“Honey, are you out of your mind? You’re
pregnant, not the freakin‘ Queen of England!
Why would I wait on you hand and foot?
“I don’t care if you’re comfortable or not,
because you are not my responsibility, you
fruitcake!”
Brittany and Ashley exchanged a look, a smug
little flicker in their eyes.
<
Ashley stepped forward, patting Brittany’s
stomach with way too much reverence.
‘Jessica, you don’t know, do you? Brittany’s
carrying your husband’s baby!”
“Tom’s a big shot, the CEO of some fancy
company. This kid’s gonna be rolling in it!”
My brain short–circuited.
I couldn’t even form a coherent thought.
My husband, Tom, had been dead for seven
years, after all.
Seeing my reaction, Brittany and Ashley
practically vibrated with glee.
“What’s the matter, Jessica, scared now?”
<
“You better apologize and start groveling! If
you serve me hand and foot until the baby
arrives, maybe, just maybe, I’ll tell Tom to give
you a few bucks in the divorce settlement.”
Ashley, desperate to impress Brittany, chimed
in, her voice dripping with venom.
“Jessica, you should be thanking Brittany.
You and Tom have been married for, like,
seven years, and your womb is still empty.
What’s wrong with you, can’t you have
children?”
“I’m sorry to break it to you, but this family
needs a successor, and now that Brittany’s
pregnant with Tom’s child, you should be
jumping for joy!”
Г
I rolled my eyes.
My husband had been dead for seven years;
there would be hell to pay if I did get
pregnant.
“My husband…”
“Enough, Jessica. Spare us the lies. Tom
already told me he’s sick of you. He can’t
stand looking at your face, your almost–30
skin is so gross. Unlike me, I’m young and
fresh, full of collagen!”
Brittany cut me off, preening like a peacock.
She actually touched her face, like she was
checking for wrinkles.
“You’ve got it all wrong
33
“You’ve got it all wrong…‘
وو
“Oh, and Jessica, forget about the money you
loaned me. It’s basically your husband’s
anyway. I’m carrying his heir, so it is a no
brainer for you to leave your riches to us.
وو
Brittany didn’t even give me a chance to
speak, just unloaded a whole heap of
garbage.
Ashley, ever the sycophant, jumped in.
“Jessica, for years you have been driving
luxurious cars, wearing fancy brands, and
using Tom’s wealth, but you did not even
bring him a son.
“If I were you, I would be very ashamed, but
thankfully our Brittany is so sweet, and more
<
importantly, fertile, and she will bear a child
for your husband!”
These two were clearly delusional, and I was
rapidly losing patience.
Finally, before Brittany could launch into
another ridiculous tirade, I snapped.
“Okay, knock it off. My husband died seven
years ago. How could he possibly get you
pregnant? Did he come back as a ghost?
“If you’re trying to scam someone, at least do
your research. Don’t go around badmouthing dead people, it’s just creepy.”
I thought that would shut them up.
Nope.
Brittany let out a snort, eyes narrowed.
“Jessica, you are unbelievable! You’re so
desperate to hurt me that you’re claiming
Tom’s dead! He’s your husband!”
“You are so evil! I’m telling Tom about this
the next time I see him. He will divorce you on
the spot!”
Ashley scurried over to Brittany, patting her
arm.
“Don’t get upset, sweetie. She’s just trying to
get a rise out of you, make you stressed so
you will be more prone to getting a
miscarriage. It’s terrible for the baby!”
“She’s right! You’re so calculating!”
Г
Brittany looked at me like I was the devil
incarnate.
“That’s your plan, isn’t it! Well, I’ve got news
for you, Jessica. Tom already took me to get
the baby tested. It’s a boy!”
“And Tom said that he will be a wealthy heir,
and that no one is allowed to touch him!”
I was so speechless, I actually started to
laugh.
