Chapter 3 The Proof in My Womb

A sharp, searing pain tore through my lower abdomen.

I knew it.

The thing inside me was suspicious again, deliberately trying to scare me. 'Mom, if I find out you're doing anything behind my back that could hurt me, I'll get angry.'

The voice in my head grew more violent, more unhinged—nothing like what a child's thoughts should sound like.

At that moment, I made up my mind. No matter what it took, I had to find out what was really inside my body.

Fighting down the nausea and panic, I pulled out my phone and called my supervisor. "Mr. Morrison, I need to take a sick day today."

Then, I sent my husband a text. 'Darling, there's something I need to talk to you about in person.'

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

The entire ride, the voice inside my womb kept interrogating me. 'Mom, where are you going? I'm your child. You're not thinking about abandoning me again, are you?'

Wave after wave of stabbing pain rolled through my abdomen. Sweat soaked my forehead, but I clenched my teeth and didn't make a sound.

I had to know what this thing really was.

I had already registered online in the cab. When the doctor saw me—pale, drenched in sweat—she visibly startled.

"Ms. Brooks, why do you look so awful?" she asked. "Have you been taking the supplements I prescribed? Is your morning sickness that severe?"

Before I could answer, the voice inside me roared, 'Mom, why are you seeing the doctor again? Was I right? Are you really planning to get rid of me?'

Instantly, a violent tearing pain exploded in my abdomen. My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the floor.

The doctor immediately called for a nurse, and they helped me to a chair.

"Ms. Brooks," the doctor said seriously, "your pregnancy symptoms are extremely intense. You need to think carefully about whether you should continue this pregnancy. The mother's health is the priority. I suggest you recover first, and then—"

I cut her off.

"This baby must stay," I said firmly. "I came here today for pregnancy support injections. No matter what, I'm having this child."

The moment the words left my mouth, the pain vanished.

The voice returned, suddenly sweet. 'Mom, I misunderstood you. Then, you have to protect me properly, okay? If I ever find out you're trying to abandon me, I'll be very angry.'

The doctor quickly arranged the injection.

Just before the nurse led me away, I grabbed a pen and scribbled a sentence on a piece of paper.

'I want an amniocentesis. Test the baby's DNA.'

The doctor frowned in confusion and opened her mouth to ask questions.

I immediately reached out and covered her lips, giving her a pointed look to stay silent.

If the thing inside me heard even a hint of this, I doubted I'd live to see tomorrow.

The doctor had no choice but to comply and perform the amniocentesis.

Since the results wouldn't be ready until the afternoon, I decided to go home first to confess everything to my husband.

The moment I stepped inside, I heard raised voices arguing.

When I entered the room, I caught my husband hastily hanging up a call.

A flash of panic crossed his eyes, but he recovered almost instantly. Smiling gently, he said, "Honey, why are you back so early? You said you had something to tell me. What is it?"

I opened my mouth, about to tell Daniel everything.

Before I could speak, the voice interrupted again. 'Mom, what are you going to say to Dad? Before that, why don't you take a look at what's inside his suit jacket?'

Alarm bells went off in my head.

I forced a casual smile and said to Daniel, "Could you pour me a glass of water first? Then, I'll tell you slowly."

The moment he walked out of the room, I went straight for his suit jacket.

In the next second, I froze. Inside the pocket was a pair of women's underwear—clearly not mine.

Before I could think, the voice spoke again.

'I told you Dad is cheating. If his true love weren't infertile, he never would've married you. What you need to do now is divorce him and raise me on your own. Mom, I'm your child. Why would I lie to you?'

Just then, my phone buzzed. It was the test result from the doctor.

'Probability of biological parent-child relationship: 99.99%.'