The moment she heard this, my mother-in-law rushed to support me.
"Queenie, why didn't you say so? Sit down, quickly—you mustn't upset the baby. This could be our grandchild!"
I dabbed at nonexistent tears in the corners of my eyes.
"Mom, Dad... are you angry with me?"
My mother-in-law shook her head vigorously.
"Of course not! You did the right thing. That baby in your belly is the Swanson family's treasure. Of course we need to be careful."
The corner of my mouth curved slightly. Even if my in-laws wanted to blame me, they wouldn't dare say another word now that I might be pregnant.
In the end, they could only direct all their fury at Corinne.
It wasn't until Corinne borrowed from loan sharks to pay Calvin's surgery and hospital bills that my in-laws' expressions softened somewhat.
When Calvin woke up and saw Corinne crying and looking aggrieved, he sighed.
"Let it go. Corinne didn't mean to do it. Mom, Dad, don't blame her anymore."
My in-laws regarded Corinne coldly but said nothing more.
Three months later, Calvin was discharged from the hospital. Corinne approached me with an apologetic expression.