[3]

“Such a trivial matter, and you’re making it into something bigger?” Valencia grumbled. “You’d be better off enjoying the food Anna made.”

Before Auri could respond, Anna spoke again. “I specifically made tomato and carrot soup for you. Ethan told me it’s your favorite. I was really hoping you’d like it,” she said, lowering her head as if she were genuinely upset.

Ethan, seated beside Auri, immediately chimed in. “Don’t jump to conclusions, love. Anna didn’t mean anything by it. She just wanted to host my mom since it’s been so long. She was probably busy preparing everything and forgot to let you know.”

Auri hadn’t expected her concern to turn against her like this, especially with Anna now looking so subdued, so apologetic, when in fact—“That’s enough. Don’t make things awkward,” Valencia said firmly. She reached out and patted Anna’s hand. “Forgive Auri, Anna. I think she’s just exhausted from running her flower shop. I’ve told her many times to cut back on activities outside the house.”

“I was only checking on the shop for a bit,” Auri said quietly.

Valencia clicked her tongue in annoyance. “Always the same excuse. Besides, you should be grateful you married Ethan. You don’t need to work yourself so hard. Have you forgotten your background? Growing up in an orphanage, living on your own—and now you’re still busy with work outside the house.”

“Mom,” Ethan warned. “That’s enough.”

“No. You should listen to your mother for once,” Valencia insisted. “Auri should learn to be more aware of her place. Yet she’s still running around out there. What is she trying to prove? That she’s accomplished something just because she owns a small flower shop?”

Auri clenched her fists. She knew her mother-in-law had never liked her, but what Valencia was saying tonight went far beyond that.

They dismissed her work without knowing anything about her flower shop.

“Mom, please stop. You said it yourself—you want things here to stay pleasant,” Ethan said, his tone firm.

Valencia let out a long sigh. “Fine. You’re right, Ethan. Forgive me, Anna. You had to manage everything in the kitchen by yourself because Auri was too busy.”

Anna nodded with a faint smile. “It’s all right, Mom. I would’ve questioned it too if I were in Auri’s position. And… I’m sorry, Auri.”

Auri no longer had the desire to speak. She focused on the carrot soup in front of her. It tasted ordinary. Her chest, however, felt tight and aching. Valencia had cornered her without mercy.

“And next time, you really don’t need to go to such trouble, Anna,” Valencia added. “I heard your pregnancy has been having some issues. You should be resting more.”

Anna smiled brightly. “Yes, Mom.”

“If you need anything, just tell Ethan,” Valencia continued. “He’ll help you.”

“You’re too kind, Mom,” Anna replied sweetly. “Ethan and Auri have helped me so much while I’ve been staying here.”

“They should,” Mrs. Valencia said without hesitation. “You’ve been like my own child since you were little.”

Ethan chuckled softly. “Sometimes I feel like Anna is your real child, Mom. You’ve always said that.”

They laughed together comfortably. Again, the conversation flowed on without pause—without including Auri at all. As if she weren’t there. Auri pursed her lips and tightened her grip on the spoon. Once again, she was ignored.

“Do you remember when you fell off your bike, Anna?” Mrs. Valencia said with a smile. “Ethan carried you all the way home.”

Anna laughed softly. “I remember. My knee was bleeding.”

“You cried the entire way,” Ethan added.

“And you panicked like crazy,” Anna added lightly.

Auri could only watch them, swallowing everything she felt. Something about this… felt wrong.

“I used to think,” Mrs. Valencia continued casually, “that the two of you would end up together.”

The room fell silent. Ethan cleared his throat. “That was never possible. We’re friends, Mom. And we’ll always be just that.”

“What a pity,” Valencia sighed softly. Then, quite suddenly, she turned to Auri. “By the way, how is your pregnancy?”

“Thank God, there haven’t been any problems,” Auri replied briefly.

“That’s good,” Valencia said flatly. “Don’t make us worry again like last time. It’s such a shame—after five years of waiting, and yet you’re carrying a baby girl.”

Auri stared at her in disbelief. “But, Mom—”

“Ethan actually needs a male heir, Auri,” Valencia went on without hesitation. “I’m glad you’re finally pregnant, truly. But it would be much better if the baby were a boy. Have you considered hormone therapy to increase the chances of having a son?”

“With all due respect, Mom,” Auri said, forcing herself to stay calm, “to me, a child is a child—boy or girl.”

“That’s your opinion,” Valencia scoffed. “Honestly, Ethan, I’m disappointed. This is so frustrating.” Then she shifted her attention to Anna. “So, how were your checkup results this week, Anna?”

“No problems at all,” Anna replied with a faint smile, gently stroking her slightly rounded belly. “Thanks to all the care I’ve been receiving, this baby is growing very well.”

“Have you found out the baby’s gender yet?” Valencia asked eagerly.

“Yes. The doctor said it’s a boy.” Anna’s smile widened.

“Oh, that makes me so happy, Anna,” Valencia exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug. “If only Ethan could have a son too. That would be wonderful.”

“Oh, come on, Mom,” Anna said playfully. “My baby can call Ethan ‘Daddy’ too, right? And call you Grandma.”

“You’re right!” Valencia laughed brightly. “If only my grandchild were truly a boy. Ah—but I suppose I can consider Anna’s child my grandchild as well.”

Auri waited—hoped—that Ethan would say something. Anything. That he would defend her. Was a child’s gender something a mother could choose? Wasn’t it all God’s will? What was so wrong with a daughter? Or was a daughter simply worthless to the Harrow family… especially one born from an ordinary woman like her?

But to her shock, Ethan nodded along, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips—as if... her husband silently agreed with what his mother had said. Instead of paying attention to her, Ethan seemed preoccupied with Anna. Auri truly never expected that she would have to endure this kind of cold neglect.

“I want to go back to my room,” Auri said quietly. She didn’t wait for anyone’s response. She couldn’t bear to stay any longer. “Thank you for dinner.”

As soon as she stood up, a sharp tension seized her abdomen. “Ugh,” she groaned, gripping the back of her chair.

“What’s wrong? What happened?” Ethan asked in alarm, rushing to her side. “Where does it hurt, love?”

At the same moment, Anna cried out in pain. “Ethan! My stomach—ah!”

Ethan froze, startled by Anna’s scream.

“Ethan!” Valencia snapped, pulling him out of his daze. “Hurry, help Anna. I think she’s exhausted from cooking for too long. You know pregnant women shouldn’t overexert themselves.”

“But Auri—”

“Anna’s pregnancy is far more fragile. You know that don’t you?” Valencia clicked her tongue in irritation. “Hurry and help Anna. Auri just needs to lie down and rest for a bit.”

“Ethan,” Auri grabbed her husband’s arm. “My stomach hurts.” She looked straight at him, her heart aching as she waited to see what choice he would make. “It really hurts,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“Ethan, please help me. It hurts so much,” Anna cried again. “Please.”