuation cause." "Must immediately hospitalize protect fetus, and next period time, absolutely cannot suffer any stimulation again." I listen doctor words, tears silent slide. Mental stimulation, emotion fluctuation. How precise summary. I lie on pure white sickbed, snow white wall, disinfectant smell, let me feel a kind unprecedented peace. Also good. Leave that suffocating place, to me and baby, both a relief. I take out phone, unlock screen, find that familiar number, dial. Phone almost second answer. "Hello? Serena?" Fiona voice as always capable. My tears no longer hold, surge out, voice but unusual calm, carry hoarse. "Fiona, help me." "I want divorce." Half hour later, Fiona wind wind fire fire rush to ward. She see me hand back stick needle, lie on sickbed that look no life anger, always calm self-control her, eye circle instant red. "Julian that bastard! Where is he?!" She angry whole body tremble. "Maybe... still accompany his ex-wife and daughter ba." I bitter smile, uglier than cry. Fiona angry a punch smash on wall, bite teeth cut tooth: "I f*cking now go tear that pair dog man woman!" "Don't go." I pull her, "Useless, noise solve no any problem." "Fiona, I now nothing want, I just want keep my child, then, clean clean leave him." "I want him, and that pair mother daughter, for everything they did, pay price." My voice very light, but resolve in eyes, let Fiona calm down. She nodded: "Good, I understood." "You care nothing, peace mind raise fetus, remaining things, all hand to me." She immediately start arrange everything, help me handle hospitalize procedure, change single ward, hire best nurse. Under her arrangement, I turn off phone, shield outside all info. This world, finally quiet. Meanwhile, that place called "Home" by me. Julian wait wait at home, always not see me return. He call my phone, find already turn off. He then feel not right, start some panic. He call my parents far in another city, I early advance sent message to them, only say quarrel with Julian, go out relax, let them no need worry, also don't care Julian. So, my parents both express to Julian, know nothing. Can't find me, also afraid I really have what matter make big, Julian start anxious uneasy. Giselle aside, holding daughter, face "Worry" say: "Julian, is it I did too much? Serena she... won't think not open ba? She still pregnant ne..." More she say so, Julian more irritable. He start regret, but regret not harm cause to me, but matter out of his control, might affect his reputation and stable life. Fiona through police station friend, secret check Julian track. She tell me, Julian called police, say I "Angry leave home", but didn't find me. And that pair mother daughter, still grandly live in my pre-marital property house. I lie on sickbed, stroke belly, feel baby steady heartbeat. My eyes, unprecedented firm. Julian Vance, Giselle. This war, just start. For my child, I must win, and want win beautiful.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "390216", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel