He Chose Her Child Over Mine

I dragged myself toward the heavy freezer door.

As it slammed shut, my fingers were caught beneath the metal frame, and the sickening crunch of breaking bones echoed through the room.

A violent contraction tore through me, overwhelming me with such agony that I screamed at the top of my lungs, but my husband, Emery Copeland, was too caught up in his sister-in-law's labor to hear me.

Warm fluid gushed down my legs. My water had broken, and the baby was descending inch by agonizing inch. Terror seized every part of me.

Forcing myself to stay calm, I fumbled for my phone to call 911, only to realize Emery had removed my SIM card.

My belly heaved and twisted as the baby kicked violently inside me, as though it were desperately trying to break free.

Sweat and blood soaked through my clothes, and I could feel the moisture beginning to freeze against the fabric. I screamed with every ounce of strength I had, refusing to give up while there was still breath in my lungs.

Finally, heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway outside.

"Help!" I screamed. "I'm locked inside the walk-in freezer, and I'm in labor!"

I repeated the plea like a lifeline, convinced that rescue was finally coming, until a familiar voice answered from the other side of the door.

"Well, look at you. My brother should have put you in your place a long time ago."

It was Emery's sister, Kathleen Copeland.

I squeezed my eyes shut against the pain and forced my voice to remain steady. "Kathleen, please let me out. I'm having the baby right now. I can't wait any longer."

Kathleen flew into a rage and kicked the heavy door, her voice shrill with hostility.

"Let you out so you can ruin Mavis's labor? Emery sent me here to keep an eye on you precisely so you wouldn't mess anything up.

"Give him a break, Priscilla. He's stressed enough without you causing more drama. The Copeland family fortune will go to whoever it's meant to go to, so don't think for a second you can scheme your way into it."

Another brutal contraction ripped through me, tearing a scream from my throat.

Gasping for air, I pleaded with her. "I don't want a penny of your family's money. Just call Emery and tell him what's happening. Get me out of here, and I swear I'll walk away and never come near your family again."

Irritated by my cries, Kathleen swore under her breath. "Are you out of your mind? Stop screaming like some dying animal. Keep it up, and I'll find someone to sew your mouth shut."

With that, she pulled out her phone and made a call.