Chapter 1

My name is Sprinkles, and I was the cat that Tina Warder raised for ten years.

After I died, my soul floated in the air, and I watched that man named Howard Patel slap Tina to the ground.

The sound was sharp and piercing.

Tina was knocked onto the sofa, and blood instantly oozed from the corner of her mouth.

I saw her huddle in the corner, trembling all over, too scared even to cry out.

It was only at that moment that I understood that it wasn't that she didn't love me, nor that she was unwilling to buy me expensive cat food or the cat villa she'd promised.

It was that she couldn't even love herself. She had nothing, trapped in a living hell.

I begged every god I could think of, draining all the spiritual energy I had as a cat.

And I came back into her womb.

*****

"Doctor, I can't keep this baby." Tina's voice was hoarse and tearful. She clung tightly to the doctor's white coat, her knuckles white with tension.

I floated in the warm amniotic fluid, listening quietly. Mom, don't give me up. I'm here to protect you.

The doctor frowned at her, his gaze lingering on her wrist—hidden under her sleeve, where faint purple bruises still lingered. "Calm down. Did something happen to you?"

He softened his tone. "You look weak. Forcing an abortion would be very risky."

"No, it's not that!" Tina shook her head frantically. "It's my fault, doctor. Please—I can't support him. I can't give him a good life!"

Desperation filled her voice. I could feel her heart racing, a mix of fear and shame.

I knew she was telling the truth. In that house, she barely survived like a slave. Raising a child was simply out of the question in this situation.

She just didn't want her baby to be born into this world, only to fall into hell with her.

"Where's your husband?" the doctor asked. "Have him come here. We need your family to discuss this."

At the mention of that man, Tina's body trembled even more violently.

"No... Don't mention his name!" She screamed, as if the name belonged to a devil. With that, she stumbled out of the consultation room and returned to the cage she called "home."

Tina collapsed onto the sofa, drained. She touched her still-flat abdomen and whispered, "Baby... I'm sorry... Mom can't be this selfish..."

Tears dropped one by one onto the back of her hand. I stayed still, afraid of scaring her. Soon, I smelled a familiar stench—tobacco mixed with alcohol, a smell that made my soul recoil in disgust. Howard was back.

He saw Tina's pale face and frowned. "Faking sickness again? Where is dinner?"

Tina struggled to stand. "I... I don't feel well today..."

"Really?" Howard sneered, stepping closer step by step. "You dramatic bitch. Who are you putting on this dead face for? So unlucky!" His voice rose sharply, and he swung a hard slap at her.

This is my chance. I gathered all my strength, tumbled and kicked with all my might inside her uterus.

"Ugh—!" A sudden, sharp pain made Tina bend. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead instantly. She stumbled to the side, narrowly avoiding Howard's slap.

Howard froze when his hand hit nothing but air. He stared at Tina—huddled on the floor, clutching her stomach in agony—and a flicker of panic crossed his eyes. "What's wrong with you?"

Tina was too painful to speak. She could only gasp for breath, staring at her abdomen in terror, completely confused by what had just happened.

Howard looked at her suffering and spat in annoyance. "Useless bitch—always ruining my mood."

He didn't dare hit her again—probably afraid of actually killing her. He cursed and slammed the door as he left.

The room fell silent at once, leaving only Tina's suppressed sobs and heavy breathing.

I could feel her pain—the cramping in her abdomen mixed with fear. But I also clearly felt the fleeting relief when she dodged that slap.