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In the following days,my father-in-law became even more attentive toward me.
He asked my mother-in-law to cook for me every morning.
In the early stages of my pregnancy,my morning sickness was a bit severe.My father-in-law even scolded my mother-in-law mercilessly in front of me.
"You can't even handle such a simple task!She vomited after eating this yesterday,and you're still making it today?Do you have no common sense?"My father-in-law roared at my mother-in-law.I felt very guilty listening to his words beside them.
"It's okay,Mom.It's not your cooking.I just have a stronger reaction now,"I said.
"The stronger the reaction,the more you need to pay attention,"my father-in-law still didn't let it go."You're an adult,and you can't even manage something as small as this!Come on,I will take you out to eat."
My father-in-law pulled me up and we left.
My mother-in-law behind us looked unhappy.She put the bowl down heavily."Everyone has been pregnant before.She's just being fussy!"
In the car,my father-in-law kept asking about my situation."Is there anything bothering you?What do you want to eat?"
I didn't have much of an appetite,nor was I in the mood so early in the morning.I casually found a breakfast shop and felt full after eating a bowl of porridge.
After the meal,my father-in-law asked if I had any other needs.I shook my head.I still felt a bit uncomfortable with the unprecedented care from him.
When we arrived back at the community,my father-in-law helped me get out of the car.
In this old-fashioned community,although everyone knew each other well,the biggest drawback was that people couldn't help gossiping.
As soon as I walked towards the entrance of the building,I heard a few elderly women behind me gossiping."The father-in-law is really going above and beyond.It almost seems like the child is his."
Hearing these harsh words,I felt uncomfortable all over.
Looking at my father-in-law who was standing close to me,I pushed his arm away and smiled."Dad,I'm fine.I can go upstairs by myself."
"That won't do.You are pregnant.You need to be careful about everything,"he said.
All day long,my mother-in-law endured my father-in-law's constant scolding,accusing her of failing to do this or that properly.Naturally,she took out her frustration on me.
After dinner in the evening,my mother-in-law went out.
She liked to dance square dance.After all, anyone would want to go out and get some fresh air if they were in such an oppressive environment all day.
I wasn't feeling well,so I went to bed early.I didn't know what time it was at night when I was woken up by the noisy sound from the next room.
"Do you know what people in the community are saying about you?"My mother-in-law rarely quarreled with my father-in-law in such a loud voice.It seemed that something serious had happened.
"What are they saying?Let them say whatever they want!"My father-in-law liked to drink a little wine at night.Listening to his drunk voice,he must have drunk a lot that night.
"They're saying that the baby Amanda is pregnant with is yours!Look at how attentive you have been!Can't you be more careful and avoid giving the neighbors something to gossip about?"My mother-in-law was still trying to persuade him gently.
But my father-in-law suddenly raised his voice."I'll tell you—the baby is mine!"
"What did you say,you old fool!"
"I said this baby is mine!My son couldn't succeed in three IVF attempts,but I succeeded in one IVF!"
Hearing that my father-in-law seemed to be telling the truth,my mother-in-law suddenly collapsed and sat on the ground,starting to act wildly."You're not a human!You're doing something evil!I want a divorce!You're a monster!"
Slap!
The sound echoed through the room as my father-in-law struck her across the face.
Seeing my mother-in-law's crazy appearance,my father-in-law didn't bother to pay attention to her."Without me,you'll be a beggar.If it weren't for the fact that you gave birth to Eric for me,I wouldn't have supported you for so long—divorce if you want.I'll soon have another son again.Go wherever you want!"
And I heard all of this in the next room.
