Chapter 2 - She Just Wanted Them To Like Her
“Emily,” I said, holding her against me. “Talk to me.”
She breathed through her teeth, one hand gripping my shirt. Her belly tightened under her pale pink dress, and every bit of anger in me turned into fear.
“I’m okay,” she whispered.
“No, you’re not.”
My mother finally appeared in the kitchen doorway, annoyed more than concerned.
“What now?”
I stared at her. “Call 911.”
Teresa frowned. “For what? She’s dramatic. Pregnant women get cramps.”
Emily flinched.
That tiny movement told me more than any confession.
I pulled my phone out and dialed myself.
Teresa’s face changed. “Ethan, don’t embarrass this family.”
“My pregnant wife is in pain.”
“She was fine until you came in making a scene.”
I gave the dispatcher our address and kept one arm around Emily while she leaned against the counter, shaking. Brittany stood behind Mom, still holding her phone. Kayla crossed her arms. Lily looked down at the broken plate like it had personally offended her.
“Tell me what happened,” I said to Emily.
She shook her head.
“Emily.”
Her lips trembled. “I just wanted them to like me.”
The words hit me harder than anything my mother had said.
My wife, who packed my lunches when she could barely stand. My wife, who rubbed my shoulders after shifts even though her own back ached. My wife, who saved coupons and cried over tiny baby socks.
She had been trying to earn kindness from people eating pizza on my couch while she washed their dishes.
“How long?” I asked again.
She looked at the floor. “Two months.”
My vision sharpened.
Two months.
For two months, I had been working overtime believing I was protecting my family, while my family was degrading the woman carrying my child.
Mom scoffed. “Oh, please. We asked her to help around the house.”
“This is my house,” I said.
Her face tightened. “Excuse me?”
“I pay the rent. I pay the utilities. I pay your prescriptions. I pay Brittany’s phone. Kayla’s car insurance. Lily’s community college fees.”
Brittany muttered, “Here we go.”
I looked at her. “You want to join this conversation?”
She shut her mouth.
Emily squeezed my hand, terrified.
Then she whispered, “They said I was trapping you with the baby.”
The room went silent.
I turned to my mother.
May you like
She lifted her chin.
“Well,” Teresa said, “somebody had to say it.”
