Part 3The Blood Type Blunder

The woman in the bed opposite me couldn’t stand it any longer. “I advise you to get tested, seriously. Don’t just jump to conclusions about your wife! Childbirth isn’t easy for women. Who would risk their reputation at a time like this? Your mother, on the other hand, she looks a bit… off. While your wife was giving birth in there, she was out here researching how to prepare some truly abhorrent ‘remedy’… Even if you wanted to consume something vile, it shouldn’t be so disgusting, should it? I’ve seen enough of your family’s antics for one day.”

A wave of sickening disgust washed over me, numbing half my body. I looked at Eleanor with eyes that had turned utterly ruthless. No wonder the family in the next bed looked at me with such pity! But I was in a wolf’s den now. Even if I wanted to run away with my child, there were too many obstacles. Sooner or later, I’d make them pay.

At the other woman’s words, Thomas, who had been silent, finally spoke up. “Go get tested. Don’t let outsiders laugh at us!”

“How can he? Mark has been O-negative since he was a child! How could it be different?” Eleanor shrieked, her face dark. “You can’t just accuse me based on a few words from strangers!”

I retorted coldly, “Are you speaking from a guilty conscience, crying wolf? I didn’t say you had been seeing someone. I’m simply stating that now the entire family needs to get their blood types tested together!” My voice grew firm. “If you’re still not satisfied, then we’ll get a DNA test! Your husband, Mark, and my son—all three of them.”

“You’ve already spent so much money giving birth, and now you want to spend more on tests? What are you trying to stir up?” Mark demanded, clearly displeased. “Just check out! There’s enough trouble here at the hospital!”

I understood then. He didn’t care whether the child was his or not. He was just using it as an excuse to torment me, to wear me down until my child and I were dead. Only then could he legitimately claim the insurance money. But I wanted more than just clarification.

“I’ll pay for the DNA test. You won’t have to spend a cent.”

Seeing my firm stance, Mark said nothing more. Eleanor’s eyes were red, and she whined, “Just tell us honestly, who is the lover? Is it that scholarly male colleague of yours? Why is the child A-positive?”

I said coldly, “You’re crying wolf. I’m not afraid of getting tested or of your gossip. But you’re shouting so loudly, you must have a guilty conscience!”

Thomas, who had been listening intently, his expression serious, delivered the final word. “Tomorrow, the whole family will go for blood tests!”

Eleanor couldn’t bear it. She threw down her dinner, stomped her foot, and stormed off. “Fine, if you want to waste money on tests, I’ll go home and kill your dog to make soup for your recovery! That fat dog will yield a lot of meat. Otherwise, buying groceries for your confinement would cost even more money!” Eleanor looked triumphant. “If you don’t get tested, I’ll keep your fat dog alive.”

I ignored her, lowering my head to comfort my baby. I hoped my best friend, Pathy, would come through for me and save Goldie in time.

Mark pulled out his phone, looking busy, his attention elsewhere. “Just wait here. We’ll see what the test results say.”

In my last life, I meekly went home with them the next day, leading to various health problems from my weakened state. But this time, I wanted to see how Eleanor would try to explain herself after the test results came out.

The next day, Eleanor didn’t show up for the agreed-upon tests. I knew she had a guilty conscience. My best friend, Pathy, texted me: “Don’t worry, sis, Goldie is with me. I promise I’ll feed him until he’s a giant! When I got to your place, your mother-in-law was literally holding a cleaver, ready to kill him! Luckily, my boyfriend, a big burly guy, stopped her, otherwise, Goldie would’ve been gone for good.”

I thanked Pathy. In the photo she sent, Goldie cowered at her feet, looking pitiful and soft after his narrow escape, bringing tears to my eyes.

My parents rushed to the hospital that very night, having rented a car. They cornered my father-in-law, rambling on. “Richard, we know our daughter. Sarah would never do anything to betray her family!” My mother’s voice grew firm. “Your wife has been causing trouble since the young couple got married, and our family has tolerated it. But this DNA test must be done!”

Thomas, being someone who cared deeply about appearances, eventually complied. Under my parents’ persistent urging, Mark and Thomas both submitted to the blood type tests. Eleanor still hadn’t shown her face. I deliberately sent her a voice message: “Mom, I’m innocent. This morning, Mark and Dad both took the blood type test. The results will be out in two hours. You want to come by and see?”

She didn’t reply for a long time. I was curious. What would their faces look like when the results came back, confirming Eleanor was the one who had been unfaithful?