The Night We Both Went Into Labor

Mrs. Ward smiled ingratiatingly at the phone.

"Don't worry, Miss Vale. We already gave her the delaying medicine. We will follow Mr. Whitmore's instructions exactly."

"Good," Natalie said, full of satisfaction. "If she still hurts later, I know a method that can stop the pain and keep her going until Graham returns."

"What method?" Mrs. Ward asked quickly.

I held my breath and stared at the phone, terrified of what she would say.

Natalie's voice turned cruel.

"Hang her upside down first. Feet up, head down. After five minutes, the baby will slowly move back in. Then find a rope and tie it tightly below her stomach. That should buy more time.

"If that still does not work…"

She deliberately raised her voice.

"Then sew her shut. In short, use whatever method you need to make her wait until Graham gets back."

I shook my head desperately, but only muffled cries came out.

Mrs. Ward froze. Her face went white.

"Miss Vale, that doesn't seem right. Something could happen…"

"How could it?" Natalie sounded contemptuous. "Where I come from, people do this when they want a child born at an auspicious time. Babies are resilient."

She paused for two seconds, then continued.

"Graham is right beside me. This is his meaning. He asked me to call and tell you. He said it was time to correct Stella's jealous temper.

"He also said you must protect my child at all costs. If any of you get soft and something happens to me, Graham will not forgive you."

Ignoring the blood and the renewed pain, I broke free from one maid and screamed.

"No! Graham would never do this to me or our child! She is lying! She is evil! Mrs. Ward, don't listen to her!"

But the next second, two maids shoved me back down onto the bed. Tears streamed down my face as I looked at Mrs. Ward and begged.

"Mrs. Ward, you are a mother too. Can you really do this to my child?"

Mrs. Ward trembled violently. Cold sweat ran down her temples. Even the hand holding the phone shook.

Natalie pressed harder.

"Graham said he will divorce her soon. Think carefully about which side matters more."

The call ended.

For a long moment, there was silence.

Then Mrs. Ward spoke.

"Let Madam go."

My heart leapt. I thought mercy had finally won. I weakly reached toward her.

"Mrs. Ward, please. Hospital. If we wait any longer, it will be too late."

But she turned away from my gaze and ordered the maids.

"Bring some rope."

"Mrs. Ward, what are you doing? You can't!"

She acted as if she had not heard me. Two maids pinned me to the bed again.

The rope cut into my wrists and ankles, leaving bloody marks. Every movement felt as if my skin were being torn open.

"Madam, this is for your own good. Endure it."

Then Mrs. Ward ordered, "Bring in the metal frame."

"For my own good?" I cried until I could barely breathe. "Then stop believing Natalie's lies. Graham may be cruel, but he would never do this to me. He swore he would never hurt me."

No one answered.

The frame was carried into the bedroom.

They dragged me toward it by the arms.