Chapter 12:
The room filled with a piercing scream, my mother clutching her chest and gasping for breath.
Her eyes widened and she crawled out of bed and ran to the living room.
There was nothing downstairs, the floor was clean, no blood.
I reminded her, 'Mom, your sister-in-law is waking up.' It seemed like my mother only just noticed me downstairs.
She trembled and forced out a smile, 'Yes, I should go cook.' My brother also came downstairs, his face pale, stumbling in his footsteps, 'Where is your sister-in-law?' I was also puzzled, pointing behind him, 'Brother, what are you joking about?'"
"Isn't sister-in-law right behind you?" They came down together.
My mom and sister-in-law briefly exchanged glances, and my sister-in-law didn't even respond to her greeting, fleeing in haste, "I'm going to cook." My brother also looked uncertain, forcing a smile and asking, "Little Grass, did you sleep well?" Sister-in-law nodded, with a smile as gentle as before.
No one spoke at the dining table, and my mom and brother's gazes occasionally swept over sister-in-law.
They must have a lot they wanted to say.
Sister-in-law went upstairs, and my mom grabbed my brother's arm, subconsciously swallowing a mouthful of saliva.
"Qiangzi, listen to me, mom had a dream! This child can't stay! Really can't stay!" This was the first time they didn't argue over the child issue.
My brother remained silent, seemingly hesitating whether to terminate the pregnancy because of a dream.
"Mom, I...
" "Mom is begging you! Just listen to mom! This child really has something wrong!" Tears streamed down my mom's face.
"Mom doesn't object to you having a child, as long as it's not this one!" My brother lightly nodded his head.
In that moment, the nightmarish voice from upstairs reappeared, "Daddy, do you not like me?" Yesterday's scene replayed itself.
This time, my mom didn't faint; she screamed and rushed towards my brother.
But the door inside the house wouldn't open at all.
They futilely pounded on the door.
The gate was a thick, heavy iron gate, so it was impossible to open.
Sister-in-law and the baby followed behind them.
Sister-in-law went to support my mom, who had collapsed and was repeatedly knocking her head on the ground.
My mom sobbed, "Please, spare me, spare me!" "Mom, what are you doing? You've been so good to me, how could I blame you?" Sister-in-law helped her up gently, and my mom lifted her tear-filled eyes in disbelief.
My brother, on the other hand, wasn't as fortunate; the baby's small hand clung tightly to him.
"Daddy, do you still not want me?" Its eyes occupied nearly half of its face, like a pitch-black black hole.
My brother gritted his teeth, and I saw his eyes rolling back, but he didn't faint.
Sister-in-law helped my mom up and turned to call me, "Xiaoxiao, help me bring mom inside." My mom nodded vigorously, reaching out her hands towards me, "Xiaoxiao, come here and support mom! Mom needs you!" My mom grabbed onto me as if grabbing onto a last lifeline.
She whimpered softly, biting her lip tightly, her gaze looking like a plea for help.
I had never seen my mom in such a distressed state before.
I helped my mom walk into the house, and my brother also called out to me, "Xiaoxiao, come here and support me too." I turned back to see my mom clutching my hand tightly, pulling me towards the house.
I saw sister-in-law pick up the baby and put it back inside her belly.