I felt like the happiest person alive when I first learned I was expecting. For so long, Bill and I had dreamed of the day when we would finally be able to hold our kid in our arms.

However, I wasn’t the only one who was anticipating this child. Jessica, Bill’s mother, had also been waiting, but in a way that made my life intolerable.

She had never even claimed to like me. She made it apparent from away that I wasn’t suitable for her son.

Whenever I was there, she would shake her head and say, “Bill deserves someone better.”

But everything changed when she learned I was expecting. Not in a positive way, either.

The infant seemed to belong to her rather than to me. She demanded to be part of everything.

Before I could object, Mom would get her coat and say, “You need me to go with you to the doctor.”

“I am aware of what is best.”

She took full control when we began getting ready for the baby. She made furniture selections, rejected my suggestions, and even said, “The nursery should be blue.” You will give birth to a boy.

I had a difficult pregnancy already. I could hardly eat because of my persistent nausea.

Jessica, however, was unconcerned. When Bill appreciated her cooking, she would come over, fill the house with the smell of fatty food, and smile.

I was confined to the restroom in the meantime, feeling really nauseous.It was more than I could handle. I instructed Bill to refrain from giving her any more information.

However, Jessica was there, sitting in the waiting area as if she were a regular, when we got to the clinic for the ultrasound, which was where we would learn the baby’s gender. I went cold. How could she have known?

“It’s a girl,” the physician declared.

Despite my racing heart, I gripped Bill’s hand. This was the moment we had fantasized about.

A daughter. A lovely young girl. I looked at Bill, thinking he would be as excited as I was.

His face glowed with happiness. Then I noticed Jessica. She made a narrow line with her mouth.

She snarled, “You couldn’t even give my son a boy.” “He required a successor.”

With my hands clenched into fists, I gazed at her. “A successor to what? His library of video games? I was surprised at how piercing my voice sounded. And just so you know, the father, not the mother, decides the baby’s gender.”

Jessica squinted her eyes. She yelled, “That is a lie.” “The issue is with your body! You lack sufficient strength. My son was never the proper fit for you.”

The doctor shifted uncomfortably and cleared her throat. A nurse gave me a pitying look. I rubbed my temples, forcing myself to remain composed. “Come on, Bill,” I whispered.

I turned to him when we got inside the car. “How was the appointment announced to her?”

Bill did not look at me. “I informed her.”

I felt a bubble of anger. “Please don’t, as I asked! She causes me too much stress!”

He identified her as the grandmother.

I gave a headshake. “I’m also your wife! Our daughter is growing inside me! Are you indifferent to my feelings?”

“Ignore her,” Bill advised.

It was simple for him to say. It wasn’t him who was attacked. It wasn’t only him who felt so isolated. Not even my own husband would defend me.

Pain swept over me like a tsunami as labor began. My vision became hazy. I shuddered. It came too soon.

My breath was taken away by each of the rapid, forceful contractions. Bill almost made there in time as he hurried me to the hospital.

I was surrounded by nurses. My eyes were scorched by bright lights. The agony was excruciating.

Gasping, I took Bill’s hand. “I am unable to—”

He remarked, “You’re doing great,” but his face was white.

Then everything went wrong.

As soon as my baby was born, the doctors took her away. Desperate to hug her and see her small face, I reached for her. However, they forbade me.

“Please,” I pleaded in a feeble voice. “Give her to me.”

A doctor yelled, “You’re losing too much blood.”

The globe whirled. The voices grew quieter. Then—nothing.

The first person to hold my daughter was not me. My body felt like an empty shell when I eventually came to.

My chest hardly rose from the weight of tiredness, and every breath felt like a struggle. I tried to move, but my hands were feeble and my skin was chilly.

My survival was a miracle, the doctor had subsequently informed me. They didn’t think I would make it.

I was too near the edge, too much blood gone from my body. My stomach turned when I realized that I may have perished and that I seldom ever saw my daughter’s face.

The door then sprang open. Jessica barged in with a furious expression.

“You were in labor, but you didn’t even tell me!” She lost her temper.

Bill let out a sigh. “It went by too quickly.”

“That isn’t an excuse!” Jessica gave a hiss.

At last, a nurse came in with my daughter in her arms. My heart tightened. However, Jessica moved forward and grabbed her out of the nurse’s arms before I could grab her.

With my daughter rocked in her arms, Jessica remarked, “What a beautiful girl.” Her eyes were triumphant, yet her voice was quiet.

Jessica refused to give me my baby when I reached for her.

The nurse moved closer and stated, “She needs to be fed.”

Jessica hardly gave her a look. “Then give her the recipe.”

Despite my physical weakness, I made myself sit up. “I’ll give her breast milk.”

Jessica’s mouth tensed. However, you will always be stealing her from me! I can’t let you leave her with me! Sharp, accusing, her voice raised.

At last, Bill took over. After removing our daughter from Jessica’s hold, he put her in my arms.

I was so overcome with affection for her that I started crying the instant I held her. I had her. She was priceless.

My body felt heavy even though it had just been two weeks since the delivery. I was exhausted by every movement. I still had trouble, even though Bill had taken time off to assist.

Naturally, Jessica made matters worse. She ignored my tiredness and came over virtually every day. She wouldn’t use my daughter’s given name. She would smile as though she had a say in the matter and remark, “Little Lillian.”

“It’s Eliza,” I said.

I wasn’t even acknowledged by Jessica. Nor did Bill correct her.

She showed up again without invitation one afternoon. She was holding an envelope this time, holding it firmly. There was something disturbing in the glint in her eyes. My stomach turned over.

As he removed the envelope from Jessica’s grasp, Bill scowled. “What is this?”

A sneer formed on Jessica’s lips. “Verify. Carol wasn’t the proper fit for you, I knew that. I was aware of her lack of faithfulness.”

My hold on Eliza became more firm. My heart was racing. “What is this nonsense?” I insisted.

Jessica’s eyes shone brightly. “Please open it. The test is a DNA test. She pushed the envelope in Bill’s direction.”

Bill ripped it open, his fingers shaking. He looked over the paper. His expression clouded.

His jaw clinched as he turned to face me. “You have an hour to leave here with the baby,” he replied. He spoke in a chilly tone. Then he rushed out without saying another word.

I let out a gasp. My legs trembled. “What? What did you do? I gave Jessica a yell.”

She crossed her arms. “My son was never worthy of you.”

I embraced Eliza. “You want to discard this baby after having such a strong desire for her?” My voice broke. “It’s not even a real test!”

Jessica laughed. You’re nursing, so you won’t even let me take her. Bill ought to have a decent wife. Someone who will produce a grandson for me.

Anger erupted throughout me. “You’re crazy!” I let out a yell.

With trembling hands, I stuffed Eliza’s small clothes into a suitcase. Tears clouded my view.

With my heart racing, I gathered my belongings. I grabbed Bill’s toothbrush before I left.

The cold air assaulted me as soon as I went outside. My knees gave way. I held Eliza tight as my tears spilled forth.

Her father, my own husband, had tossed us away as if we were nothing. He hadn’t even given me a second glance.

He hadn’t questioned anything. Without question, he had trusted Jessica. I was aware of the reality.

His daughter was named Eliza. I’d never cheated on him. However, none of that was important. He had picked her instead of us.

I headed over to my mom’s place. She gasped as soon as she opened the door. Carol? What took place?

I cried once more. As I told her everything, she drew me in and listened horrified. I sobbed while she hugged me.

Days went by. My physique became more robust. I went to see Bill after I was well enough to leave Eliza with my mother.

With a steady heart, I knocked on the door. With an inscrutable look, Bill opened it. “What would you like?” he inquired.

I gave him an envelope without saying anything. I declared, “This is the actual DNA test.” “I stole your toothbrush.” Just in case you were unaware.

He furrowed his brows. That’s where it went, then. He ripped open the packet. He looked over the page. He read loudly, “99.9%.” He gasped.

“Your daughter is Elizabeth,” I asserted.

Bill’s expression changed as he stared at me. “I’m so sorry, Carol,” he said. “I apologize for believing my mother.”

I gave a headshake. “No.”

His expression dropped. “I believed she wasn’t mine. But I want you two to return now that I know she is.”

I clenched my hands as I gazed at him. “You’re not worthy of becoming her father. You never doubted the validity of Jessica’s test. You didn’t even pause to consider Eliza or me. I took this action to let you know just what you lost. You threw us out because of your mother.”

His voice cracked. “Please. I’ll interrupt her. Simply return.”

I stepped back. “I’m going to file for divorce. I desire complete custody.”

“Carol—”

I looked away. “Bye, Bill.”

I heard him call my name as I climbed into my car. However, I knew Eliza and I would be okay, so I drove off.