Chapter 2

Before marriage, I just thought she was warm-hearted.

It proved she was a kind person.

But the more time we spent together, the more I couldn't accept how she was full of kindness toward outsiders while being harsh and irritable only with me.

Three months after selling the wedding apartment, we could only squeeze into a cramped, rundown apartment.

When it rains, it pours---she got pregnant.

The doctor said pregnant women needed to stay happy and should receive extra care and consideration.

To help her have peace of mind during pregnancy, I requested a transfer to a less demanding position.

Madison thought I was making too big a deal of it, and she also believed that relative's words that I was trying to slack off and lacked ambition.

Then she brought several relatives who needed help back to our rental to stay, demanding I take care of them.

The house was like a market every day, giving me splitting headaches.

The mountain of housework and the messy, cluttered living room broke through my last line of defense.

Unable to bear it any longer, I drove them away.

Madison got angry and had a huge fight with me.

"They're all my family. Without them helping and raising me, I would've been wandering in some corner long ago."

"Anyway, since you married me, you have to help me take care of them. That's your fate."

After saying this, she glanced disgustedly around the house.

Pointing her finger at me: "I'm going to pick them up and bring them back. You hurry up and clean the house, and mop the floor too."

When she slammed the door on her way out, she used so much force that it swung open again.

A passing neighbor shook their head and clicked their tongue a few times.

"Your wife is pregnant. It's normal for her emotions to be unstable. What's wrong with doing a bit more housework? No wonder Madison is so angry."

Madison was extremely popular.

Whenever there was any conflict between us, outsiders always thought I was being unreasonable.

At that time, I lost twenty pounds from anxiety and insomnia, looking haggard beyond recognition.

I couldn't care about others pointing fingers, and showed weakness to her time and again.

"The doctor said you need to rest and protect the pregnancy. Plus, our financial situation isn't good---we don't have extra money to help those relatives."

I couldn't understand why she insisted on bringing these relatives to the city.

The place was cramped, and we even had to sleep on the floor at night.

They had houses and land in the countryside where they could eat and live comfortably.

I patiently tried to persuade her: "Madison, even if you send them half your salary every month, I won't say anything. But having them stay here is seriously affecting our lives..."

Madison wouldn't listen.

She just thought I was heartless and gave me the cold shoulder for a long time.

Until she became increasingly irritable, the fetal movements became abnormal, and the doctor recommended hospital observation.

Only then did she reluctantly send those relatives away.

But it was already too late.

For the sake of her health, the doctor said the pregnancy was no longer viable and strongly recommended ending it.

Madison refused, cursing:

"I've already sent the relatives away. From now on, just cook two extra dishes per meal and take good care of me. I don't believe that if I eat well and sleep well, there'll be problems with the baby!"

I was shocked by her words, as if I was meeting her for the first time.

The doctor said the fetal condition was unstable, and if she continued the pregnancy, even her life would be in danger.

If she had any regard for herself at all, she couldn't possibly say such outrageous things.

At that moment, the blood in my body seemed to freeze.

Knowing there was no point communicating with such a person, I supported the doctor's decision.

When she came out of the operating room, pale as death.

A slap came flying at me. I stood there stunned.

Then came Madison's furious voice:

"Jason, you're so evil! Give me back my child!"

This incident became known throughout the entire community.

Many neighbors came voluntarily to comfort Madison.

Although they didn't say it directly, everyone who looked at me showed disgust in their eyes.

Some self-righteous justice warriors mocked me:

"Sigh, poor Madison was really looking forward to the baby. When marrying, you really should marry someone generous, otherwise even good people don't get good outcomes."