Chapter 1

I was eight months pregnant when my mom tricked me into taking an abortion pill.

Lying weakly in the hospital bed, I confronted her, my voice sharp: "Mom, the baby almost didn't make it. You could have killed us both."

My mom nervously twisted her fingers and tried to sound reasonable. "Jenna, would I ever do anything to hurt you?"

"I saw your husband cheating with my own eyes. You can't keep this baby. Besides, I'm a doctor—I know what I'm doing."

My husband, Connor, was both frantic and furious. "Babe, I never cheated. Mom, you almost killed Jenna."

My usually soft-spoken mom immediately exploded. "You're lying! Jenna is my only daughter."

"What gives you the right to speak? You're a cheater. Get out!"

Exhausted, I looked at my mom. "Mom, Connor got a vasectomy a long time ago."

My mom froze for a second, then anxiously sat down beside my bed. "Jenna, you've been fooled. A man can still cheat even after a vasectomy."

"He's taking advantage of the fact that you don't know any better. He can still have sex, and if he gets it reversed, he can still have kids."

Connor was about to explain, but my mom jumped up and slapped him across the face.

"When you got married, you swore you'd be good to Jenna. It hasn't even been three years, and you're already cheating?"

She adjusted her glasses and fixed a piercing stare on Connor. "I bet you just want a son. If Jenna had a daughter, would you still be this desperate?"

Connor quickly raised his hand in a vow. "Mom, I swear I didn't cheat. If I did, may lightning strike me. And whether it's a boy or a girl, it's my child. I'll love them the same."

I quickly covered his mouth. "Don't say stupid things."

My mom frowned and gripped my hand tightly, her eyes full of worry. "Jenna, you can't stay with a man who only values sons.”

“What did I always tell you growing up? You're beautiful, you're capable, and you deserve the best man." She shot Connor a look of disgust. "Not some jerk who only cares about having a son."

When I didn't react, she slowly pulled a stack of photos out of her bag.

"You suffered through this pregnancy, and he was out there messing around. I was afraid you'd get too upset and risk the baby, so I didn't tell you earlier. These are all the proof."

My heart dropped. With trembling hands, I took the photos.

The color pictures showed Connor with a curvy woman, going in and out of his office building and a hotel, mostly late at night.

The angles were tricky, making it look like they were kissing. Those were the nights Connor had been working late.

Connor stepped forward, stunned by the photos, his face turning red. "Babe, I swear, nothing happened."

My mom pulled back my blanket, trying to help me up. "He cheated first. He wronged you. Go get an abortion. You can't keep his child."

"I'll introduce you to someone better. I'll make sure you live like a rich wife."

I turned away from her, irritated, and picked at my fingers. Fragments of memories flashed through my mind.

There it was again. Ever since I was a kid, in my mom's eyes, I was the best at everything.

When I failed a test at school, she'd beam. "Sweetie, you got your smarts from me. You're going to be amazing when you grow up."

When I ran with a bad crowd in my teens, she'd brag to everyone. "Jenna's so popular. All the boys like her."

When I couldn't land a good job after college and ended up as a clerk, she threw a celebration dinner. "Jenna found a job right after graduation. She's incredible."

Every time, it felt off, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Later, a co-worker pointed it out. "It's called 'destructive praise.'"

I defended her weakly. "That's just how my mom shows her love."

"If she loves you, besides all the compliments, has she ever actually helped you in any real way?"

I had no answer. Over time, through one thing after another, I got my answer.

I silently pulled the blanket back over myself. "Mom, I know that woman. She's Connor's colleague. She's married. And I trust him. Every time he works late, he's on a video call with me."

My mom smacked my head in frustration, her brow furrowed deep.

"Silly girl. Didn't I teach you not to trust men so easily? They all lie. A video call means nothing. He could mess around in the time it takes to go to the bathroom."

"Your dad swore he loved me more than anything. And what happened? He found a mistress and had a son. Men are all the same. I've been through it, and I wouldn't lie to you."

My temples throbbed. I raised my voice. "Mom, can you stop blaming Connor for what Dad did years ago? He's a good man, and I just want a quiet life with him."

My mom was so furious she threw the photos at my face. "I think that man has brainwashed you. You're willing to gamble your youth on him. Trusting a man never ends well. I've worked so hard for you."

The photos cut my face, leaving a scratch.

My mom's face went pale. She nervously touched my cheek. "Jenna, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that."

Tears streamed down her face. "Look at your cousin. Look what happened to her when she trusted a man. You're my only daughter. I can't let you make the same mistake."

Seeing my mom's gray hair, my heart softened a little. I gently patted her back. "Mom, Connor's not like that. Besides, I can support myself. If he ever does me wrong, I'll divorce him. Don't worry."

My mom wiped her tears, then grabbed me and yanked me hard off the hospital bed. "No. You can't keep this baby. I can't let you ruin your life."

I was dragged off the bed, gasping in pain. "Mom, let go. It hurts."

But she acted like she didn't hear me and kept pulling me toward the door.

Connor frantically pulled her off me and scooped me into his arms, his expression turning cold. "Mom, no matter if the baby is a boy or a girl, I will love her."

"I'll take care of Jenna. You should go home."

My mom stomped her foot in anger. "Just you wait. You'll regret this."