Chapter 3
Zachary’s buzz was wearing off, and reality was sinking in. He stumbled to his feet, panic and regret flickering in his eyes. “Rosalind, don’t be scared. I’ll get you to the hospital right away,” he said urgently.
But Lilian’s mocking voice cut through the air. “I really envy Rosalind. No matter what lies she tells, Zachary always believes her without question.“–
Zachary shook off Lilian’s hand from around his waist, his voice turning cold and sharp. “Get away from me. If anything happens to my wife, itll be on you.”
Lilian, not giving up, sprawled theatrically on the couch, her red stiletto–clad foot brushing suggestively against Zachary’s calf. “Zach, don’t you see? Rosalind just got so excited she wet herself. She’s only seven months along; it can’t be her water breaking.“}
His friends, loitering nearby, chimed in with disdainful chuckles. “I heard pregnant women lose control of their bladders all the time. Guess it’s true.“8
“Can’t even keep herself together. No wonder Zach needs a little something on the side, another snickered.&
Zachary hesitated, his attempt to help me faltering, and let out a relieved sigh. What followed was a surge of anger and disgust at being made a fool of, and he grabbed a throw pillow, tossing it at me.
“How disgusting, Rosalind! What kind of low tricks are you using to get attention?”
Desperately, I tried to explain, “No, I’m really going into labor. My stomach hurts so much.”
He looked down at me, sprawled on the floor in pain, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re quite the actress. If Lilian hadn’t pointed it out, I might have actually believed you.”
Lilian nestled closer to Zachary, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Well, I am your smartest secretary, after all.”
Through my pain, my voice trembled as I pleaded, “Help me, please… the baby… Call an ambulance.”
Timothy laughed dismissively. “Really, Rosalind? Wetting yourself and then calling for an ambulance?”
Lilian added to the mockery, “If word got out that Mrs. Harrington wet herself in public, what would happen to Zachary’s reputation? You’re so inconsiderate, Rosalind.”}
The smoke–filled room made my head spin, and a cold realization washed over me. I couldn’t rely on anyone here.
ignoring the stabbing pain in my abdomen, I crawled toward my handbag, desperate to reach my phone. Their laughter surrounded me, a cruel soundtrack to my struggle.
“Zachary, your wife should win an Oscar for this performance!“&
“Maybe you should calm her down, Zach. If she keeps this up, we won’t be able to enjoy the night.“&
Drenched in sweat, my hair clinging to my forehead, I fumbled inside my bag for my phone, ignoring their jeers. But just as I managed to dial, Zachary’s foot came down on my hand, sending the phone skittering across the floor.
“Enough, Rosalind. Are you out of your mind? It’s New Year’s Eve, and you want to bother the paramedics?“}
Pair forced me into a fetal position on the floor. “I’m really about to give birth. The baby’s only seven months; it’s dangerous. This is your child too. Let me go to the hospital.”
The pain wasn’t normal, and I feared I might have hurt the baby when I fell. For the sake of the child, I swallowed my pride and held onto Zachary’s pant leg, pleading desperately.
‘Please, just give me the phone. I’ll call an ambulance myself. I beg you.”%
“This is your own flesh and blood,” I reminded him.!!
Zachary kicked me away, glaring at the wet spot on the carpet with disgust. I lay there, exhausted and powerless, like a discarded ragdoll. He crouched down, his hand gripping my throat, his voice colder than ever. “What are you playing at, Rosalind? If I don’t teach you a lesson now, you’ll think you can walk all over me.”
