could you do this? Your own daughter, Stella!”
Her lip wobbles, and she clutches her hand to her chest. “I can’t believe you’re all ganging up on a pregnant woman like this. She’s poisoned your mind, Jake. Can’t you see that?”
I’m about to retort when Jessie beats me to it. Stepping forward, she points a finger at her. “The only poison in this room is you!”
My mum sobs as she covers her face. At first, I’m stuck, unable to move, but then out of nowhere, my mum clutches at her belly and lets out an excruciating howl.
“What is it?” I ask, my anger turning to concern.
“I’m in pain!” she yells back. “The baby!”
Jake fixes me with a glance, unsure of what to do. Angry words have been spoken, and although the timing of this couldn’t be more perfect, there’s no way I’m going to call my mum’s bluff on this. So I turn back to my mum, placing my anger aside for now. “Let’s get you to the hospital.” I wave my hand to get Jake moving, and everyone springs into action.
“There’s nothing wrong with her,” Jessie hisses under her breath. “It’s all attention seeking.”
I briefly turn to Jessie and whisper back, “that may be so, but I would never forgive myself if this is genuine.”
Resigned to that, she nods her head, and I make my way around to my mum, helping her up. “We’re going to get you help, okay?”
My mum grimaces in pain but nods her head. “Thank you. See, this is how a daughter needs to treat her mother.”
Gritting my teeth at her jibe, I gently guide her to the front door where Jake is waiting with his car keys. “Follow me?” he asks, almost pleading.
“Of course,” I reply back, noticing his sigh of relief.
Jake quickly runs to get his car and pulls it out of his garage as I continue helping my mum—very slowly—out of the house. Jessie shuts the door behind her, and once Jake has pulled out completely, I take my mum to the driver’s side, open the door, and help her inside the car.
She groans as I place her in. “It’s okay,” I coo soothingly. “We’ll get you to the hospital as soon as we can.” She doesn’t look at me, simply nods her head. I try to gauge her expression. She does look like she may be in pain, but it’s so hard to tell.
Once she’s strapped in safely, I glance up at Jake who is staring at me intently. The way he’s looking at me is like I’m staring into a mirror of emotions.
Hurt.
Pain.
Anguish.
Desperation.
Frustration.
I see all of it flitter across his face. The pain in my gut intensifies, but it’s not about me. It’s not even about Jake.
I nod my head at him.
He nods his head back.
I shut the passenger door then Jessie and I walk to her car where we both get in. Once we’re on the main road to the hospital, Jessie makes me jump when she grips my arm.
“You don’t fucking deserve of any this shit, Ana. Both of you don’t deserve this.”
I don’t say anything in return, as I’m too lost for words at this point.
“I swear to God, if she’s acting this—which I highly suspect she is—I hope karma bites her on her scrawny fucking ass!”
Despite everything that’s happening, I throw my head back, laughter bubbling out of me. Jessie turns her attention from the road to me, then back at the road again, a smile encasing her face.
“I love you, woman!” I tell her, still giggling from her comment.
“I love you, too, baby,” she coos back. “Seriously, though, you and Jake must be going fucking crazy with this bitch. It’s bad enough that’s she split you two apart, but this? Jeez, I never knew a mother could have it in her to do such a thing.”
I shrug my shoulders. “Maybe in her mind’s eye she’s not my real mother. She never carried me.”
“No, but despite that, her sister carried you, wanted you. And so did your father, who she was supposed to be head over heels for. That should have counted for something.” She then cocks her head like she’s thought of something. “You know, I’m starting to think that your mom just wants what she can’t have. She desperately wanted your dad but couldn’t have him, and now she’s doing everything she can to steal Jake from you.”
I turn away a moment to think about her statement. Maybe Jessie’s right. There could be something to