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Karen would
leave once the
e child was born.
For Helen and our baby on the way, I silently endured. I’d hoped Karen
On the day our daughter was born, Karen’s first reaction was a cold, “You’re really useless.”
Then she went home by herself.
I was left alone at the hospital to take care of Helen. With no one else to help, I was exhausted, juggling both her and our newborn. I ended up with a high fever, and finally, I had to be admitted too.
We spent two weeks in the hospital together. On the day we were discharged, I was beyond exhausted, carrying bags and bags home.
The first thing Karen said when she saw me was, “Wren’t you going to cook? I’ve practically starved these past few days. Look at Helen, she’s lost weight too.”
I was furious, but since it was our first day back and the baby’s first day home, I held back and went to cook in silence.
Helen, for once, was in high spirits,
“Mom, look at how happy she is, smiling like that.”
Karen didn’t respond. She just looked at the baby with a frosty gaze.
My paternity leave ended quickly. Worried Karen wouldn’t take good care of Helen, I hired a maid
was uncomfortable, and one day.
Her name was Florence Ruiz, a hardworking woman. She worked tirelessly, but Karen was never satisfied. Florence was und she shyly admitted she wanted to quit.
I tried to convince her otherwise. She’d only been with us for two weeks, and it would be complicated to calculate her pay and find a replacement if
she left now.
So, I gently persuaded Florence to hang on a bit longer.
Seeing Helen nearly recovered, I suggested she go outside with Florence for a walk.
They had barely left when Karen began calling us frantically.
The baby’s foaming at the mouth! Come home now!”
Timmediately hadled a cab to the hospital. But it was rush hour, and traffic was gridlocked. A temble feeling gripped
me
By the time I arrived, I saw Helen in tears,
Is the still being treated?”
“She’s gone” Helen clutched me, sobbing-
I stood there, frozen. In the span of a single month, I’d gone from immense joy
“How did she die?” I asked through gritted teeth, my voice low and trembling.
y to utter des
despair I could barely process it
