With this feeling of guilt, I woke up early to make breakfast for Alex.
But unexpectedly, there was already visitor at home.
Noisy crackling sounds came from the kitchen, making me uneasy.
Sure enough, Alex's mother, Sarah, emerged with a bowl of steaming soup, smiling. "Ariana, you're awake! Come have some soup. I made it just for you!"
But I sensed something was off.
Sarah had always thought I wasn't good enough for her son and had often belittled me.
Why was she so attentive this time?
There must be a catch.
Sarah continued, "This secret recipe I found with great effort. Drink it. It will help you give birth to a son."
So that was it. Sarah wanted me to give birth to a son.
The bowl of soup was handed to me. It was black and gave off a terrible stench.
I tried to politely decline, but her expression soured immediately.
"You foolish girl, if you don't drink this, what if you have a daughter like you? No, you must drink this soup today!"
She reached out to force it into my mouth.
I struggled, and in the process, the boiling soup spilled on me, and the bowl shattered on the floor.
Just then, the door opened.
Alex's voice called, "Mom, Ariana, I'm back."