"Miss Julia, are you feeling alright? You should sit down," a housemaid asked her, gently guiding her to a chair.
Nine months heavy with child, she clutched her belly, feeling the weight of life within. The due date loomed, but the urgency of the moment left her anxious. She sank into the chair, breathing deep, hoping for calm. Maybe it was nothing; maybe she was just worn out from the worries that danced in her mind.
Inhaling slowly, she lifted her gaze. The last few months weighed heavily on her heart. Victor hardly set foot in the mansion anymore, too engrossed in life at the company penthouse. Home was just a stop for him, a place for forgotten clothes and papers he needed.
He had turned away from her, closing the door on their marriage life. The thought of mending what was broken seemed distant to him. She sensed that her choice to keep their baby had created a chasm between them, one filled with his silent disgust.
Visits from Victor's parents felt less like concern and more like a trial. They didn't come to inquire about her well-being; instead, they cast barbed comments like shadows, making her feel small and worthless. Their cruel words echoed around her like a dark cloud.
"Just divorce him so he can find someone he truly deserves," they said, their words stabbing her heart. Yet, she bore it all, clinging to hope. Even the innocent life growing inside her was not shielded from their sharp tongues.
Yet, she stood firm in her resolve. She was Victor's wife, and this mansion was her home. Regardless of opinions or what the court might say, she felt the weight of her victimhood coursing through her veins, reminding her that none of this was her fault.
Beads of sweat trickled down her brow as her belly tightened painfully. It felt as if the life within could burst forth at any moment. Confusion mixed with the sharp pangs of labor overwhelmed her, leaving her breathless and uncertain.
"C-Call Victor. Please tell him I think I'm about to give birth," she whispered, her voice trembling with urgency.
Despite knowing his indifference, she longed to share this news with him. The housemaid nodded and quickly dialed Victor's number.
When she told him she needed to go to the hospital, his voice thundered through the line. "Do you really need to bother me about stupid things like that? If you're going to give birth, just give birth! Do you really need to disturb me at work?" he asked irritably before hanging up on her.
A heavy weight pressed on her chest. Months had passed since she could step back into work; her delicate pregnancy kept her home. Thankfully, her savings provided some comfort. Each purchase felt like a tightrope walk; she would not lean on Victor. She couldn't bear the thought that he might see her as a burden and to throw her cards that her child was from another man.
She pinched pennies, splitting the utility bills for electricity and water. She bought her own toiletries and snacks, refusing to touch anything tied to Victor's money. Knowing his words could cut deep, she built walls around herself, hiding her sense of worthlessness for being jobless from him. She will find a job after she gave birth, she promised herself.
Thank goodness for the money she had tucked away before leaving her graphic design job. The way the housemaid often glanced at her with pity stung like sharp needles. She wished she could shake off that feeling; she didn't want to be seen as an ignored wife.
"H-Here's my mother's number, just call her, please. I can't take this anymore. I really need to go to the hospital," she urged, her voice barely above a whisper, shyness creeping into her words.
The housemaid nodded and jumped into action. She called for the gardener, asking him to find a taxi outside. Victor hadn't left a car or a driver behind, so they had no choice. Another maid was already on the line with Julia's mother.
When a taxi arrived, the gardener offered his hand, helping her into the passenger seat while shaking his head. "Sir Victor really should be here. He should come home to take care of you, Miss Julia. He knows you're pregnant," he said, annoyance creeping into his voice.
A faint smile touched her lips, but bitterness lingered at the edges. It felt like ages since Victor had last come home. Just then, a housemaid hurried after her. "Miss Julia, I'll go with you to the hospital. I also brought your things," she assured. Julia spotted the bag she had packed, filled with supplies for the baby.
"T-Thank you," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
The woman's smile was warm. "You're welcome, Miss Julia. You've always been so kind to us, so we're here to help you. You can do this! I believe in you. When I had my first child, it was tough, but I got through it," she encouraged, shining with empathy.
Her words wrapped around Julia like a warm blanket, filling her with a flicker of hope. She wished for a smooth labor but couldn't shake the uncertainty—was she really ready to give birth? Yet, a shift surged within her, making her acutely aware of her changed state.
Moments blurred together, rushing past as they reached the hospital. With each bump in the road, Julia's stomach tightened painfully, signaling that she was definitely in labor now.
A wave of nerves washed over her, tightening around her heart. It felt so wrong that Victor, her husband, was absent when she needed him most, leaving a hollow ache in her chest where support should have been.
"Of course, that's not his child you're carrying. Why would he want to be with you?" A voice in her head taunted like a ghost, feeding her doubts as shadows clung to her thoughts.
Shaking off that haunting thought, she steeled herself. Right now, she needed to concentrate on bringing her baby into the world, ensuring everything went smoothly despite the pain.
The next thing she new, she was lying on a hospital bed, nurses bustling around her like hummingbirds and a doctor standing by, ready for action.
"Take a deep breath… relax… one… two… three… push!" the doctor urged, but the words began to dissolve into a fog, slipping through Julia's mind like water through her fingers.
Pain radiated through her body, each wave crashing harder than the last. Her belly hurt, her eyes stung from tears, and her emotions spun wildly. Time slipped away, and she lost track of how many pushes it took before a baby's cry pierced through the chaos.
The doctor's voice broke through the haze, "Congratulations! You have a healthy baby boy!" Weakness washed over Julia, leaving her breathless as her heart raced with disbelief.
Confusion flooded her as emotions tangled in her chest. Mothers instinctively want to see their babies after birth, yet she hesitated—doubt gnawed at her. What was she truly feeling for this little life?
She longed to see him, but fear clutched at her heart—what if she couldn't stand to lose him? So she steeled herself, avoiding the urge to gaze upon his face, pushing that thought away.
The doctor inquired if she wanted to hold her baby before the nurse took him, but Julia simply stared blankly, lost in her haze. Suddenly, her mother's voice broke through, pulling her back to reality.
"I'll hold the baby first…" The nurses gently placed the tiny bundle into Martha's waiting arms.
Julia noticed her mother's face glowing with pure joy as she cradled the baby. "He's so handsome, Julia! You have such a precious little boy," her mother exclaimed, eyes sparkling with pride beside her.
Julia gulped, the knot in her throat tightening. She yearned to see her baby, to hold him close too. But fear gripped her—what if everything fell apart? She was terrified to love him, wondering if she could handle the thought of letting him go.
Her mother's hand rested gently on her shoulder. "Are you sure you don't want to see your baby before the nurse takes him away? Once he's ready to come out, I'll get him…" That was their deal; her mother would find a loving family for her child.
The baby's cries filled the room, sharp and insistent. Even with her hands over her ears, she felt each wail echo in her chest. His voice seemed to reach out, longing for his mother's warmth and touch.
When Julia remained silent, her mother nodded, patience written across her face. Just as she was about to pass the baby to the nurse, Julia tugged at her shirt. "W-Wait, Mom…"
Instantly, her mother grasped her intent. The tension melted from her demeanor, replaced with a warm smile. Without hesitation, she placed the baby gently into Julia's waiting arms.
As soon as the baby settled into her arms, his cries fell silent, as if sensing her familiar warmth. He leaned toward her, his tiny face breaking into a soft, trusting smile.
Warm tears streamed down Julia's cheeks, glistening as she cradled the small being against her. "You're a behave boy, huh?" she whispered, her voice breaking with tender affection.
The baby grinned back, as if he truly understood her words. "You're so handsome. You're very precious…" she cooed, marveling at the miracle she held.
As she gazed at him, a thought crossed her mind—he looked just like Dante! This tiny child didn't share her features; he was his father's son through and through.
"I-I can't fight for you, my son," she murmured softly, her heart heavy with emotions, the truth weighing on her every word.
Her mother wrapped her arms around Julia, a gentle pull toward the baby as the nurse approached. A chill ran through Julia, realizing this might be the last embrace she would ever have with her baby.
Could she truly hand him over like a lost puppy?
But what about Victor? Deep inside, she felt the weight of their broken marriage, knowing she couldn't give her child a happy home.
As her mother took the baby, a loud wail erupted from his tiny mouth. It was as if he sensed the distance between them, the fear of being left alone.
A storm brewed inside her; it felt like a vice gripping her heart tight, making it hard to breathe. She loved Victor deeply, but giving her child away felt impossible.
This was her own flesh and blood. Now, cradled in her arms, the truth hit her—she loved him fiercely and without reservation.
"Mom… he is my son. I will keep him… forever," she declared, tears brimming in her eyes yet a fierce determination igniting within her.
A bright smile spread across her mother's face, radiating warmth. "I'm so happy you've made this choice, Julia. We will keep him forever. I'll take him to the nurse now for care." She placed a gentle kiss on Julia's forehead. "I'm incredibly proud of you, sweetheart."
Those simple words opened the floodgates of her emotions once more. With her decision made, dread crept in—what would happen to her marriage life now?