Chapter 2

The next morning, I woke up choking on the strong smell of cigarette smoke.

Coughing, I stepped out of the bedroom and saw smoke everywhere in the living room.

Andrew and Deborah were sprawled on the couch, almost shoulder to shoulder, gaming away.

Andrew had a cigarette hanging from his lips, and Deborah was holding a slim lady's cigarette, looking like she'd done it a thousand times.

When she saw me, Deborah blew out a smoke ring and flashed a cheeky smile. "Laureen, you're up.

"Sorry, Andrew and I got so caught up in the game we didn't even notice."

I covered my nose, feeling nauseous. "Deborah, I'm pregnant. Could you not smoke in the house?"

Before Deborah could say anything, Andrew cut in, clearly annoyed.

He slammed the controller down and shot me an impatient look. "Laureen, why are you always making such a fuss?

"Deborah doesn't come over often. What's wrong with us just chilling for a bit?

"The living room's huge. Just open a window or something.

"Besides, back in the village, pregnant women were still out working. You're acting like you're made of glass. A little smoke isn't going to kill you."

Deborah quickly stubbed out her cigarette, looking just like a wronged wife. She said, "Andrew, don't say that. It's all my fault.

"I shouldn't have smoked. Laureen's pregnant. If anything happened to the baby, I could never forgive myself."

Andrew picked up her hand and gently blew on it, as if to comfort her. "You silly girl, you're just too soft-hearted.

"She is precious? My ass. She's never lifted a finger in her life, that's why she acts all delicate."

I watched them, my face cold, not saying a word.

I turned to the kitchen to get some water, only to find that most of the premium tonic I'd bought was gone.

It was top-grade, specially imported from overseas for my pregnancy.

I walked out holding the empty jar. "Where's my tonic?"

Deborah looked nervous and tried to hide behind Andrew.

Andrew said with zero guilt, "I gave it to Deborah. She's been staying up late and her skin's a mess. She needed a boost."

"That tonic is for pregnant women," I snapped, my voice rising.

"So what if she ate it? Why are you fussing?" Andrew shot up from the couch, towering over me, his presence overwhelming.

He continued, "Laureen, don't be so selfish! Deborah's a girl too. She needs some pampering as well.

"You've got plenty of money. Just buy more. Do you really have to be so petty with your own sister over a few bites?"

Deborah peeked out from behind him and mumbled, "Laureen, I'm sorry. I didn't know it was so pricey.

"I thought it was just some regular soup. Honestly, it tasted kind of weird, not really tasty."

Playing innocent after scoring a freebie.

Andrew jumped in, even more pumped. "Hear that? Deborah didn't even like it.

"And you're the only one acting like it's some kind of treasure.

"Alright, alright, quit looking like a bad luck charm. You're such a buzzkill."

As he spoke, Andrew shooed me away like I was some kind of dirt.

"Deborah, don't bother with her. Let's go grab something to eat," he said softly. "What do you feel like? I'll treat you to a big meal."

Deborah instantly linked her arm with his, beaming. "Andrew, you're the best. I want salmon."

"You got it. Let's go!" Andrew nodded.

They changed their shoes and walked out as if I didn't exist. Andrew never once asked if I was hungry, or if I wanted to come along.

The door slammed shut behind them.

I stood alone in the empty living room, hand on my belly, and suddenly laughed.

Go on. Indulge yourselves. Raw seafood, alcohol, cigarettes, no restrictions, enjoy it all.

Andrew, go ahead and feast all you want. When payback came knocking in a couple days, you'd regret every bite.

*****

On the third day, the last day before the system said things would change.

Andrew and Deborah took things to a whole new level.

They didn't just fill the house with smoke and chaos; they called over their rowdy crew for a full-blown party.

The music was so loud it felt like the roof might blow off.

I sat in the corner with my pregnant belly, watching them getting cozy in the middle of the dance floor.

Deborah was rocking a tight skirt, pressing up against Andrew, and the guys nearby were shouting and egging them on.

"Hey, Andrew, this chick is seriously spicy," one of them yelled.

"Your wife's right there, dude. Aren't you gonna chill a little?" another guy snickered.

Andrew was so drunk his face was flushed, slurring his words. "Who cares? What's there to be afraid of?

"In this house, I call the shots. That old hag? All she's got is some cash. What else does she have?

"She could never compare to Deborah. Deborah actually gets it."

Deborah giggled and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Andrew, you're so naughty."

"Bad boys are what girls really want." Andrew grinned.

The whole crowd cracked up, checking me out with blatant contempt and ridicule.

I just stared back, expressionless, like an outsider.

Suddenly, Deborah seemed to remember something and came over, holding a drink in her hand.

She said to me, "Laureen, why are you sitting here all alone? Looks boring, huh? Come on, have a drink."

Soon, Deborah held the glass out to me, and the sharp scent of booze hit me right away.

I frowned, pushing it back. "I don't drink."

"Come on, Laureen, it's just fruit wine, barely any alcohol. Really, you'll be fine," Deborah kept insisting, pushing the glass right up to my face.

"I told you, I'm not drinking," I said, annoyed, and waved my hand forcefully.

Deborah shrieked. The glass slipped from her hand and dropped to the floor, splashing red liquid all over her clothes.

She lost her balance and tumbled straight into the tower of drinks beside her.

The champagne tower toppled in an instant, shattered glass covering the floor.

Deborah fell right onto the broken shards, her palm slashed and blood streaming out.

"Deborah," Andrew yelled in panic.

He rushed over like a madman and shoved me out of the way.

I was totally caught off guard, crashing into the wall behind me as a sharp pain shot through my belly.

I clutched my stomach, cold sweat instantly breaking out.

But Andrew didn't even look at me. He gently picked Deborah up, his face full of worry and tenderness.

He asked with concern, "Deborah, are you alright? Don't be scared. I'm here. "

Deborah held up her bleeding finger, sobbing uncontrollably, "Andrew... it hurts so much. I just wanted to toast Laureen, but I didn't know she hated me this much."

Andrew whipped his head around, his eyes blazing with fury, like he was ready to rip me apart. "Laureen, you heartless bitch.

"Deborah was just trying to toast you, and you went and shoved her.

"If anything happens to Deborah, you'll pay for it with your life."

I leaned against the wall, clutching my stomach in pain, but still let out a cold laugh, teeth clenched.

I shot back, "Andrew, are you seriously blind? She did that to herself."

"Still trying to deny it?" Andrew roared, raising his hand to slap me.

His buddies rushed over and grabbed him. "Andrew. Take it easy. Laureen's pregnant."

"Pregnant, my ass!" Andrew went ballistic. "A kid from a vicious woman like her is nothing but trouble. Honestly, it'd be better if that baby was gone."

The room fell silent, not a single sound. Everyone stared at Andrew in shock.

Even animals protected their own young. Yet Andrew said that.

I fixed my gaze on him, searing his twisted, ugly face into my mind.

System notification ticked down in my head. [2 hours left until the transfer blows up.]

I took a deep breath and slowly straightened up. "Andrew, remember every word you said today."

Andrew let out a cold snort, picked Deborah up in his arms, and stormed toward the door.

He answered, "Don't worry. I won't forget. Laureen, just wait. once I get Deborah to the hospital and get her patched up, then you'll see what's coming to you."

Andrew paused at the doorway, turned back, and spat out one last venomous line.