While I Was Pregnant, My Husband Pressured Me to Lose WeightChapter 3

I threw on my clothes and hurried downstairs.

I had just reached the living room when Beulah suddenly blocked my way.

"Madam, did you break into the refrigerator last night and steal the food inside?!"

It was such a bizarre accusation that I frowned and started to speak.

Elijah, in his pajamas, walked out of the kitchen.

In his hands were a roast duck gnawed to shreds and some fruit.

His eyes were impossibly cold.

"Dawn! Have you lost your mind?!"

"I told you to lose weight for your own good and for the baby's!"

"And this is how you go behind my back?!"

"You really disappoint me!"

His tone carried exhaustion and self-mockery.

Elijah threw all the ruined, bitten-up food into the trash can.

"Maybe I was wrong."

"I never should have made you diet. I should have just left you to fend for yourself!"

"If you drop dead from being too fat, at least it'll be easier for me to find a slim wife."

The words that came out of Elijah's mouth were cold to the point of cruelty.

My heart clenched, and I opened my mouth to deny it.

"Elijah, I didn't!"

"I didn't eat any of it!"

Shaking my head over and over, I stepped forward to take his hand.

Beulah suddenly pulled out a digital scale and shoved me aside.

"I knew you'd deny it, Madam..."

"So let's step on the scale and see the truth!"

The scale was set on the floor, and I looked at Beulah's utterly confident face.

Doubtful, I was about to refuse.

Elijah spoke coldly.

"Dawn, didn't you say you hadn't eaten anything?"

"Then step on it and prove your innocence!"

I thought of my mother waiting for me at the hospital, so I set down my phone and stepped on.

"Oh my God! A hundred and sixty-one jin!"

"Madam, and you still say you didn't sneak any food!"

I looked down at the number on the scale and froze.

"That's impossible...!"

"I didn't sneak any food!"

I looked up and met Elijah's eyes, then grabbed my phone in a panic.

"Elijah, the hospital just called. They said my mother suddenly went into delirium."

"The doctor said she might not wake up—her life could be in danger."

"Let me go to the hospital first. We can look into the food thing when we get back..."

I never got to finish.

Beulah frowned and cut in.

"Madam, this wouldn't happen to be a lie of yours, would it?"

"Are you deliberately trying to cover the whole thing up?"

My eyes went damp, but I ignored what Beulah was saying.

I walked over and took Elijah's hand.

"Elijah, you have to believe me!"

"I would never joke about my mother's life!"

After a few seconds of standoff, Elijah frowned and nodded.

"Let's go!"

"I'll drive you there!"

Forcing a smile, I rushed to the garage.

I was just about to sit in the passenger seat.

Beulah stopped me.

"Madam, Mr. Swanson's business partners have always thought that I'm his wife."

"It wouldn't look right for you to be seen sitting up front now."

"It'd reflect badly on Mr. Swanson..."

My body stiffened, and I looked at Elijah.

He nodded calmly.

My heart went cold. I opened the back door and climbed in.

Not long after the car started, Beulah abruptly shoved her seat back.

I was crushed against it, and only when I looked up did I notice—

Elijah and Beulah's pajamas were a matching couple's set.

My fingers clenched tight as the clawing hunger in my belly came surging back.

"Gurgle, gurgle..."

The ill-timed sound rang out in the car.

In the passenger seat, Beulah suddenly covered her mouth and laughed.

"Madam, you really do have quite an appetite!"

"You ate all that and you're still hungry..."

"Oh, wait! I forgot, you're eating for two."

Beulah tacked the line on, as if to smooth it over.

I looked down at all the fat on my body.

My eyes reddened, and I couldn't help but snap back.

"How fat I get is none of your business!"

"Dawn! Show some respect when you speak!"

The car braked to a sudden stop.

Elijah turned his head, his eyes lowered dark and hard.

"My wife—Elijah Swanson's wife—is not some third-rate nobody who runs her mouth without thinking and disrespects people!"

"Apologize! Now!"