Chapter 5

It was my parents.

Emily finally calmed down and opened the door.

My mother stood at the entrance, my father behind her.

Both their faces looked grim, but when they saw me, they forced smiles.

"What are you doing here, Heather?" My mother walked in.

"You sent a message saying you were sleeping at your friend's place. We were so worried."

I leaned against the wall without moving.

Everything that happened today was too bizarre.

"It was too late so I didn't go back," I explained.

My mother nodded, her gaze falling on what Emily was holding.

That ultrasound report.

She motioned for Emily to hand it to her.

My mother took it and looked down at it.

My father leaned over.

The room was quiet for a few seconds.

There was no change like I'd expected.

They were just calm, like in my previous life.

My mother looked up, her face wearing a smile.

"It's fine."

She put down the report and sat beside me.

"If you're pregnant, just give birth. Mom will help you raise it."

I looked at her.

"You've had poor health since you were little," she continued.

"Abortion is too hard on the body. Keep this child—our family can afford to raise it."

Exactly the same as my previous life.

Not a single word different.

"Dad, Mom," I spoke.

"Aren't you going to ask whose child this is?"

They froze.

My mother and father exchanged glances.

Then my mother smiled again: "If you knew whose it was, you wouldn't be hiding it like this. It's okay, no matter whose it is, it's our family's child."

My father nodded beside her.

I stared at their faces.

In my previous life, I was convinced this way too.

They said it was okay, said they'd help me raise it, said not to worry.

I believed them, and then I died.

This life I wouldn't believe them again.

"No," I stood up.

My mother froze.

"What do you mean no?"

"This child can't be kept," I said. "I have to abort it."

My mother's face changed.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm not talking nonsense," I took a step back and grabbed the abortion pills from the trash, shoving them in my mouth. "This child's origins are unknown. I don't want it."

My father took a step forward: "Listen to your parents..."

"I won't listen!"

Emily rushed over from the side, grabbed my arm, and kicked the trash can away. The remaining pills scattered all over the floor.

"You can't abort the child!"

I shook her off.

"Why not? Every single one of you won't let me abort it, but do you know how this child got here? I don't even know myself. Having it in my belly disgusts me!"

No one spoke.

I looked at the three of them.

They all stared at me.

Those eyes—exactly the same.

I backed toward the side, backing up to the dining table and grabbing a fruit knife.

Even though I knew from my previous life that my parents wanted me dead, at least not right now. I still wanted to gamble.

Gamble with my life.

"Let me abort it," I pointed the knife at myself.

"If you don't let me abort it, I'll die."

My mother screamed.

"You're crazy!"

"I am crazy!" I shouted. "Let me abort it!"

Emily rushed forward.

I didn't react in time.

The next second, her hand was already around my throat.

Her strength was frighteningly strong.

She pinned me against the wall. My back hit it painfully, and the knife in my hand fell to the floor.

"You fucking dare to die?"

Her face was only four inches from mine.

"You can die, but the child must live!"

I struggled desperately, my nails clawing at her hand.

My father and mother stood to the side, motionless.

I suddenly understood.

They were working together.

From the very beginning.

I was running out of breath, my vision starting to go black.

Just then, my hand dropped and touched something.

Then my eyes widened in disbelief.

I knew—I finally knew whose child this was!