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It was well-known that foxes held grudges, and with Jack backing this one, Emily’s day would be tough.
Every glimpse of the creature was a razor-sharp reminder of my child’s death, igniting a vicious urge to end it.
But not yet. I needed patience.
A lifetime ago, my sudden labor meant the hospital and ward were chosen at the last minute—details I had only shared with Jack and Emily.
Even if the fox overheard, how could it cross half the city unnoticed?
That afternoon, after my checkup, I returned home to find Linda cramming the fridge with expensive ingredients, including a plump and a pricey crab.
My hands trembled as I asked, “Mom, did you buy all this?”
She shook her head. “Emily brought it. Said it was from Jack’s company supplier—‘perks for employees to improve life’, she called it.”
I inspected those stuff. The shrimp and crab were stone cold, clearly dead for hours.
It was general knowledge that Dead crab breeds toxins. Was Emily that ignorant?
Then I remembered: this was exactly what poisoned Linda in my past life.
I had escaped it thanks to pregnancy, but Linda nearly died after a week in the ICU.
A shadow darkened my vision.
I snatched the seafood bag and marched to Emily’s door.
She glanced at the bag, face tightening. “Returning a gift? Though you don’t want it, Mom and Mark will enjoy it.”
Opening the bag, I said, “And what about these jewelry? If they’re gifts from you too, I’ll gladly keep them.”
Lately, the fox had been “thanking” me by stealing Emily’s jewelry and leaving it at my door.
Every time I stepped outside, it’d slink from the bushes, with its tail wagging.
And it was time to return the favors.
Emily peered inside, and her face went pale. She snatched the bag and bolted to check their surveillance cameras.
Soon, the fox’s shrieks tore through the walls — a grotesque mimicry of Emily’s own voice, shouting back at her.
Its ability to replicate human speech was terrifying.
At noon, Emily hammered on our door, screaming that Tommy was dangerously ill. I followed Linda over.
“Jack’s unforgivable!” Emily raged. “Mom, if you side with him, I’m cutting all ties!”
Jack didn’t flinch. “Fine. Let’s file for divorce.”
Emily froze, stunned he’d agree—her threat had been pure theatrics. Tears welled as she sank onto the bed, sobbing.
That’s when I spotted it: a tuft of reddish-brown fur on the sheets. And on Tommy’s skin—angry red welts.
It clicked instantly.
The fox had an untreated skin infection, neglected by Jack and Emily. Jack, fresh from handling it, must’ve transferred mites to their bed… infecting Tommy.
While their child suffered, they quarreled.
Linda hugged Tommy tightly, pleading for calm.
“Where’s the fox?” I cut in.
Emily glared. “Of course that’s your concern! You and Jack—obsessed with that beast! Is it more important than my son? Aren’t you his aunt?”
I ignored her. Emily was always taking advantage from others. Every conversation with her circled back to favors of her own profits.
And I’d paid enough.
I found the fox shackled in the bathroom. Its fur was matted with dried blood, body flinching as I approached. A low growl rumbled unconsciously.
“It’s me,” I murmured.
Recognition flickered in its eyes. Weakly, it extended a paw, whimpering—a plea.
Clever creature.
Knowing Jack had abandoned it, it sought the only ally left.
It rolled onto its side, exposing its belly.
That’s when I saw: the slight swelling… the damp, sticky fur matted near its hindquarters.
My fingers brushed the spot; cold rage surged through me.
A miscarriage.
Emily’s cruelty had killed its unborn kids.
The green eyes I’d glimpsed in the shadows that night? Likely its grieving mate.
I stormed to the living room, grabbing stray pills from the counter. Returning, I found the fox unconscious, breath shallow.
I forced two anti-inflammatory pills into its mouth.
Live or die—it was up to its fate.
