Chapter 4
After a night of total chaos, I finally made it home from the ER in the middle of the night.
The family manor was tucked away in a mountain villa neighborhood.
When I opened the window in the morning, the autumn leaves outside already had that touch of bleakness.
Julie brought me the fertility medicine again.
I glanced at the time and asked her to make me some oatmeal first.
By then, it was just me and Kathleen left on the second floor, her face tight with barely hidden anger.
She demanded, "What's going on between you and Edward? He barely comes home anymore.
"I never wanted you to marry into our family but Edward was so stubborn about it that I finally gave in.
"But now, it looks like you really aren't all that impressive after all."
I kept quiet.
Kathleen shoved that bowl of dark, foul-smelling medicine in front of me, the stench so strong it made me want to gag.
"Drink it now. You puked it all up last night, so you better make up for it. If you can't get pregnant within a year, pack your bags and leave.
"There are tons of women out there dying to pop out a kid for Edward," she snapped.
I picked up the bowl.
With her watching me, all smug and self-satisfied, I turned and walked into the bathroom, dumping the whole bowl of medicine into the toilet with a loud splash.
I stared at her, watching her surprise turn to fury, and said, "I'm not taking this crap anymore."
"How dare you!" Kathleen exploded.
I gave a cold scoff.
"You think I was desperate to marry into your family? Edward was the one shamelessly begging me in the hospital.
"You old hag!" I spat.
Kathleen was shaking with rage, her hand raised to slap me.
I stepped forward, ready to meet her slap head-on.
My lower back slammed hard against the corner of the cabinet, pain exploding through me. Then, a warm liquid slowly seeped out from beneath me, soaking my pajama pants and dripping onto the floor.
Kathleen's face went pale, and she let out a scream.
When Edward rushed back, this was the scene he walked into.
The fact that he could leave Olivia behind, even though she was in a swimsuit and trying hard to win him over, showed he wasn't completely won over by her yet.
I had made the right call.
Through the door, I heard Edward and Kathleen arguing.
Kathleen's voice was piercing. "She was the one who provoked me and yelled at me.
"She bumped into the cabinet herself. I never agreed to you marrying her. Kick that crazy woman out, now."
Edward's voice was low and furious. "Mom, that's enough.
"You've been giving Grace a hard time, and she's always tried to keep the peace. I've only put up with it out of respect for you accepting her.
"She's gone through hell these past six months trying to have a baby. Why would she ever do something to hurt herself?
"You're turning things upside down and going too far."
Outside, the first autumn rain began to fall.
I watched the rain patter against the window, letting the commotion outside the door fade into background noise.
Edward pushed the door open, guilt written all over his face.
He said, "I'm sorry, Grace. I never imagined Mom would take things this far. It's partly my fault. Work's been crazy lately—
I looked at him, my face blank.
A flicker of guilt crossed Edward's face, and he hurried to change the subject. "Didn't you say you wanted to move out?
"Let's move into that apartment by the lake, just the two of us, living our own life. Trust me, I won't let you suffer anymore."