ManyWriters

Five months pregnant, eight-year-old Tina pushed me down into the ten-meter-deep snake pit again.
Blood flowed from my body, pooling into a stark red puddle.
This was already my seventh 'forced' miscarriage.
"You killed my mom and brother, and the bastards in your belly don't deserve to live either!"
Dozens of snakes swarmed over, greedily lapping up the blood on my body, leaving bite marks deep enough to see bone.
Tina showed no remorse, her eyes as cold as her Snake Charmer father's, her tone mocking:
"Only my mom can give birth to my siblings. You disgusting homewrecker, you'll never replace her in this lifetime!"
"Go ahead and keep having my dad's babies if you dare. Sooner or later, I'll make sure you die in a pool of your own blood!"
Looking at this little girl I had cherished and lovingly cared for over eight years, I suddenly felt exhausted.
"Don't worry, this will be the last time."

Strangers on Different Paths

The car door opened, and in that instant, Tina suddenly broke free, turning to run towards me.


She threw herself into my arms, sobbing uncontrollably:


"Mom, I was wrong! Please don't abandon me!"


"I went to ask the doctor who delivered me when I was born. She told me everything. She said I almost didn't make it when I was born, and you stayed by my incubator day and night, not eating or sleeping, singing to me and telling me stories."


"Mom, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have listened to Aunt Jolene's instigation and misunderstood you."


"While you were gone, I felt so lonely. There was no one to play hide-and-seek with me, cook delicious meals for me, or help me bathe my pet snake even though you were terrified."


"Mom, I won't keep snakes anymore. I won't harm the little brothers and sisters in your belly. I'll love them well. Please come back, okay?"


Hearing these words, my heart was filled with a mix of emotions.


Chapter 10