My husband and I are expecting a baby at the same time as my mother-in-law, but he seems more invested in her pregnancy than mine.
He's not only over the moon about it, but he's also asking me to quit my job to take care of her.
I thought he was just a mama's boy, until I saw him caressing her slightly swollen belly, calling the baby "son" with a beaming smile.
————————
1
At the dinner table, our family was in the midst of our meal. Suddenly, my mother-in-law stood up, brushed back her hair to reveal a dazzling diamond necklace on her neck, and then parted her crimson lips to announce, "I have some wonderful news to share. I'm pregnant!"
"Crash!" In an instant, the sound of shattering porcelain filled the air.
Before I could even process what I'd just heard, I saw my usually composed husband knock over his bowl. He leapt to his feet, his face a picture of excitement as he eagerly inquired, "Really? When did this happen? How far along are you?"
Melody caressed her still-flat belly, a smug expression on her face as she replied, "Of course it's true. I'm already over two months along!"
Noticing that she had captured everyone's attention at the table, Melody's lips curled into a self-satisfied smirk.
"That's fantastic! I'm going to have... a little brother!" Gunner's face was a mix of shock and joy. His usual mature and steady demeanor had vanished completely, replaced by the look of a young boy stunned by an unexpected surprise!
I stared at my husband in disbelief. Just two days ago, when I told him I was pregnant, he had remained remarkably calm. How was it that now, upon hearing about my mother-in-law's pregnancy, he was reacting with such intense excitement?Even in his advanced years, father-in-law had never been this excited and emotional. Could it be that for Gunner, having a little brother or sister was more important than his own child?
After confirming the news of his wife's pregnancy, Mr. Frost laughed heartily with joy: "Wonderful! I never thought I'd have a child in my golden years at this age!"
He immediately pulled out a black credit card as a reward for his wife, then instructed, "Gunner, Olivia, I'm usually busy with company matters. Your mom's pregnancy is precious at her age, so please take extra care of her at home."
Gunner eagerly agreed: "Dad, don't worry. I'm planning to have Olivia quit her job so she can stay home and take good care of mom!"
Hearing this, I was stunned. I looked at my usually gentle and considerate husband in disbelief and angrily said, "Gunner, what nonsense are you talking about? I didn't plan to quit my job even when I was pregnant, and now you want me to quit to take care of your mom?!"
"Olivia's pregnant too!" Mr. Frost appeared even more delighted, feeling it was a double blessing - he'd soon be holding both his son and grandson!
"Yes, just over a month along," I politely replied to the elder, suppressing my anger.Gunner saw that I was unwilling to agree, and tried to persuade me, "I'm not asking you to quit your job to take care of Mom. We already have a housekeeper, so you won't have to do any chores. It's just that outsiders can't be as attentive as family members. I want you to keep an eye on things a bit, and you can also take good care of yourself during your pregnancy at home. Isn't this the best of both worlds?"
Mother-in-law chimed in softly from the side, "That's right. Gunner is clearly thinking about your health, and you're being ungrateful. As a daughter-in-law, it's your duty to be filial to your in-laws. I've never asked anything of you before, and now I'm just asking you to attend to me while I'm pregnant. How can you have the nerve to be unwilling?"
Mr. Frost nodded in agreement, "Olivia, your mother is right. You'll have to quit your job sooner or later anyway. After the baby is born, don't you think you should be around to take care of it as a mother? Why not come home earlier and show more filial piety to your mother!"
Watching the three of them, one after another, urging me to quit my job and stay home to serve my mother-in-law, I felt a sharp pang in my heart.
I could understand my in-laws, but Gunner was my husband, and I was carrying his child in my belly. Yet at this moment, he wasn't defending me. Instead, he was firmly on his parents' side, asking me to give up my job to serve my mother-in-law.Gunner grabbed my hand again. "Olivia, you heard what your parents said. You should be more understanding. Being filial to your elders is only natural! Even if you don't work, I can support you just fine!"
I suppressed the sadness in my heart, pulled my hand away, and said firmly, "I won't quit my job. I don't need you to support me, I can support myself!"
Gunner's face immediately darkened, seemingly reproaching me for being ungrateful.
My mother-in-law also looked at me with disdain, sneering, "It's not like Frost Estate is desperate for the pennies you earn. You're carrying the Frost Estate's grandchild. If anything were to happen, could you take responsibility? Gunner can easily support you, there's no need for you to be out there showing your face every day!"
I didn't want to argue with them anymore and stood up directly. "Anyway, I won't quit my job. We have a housekeeper, and there's no need for a pregnant woman like me to take care of another pregnant woman!"
With that, I turned and left. I could still hear my mother-in-law's voice behind me, accusing me of being unfilial, while my husband didn't stand by me at all, only joining my mother-in-law in criticizing me.I had often heard people say that you only see your husband's true face after you get pregnant. I didn't believe it before, but now I'm starting to think there might be some truth to it.