HER WOMB, HIS HEART

Pregnancy

Soraya gave the master bedroom to Emily.

“This is your room, Emily. Alan’s and mine are next door.”

“I’m sorry, miss. Isn’t this the master bedroom? I think it’s too large for me alone,” Emily said.

“This is your room, Emily. You’re the mother-to-be. You deserve a bigger room,” Soraya replied with a warm smile.

“Thank you, Miss Soraya. You’re such a kind and thoughtful woman,” Emily said, her eyes shining.

“Don’t call me miss. It would make me happier if you called me sister,” Soraya said gently.

Day after day passed. Soraya trusted every part of the fake IVF process without the slightest suspicion. One month later, Dr. Tyson delivered the good news about Emily’s pregnancy. Soraya was overjoyed. So was Alan.

“Darling, your wish is finally coming true. We’re going to have a baby. Thank you, Emily,” Soraya said with a bright smile as she hugged her.

Emily flinched at Soraya’s gratitude. The weight of her guilt settled heavily in her chest.

“If only you knew this child belongs to Alan and me. Forgive me, Soraya. I have no choice. I don’t want my child to suffer the same fate I did. I want this baby to live properly under the father’s name,” Emily thought.

“Forgive me, Soraya. All these lies began because of my mistake. I can’t ignore the fact that the seed I planted is growing inside Emily,” Alan thought.

Alan’s parents, who lived in the city, were thrilled to hear the news of their daughter-in-law’s pregnancy.

“We’ll visit your house next week. Is there anything Soraya wants? We’ll bring it for her,” Mrs. Vior said.

“Emily, is there something you’ve really been craving?” Soraya whispered.

“I really want sour oranges, sis,” Emily whispered back.

“Mom, please bring some really sour oranges,” Soraya told her mother-in-law.

**

“Ma’am, this is the identity of the man who was at Emily’s place the other day. He’s Alan Horison, the only son of the owner of the biggest hotel chain in the country,” James said.

“So that man is Billy Horison’s son?” Madame Grace smiled coldly.

“Will his father’s story repeat itself? Or will Alan and Emily’s story become even more complicated?” Madame Grace said as she bit into the red apple in her hand.

Meanwhile, Emily began to notice strange changes in her body. As the pregnancy progressed, her nausea only worsened, especially in the mornings.

“Darling, poor Emily. She must struggle to eat whenever the morning sickness hits,” Soraya said, staring at Emily’s tightly shut bedroom door.

“What do you think we should do for her?” Alan asked.

“How about you feed her?” Soraya suggested.

Alan froze in surprise.

“How can she smile while suggesting something like this? She wants me to feed another woman right in front of her?” he thought.

“Darling, what’s wrong? Let’s try my idea,” Soraya urged.

“Thank you, darling. I truly chose the right life partner. I love you,” Alan said softly before kissing her lips.

Crash!

The sound of something falling came from Emily’s room.

Alan and Soraya immediately pulled apart.

“That came from Emily’s room!” Soraya exclaimed.

They rushed inside. Emily was lying on the bathroom floor, blood running down her thigh.

“Emily!” Alan quickly lifted her into his arms and carried her to the hospital.

“Darling, I’m coming too!” Soraya said.

“No, darling. My parents are already on their way here. Once I make sure everything’s alright, I’ll come back,” Alan replied.

He sped toward Dr. Tyson’s clinic, panic written all over his face. He was terrified something terrible had happened to Emily and the baby.

“Dear God, please save both of them,” Alan whispered hopefully as he looked at Emily’s pale face.

“How are Emily and the baby?” Alan asked Dr. Tyson.

“Emily suffered bleeding from the fall. Fortunately, the baby is strong. Her condition is stable now, and the bleeding has stopped. She should stay here for a few days,” Dr. Tyson explained.

“Thank goodness. Thank you for your help,” Alan said with visible relief.

His phone rang. The words My Sweet Wife appeared on the screen.

“Yes, darling. Have my parents arrived?”

“How’s Emily?” Soraya asked anxiously.

“Emily and the baby are fine. The bleeding has stopped, but she needs to stay at Tyson’s clinic for a few days,” Alan replied.

“Soraya truly has the heart of an angel. The first thing she asked about was Emily, not the baby,” Alan thought.

“Thank goodness, darling. I’m relieved to hear that. Your parents are already here. They’re enjoying my cooking very much,” Soraya said cheerfully.

“Alright, I’m coming home now. They’ll definitely be looking for me,” Alan said.

“No, darling. Stay with Emily. She’s still weak and probably needs help. I already told your parents you had important work to do,” Soraya replied.

“Are you sure?” Alan asked.

“Yes, darling. Don’t worry about me. Everything’s fine.”

**

“Soraya, I’d like to see your room. Is that alright?” Mrs. Vior asked.

“Of course, Mom,” Soraya replied with a smile as she confidently opened the master bedroom door.

“Thank goodness I managed to tidy everything in time,” she thought.

She had moved all of Emily’s belongings into the storage room.

“Is this my grandchild’s ultrasound photo?” Mrs. Vior picked up Emily’s ultrasound picture, her eyes soft with emotion.

“You’re already fourteen weeks pregnant?” she asked.

“Twelve weeks? Didn’t Tyson say Emily was only six weeks pregnant?” Soraya thought in confusion.

“Darling, there’s no need to question our daughter-in-law. The important thing is that we’re finally going to become grandparents,” Mr. Horison said wisely.

“Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling? Could Alan and Tyson be lying to me?” Soraya wondered.

**

Alan looked at Emily with deep pity.

“If only I had controlled myself that night. This girl might still have had a normal life. Now she has to carry a child conceived through force. Forgive me, Emily.”

Emily stirred uneasily in her sleep.

“You filthy little curse! Don’t ever dream of becoming a respectable woman! You’re nothing but a stupid girl with no family name!” Madame Grace screamed while brutally striking Emily’s back.

Two days after her mother died, Emily had been dragged to Madame Grace’s nightclub. She was forced into prostitution to pay off her mother’s debt.

“My child, even if your mother is a woman of the night, I still hope you finish college and find a respectable job,” Deby, Emily’s mother, had once said.

“Please don’t force me to sell myself. I’m begging you. Please,” Emily whispered weakly.

Sweat covered her face. Her body burned with fever.

“Emily. Emily!” Alan pressed his palm against her forehead.

Emily slowly opened her eyes, then suddenly threw her arms around him. Her body trembled with fear. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sobbed uncontrollably.

“Everything’s alright, Emily. Don’t be afraid. I’m here,” Alan said softly, gently patting her back.

Gradually, Emily’s fear faded.

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“Drink this first. It’ll help calm you down. I’ll call the doctor.” Alan handed her a glass of water.

Dr. Tyson prescribed medicine for her fever and nausea.

“Alan, don’t let her take the medicine on an empty stomach. Her nausea seems severe. She’s lost a significant amount of weight since her last checkup. Please pay attention to her eating habits,” Dr. Tyson said.

“Open your mouth. I’ll feed you,” Alan said, bringing a spoonful of porridge toward Emily.

Emily hesitated. She was afraid she would throw it up again. And there was another reason. She felt awkward being so close to Alan.

“No, sir. I’m afraid I’ll vomit again,” Emily refused softly.

“It’s alright, Emily. Just try it first. Think about our child inside you,” Alan coaxed gently.

Emily gave a bitter smile at his words.

“Our child?” she repeated silently in her mind.

“Well? Do you feel nauseous?”

Emily slowly swallowed the porridge.

“I don’t feel sick at all. That’s incredible,” she said with a bright smile.

“Thank goodness. I’m happy too,” Alan replied.

“I can eat by myself, sir,” Emily said, taking the bowl from his hands.

But the moment another spoonful entered her mouth, she vomited suddenly. Her clothes were stained immediately. Alan quickly helped clean her up.

“It looks like you need to change clothes,” he said, handing her fresh clothes.

Emily tried to get out of bed, but Alan stopped her.

“Where are you going? You’re not allowed to get out of bed.”

“I want to change my clothes, sir,” Emily answered, lowering her gaze.

“I’ll help you,” Alan said as he began unbuttoning Emily’s shirt.