?


    As my due date approached, my mom and uncle decided to pay me a visit. I''d visited her in the hospital before, witnessing firsthand the toll the media frenzy had taken on her. The relentless reporters, hungry for a scoop, had made her life a living nightmare. Thankfully, my uncle had arranged for her to receive treatment abroad, thanks to Dailey''s connection with a psychologist overseas.


    Their arrival filled me with joy. I hurried over, beaming, "Mom, Uncle, you''re here!"


    My mom jumped, scolding gently, "Goodness, child, with you being so far along, you shouldn''t be startling like that!"All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    My uncle nced at my rounded belly and nodded in approval, "Looking good, you''ve put on weight."


    "Not long ago, you looked so frail, as if a strong wind could knock you over," he added.


    Iughed sheepishly, turning to my mom, "How''s the treatment going? I tried calling but couldn''t get through. Uncle said you''ve been doing well."


    My uncle chimed in, "She''s healed up nicely from her physical wounds, but throwing that party and then worrying over your pregnancy has weighed heavily on her."


    Hearing this, I took my mom''s hand, "Mom, I''ve med myself, too, for nearly losing my baby. I''ve felt guilty up until now, but dwelling on it won''t bring grandma back."


    "Mom, I''ve always yearned for family love. With grandma gone, I hope you can stay by my side."


    My mom squeezed my face gently, affirming, "Of course, my dear. I''ve missed you terribly."


    ...


    The day my child was born was


    unexpectedly pleasant, yet inside the delivery room, I was sweating


    buckets. Gregory had offered to be there with me, but I declined. I figured that the sight of childbirth wasn''t exactly picturesque, but I wanted my mom there instead. I thought that the bond between grandmother and grandchild could heal her heart.


    "Mom, it hurts so much..."


    "I''m here, darling," my mom reassured me, gripping my hand. "I can see the baby''s head now, just a bit longer. Take a deep breath."


    Outside, Gregory was a bundle of nerves, unable to sit still. He had crammed all there was to know about childbirth, readying himself to be by my side, but knowing I was in pain without being able to see me ramped up his agitation.


    Dailey tried to offer some words of sce but retreated after receiving a frosty look.


    Christine was equally restless,


    having consumed a vast array of childbirth-rted content, from news articles and videos to books and documentaries. The documentaries, in particr, had her heart in knots. The anxiety had built up in the days leading to my delivery, an anxiety she strove to hide from me. Yet, I noticed and ended upforting her instead.


    "Have an iced Americano; it might help you calm down," Dailey suggested, offering her coffee.


    Gratefully, she epted, "Thanks."


    Dailey, hands in pockets, replied casually, "No need to be so formal with me."


    In recent times, Christine had


    maintained a distance from Dailey. With Gregory delegating all his responsibilities to Dailey during theter stages of my pregnancy, Dailey was swamped, barely seen, and when Seen, hardly spoken to..


    Christine chose not to initier.n


    conversation, believing it best to remain just friends. After all, if Dailey ended up marrying his first love, Christine was prepared to smile and offer her best wishes, red envelope in hand.