HER WOMB, HIS HEART

The New Housekeeper

"My sweetheart, you must be so happy. So many people are eagerly waiting for your arrival," Emily said with a smile as she gently rubbed her belly.

Emily unlocked her old phone and looked through the photos she had taken with her mother while she was still alive.

Mom, you were such an incredible woman. You managed to fill two roles so well, both father and mother. If only I hadn't gotten angry that night. Maybe we'd still be together today, Mom.

One Day Before the Accident

"Mom, explain this to me!" Emily shouted, throwing several photographs of her mother posing nude in an art class onto the floor.

"Where did you get all these pictures, sweetheart?" Mrs. Deby asked, her voice trembling. Her eyes filled with tears as she bent down and gathered the photographs scattered across the floor one by one.

"Zoey is one of the students there. She's my new friend at school. Why did we move to another city to escape all the humiliation? I'm so disappointed in you, Mom. I thought you'd changed," Emily cried.

"My dear, none of this is what you think it is. I only wanted to free myself from a life that felt suffocating," Mrs. Deby replied, her voice shaking.

"So, you didn't stop selling your body at nightclubs. You just moved to an art school instead? I'm so ashamed to have a mother like you! Don't come looking for me! I'll find my own way in life!" Emily stormed out of the house, furious and heartbroken.

Two hours later, Emily received a phone call from a police officer informing her that her mother had been in an accident.

"Mom, I'm sorry. Please hang on, Mom," Emily cried, clutching her mother's hand.

With the little strength she had left, Mrs. Deby gently caressed her daughter's cheek. Her face and body were covered in injuries.

"I'm sorry, my dear. I failed you as your mother. I hope you find your own happiness."

Those were Mrs. Deby's final words before she passed away.

**

"My dear, stay the night with us. Ever since you got married, you haven't spent a single night here," Mrs. Vior urged.

"Mom, I don't think we can stay tonight. Maybe another time. Emily is home alone," Alan replied, declining the invitation.

Soraya fell silent as she looked at her husband.

Why does Alan seem so worried about Emily?

Mrs. Vior paused for a moment.

"All right. Then stay another time, and bring Emily with you. A new housekeeper will be arriving at your home tomorrow."

Why do we need another housekeeper? I can't stand having strangers in the house. Emily's presence alone already bothers me enough, Soraya grumbled inwardly.

"Soraya, I hope my decision doesn't upset you," Mrs. Vior said.

"Of course not, Mom. Thank you so much for your concern. I'm sorry we've made you worry," Soraya replied as she stood and guided her husband's hand.

When they arrived home and were still sitting inside the car, Soraya clicked her tongue in annoyance over her mother-in-law's unilateral decision.

"Sweetheart, why didn't you stand up for me? You should've refused the new housekeeper. You know very well that I don't like living with strangers!"

"Mom already explained it. The new housekeeper will only focus on her work. Besides, I'm the one who spends most of my time at home now. You're always busy at the office, leaving early and coming home late. So what exactly are you worried about?" Alan asked, trying to remain calm.

"It still bothers me. Emily's presence alone already bothers me!" Soraya snapped.

"What did you just say, Soraya?" Alan's voice rose. "Emily is in this house because of our agreement. She's carrying our child!"

"Wait! Why do you keep defending her, sweetheart? I'm your wife. Shouldn't you be on my side? I feel like you've changed. You're not the Alan I used to know," Soraya said, staring sharply at him.

Manipulative. I never imagined you had so many tricks up your sleeve, Soraya.

"I'm not defending anyone. But you need to remember one thing. Our child is growing inside Emily's womb. We are responsible for her too. Please, just be patient a little longer. At least until my eyesight returns," Alan pleaded.

"You're not lying to me, are you?" Soraya's expression softened.

"How could I ever lie to you?" Alan replied gently.

Soraya leaned forward and pressed her lips against Alan's.

Alan froze. Nausea washed over him as memories of Soraya and Tyson embracing passionately flashed through his mind.

I can't reject her. Soraya will become suspicious.

From a distance, Emily saw them. Alan and Soraya were kissing inside the car.

"Ah!" Emily gasped.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" she asked, wincing as the baby inside her kicked hard.

"Daddy loves you, sweetheart. Calm down. You don't have to worry," Emily said with a soft laugh, amused by the baby's reaction, as though the little one were jealous.

**

"Dr. Tyson, this is Mrs. Emily's prenatal record book," Nurse Dolla said as she handed him the booklet.

"Thank you, Dolla. You're always so dependable," Dr. Tyson said, gently patting her on the head.

"Isn't that what a younger sister is for? To keep her big brother's secrets. But don't forget your real objective, Brother. Don't spend too long playing with another man's wife," Dolla said before leaving Tyson's office.

Tyson fell silent. He knew that Soraya had never been his true objective. The woman he had loved for so many years was someone else.

"Becca, why aren't you in the cafeteria?" Tyson asked one of his students.

"It's okay, Sir. I prefer being alone out here in the garden," replied the shoulder-length-haired girl, holding an ice cream in her hand.

After spending several weeks teaching as a student teacher at the high school, Tyson had finally learned why Becca always kept to herself.

"Yeah, the girl without a father. Becca came in first in the class again. She's going to represent the school in the National Mathematics Competition," one of the students said with an irritated expression.

**