Devil in the Womb

Sean shoved me to the ground, and a hot river of blood spilled beneath me.

Julie's face went white with worry; she hauled me upright. But a jag of pain ripped through my belly.

"Ah—! It hurts!"

At my cry, both Sean and Ashley turned toward us. They fumbled, panic-struck, and bundled me into the operating room.

I stared at Ashley, hatred burning in my eyes. "If I die, you'll be the murderer. Even as a ghost, I'll continue haunting you."

Sean, defending her as if she were the injured party, spat, "You stole everything from Ashley and show no remorse. I don't care whose baby this is anymore. When you come out of surgery, we're getting a divorce."

His words hollowed me out; I closed my eyes and felt the color drain from my world.

The operation lasted an hour. For that entire hour, the baby's voice filled my head.

This time, he spoke to me alone.

"Tee-hee-hee, this is all the love your husband has for you!

"You wicked woman! This is what you get for trying to abort me. You'll never get rid of me!

"When you leave the hospital, I'll make your parents walk away from you too. I'll make sure you become a woman no one wants."

What a venomous child. He was my son by blood, yet he schemed to ruin me, as if I had committed some unforgivable crime.

Before I slipped into unconsciousness, I had to ask him why he was being so cruel. He did not answer.

When the anesthesia finally faded, a doctor handed me a glass of water and said, "The baby is very strong. He's out of immediate danger, but you'll need to stay under observation for a while."

Staring at that clear cup of water, a sudden clarity washed over me.

At last, I understood what the child's voice had been about.

The days that followed were surprisingly calm. The baby would taunt me now and then, as if daring me to abort him; he wanted me to act on my anger.

But I refused to play his game. I let him grow, healthy and vigorous, in my womb.

When Sean slid a divorce agreement across the table, I didn't beg or plead. I signed my name.

A few days after the divorce, Sean proposed to Ashley.

On the day they set the wedding date, Ashley called me.

"Natalie, I told Sean everything. Your baby isn't his. Out of pity for you, I faked the report.

"For Sean's reputation, I advise you to terminate the pregnancy. If you don't, we'll expose your infidelity in marriage and turn you into a laughingstock."

She threatened me in a syrupy voice. I smiled and pretended to accept. Behind her back, I ate every tonic, every nourishing supplement I could find, fattening the child in my belly until he was plump and strong.

When the due date neared and Ashley was mid-wedding preparations, my video call came in.

"Hi, congratulations on your marriage. Wishing you all the happiness in the world!"

She saw my swollen belly on the screen and her face drained of color. In less than fifteen minutes, she abandoned the groom holding the wedding ring and stormed into my hospital room. She sank to her knees in front of me.

"Natalie! Why haven't you aborted your baby? We're running out of time. Please—please, you must abort him! If you agree to have him terminated, I'll give Sean back to you!"