But before I could make my move, another problem appeared: his mother.
“David, you’re spoiling her too much!” she snapped, her voice sharp and grating. “It’s the New Year, and she’s rushing to leave? Maybe she has someone waiting for her back in the city!”
“Mom, she’s not feeling well,” David said, trying to defend me.
“Oh, please,” she scoffed. “She’s faking it. When I was pregnant with you, I fell off a ridge and I was fine!”
David hesitated, caught between his mother’s words and my plea.
I stepped in, forcing my tone to remain calm. “I just want to go for a checkup. If everything’s fine, I’ll come back right away. It’s the New Year—I want to spend it properly with the family.”
“If you want a proper New Year,” she snapped, “then stay here. There’s nothing wrong with you—I know because I have experience. Now stop standing there and go wash the dishes! There’s a pile from yesterday, and I need a break. What kind of daughter-in-law doesn’t help out in her in-laws’ home? Move it!”
I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to grab the nearest shoe and slap that smug look off her face.
David glanced at me and said, “Go on, help Mom out. She’s been working hard.”