Hearing Dean’s words, Shirley turned to him in disbelief. But his eyes were fixed on me, and he didn’t bother to spare her a single glance at all.
Biting her lip, she lowered her head with a look of grievance and whispered an apology. “Sorry…”
A heartbeat later, her inner voice spilled into my ear, deliberately letting me hear her thoughts. “Why am I always so clumsy? I just wanted to take care of Diane and make sure my little nephew or niece will be born safe and sound. Thank goodness it was me who got burned and not her…”
I quickly adjusted my expression and tugged guiltily at Dean’s sleeve before murmuring, “It’s fine. Maybe it’s just because I’m further along now, and this has nothing to do with Shirley. She’s just a young lady. How could she know how to look after someone who’s expecting?”
His dark expression softened at that before he gave me an exasperated look. “You’re just too kind, Diane.”
Then, turning to Shirley, he said, “Diane’s right. From now on, you don’t have to concern yourself with her meals or care; just focus on your studies. She’s already called in a lot of favors to send you to school.”
Seeing the stern, unreadable expression on Dean’s face, Shirley’s hatred deepened. She pressed her nails into the blisters on her burned hand until they burst, yet she didn’t seem to notice. All she did was lower her head and nod obediently.
Soon after, she went back to school with her arm still raw with burns. On the rare occasions that she came home, she never stayed for long.
As my baby bump grew bigger, Dean became even more cautious. He insisted on checking every bite of food, every piece of clothing, and every item I used before he let me near it.
We could have relied on Helen, who used to be a housekeeper, but Dean despised her. After all, she’d wormed her way into Dad’s bed while the latter was ill and then blackmailed her way into marrying him.
Dean hated her so much that he wouldn’t even look at her and brought in an experienced caretaker to look after me. That left Shirley with no chance to get close to me.
It wasn’t until just before my due date, when Shirley came home for summer break, that we finally met again.
Smiling sweetly, she seemed all grown up as she held out a protective talisman. “Diane, I went to church with my classmates and got this talisman. Wear it, and it’ll keep you and the baby safe throughout the delivery.”
Her inner voice swiftly followed. “She must think poorly of me after the pumpkin soup incident, but I heard from the priest that this protective talisman keeps people safe. And…”
She rubbed her knee with exaggerated movements and waited until I glanced over before continuing in her mind, “I climbed all 999 steps to the church on my knees to get it. But I won’t tell Diane that. It would only burden her.”
Hearing her words, I looked up in surprise and clasped her hand, my eyes tearing up in gratitude. “Shirley, you silly child. I promise that I’ll keep this talisman close.”
She feigned a puzzled look, but the moment I turned away, a fleeting triumphant smirk flashed across her face.
…
Soon, I was due for delivery. As I was taken into the delivery room with the protective talisman, Shirley lingered nearby, looking like someone who was waiting for a show to begin.
Sharp pain ripped through my body and blurred my consciousness. Each contraction stole my breath until all I could do was cry out.
“Push, Mrs. Aldridge! You’re almost there.” The doctor urged and cheered me on, but I could feel my strength draining fast.
“Dean, Diane is in so much pain! Go in now; she needs you!” Shirley’s shrill voice carried from just outside the door.
The thought of me giving birth to a nest of monsters had her practically trembling with excitement.
“Stop this nonsense, Shirley! Diane is in labor; I can’t just barge in and disturb her!” Dean snapped, worry etched all over his face. Shirley’s constant goading made his temper flare, but he forced himself to hold back.
His voice somehow gave me strength. I drew in a deep breath, followed the doctor’s instructions, and pushed with everything I had left.
The delivery room soon filled with sharp gasps from the medical staff and my own cries of agony.
“Dean, she’s suffering so much! The doctors sound alarmed, so something must’ve happened. Fine—if you won’t do anything, I’ll just be the bad guy.”
Shirley shoved the delivery room’s door open before the frantic and concerned Dean could stop her.
Together, they burst in, only to find the doctors standing rooted in place, their expressions frozen in shock.
“It worked! Diane gave birth to a litter of piglets, and Dean will never want her now.” Shirley’s gleeful thoughts reverberated in my ears.
But immediately after, her gloating halted, and her eyes widened in utter disbelief.
