Chapter 3

That afternoon, Martha went down to the kitchen to fetch my prescribed broth, leaving the room momentarily empty. That was when my next uninvited guests arrived.

This time, it was Hailey.

She was leading five-year-old Leo by the hand, carrying an insulated thermos in the other.

The second she crossed the threshold, her tear-rimmed eyes locked onto me, wearing that signature, sickeningly fragile expression.

"Evelyn, I heard you finally woke up. I made some soup especially for you."

She set the thermos down on the nightstand and delicately unscrewed the lid.

A heavy, pungent smell hit the air—a greasy chicken broth coated with a thick, yellow layer of chicken fat.

The grease was so thick it turned my stomach instantly. I frowned, instinctively turning my face away.

Hailey acted as if she didn't notice my disgust. She dipped a spoon into the broth and brought it toward my lips.

"You poor thing. You couldn't even keep your own baby, and your body must be completely depleted."

"I simmered this broth for five whole hours. It's packed with nutrients. Drink it while it's hot."

Her words sounded dripping with concern, but the glint in her eyes was pure, malicious triumph.

Little Leo scurried over to the edge of the bed.

He stared with wide, insolent eyes, pointing directly at my flat stomach, and burst into a shrill, piercing laugh.

"Mommy, look! The bad lady's tummy is completely deflated, just like a popped balloon!"

"She's a wicked auntie! She made Daddy mad! She deserved to have her baby die!"

My face went completely cold.

For a five-year-old child to spout something so vicious, this wasn't childhood innocence. This was groomed malice.

Hailey made a theatrical show of tapping the boy lightly on his bottom.

"Leo, stop that! That’s rude. Auntie is just sick."

She chided him with her mouth, while a smirk spread across her lips.

"Evelyn, please don't take it to heart. He’s just a child, he doesn't know any better."

"Even though you lost your baby this time, I'm sure you can always have another one later. Don't be too sad."

This wasn't comfort. It was twisting a knife into my open wound.

Just then, the door swung open again. It was Derek.

The moment he saw Hailey and Leo standing there, the scowl on his face melted into tender warmth.

"Hailey? What are you doing here? Did Leo's fever break?"

Hailey instantly lowered the spoon, her eyes brimming with fresh tears, instantly assuming the role of the bullied victim.

"Derek... Leo's fever broke, and I was just so worried about Evelyn. After all, she went through all this because of us..."

"I simmered chicken soup for five hours, but... it seems she doesn't want to drink anything I make."

Derek turned his gaze toward me. Seeing me lying there with my eyes shut, completely ignoring them, his face darkened instantly.

"Evelyn, didn't you hear Hailey talking to you?"

"She went out of her way to bring you homemade soup, and you give her this rotten attitude?"

I opened my eyes, staring at him with dead silence.

Feeling his pride challenged, Derek strode to the bedside, snatched the spoon right out of Hailey's hand, and leaned over me.

"Evelyn, I know exactly what kind of game you're playing."

"Leo’s fever was a real emergency. It was life or death! As an adult, couldn't you show a tiny shred of understanding?"

"Now she comes here out of the goodness of her heart, and you give her the cold shoulder?"

"Apologize to Hailey right now!"

He pointed straight at Hailey, his tone commanding.

"Say you're sorry, drink this soup, and we’ll consider this matter closed."

I looked down at the bowl swimming with thick, nauseating yellow oil. Bile rose in my throat.

"I'm not drinking it."

Derek’s rage erupted instantly. He slammed the spoon back into the bowl, sending greasy broth splashing across the nightstand and sheets.

"You won't drink it? If you don't drink it, it means you're refusing her apology! It means you're still holding a petty grudge!"

"Evelyn, can you stop being so goddamn selfish? Does this entire family have to walk on eggshells around you?"

"Leo is just a little kid! You're a grown woman, and you're picking a fight with a toddler?"

Hailey stood beside him, a barely perceptible smirk playing on her lips.

She tugged gently at Derek’s sleeve, speaking in an angelic, breathy voice.

"Derek, please, don't... Evelyn is hurting, it's natural she's in a bad mood. I shouldn't have come and caused trouble."