Revenge on the Evil Mother-in-Law

After my husband cheated on me, his pregnant mistress showed up at our doorstep.

I was devastated, but Grace Bennett, my mother-in-law, urged me to count my blessings, saying that becoming a mother without the pain of childbirth was something most women could only wish for.

I saw right through her.

So I immediately brought my father-in-law Kevin's old flame and their illegitimate child into our home.

When Grace flew into a rage, I smiled calmly and said, "If it's such a blessing, why don't you take it?"

1

After a two-week business trip, I was finally heading home. While driving home, I got a call from Grace.

She specifically asked me to pick up some salmon, organic chicken, and beef bones, and insisted on getting the best quality.

I found it odd.

Our family usually sticked to simple meals, and my in-laws were very frugal. We hardly ever had fancy health foods like these at our table.

Maybe my husband was coming home too?

Feeling a little excited, I swung by the market.

Loaded down with bags, I rang the doorbell when I got home since my hands were full.

When the door opened, I just stood there, dumbfounded.

A heavily pregnant young woman, nibbling on an apple, smiled at me and said, "You must be Laura Baldwin, right? I'm Bella Gibson. You can just call me Bella."

Seeing me freeze, she pushed the door open wider and said brightly, "Come on in!"

I figured she must be some relative of my in-laws.

I gave her a polite smile.

As I bent down to change my shoes in the entryway, I noticed she was wearing my slippers.

As I reached for another pair from the shoe rack, she grabbed the bags from my hands and said, "Just leave them to me."

She then walked into the house as if she owned the place.

Were young girls these days always so forward?

I felt a strange discomfort but shook my head, chiding myself for being petty.

After stepping into the living room, I didn't see my husband Joseph Bennett anywhere. Instead, I heard Grace shouting from the kitchen, "Put it down! Quickly, put it down! Oh, Bella, you shouldn't be lifting heavy things! Just leave it to me."

Bella?

Grace ushered the young woman out of the kitchen and, upon seeing me on the couch, simply said, "You're back?"

In the three years since our marriage, my in-laws had always welcomed me with smiles, if not warmth. I had never seen her this cold before.

I found it strange, but I was too tired from the trip to care.

As for the woman lounging in the living room, watching TV like she owned the place, I didn't bother to question it.

She was probably just some relative.

After all, Grace had always loved bringing relatives over.

I went to my room to shower and then took a nap.

Half-asleep, I felt something was off.

This feeling was confirmed at dinner.

...

As soon as Grace finished her cheerful announcement, my knife and fork clattered onto the table.

My voice trembled without me realizing it, "What did you say? Say it again!"

"I said Bella should eat more and take care of herself, because she's carrying Joseph's child."

My brows furrowed deeply.

Grace continued with a smile, "Didn't you understand? Joseph is going to be a father! And you, you'll become a mother without the pain of childbirth!"

Her tone was filled with indescribable joy. My husband, Joseph, tried to speak but was silenced by a glare from Grace.

What? What did this mean? This was absurd!

My eyes darted among their varied expressions, and it felt like my head was about to explode.

Finally, my gaze landed on Bella's prominently pregnant belly beside me.

2

A terrifying and absurd thought sprouted in my mind, spreading uncontrollably.

Bella flinched under my gaze and leaned closer to Joseph.

Since then did I realize that during dinner, my husband had been sitting right next to her!

And just moments ago, I had been chatting with her, even handing her some fruit.

I suppressed my racing heart and turned to Joseph, "Joseph, tell me, what's going on?"

I hadn't realized that my trembling voice carried a hint of pleading.

Since we started dating, Joseph and I had always had a steady relationship, even being called a "model couple" by friends.

Despite Joseph's humble background and his timid, mama's boy tendencies, he had always treated me well, and that had been enough for me.

I believed in our mutual trust and love, so I placed my last hope in him.

But he couldn't even meet my eyes.

"Laura, let me explain..."

"Stop stalling, just tell me if it's true!"

"I, I..."

He was as anxious as a cat on a hot tin roof, his face flushed, yet he couldn't utter a single word.

In the next moment, he turned to Grace and said in a trembling voice, "Mom, could you explain..."

I heard something shatter inside me.

Before I could react, Bella suddenly collapsed in front of me, sobbing uncontrollably. "Laura, I'm sorry, it's all my fault!

I should have stayed away from Joseph. I'm sorry for destroying your happy marriage."

She cried her heart out, looking so pitiful that anyone would have felt a twinge of sympathy.

"But the child is innocent!" Bella gently placed her hand over her belly. "I don't want to take an innocent life! I really can't do it!"

"So you chose to hurt me?" I pried her hand off my leg.

If I had been dazed before, now I was consumed by nothing but despair and hatred.

She clutched her belly, wincing in pain, and Grace rushed to support her.

"What are you doing? If anything happens to my grandchild, I swear I'll tear you apart!"

Bella wiped away her tears and stammered, "Laura, don't worry. I won't fight you for Joseph.

I just want to have the baby. Once it's born, I'll leave right away, okay?

Please, try to understand how hard this is for a mother! This is my only request. I mean it."

"Don't cry, Bella. It's okay, sweetheart." Grace stopped her from speaking further, guiding her to the couch and carefully offering her a glass of water.

"Why bother talking about hardship with someone who hasn't even managed to have a baby in three years? She'll never understand!"