The Mother Who Tried to Kill Me

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 softspoken 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 coworker 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."

During my hospital stay, Connor took care of everything. A week later, I was discharged. When I got home, the house was spotless. My mom was in the kitchen, wearing an apron.

She dried her hands on a towel and came over to help me.

I pulled away, frowning. "Mom, how did you get in?" She averted her eyes and walked back into the kitchen. "I called a locksmith.

If I didn't come, you'd be stuck with this big oaf taking care of you? You're weak.

I made you some soup to help you recover." Connor helped me to the couch. "Mom, I can take care of Jenna.

You have work to do." My mom came over with a full bowl of soup. "Jenna only likes the soup I make." She then shot Connor a dark look. "You said you didn't cheat.

Then what about the pregnancy test in the bathroom? It had two lines." The color drained from my face. My stomach tightened painfully. I looked at Connor in disbelief.

His throat went dry, and he stammered, "I don't know." His words set my mom off.

She whirled around and raked her nails across his face, leaving a long, shocking scratch. "You cheated and brought her home?

You got her pregnant, and you still dare to deny it?" Connor was completely speechless.

He knelt in front of me, panicked. "Babe, I swear, I didn't do it." I wanted to speak, but no sound came out. All I could hear was a terrible buzzing in my ears.

My mom was frantic, hitting and kicking Connor. "Get out! Look at what you've done to Jenna. You need to leave.

She can't stand the sight of you right now." Connor looked at me, worried. "Babe, are you okay?

Let me take you to the hospital." "Get out." My voice was so hoarse it startled everyone.

Connor was afraid I'd get so upset it would hurt the baby, so he stumbled out the door in a daze. I stared at the door, unblinking.

My mom wrapped her arms around me, heartbroken. "Jenna, don't be scared.

Mom's here." She carefully picked up the bowl of chicken soup, scooped up a spoonful, and blew on it. "Jenna, you can always find another man.

You need to take care of yourself." I glanced at the greasy soup, and the nausea hit me hard. I couldn't hold it back and ran to the bathroom to throw up.

My mom rushed to rub my back and get me a glass of water, her eyes filled with tears. "I told you not to marry him, but you wouldn't listen.

You're carrying a cursed child, and it's wrecking your health." I stopped retching, but the sour taste lingered. "Mom, I smell that abortion pill again." I turned and glared at her. "Are you going to stop at nothing until you've killed me?" My mom's body stiffened.

She forced a smile. "Jenna, what are you talking about? I spent hours making that soup. How can you accuse me like that?

If you don't believe me, I'll drink it myself, right now." She turned to go.

I asked quietly, "Mom, then let's take the soup to the hospital and get it tested." My mom stared at me in disbelief. "You suspect me?

I'm your own mother, and you don't trust me?" "I was worried about you and made you soup, and now you're accusing me because of a man?

Is this how you repay me?" She stormed into the kitchen and poured the rest of the soup down the drain. "I should've given it to the dog." I rubbed my forehead.

Could I really have been wrong about her? Seeing my mom grab her purse and head for the door, I quickly called her back. She softened when she saw I was relenting.

She pulled a small herb packet from her bag and tossed it to me. "I even went to pray for you, to bless you with good health." "If you love that man so much, call him to come take care of you.

You shouldn't be alone. But the fact is, he cheated. Don't be naive." I weighed the packet in my hand.

As I watched my mom's stooped back as she closed the door, I realized I'd been too harsh this time. I was about to call my mom to apologize.

While the call was dialing, I glanced at the herb packet on the nightstand. On a whim, I hung up the phone, opened the packet, and scanned the contents with my phone.

In an instant, my blood ran cold. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

I checked it over and over. Most of the herbs were drugs that could cause a miscarriage. My hand trembled, and the herbs scattered across the floor.

The strong, medicinal smell filled the room. I quickly covered my nose and ran to the living room. Sitting on the couch, I touched my belly, terrified.

I was drenched in sweat, like I'd just been pulled out of water. I immediately grabbed my phone and called Connor. Thank goodness he'd been wandering around the hallway.

He came back quickly. I told him everything. His face went pale. "Why would Mom do this? At this stage, forcing a miscarriage could kill both of you." I was confused, too.

My mom's daily care and concern weren't fake. But I always had a vague feeling that her love was somehow veiled. Did she... hate me? The sudden thought scared me.

Connor saw me frowning and quickly helped me up. "Is your stomach hurting again?

Let's go, I'm taking you to the hospital." As we passed the kitchen, I quickly told Connor to use a paper towel to soak up some of the soup residue from the sink.

He was hesitant, but when he saw I was insistent, he did it. The hospital checkup showed the baby and I were fine, thankfully. Connor and I both breathed a sigh of relief.

At the same time, the other test results came back. The chicken soup really did contain abortion drugs. I stared at the report, my teeth grinding.

Connor's eyes were blazing. "If Mom hates me, she can beat me up.

Why would she go to such lengths to hurt our baby?" "Jenna, are you feeling unwell again?" My mom poked her head in, wearing her white coat. "Connor, how are you taking care of her?

How many trips to the hospital is this now?" Connor was furious.

He clenched his fists, the veins on his forehead bulging. "Mom, first you tricked Jenna into taking an abortion pill, and now you're giving her poison. What is wrong with you?

If you try to hurt her again, I don't care if you're her mother. I won't let you get away with it." My mom glanced at the test results in my hand, and her face fell.

She grabbed my hand, trying to explain. "Jenna, no. That herb packet was for your cousin.

I got them mixed up." I closed my eyes. "Mom, this is the test report for the soup." Her face went rigid, and then she let out a broken sob. "You don't believe me?

Maybe there was residue in the bowl from before. I'm your mother. I almost died giving birth to you.

I would never hurt you." I held the report that showed a 100% positive result and pressed my lips together. Maybe my mom was just too tired.

The inlaws didn't treat her well, and Dad had divorced her. She focused all her attention on me and was afraid I'd neglect her once I had my own child. My voice was hoarse.

I reached out and tugged at her sleeve. "Mom, let's just forget the past. Can we just live a good life from now on, okay? I really love this baby.

You're about to be a grandmother." My mom stopped crying. She suddenly stood up and started screaming hysterically, "You won't believe me, but you'll believe this scumbag? Fine.

I'll make you see his true colors." Before I could process her words, my mom waved her hand.

A curvy, seductive woman sauntered in and pressed herself intimately against Connor. "Honey, I was supposed to have my prenatal checkup, but I couldn't find you.

Good thing I tracked your location here."

Connor shook her off like she was something filthy, sweating from anxiety. "Ivy, what the hell are you doing? We're just colleagues. There's nothing between us.

Don't you dare slander me." Seeing me gasping for breath, he quickly tried to soothe me. "Babe, don't be upset.

We're just coworkers." Ivy thrust out her slightly pregnant belly. "Honey, you might not want me, but you can't deny your own child." Connor's eyes were red as he slapped her across the face. "You're lying!

Everyone at the office can back me up." "Oh, now you're hitting me?" Ivy screamed and started hitting and clawing at Connor.

My mom rushed to support me. "Jenna, see what a great man you chose? He's completely unreliable.

The only person you can rely on is me." In the chaos, a sharp, intense contraction hit my lower abdomen. A warm gush of fluid ran down my legs.

Connor rushed to my side in an instant. "Babe, what's wrong? Doctor! Someone help!" I was in premature labor.

The anesthetic shot went in, and I could barely find the strength to push. Then I heard Connor's voice. He was gripping my hand tightly. "Babe, don't sleep.

You promised me we'd grow old together. You can't break your promise..." My consciousness returned a little, and I started pushing.

But the doctor said I was hemorrhaging and needed a coagulant shot. "Give it to her! Save the mother!

Save the mother first!" Connor pleaded, his burning tears giving me a small sense of peace. "Damn it, the chief just took all the coagulant shots!" The doctor's frantic voice came through. "The patient also has a clotting disorder.

If this continues, she won't make it." Connor immediately stood up. "Who's the chief? I'll go beg her." "Lena." I heard it faintly.

Connor was shocked, but he steadied himself, threw the door open, and ran out. My mom's name was Lena.

Connor ran to her office and knelt down, begging. "Mom, Jenna's in premature labor and hemorrhaging. If she doesn't get a coagulant shot, she's going to die. Please, save her.

I know you can't stand me. Tell me what you want me to do. I'll do anything." My mom quickly ordered someone to send the medicine.

Then, she looked at Connor with displeasure. "I want you to divorce Jenna." It felt like a piece of Connor's heart had been carved out. "Fine.

As long as Jenna is okay, I'll divorce her." He scrambled to his feet and ran back to the delivery room. I gave birth to a son.

His little face was all wrinkled, looking just like Connor. My mom was beaming with joy. She gently picked up the baby. "Jenna, his eyes and brows look just like you.

I'm a grandmother now." Warily, I tried to take the baby back. "Mom, he's still so little.

Let me hold him." My mom looked hurt. "Jenna, before, I was just afraid Connor wouldn't treat you right. But these past few days, I've seen it. You're all he thinks about.

You have a child together now. I'll accept it. You two just live a happy life from now on." I relaxed my guard, just a little.

Then I suddenly realized the baby in the blanket had gone silent. I shot up and yelled, "Mom!

What are you doing?" My mom jumped, startled, and quickly shoved the baby into my arms. "What a precious little thing.

You won't even let me hold him." Anxiously, I lifted a corner of the blanket. The baby wasn't moving. His lips were blue. My hand trembling, I reached out to feel for his breath.

The baby in my arms... was no longer breathing.