Chapter 5

At that moment, I instinctively held my breath and squeezed my legs together, but the amniotic fluid kept flowing uncontrollably. It was leaking from my nightgown and my mother-in-law didn't seem concerned. Instead, she grumbled, "What's there to cry for when you're in labor? Don't you know crying brings bad luck?"

I felt abandoned by both my mother-in-law and likely Max, who was probably cosying up with his mistress in some hotel. I took a deep breath to calm myself and carefully moved to the head of the bed. I elevated my legs as much as possible to slow down the flow of fluid. Then, I reached for my phone on the bedside table with the intention to call 911 for an ambulance.

But before I could dial, my mother-in-law snatched the phone away and ended the call. She pocketed the phone, glaring fiercely at me. "You think calling 911 is free, you wasteful woman?"

During my pregnancy, I often came across news stories about women whose water broke but didn't go to the hospital in time, leading to complications for the baby. The thought terrified me. I pleaded, "Mom, I'll pay for the ambulance. Give me the phone!"

But my mother-in-law retorted, "You pay? Isn't all your money still my son's? Today, I won't let you waste my son's hard-earned money! Just give birth at home, shout a few times, and it'll be over. Why go to the hospital?"

I thought my mother-in-law was joking, despite her usual mistreatment and disregard for me. After all, this child was her own flesh and blood. Surely, she wouldn't hesitate to help her own grandchild, right? Don't traditional-minded people deeply value the continuation of their lineage?

To my disbelief, she actually instructed me to wait and immediately went downstairs to the supermarket to buy scissors and alcohol for my childbirth!

I had always assumed she was simply uneducated and stubbornly traditional, but I never imagined she would go this far!

I was utterly stunned!

She took my phone and since we didn't have a landline at home, calling 911 was out of the question. However, I couldn't just sit around waiting for help.

Thinking quickly, I grabbed a jacket, took my wallet and ID, and prepared to go downstairs to catch a cab to the hospital.

But as soon as I reached the ground floor, excruciating pain surged through my stomach, rendering me unable to walk. I broke out in a cold sweat, feeling as if everything below my abdomen was sinking. I struggled to the edge of the elevator, then slowly made my way out, eventually collapsing on the ground, overwhelmed by the pain and dizziness.

It was too early, so no neighbors were passing by downstairs.

I then lost consciousness due to the intensity of the pain.

I have no recollection of what happened next.

When I woke up, I found myself in the hospital, still feeling dazed and confused.

The nurse informed me that a neighbor who was out jogging in the morning had come to my rescue. They were trying to help, but they didn't know where I had gone for my check-up. Following the rule of being nearby, the ambulance took me to the emergency department of Linston University Hospital, which was close by.

The doctor swiftly performed an internal examination, checking the fetal heart rate and contractions. Their expression turned serious as they stated that I needed an emergency cesarean section.

Suddenly, my mother-in-law appeared, grabbing the doctor's arm and insisting on a natural birth.

"No, that won't do. The baby's position is wrong, the cervix is only dilated to 2 centimeters, and there's not much amniotic fluid left. We must do the surgery now!" the doctor explained urgently.

"Women giving birth is just like a hen laying an egg. What's so special about it?" My mother-in-law turned to me with a fierce glare. "Surgery costs five thousand bucks! We don't have that kind of money to waste on you! Deliver the baby yourself!"

I was in so much pain that I could barely speak, and I cried out, "Mom, I'm in agony. Please let me have a C-section."

"There's no such thing as painless childbirth for women!" My mother-in-law pinched my arm fiercely. "Just grit your teeth, use some force, and push it out like taking a crap. It'll be over soon!"

Tears dried up in my eyes, and I ignored her, grabbing the doctor's hand and saying, "Doctor, proceed with the surgery... I can make my decision myself..."

The doctor helplessly nodded. But my mother-in-law pushed him away, standing in front of the hospital bed and shouting, "As long as I'm here, you won't have any surgery!"

People around tried to persuade her, but she was relentless, berating the hospital and the doctors while stubbornly clinging to the bed. The doctors and nurses could only watch in frustration.

I couldn't bear it anymore. "Having a baby is my own business. If I want a C-section, I'll have one! It's none of your concern!"

My mother-in-law turned around, glaring fiercely at me. With her foul breath and her hand poised, she lunged towards me. "For a useless baby girl, who gave you the right to waste five thousands on surgery?"

That slap, my mother-in-law put all her strength behind it.

My head instantly started buzzing.

Suddenly, it all became clear to me: Why did my mother-in-law's attitude towards me completely change after I had the prenatal examination? It turned out, she found out that I was carrying a baby girl!