Chapter 35: If You’re Not Willing to Back Down, Then Let’s Fight.

Grace saw Nancy's pale and desperate face and immediately knew what was going on. She threw down the chicken in her hand and rushed over, shouting, "Get back inside, and stop screaming so loud!"

She grabbed Nancy and pushed her toward the room while shouting to Clara, "Clara, boil some hot water and bring the rolling pin!"

Annette had just stepped inside when she heard a scream like a pig being slaughtered. Peeking through the door crack, she saw Grace pushing Nancy into the room, and then noticed a puddle of water on the floor.

She could guess what had happened. She hadn't expected them to be so reckless as to try a self-induced miscarriage at home.

No fear at all of losing a life.

Watching Clara rush to the kitchen, Annette turned to Stuart and said, "Your sister might be miscarrying. It doesn't look good."

Stuart frowned. "This is madness!"

Annette nodded. "They're reckless. Is there a doctor nearby? You should find one, or take her to the hospital."

She didn't want to meddle in these messy affairs. Even if Nancy was saved, it wouldn't bring her peace later.

So the kindest thing she could do was tell Stuart to find a doctor.

Stuart saw how serious Annette was, and knowing Grace's usual ruthlessness, he hurried out to find a doctor.

Grace came outside carrying a basin. Seeing Stuart leave, she called out, "Second brother, where are you going?"

Stuart frowned. "I'm going to get Doctor Martha. If you keep doing this, someone might die."

Grace panicked instantly and ran to block him. "You can't go! You'll ruin your sister! She's not even married yet! If Doctor Martha finds out, the whole village will know!"

Stuart looked incredulous. "A life is at stake! What if she dies?"

Grace stretched out her arms, blocking his path. "If she dies, that's her fate. But if word gets out, how will our family face anyone? How will your big brother's captain job survive?"

Her face darkened. "This isn't your business. Go back inside. If you dare bring a doctor, I'll kill myself right in front of you."

Her look was so fierce that it seemed she might bash her head against the wall.

Stuart had always known his family was unreasonable, but never this bad.

Seeing Grace refuse to budge, he had no choice but to retreat indoors.

Grace nervously grabbed a basin and went back inside.

Annette heard everything clearly from the room. She never thought people could be so brazen—completely unafraid of causing death.

Stuart came in with a dark expression. "This is very dangerous. If there's heavy bleeding, it could affect her ability to have children later."

He stood by the window, watching Clara enter Nancy's room carrying hot water. Then he turned to Annette. "I'll go find Charles. No matter what happens, don't leave this house."

Annette nodded. She was glad not to get involved—childbirth wasn't her specialty.

Next door, Nancy was already lying on the bed, writhing in pain. She couldn't sit or lie comfortably. To keep her quiet and avoid disturbing neighbors, Grace had stuffed a towel in her mouth.

Her face was deathly pale, her hair soaked with sweat, and she could only utter muffled sounds.

Clara, who had given birth twice herself and never experienced such pain, was shocked to see Nancy's condition. She glanced nervously at Grace. "Mom, I don't think she's going to make it. Should we take her to the hospital?"

Grace spat angrily. "Take her to the hospital? As if that wouldn't be embarrassing enough! Give me the rolling pin."

She took the rolling pin and knelt on the bed on either side of Nancy. Pressing down hard on her abdomen, she rolled it firmly, saying with venom, "You little bastard—I swear I'll kill you."

Clara's scalp tingled just watching. She backed away several steps, terrified.

Nancy couldn't scream anymore. Her head tilted back, eyes bulging as if about to pop out, then her body went limp on the bed.

Annette heard a terrified scream and rushed out.

At the same time, Stuart returned with Charles, followed by Carl. Seeing Clara clutching her chest in the yard, vomiting wildly, Charles was alarmed. "What's wrong with Nancy?"

Clara pointed to the room, gasping, "Nancy… she's dead…"

Charles and the others lost all restraint and rushed inside. They found Nancy lying naked in a pool of blood, and Grace trembling fearfully at the side.

Stuart hurried over, grabbed a blanket, and covered Nancy, shouting to Charles, "Quick, get her to the hospital."

Though he disliked his sister, he couldn't stand to see her die like this.

Charles snapped back to reality, hurriedly wrapped Nancy with a blanket, and called Carl to help carry her out.

They used the commune's tractor to take her to the county hospital in Oakridge Town.

Carl didn't know how to drive the tractor, and Charles was too shaken to hold the steering wheel. Stuart ended up driving.

Annette followed outside, watching Stuart drive the tractor with Charles and Nancy away, then looked back at Grace—her legs trembling like she had the shakes.

She felt a deep sorrow for these ignorant, foolish people.

After the tractor disappeared from view, Grace finally calmed down a bit and said to Carl and Clara, "If anyone asks, just say Nancy had an acute illness. Don't say anything else."

Clara nodded repeatedly, still pale. "Don't worry, we won't say a word. But do you think Nancy will be okay?"

Grace didn't know. She should have gone with them to take care of Nancy, but her legs were so weak from fear she couldn't move. "She'll be fine. Women give birth all the time and survive."

Annette, feeling she had nothing more to do, prepared to go back inside.

Suddenly, Grace shouted, "Stop right there!"

With Stuart gone, she saw an opportunity to intimidate Annette—and keep herself busy so she wouldn't be so scared.

Annette stopped and looked at Grace silently.

Grace's face darkened, her narrow eyes cold and fierce as she scanned Annette from head to toe. "Remember to watch your mouth. Don't go spreading rumors. And Stuart left in such a hurry, probably without any money. Give me some cash, and I'll have Carl send it to the hospital."

Annette found it absurd—her own daughter's life hanging by a thread, and Grace was already scheming for money. How shameless.

Without hesitation, she refused flat out, "No."

It wasn't about money—it was principle.

Grace instantly exploded. "What do you mean? Stuart's money is family money. You have to give it to me. If you don't, I'll make you pay."

To her, the mother-in-law was god, and the daughter-in-law must obey her and the men.

Women like Annette had just been spared enough beatings.

Annette sneered. "Make me."

Grace rolled up her sleeves and lunged at Annette, but before she could raise her hand, Annette kicked her hard in the stomach…