Chapter 4

I sat against the headboard of the bed, tears streaming down my face all through the night.

I didn't know how to address this unhappy marriage.

A cheating husband is like finding a crumpled bill in a ditch—keeping it is distasteful, but throwing it away feels wasteful.

If it weren't for the baby on the way, I would easily choose to divorce Max. I, Jen, am not one to hold onto what isn't worth keeping. If it starts well, it should end well too!

But with a little one about to enter the world... what should I do?

Perhaps sensing my turmoil, the baby kicked against my belly repeatedly, as if trying to calm my emotions.

With each kick, my agitation only grew, tears flowing incessantly like a broken faucet.

Divorce, then abortion? That's not an option.

I believe any mother, after feeling the baby's movements, couldn't bear the thought of parting with them.

So, should I divorce and raise the child alone?

In today's world, single mothers are common, and women can raise children on their own!

However, in my mind, I kept envisioning the future—years down the line, the baby looking at me with big, innocent, watery eyes, asking, "Mommy, why do other kids have daddies, but I don't? Where's my daddy?"

What would I tell them then?

I gently caressed my pregnant belly, tears flowing freely. "Baby, what should mommy do?"

I spent the whole night tossing and turning, unable to sleep at all.

Around six in the morning, my mother-in-law burst into the room, her voice filled with irritation. "Jen, it's already past six, and you're still lying around! Do you want to starve me?"

Every morning, like clockwork, I used to wake up at six and prepare breakfast for my mother-in-law before waking her up. Even when I was in the later stages of my pregnancy and felt heavy and sluggish.

But after a restless night, feeling terrible, I just didn't have the energy today.

Rubbing my tired, swollen eyes, I mumbled, "Mom, I'm not feeling well. Could you handle breakfast on your own today?"

My mother-in-law scoffed, "Don't think you can shirk your responsibilities and disrespect your elders just because you're pregnant. When I had Max, I was out in the fields working hard! Making breakfast should be a breeze for you!"

Six months ago, when I was three months pregnant, Max brought my mother-in-law from the countryside, saying she was here to take care of me.

She was thrilled to come, even bringing two old hens from the countryside, insisting on making soup to nourish me.

During that time, I practically lived like a queen, with everything served to me on a silver platter.

If I dared to do any household chores, my mother-in-law would rush over and take over, insisting, "Jen, you're pregnant now, how can you do housework? Just tell me what you want to eat or drink, and even if I don't know how, I'll learn to make it for you!"

I felt so fortunate, having such a good husband and such an easygoing mother-in-law.

Mom, Dad, you can rest assured up there in heaven.

However, my mother-in-law's attitude suddenly took a turn for the worse after two or three months. Not only did she stop helping with household chores and cooking, but she also insisted that I, despite being pregnant, should take on these tasks. She even demanded that I handwash her dirty clothes instead of using the washing machine, claiming it was wasteful and ineffective.

I was completely surprised and couldn't understand why my mother-in-law had changed so drastically. Had I done something to upset her?

When my parents were alive, they treated me like their little princess. They never let me do any work, not even washing dishes. That's why Max used to jokingly call me a delicate little princess.

During that time, I did try to learn how to manage household chores, but my severe morning sickness and sensitivity to cooking smells made it difficult. As my belly grew bigger, even simple tasks like sweeping and mopping became challenging for me.

I suggested hiring a helper, but my mother-in-law immediately dismissed the idea, saying, "Oh, you city girls are so fragile! You spend your days lazing around and not lifting a finger. How will you handle childbirth without staying active? I'm doing this for your own good!"

Before I could respond, she added, "And do you think hiring a maid comes for free? While men are out there working hard to earn money, you're just idling away at home."

Her words made me uneasy. I tried to explain, "The money I spend is what I earn. I don't spend Max's money at all."

Yes, after tying the knot, we both managed our own finances. However, the house and the initial investment for our business came from the inheritance left to me by my parents.

I grew up in a comfortable family where money was never a cause for concern, so I didn't fully grasp its value.

One day, my mother-in-law slammed her hand on the table and exclaimed, "You're married to Max, but you still keep your money separate? Aren't you two supposed to be a family?"

Hearing her words made me question things. Wasn't my mother-in-law being hypocritical? Why was Max's money not considered a shared asset, but suddenly mine was?

During this tense moment, Max comforted me, criticized his mother, and promised that I wouldn't have to do that, and after I gave birth, he would send his mom back to the countryside and hire a helper to handle our daily lives.

Ever since my mother-in-law moved in, she tried to impose her habits and mindset on me, many of which I found difficult to accept.

For example, our apartment complex units often got mixed up, resulting in couriers delivering packages meant for our neighbors to our doorstep. On several occasions, my mother-in-law wanted to keep those items for ourselves.

When I discovered this, I insisted that we return them. However, my mother-in-law was unhappy and scolded me, saying, "Why refuse something that was delivered to us for free? If the delivery person made a mistake, make them pay for it. Why should we return it?"

I couldn't understand this mindset. Even preschool teachers teach children about honesty and returning lost items!

Max also felt ashamed, but he explained, "My dad passed away early, leaving my mom to raise the four of us siblings on her own. Just imagine the hardship she had to endure - no money, no man, and no relatives to rely on. Her selfish mindset and common-folk mentality didn't develop overnight. I'm both ashamed and deeply saddened by it."

In response, I said, "Honey, I understand that you're devoted to your mom, but being devoted shouldn't mean this..."

Max let out a helpless sigh, his face flushed with shame. "I'm sorry, babe, I'm caught in the middle too."

I felt sorry for Max, trapped between me and his mom like a rat, torn between two sides.

After my parents passed away, with few relatives or friends to rely on, my only aunt who treated me like her own daughter was living far away in Clanstand. Now that I was married to Max, his mother had become my family too.

I thought to myself, I should be tolerant and make concessions.

But today, I really wasn't feeling well.

Before I could explain, my mother-in-law pulled me out of bed, saying, "Get up and cook quickly! If Max comes back and finds out, he'll beat you to death, you lazy woman!"

I couldn't resist her strength as she pulled me up from the bed. But as soon as I stood up, I felt a warm gush between my legs.

I cried out in fear, my voice trembling, "Mom, my water broke!"