Marriage on Countdown

Upon seeing my flat belly, Wallace was stunned into silence for a few seconds. "Did you secretly deliver the baby all on your own while you were gone for the past few days, Meryl?"

I wanted to respond to him, but my body was utterly exhausted from standing too long. I felt my vision blur, and my throat refused to make a sound. I desperately stretched a hand out to the side, searching for something to steady myself so I wouldn't fall.

I had just reached out when Beth preemptively grabbed me, stabilizing my fall. She asked with feigned concern, "Where have you hidden the baby, Meryl? You shouldn't use your own child as leverage against us—"

She grabbed my wrist mid-sentence and used it as leverage to dramatically fling herself away from me, causing her head to hit the corner of the dining table nearby. A thin trickle of blood appeared on her head.

I hadn't even fully registered her sudden collapse and injury when Mom suddenly shoved me aside.

They immediately rushed toward Beth, their eyes filled with frantic concern for her well-being.

I, on the other hand, had been pushed to the floor, making my wound split open.

If they had just turned to look, they would have seen the fresh blood flowing from my abdomen. Yet, their entire focus was on Beth. They completely forgot that I had only just been discharged from the hospital and was still covered in injuries.

Mom exclaimed anxiously, "What should we do? Beth's bleeding! Go call for an ambulance and get her to the hospital now!"

Beth feebly opened her eyes. She was gasping for air as she tightly gripped Mom and Dad's hands, saying, "You guys shouldn't blame Meryl. I'm sure she didn't mean to push me—I'm the one to blame for not keeping my footing!"

Upon hearing that, Wallace immediately turned to accuse me, snapping, "Beth was only trying to help you, Meryl! You shouldn't have pushed her even if you're upset! Do you see how she's bleeding from the back of her head—"

He suddenly stopped mid-sentence. He looked downward, where the sight of my flat belly and the blood pooling beneath me seized his attention.

I caught a glimpse of worry and hesitation flickering in his anxious eyes, but in the next second, Beth weakly cried out, saying, "You should hurry and help Meryl first, Wallace. I know she's always put on a show, but I truly believe she’s not faking this time! You should hurry—"

She lost consciousness before she could finish her sentence, causing Mom, Dad, and Wallace to completely dismiss my state.

They frantically rushed Beth to the hospital, while I was left at home, once again succumbing to another deep coma from excessive bleeding.

The image of them turning away from me and carrying Beth out the door kept flashing through my mind—a cruel reminder that their love had never been mine. That was when I finally realized there was absolutely no reason for me to stay here anymore.

…

I found myself back in a hospital when I regained consciousness. I had no idea how I got there, and I was genuinely surprised that I had survived.

In the next instant, someone entered my field of vision. It was none other than Wallace.

I finally noticed genuine concern crossing his face as he looked at me. "I've brought you some fresh fruit and a few snacks. Do you feel hungry right now, Meryl? I can unpack them for you right away."

I met his gaze and let out a long, weary sigh. I didn't acknowledge his offer, choosing instead to ask, "How did I end up in the hospital, Wallace?"

Wallace replied, "Beth is in the room next door. Jennifer unintentionally knocked you over after you shoved Beth. You were bleeding profusely on the floor, and while I refused to believe it at first, now…"

"What is it?" I asked as I kept my gaze lowered, urging him to continue.