Chapter 3

I didn't sleep all night, and I feel terrible.

Moreover, I don't know if it's because of my anger, but my stomach feels like it's being pricked with needles, and there's a sharp pain pulling downward.

Forcing myself to endure the discomfort, I got out of bed and opened the door.

I had just found out I was pregnant not long ago when Lawrence suggested bringing Missy to the city to take care of me.

Considering that I was quite busy with work, having someone at home to help with chores and prepare meals would indeed be a relief, so I agreed.

At first, Missy behaved well, like the traditional rural woman I remembered—diligent and efficient, keeping the house neat and tidy.

Although Missy's cooking wasn't particularly delicious, it was acceptable.

I did enjoy a long period of comfortable days.

But unexpectedly, this comfort ended abruptly after my belly grew bigger with pregnancy, and I almost had a miscarriage during a client visit. Lawrence persuaded me to quit my job, and I agreed.

Since I resigned and returned home, Missy started finding various excuses to make me share the household chores.

Initially, I didn't mind. After all, I was idle at home, and doing some chores within my capacity could also be a way to exercise, which might be beneficial for childbirth later.

However, gradually, Missy made me do more and more tasks. She even made me prepare all three meals a day to her taste.

Eventually, all the household chores became my burden, and if I didn't do them well, Missy would either hit or scold me.

I talked to Lawrence many times about Missy's change in behavior, but he always dismissed it, saying Missy had old-fashioned views and that they had always treated her like family, so she might have let her true nature show.

He also said he would talk to Missy and ask her to restrain herself a bit, and he asked me to tolerate her for his sake.

I believed him, but the result was that Missy became more and more arrogant. Now, she even went as far as banging on my door early in the morning and calling me a bitch.

When I opened the door and saw Missy standing outside with her nose in the air, acting imperiously, I couldn't muster a pleasant expression, especially thinking about the disgusting things Lawrence had done.

However, my upbringing prevented me from saying anything harsh.

I just spoke coldly, "Mom, I'm not feeling well. How about you make breakfast yourself today..."

Before I could finish my sentence, Missy raised her hand and slapped me.

The force was strong, and I was caught off guard, stumbling and hitting my stomach against the door, causing a sharp, piercing pain.

Before I could recover, my hair was yanked back with great force.

"Bitch, who do you think you are? Making excuses to be lazy! I'm telling you, dream on! Go make breakfast now, or see how I'll teach you a lesson today!" Missy said, slapping me twice more.

I was seeing stars from the blows, my face turning pale from the pain.

In a daze, I felt warm liquid flowing down my thigh.

Suddenly thinking of the baby, I quickly looked down and saw bright red bloodstains on my swollen calves under my nightgown.

"Get away." I screamed, pushing her away and turning to get my phone to call an ambulance, despite the pain.

Fear gripped my heart; I was terrified something might happen to the baby.

However, after taking just two steps, Missy grabbed my hair from behind, pulling me back and almost making me fall.

"Ah..." I screamed, turning to see Missy, my eyes filled with anger. "What are you doing? I'm bleeding. Let go of me. I need to call an ambulance, or the baby will be in danger."

I growled, hoping she would let me go for the sake of the baby.

But Missy's twisted expression and words made me despair even more. "A useless girl like you deserves an ambulance? If it's gone, it's gone. Anyway, having a baby is just a waste of money. It's better not to have one."

Hearing this, I stared at her in shock, unable to believe what I was hearing.

I realized why she had insisted on us going to a small clinic to check the baby's gender when I was almost due.

After finding out I was carrying a girl, Missy's attitude changed drastically. She dumped all the housework on me and became increasingly hostile.

It turned out it was because of her preference for boys over girls!

Anyone would think the Phillips family had a lot of wealth to inherit.

Anger surged through me, my eyes turning red. "You're the child's grandmother. How can you say such things? You're a woman too. How can you let a life slip away just because it's a girl? How can you still call yourself human?"

My words only enraged Missy further. She yanked my hair and slapped me twice more, then kicked me in the stomach.

"Ah!" I screamed in pain, feeling more blood flowing out.

She was about to kick me again, her eyes fierce and face contorted, as if she wouldn't stop until she killed the baby inside me.

Missy had always worked in the countryside and was stronger than most people. Plus, I was pregnant and my body was cumbersome, and with my hair being pulled, I couldn't fight back.

I could only protect my stomach with my hands, barely defending myself while shouting for help.

Seeing I still dared to call for help, Missy went mad, attacking my stomach furiously. "Bitch, still calling for help! Spending Lawrence's hard-earned money, but can't even give birth to a son. I'll beat you to death, you useless thing!"

I screamed in pain, thinking I might be beaten to death by Missy today.

At that thought, I felt a deep sadness.

I hadn't yet exposed Lawrence's actions, hadn't reclaimed the inheritance my parents left me. I couldn't die here.

Otherwise, the Phillips family would have taken over my family's property, inheriting everything that was rightfully mine.

With their vicious and hypocritical nature, they wouldn't feel a shred of guilt.

I couldn't let them succeed!

Maybe this thought sparked my will to survive. I struggled to lift my foot and stomped hard on Missy's foot with all my strength.

Missy immediately howled in pain, letting go of me and hopping around.

I took the opportunity to push her to the ground and ran out the door.

Missy fell, hitting her tailbone, screaming and cursing in pain.

"Melinda, you bitch, how dare you hit me! Is there no law? No wonder you killed your parents. With your vicious mind, who would dare come near you? You bitch!"

I didn't care how nasty her words were. I stumbled out the door, pressing the elevator button while my vision blurred. I bit my tongue hard to stay somewhat conscious.

"Help, help!"