Chapter 3

'Dad, if I find out you're doing something behind my back that's bad for me, I'll be very upset.'

The baby's voice grew increasingly violent. There was nothing childlike about it anymore.

At that moment, I made up my mind. I had to find out what was really growing inside my wife's womb.

Suppressing the unease in my heart, I pulled out my phone and called my supervisor.

"Mr. Jericho, I'd like to take the day off."

I then texted Cindy.

[Honey, come to the hospital. There's something I need to tell you in person.]

After that, I hailed a cab straight to the hospital.

The entire ride, the baby kept interrogating me.

'Dad, where are you going?

'Not talking, huh? If you won't answer me, I'll make Mom suffer!'

Right after the baby finished talking, Cindy called. Her voice was weak.

"Honey, my stomach hurts–"

The instant I heard her, I rushed over to pick her up.

I had to find out what this thing inside her really was.

What kind of child would try to make its parents divorce before it was even born?

While driving, I booked an appointment in advance. When the doctor saw Cindy's pale face and the sweat dripping down her forehead, she was visibly alarmed.

"Mrs. Wagner, why do you look so pale?

"Have you been taking the nutritional supplements I prescribed? Has your morning sickness become so severe that it's affecting you this badly?"

Before I could answer, the baby roared.

'Dad, why are you seeing the doctor again? Does this mean I was right? You really do want to get rid of me!'

Almost immediately, Cindy's condition worsened. She couldn't even remain standing and collapsed onto the floor.

I quickly bent forward and helped her up.

"Mr. Wagner, your wife's pregnancy symptoms are extremely severe. I strongly suggest you carefully reconsider whether you should continue with this pregnancy.

"After all, the mother's health is the priority. I recommend that Mrs. Wagner recover first before–"

Before the doctor could finish, I interrupted her.

"We're keeping this baby no matter what!

"We came today for a progesterone injection. No matter what happens, this child is going to be born."

The moment I said those words, Cindy's complexion improved slightly.

She nodded as well.

"Yes, Doctor. We have to keep this baby. Please help us."

The baby's tone immediately softened.

'Dad, I guess I misunderstood you.

'Then you'd better protect me. If I ever find out you don't want me anymore, I'll be very upset.'

The doctor immediately arranged the injection to help sustain the pregnancy.

Just before the nurse led Cindy away, I hurriedly scribbled a note on a piece of paper.

'Perform an amniocentesis. I want a DNA test on the baby.'

The doctor looked at me in confusion and was about to ask questions.

I immediately placed a finger over my lips and silently signaled her not to speak.

If the baby overheard us, Cindy might not live to see tomorrow.

The doctor reluctantly followed my request and performed the amniocentesis.

Since the results wouldn't be ready until the afternoon, we decided to return home first.

The moment we walked through the front door, Cindy's phone rang again.

She glanced at me nervously before taking the phone into the bedroom and locking the door behind her.

Twenty minutes later, she came out looking guilty. "It's something about a project at work. Oh, right. Honey, what was it you wanted to tell me? Why did you suddenly take me to the hospital?"

I opened my mouth and intended to tell Cindy everything, but before I could speak, the baby's voice interrupted again.

'Dad, what exactly are you going to tell Mom?

'Before you do, why don't you check what's inside her purse?'

Alarm bells immediately went off in my head.

I forced a casual smile and pretended nothing was wrong.

"I'm going to get a glass of water first. We can talk afterward."

Using that as an excuse, I opened Cindy's purse.

The moment I looked inside, I froze in place.

There were several used condoms.

Before I could even process what I was seeing, the baby spoke again.

'See? I told you Mom was cheating!

'If her first love weren't infertile, she never would've married you in the first place! What you need to do now is divorce her immediately and get that woman out of your life!

'Dad, I'm your own child. Why would I lie to you?'

Just then, my phone vibrated. The doctor had sent me the DNA test results.

[The probability of biological parentage between you and the fetus is 99.99 percent.]