/0/78335/coverbig.jpg?v=a4d20b9e7547365d8e3f1206db0ed53b&imageMogr2/format/webp)
"After being married for more than three years, I still hadn't gotten pregnant. It wasn't until my mother-in-law went on a mysterious trip to Thailand and brought back a special charm for childbirth that I finally became pregnant. During my first pregnancy, I experienced stomach pains every night, which kept me awake. My mother-in-law and husband were busy taking care of me, but they refused to take me for prenatal check-ups. It wasn't until a friend secretly took me for an ultrasound that I discovered there was an embryo in my belly, and its position was exactly like that of a traditional Thai spirit child sitting cross-legged..."
Chapter 1
For over three years of marriage, I never got pregnant.
It wasn't until my mother-in-law, Shirley Griffith, went on a trip to Nevoria and brought back a mysterious fertility charm that I finally conceived.
During my first pregnancy, my stomach ached every night, keeping me awake. Shirley and my husband, Eduardo Griffith, looked after me tirelessly but refused to take me for prenatal checkups.
It was only when a friend secretly took me for an ultrasound that I discovered the embryo in my womb looked exactly like a cross-legged spirit doll.
1
Eduardo and I had been married for over three years. Our sex life was perfect, yet I never got pregnant.
We visited the hospital multiple times. Tests showed nothing wrong with either of us. Doctors prescribed folic acid and advised us to stay relaxed.
At first, I didn't think much of it. But gradually, Shirley, who always cared for me deeply, started to show signs of frustration. She enlisted relatives to find all sorts of home remedies and even invited Eduardo's pregnant cousin, Jessica Griffith, to stay with us, claiming it would bring me "baby luck."
Shirley was usually kind and treated me well. I didn't think much of it initially. But one day, I rushed home after forgetting a work report and overheard Shirley talking with Jessica. Shirley urged Jessica to return to her village, but Jessica refused, her words dripping with disdain for me.
"Mona's just a barren old hen. If she didn't have a house and some money, how could an old woman like her marry Eduardo? I'm pregnant. What's wrong with staying in Eduardo's house for a few days?"
Her words stung, chilling me to the core.
True, I was two years older than Eduardo. But what did that matter?
Besides, Eduardo was the one who pursued me.
We met at an industry summit. Eduardo was young, a department head at a startup, handsome, and driven. His only flaw was his humble background, having worked his way up from a remote village.
Because of this, my parents opposed our relationship. They had seen too many stories of men from poor backgrounds taking advantage of their wives. They worried I'd suffer. But after my parents passed away unexpectedly, Eduardo stayed by my side, caring for me through my grief. That was when I accepted him.
When we married, Eduardo couldn't afford a house, so we naturally moved into mine. Eduardo said Shirley had lived in the countryside her whole life and never experienced such a nice home. Since I was busy with work, Shirley could help with household chores. I agreed.
I believed my efforts for the family matched theirs. There was no question of me being unworthy of Eduardo.
I wasn't one to hold grudges or gossip behind backs. I opened the door and faced Jessica and Shirley on the couch. "If you have issues with me, say it to my face. This is Eduardo's and my house. I don't want you staying here. You can pack up and leave."
Shirley smiled awkwardly, grabbing my hand warmly. "Mona, Jessica's young and thoughtless. I'll send her back to the village. Don't be upset. The Griffith family is lucky to have a daughter-in-law like you."
Shirley smoothed things over with a warm smile. Jessica sat on the couch, pouting, opening her mouth but saying nothing.
She was clearly still defiant.
I didn't bother arguing further. Shirley's cheerful demeanor and promise to send Jessica back made it unnecessary to make things harder for her.
I grabbed my report and went to work. By the time I returned that evening, Jessica was gone.
I didn't dwell on it. After Jessica's visit, Shirley seemed a bit embarrassed. For months, she stopped pushing remedies or hinting about babies.
At the end of the year, Shirley joined a senior travel group to Nevoria. She returned with bags of local souvenirs and handed me a charm with a secretive air.
"Mona, I got this fertility charm from a revered monk in Nevoria. They say it's very effective. Keep it with you."
I didn't believe in such things. But Shirley, on her trip, likely heard endless stories from other travelers about their grandchildren and grew eager for her own.
Eduardo noticed my reluctance. With a playful grin, he wrapped an arm around my waist, took the charm from Shirley, and slipped it into my work bag. "See, Shirley knows how to spoil her daughter-in-law. No charm for me, huh? Let's keep it, Mona, for good luck, okay?"
Eduardo always teased me with that cheeky smile.
A charm didn't take up much space, and there was no need to make a fuss. I nodded. Shirley visibly relaxed, then brought out a bowl of soup. "Mona, drink this before bed. It's good for your health, boosts energy, and nourishes the blood."
"Here, let me feed you," Eduardo chimed in, scooping up a spoonful. "My wife's been so busy with work, looking worn out. You need some proper nourishment."
Eduardo and Shirley played off each other, making me laugh. Eduardo brought the spoon to my lips.
The soup, even with the oil skimmed off, had a slight sheen.
But for some reason, as I looked at the floating oil, I felt nauseous. A faint, almost imperceptible rotten smell hit me, making me want to gag.
"It's getting late, Mona. You have work tomorrow. Finish the soup and rest," Shirley urged, noticing my hesitation.
Maybe I was just tired, or the rainy season was getting to me. It was only a bowl of soup.
I opened my mouth and drank it, spoonful by spoonful.
/0/68500/coverorgin.jpg?v=5103f1b64512f131f34fd0190398d0ce&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/0/69834/coverorgin.jpg?v=fcc364f58e98a2ca005385db2508a9f0&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/0/68544/coverorgin.jpg?v=85f37a52a04e79fa54c5589740c3395d&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/0/62446/coverorgin.jpg?v=38761145c8767e855c4e9668ff55049b&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/0/58773/coverorgin.jpg?v=c88c741ffc1d77fd669993e4c404930a&imageMogr2/format/webp)
/0/46101/coverorgin.jpg?v=24f631093b20cfba9623da78c4fed58c&imageMogr2/format/webp)