Chapter 3

Only when Jasper mentioned it did I realize I had not seen Mary at home earlier.

I followed him quietly as a plan started forming in my mind.

Upon arriving at Mary’s home, Edith stood with her arms crossed as she looked at me sideways.

“Well, if it isn’t Claire, here to give me a piece of her mind.”

I frantically waved my hands.

“Of course not. It’s totally on me. You were right to call the police on me.”

Only then did she give a proud, hesitant nod.

“Then what are you doing here?”

Jasper nudged me, and I hurriedly spoke up.

“I’m here to take Mary home.”

As soon as I said it, Edith became so angry she nearly stumbled.

“You’ve got some nerve! Do you think we’re pushovers?”

Before we could say more, Mary emerged from her room.

She glanced at me.

“Do you admit you were wrong?”

I nodded vigorously, afraid Mary would not feel my sincerity.

Jasper then seized the moment to take Mary’s hand.

“Mary, you’re not really going to make me sleep in our bed all alone, are you?”

Mary shyly broke free from his grasp.

“Not here! People are watching.”

Soon, Mary brought out her already packed luggage.

“Mom, I’m heading out.”

Upon returning home, I attended to Mary with utmost diligence.

I fetched water when she was thirsty and cooked meals when she was hungry.

Mom even began to suspect something was wrong with me and insisted on taking me to the hospital.

Mary laughed and said, “She’s not sick, she’s just trying to make it up to me.”

I scratched my head sheepishly, but my eyes remained fixed on her belly.

The pregnancy was progressing, and further delays would only cause her more suffering.

“Mary, let’s go shopping tomorrow.”

She hesitated briefly, but after I pleaded with her persistently, she agreed.

“Claire, how old do you think my baby will be before they can fit into this?”

My heart ached with sorrow when I looked at the adorable baby clothes in her hands.

She did not yet know that she was going to spend her last day as a mother.

“Ah, my stomach is hurting so much!”

Mary quickly rushed to support me.

“Oh no, are you okay? Should we get you to a hospital?”

“No, it’s fine. It’s probably just something I ate last night. Mary, could you just wait for me right outside?”

I lingered in the bathroom for a long time. Mary grew worried and came in to check on me.

“Claire, are you okay? I really think we should go to the hospital.”

“No... don’t worry. Mary, come here for a second and give me a hand.”

She walked over without any suspicion.

Before she could speak, I swiftly pushed the bathroom door open and tied her up.

By the time she regained consciousness, she was already in the hospital.

“Claire, let me go! What in the world are you doing?!”

I picked up a scalpel and could barely hide the glimmer in my eyes.

“I’m getting rid of that abomination growing inside you, of course.”

She broke down crying and begged me repeatedly to let her go.

“Claire, please just let us go! I swear this child will never come after any of your money or property! I promise!”

I had worked too hard to just let her walk away.

I pressed the blade against her stomach.

“If you’d just listened to me and gotten the abortion, you wouldn’t have to suffer like this now.”

Mary fell into a daze. She stared vacantly at the surgical lamp.

I averted my eyes and made a firm, cold statement.

“Let’s begin.”

The entire time, Mary never made a sound. She just stared daggers at me as her eyes welled up with tears of anger.

“The surgery was a success.”

I let out a long sigh of relief and hugged Mary excitedly.

“Thank goodness! We’re all safe now.”

The next instant, a sharp scalpel plunged straight into my abdomen.

I stared at Mary in disbelief as I clutched my stomach before collapsing to the floor.