The Intertwined Hatred, Never Meeting Again

After my third stillbirth, I hemorrhaged badly, a consequence of the emotional rollercoaster I was on.

John went up to the church that morning, lit candles, and said a prayer for me.

I woke up in the hospital bed after the surgery and was about to ring for the nurse.

That’s when I overheard John talking to the doctor outside my room.

“John, this is your and Sarah’s third child. Even the strongest woman couldn’t bear losing three children!”

“Ashley said she needed a baby’s heart for some experimental treatment, and you…you sacrificed your own children for her? You’re insane!”

“I promised Ashley I’d cure her. Once she’s better, Sarah and I will have a healthy baby. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to Sarah, treating her right…”

My hand trembled as I held onto the bedsheet.

So, my children’s lives were nothing more than medicine for Ashley.

Now that fate had revealed the truth, I wouldn’t be fooled by John again.

…

“These three stillbirths, caused by the medication, have severely damaged Sarah’s body. Are you not worried about whether she can handle another pregnancy?”

“She’s your wife, John! This is incredibly cruel to her. How do you expect her to cope with the loss of all those babies?”

John impatiently interrupted the doctor.

“Enough. I only asked for your help because I consider you a friend. This is my family matter, I don’t need you lecturing me.”

“Just make sure Sarah gets the best medication and recovers quickly so she can get pregnant again.”

The doctor sighed, a look of pity on his face.

“Sarah’s been pregnant for three consecutive years. Coupled with this hemorrhage, she needs at least a year to recover before trying to conceive again.”

“Ashley can’t wait a year. I don’t care what methods you use, I want Sarah pregnant as soon as she’s discharged!”

John’s gaze was firm, leaving no room for argument.

The doctor glanced at my chart as he left, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes.

“John, we’ve all seen how much Sarah has given you over the years. How could you…? Forget it. Think it through, John. Don’t regret this later.”

“Just go and get the medication ready.”

John pushed the door open, and I quickly closed my eyes.

He placed one hand over the IV line, warming the cold fluid with his body heat.

With his other hand, he held his phone and sent a voice message to Ashley.

“Ashley, did you receive the medicine? Take care of yourself. Don’t worry about the medicine; I promised to cure you, and I won’t break my promise.”

I fought back the tears.

The love I thought I had was nothing but a lie.

John’s sudden proposal.

It was all because Ashley was sick and needed the “medicine.”

We got pregnant soon after the wedding. The checkups were all normal, but then I went into premature labor in the seventh month, delivering a stillborn baby.

I was consumed by guilt and grief, and John held me close, kissing and comforting me.

“Honey, it’s okay. We’re young; this baby will come back to us.”

“The most important thing is for you to rest and recover.”

With his support, I pulled myself together and emerged from the darkness.

But a year later, I delivered another stillborn baby in the eighth month. The doctor said I was just unlucky.

John pretended to comfort me.

He said we would definitely have a healthy baby next time.

And now, history had repeated itself.

Three years of guilt, self-blame, and fear.

All for a lie concocted to cure Ashley.

I slowly opened my eyes.

John’s concerned face came into view.

“Honey, you’re awake! Are you feeling unwell?”

“Do you need me to call the doctor? Is your incision still hurting?”

This scene had played out three times now.

John’s acting was getting better and better.

If I hadn’t overheard the truth, I would have been fooled again.

I touched my flat stomach.

“I lost the baby again, John. Let’s not try for another one.”

Panic flashed across John’s face.

He quickly pulled a St. Christopher medal from his pocket and placed it in my hand.

“Honey, I went to church this morning and prayed for this for you and the baby. It will protect you both.”

“Let’s not give up, okay? The next baby will be healthy.”

I stared into his eyes.

“John, my body can’t take it anymore.”

John’s expression froze.

I suppressed my anger and forced a light tone.

“What did the doctor say?”

John cupped my face in his hands, his expression earnest.

“The doctor said you’re fine. We can start trying again as soon as you’re discharged.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll ask the doctor to give you the best medication. Just focus on recovering, don’t worry about the baby.”

He immediately got up and left the room.

He didn’t notice my body stiffen, nor the disappointment in my eyes.

As soon as he stepped out, he made a frantic phone call.

His voice carried through the wall.

“Didn’t I tell you to switch Sarah to the stronger medication? Why haven’t you done it yet?”

“We used this medication before, why won’t you use it now? She’s so weak.”

“I don’t care about side effects! I want her to recover immediately, preferably within a week!”

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, tears streaming down my face.

This was the man who promised to love me forever, to always treat me right, when he proposed.

All I got were lies and pain.

I turned to my side and saw another identical St. Christopher medal on the floor.

Except this one had Ashley’s name engraved on the back.

So, who was John really praying for at church that morning? Me and the baby, or Ashley’s health?

John quickly returned with the doctor to change my IV.

He thoughtfully helped me sit up, placed a pillow behind my back, and kissed my forehead.

“Honey, this is imported medication. You’ll be better soon.”

He watched as the medication, full of side effects, flowed into my veins.

A gentle, caring smile plastered on his face.

I had to admit, he was truly ruthless towards me, without a shred of remorse.

While he was gone, I booked a one-way flight out of the country.

I filed to have my identity records expunged.

For the next few days, he stayed by my side at the hospital, personally washing me, feeding me, and trying every way possible to cheer me up.

Even the nurses and doctors commented on how lucky I was to have such a good husband.

He was putting on a tireless performance, and I was too tired to expose him.

On the day of my discharge, he surprised me with 999 roses to celebrate my homecoming.

That night, I had just stepped out of the shower when he eagerly tried to kiss me.

I pushed him away before he could go any further.

“I just got out of the hospital, I need to rest.”

My rejection caused a flicker of annoyance in his eyes, but he patiently coaxed me.

“Honey, I asked the doctor today, and he said you’re fine.”

He moved closer again.

This time, I pushed him with all my might, catching him off guard and sending him tumbling to the floor.

His face hardened.

“Fine. If you’re not feeling well, then forget it. I have work to do. I won’t be back tonight.”

He slammed the door behind him.

I put on a coat and went to the study, searching for my documents in the drawers.

After finding my passport and ID, I was about to leave when I noticed a single, pristine black book on the otherwise dusty bookshelf.

Curiosity piqued, I reached for it.

I pulled, but the book didn’t budge. Instead, a hidden door in the wall swung open.

Inside, a table draped in red cloth stood in the center of the room.

Three glass jars sat on the table.

I leaned in for a closer look and nearly screamed, cold sweat drenching my back.

The jars contained the preserved bodies of three babies, each missing its heart.

Were these my children?

Once I calmed down, I noticed strange red symbols painted on each jar.

I took pictures and posted them online, asking for help identifying the symbols.

I blurred the images of the babies’ bodies before posting.

Several replies quickly appeared.

“Those look like binding runes, usually used to trap the souls of evil people, preventing them from finding peace in the afterlife.”

“I just asked my spiritual advisor, and they said it’s a spell to trap lost souls. Some people do this after harming someone, out of fear of retribution.”

…

Reading the replies made me tremble with rage.

John had cursed his own children.

He was truly evil.

Was he afraid for himself, or was he afraid of Ashley facing retribution?

John didn’t return until the following morning.

He had someone with him.

“Sarah, long time no see.”

Ashley peeked out from behind John, flashing me a playful smile.

John explained.

“My parents said they missed Ashley, and we were having a family dinner tonight, so I thought I’d bring her along.”

As if afraid I’d misunderstand, he added, “I was working late at the company all night and just picked her up this morning.”

Ashley and John had grown up together.

It was understandable that his parents wanted to see her.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t overthink it. It’s getting late, let’s go.”

Seeing I wasn’t angry, John visibly relaxed.

John opened the passenger door for me, but Ashley quickly slid into the seat.

“Sarah, I get carsick easily, I can’t sit in the back.”

She gave me a challenging smile.

Since John didn’t object, I climbed into the backseat.

I kept my eyes closed during the drive.

Ashley and John reminisced about their childhood, effectively excluding me.

At dinner, John’s parents were cold towards me because of the third stillbirth.

The accumulated resentment finally erupted.

I excused myself and walked out to the garden.

I took off my wedding ring and tossed it into the pond.

Ashley suddenly appeared beside me.

“Sarah, it must be hard, not being able to give John a child after three years.”

“You know, premature babies aren’t always stillborn.”

“I saw one once, alive. Its eyes were beautiful, just like yours.”

“Too bad it never got to see its mother…”

“Enough!”

I raised my hand, not even touching her clothes.

But she fell into the pond.

Before I could react, John had jumped in and pulled her out.

He turned on me, his voice filled with fury.

“Sarah! Are you crazy? What did you do to Ashley?”

“You know she’s not well! Were you trying to kill her?”

Ashley clung to John, her voice weak.

“I was just trying to comfort Sarah because she lost the baby… I didn’t expect her to push me into the pond…”

“Don’t blame her, she’s just grieving.”

John’s face was ice cold.

“Sarah, apologize to Ashley right now!”

I looked at him, a bitter laugh escaping my lips.

“Apologize? I think you two are the ones who should be apologizing!”

“Don’t you know how I lost my babies?”

A flicker of panic crossed John’s eyes.

“The doctor said it was just bad luck.”

“You can’t blame us just because you lost the babies.”

Hearing the commotion, John’s parents rushed over.

“She can’t even continue our family line! Why are we even bothering with her?”

“We shouldn’t have stopped you from being with Ashley in the first place. Who knew she’d be so frail.”

“Quickly, take Ashley inside to change. She can’t catch a cold.”

I watched them leave, my teeth clenched in anger.

I walked out of the house and hailed a cab.

A few minutes later, John texted me.

“Don’t take what happened tonight to heart. I was just putting on a show. Ashley caught a bit of a chill and needs to stay here to recover. I’ll stay here for a few days too, to keep my parents company.”

“My parents aren’t really mad at you. They just want a grandchild. Just buy them some gifts in a few days and they’ll be fine.”

They wanted a grandchild, did they?

I would make sure they received a gift they would never forget.

John didn’t come home for the next three days.

I threw away everything in the house that belonged to me, or reminded me of him.

Before boarding my flight, I called John.

Ashley answered, her voice deliberately lowered.

“Sarah, John’s making me some soup. He’s busy.”

“So, it seems you’ve figured it out. But there’s something you don’t know. I’ve been fine for a while now. I fed those babies’ hearts to the dogs.”

“There’s no such thing as a heart-based cure. It was just a joke, I never thought he’d actually believe it.”

Before I could respond, John took the phone.

“Honey, I was busy. What’s up?”