Chapter 3

One day, I was watching TV at home when the doorbell rang. I thought it was Gavin. He'd been bringing me food lately, using concern as an excuse. I opened the door only to find Liza standing there, holding a thermal container. "Delia, I came to see you." She smiled with an innocent sweetness. I frowned. "What do you want? If not, I'm closing the door." "Don't be like that." She blocked the door with her hand and slipped inside. "Mom made you chicken soup, told me to bring it. Look at you, living alone here, it must be so hard." She placed the container on the table, unscrewing the lid. A rich aroma filled the air. I looked at the soup and sneered inwardly. "I don't need it," I said. "Take it back." "Delia, how can you say that?" Liza's eyes instantly reddened, tears welling up. "Mom and Dad were really upset when they heard you moved out. Mom didn't sleep a wink last night, just to make this soup for you. Even if you don't care about me, you should care about them!" "They're worried about me?" I laughed. "They're worried about the baby in my belly, worried I'll ruin their precious reputation." "How can you think that?" Liza's tears spilled over. "They raised you all these years! Even if they weren't perfect parents, they did their part! Seeing you like this must break their hearts." I watched her performance, feeling only disgust. "Finished? Then leave." Liza wiped her tears, suddenly grabbing my hand with an expression of deep concern. "Delia, I know you're angry. But you're pregnant now, you can't be upset all the time. No good for the baby." Her hand lightly stroked my belly. "How many months along? He looks healthy." I instinctively tried to pull away, but she tightened her grip. Her nails were long, digging into my skin. "Let go!" I snapped. "Don't be like that!" Her smile grew even more innocent. "I'm just concerned about you and the baby." Just then, she suddenly stumbled, shrieking as she fell backward. I was startled, frozen for a split second before hearing "thud" as she hit the floor hard. "Ah! My belly!" She clutched her abdomen, face deathly pale, a sheen of cold sweat beading her forehead. "It hurts... Delia, why did you push me?" I was stunned. I hadn't touched her! "You're lying! I didn't push you!" I protested urgently. Her tears fell like broken pearls. "I know you hate me, but the baby in my belly is innocent..." Only then did I notice her belly was also slightly swollen. Not obvious, but definitely pregnant. When had she gotten pregnant? Who was the father? While I was still reeling, the door crashed open. My adoptive parents charged in. Seeing Liza on the floor, my adoptive mother screamed and threw herself over her daughter. "Liza! What happened?" "Mom..." Liza saw her and cried harder. "Delia! You vicious witch!" Mother sprang up, jabbing a finger at my face. "Getting yourself knocked up by some bastard isn't enough? Now you try to hurt my Liza? I'll kill you today!" The anticipated pain didn't come. I opened my eyes to see Gavin shielding me. The switch landed on his back with a crack. "Gavin!" I cried out. Gavin glanced back at me, then turned to my parents, his voice icy. "What are you doing?" "Who are you? Get lost, this is none of your business!" Father roared. "Killing her would be too good for her!" I looked at her face, feeling only nausea. "I didn't push her. She fell by herself." "Fine! Fine, still denying it!" My adoptive mother trembled with rage. Gavin pointed to a small camera mounted high in the corner. "I was worried about Delia living alone. I installed that yesterday. Let's see the footage. Was she pushed, or did Liza fall?" Liza's face instantly drained of color, panic flooding her eyes. "What? Afraid to look?" Gavin gave a cold laugh. "Apologize now, and I'll forget this." My adoptive mother looked from Liza to Gavin, her face alternating between purple and white. "Sorry," she spat through gritted teeth. "We misunderstood."