Chapter 14 — When the Spider Plant Turned Black

Let us complete the tests first, starting with a blood draw, hormone panel, and an ultrasound.

I gave a silent nod. When the needle pierced my skin, I did not shed a single tear. Yet, as I waited for the results outside the ultrasound room, my mother quietly turned away to wipe her eyes. I murmured, My mother choked back a sob as she replied, Your father left us too early, and I am merely terrified that you will be bullied in that family. A sharp, burning sensation pierced the bridge of my nose, and just as I opened my mouth to speak, my phone began to ring. It was an unfamiliar number. I pressed the answer button. From the other end came the thin, slippery voice of a woman.

Is this Ha Vu?

My entire body instantly stiffened. A faint chuckle echoed from the caller.

Making a huge fuss will bring you no benefit whatsoever. Your mother-in-law still holds the document you signed with your own hand; you would do well to ponder that carefully.

I gripped the phone tightly, my knuckles slowly turning white. Noticing something was amiss, my mother immediately leaned in close.

Who is that?

I remained silent, quickly pressing the record button. The woman on the other end seemed to anticipate my actions, letting out a dry, dismissive laugh.

Do not bother recording; this is not my personal number.

Are you Aunt Liu? I asked. She paused for a fraction of a second.

Everyone calls me that.

My mother's expression turned freezing cold, and she reached out to snatch the phone from my hand. I shook my head, continuing my questioning, What was it that you just said I signed? Aunt Liu replied at a leisurely pace, Did your mother-in-law fail to inform you? On the third day after your wedding, did you not sign a consent form for bodily conditioning? My mind spun, flashing frantically back through memories. The third day after the wedding. That afternoon, my mother-in-law had handed me a stack of papers to sign, claiming they were for establishing a family doctor file within the residential community and confirming health insurance details. Back then, I had been rushing off to work, glancing only at the front page before signing in two designated places. My voice strained as I spoke.

Was that not a family doctor consultation form?

In black and white, it is clearly stated as voluntary conditioning in preparation for pregnancy.

Unable to contain her fury, my mother cursed aloud, Nonsense!

Aunt Liu's laughter grew even brighter.

My dear elder sister, do not lose your temper. Once a signature is on paper, it is rather difficult to argue who forced whom.

You can wait and explain all of this to the police, I retorted.

The police?

Her tone grew remarkably light.

Medical tests require time as well. Whether that substance was provided by me or not still demands concrete proof. Your mother-in-law will claim it was a gift from a relative, while your husband will insist he knew nothing of the matter. Conflicts and bickering between a daughter-in-law and her husband's family—such stories are commonplace.

A cold shiver ran down my spine. She felt no panic whatsoever; she possessed abundant experience in dealing with situations like this. Why did you call me then? Just to frighten me?

I merely called to remind you.

She continued smoothly.

Women should not be overly stubborn. You are still young, and a divorce will hardly bring you a pristine reputation. The conditions at your husband's household are not entirely unfavorable; just bear a child and everything will settle into quiet harmony.

A wave of nausea rose within me, nearly causing me to vomit.

Do you even hear yourself? Does what you are saying sound remotely human?

The other end fell silent for a brief moment before responding with icy detachment.

Ha Vu, do you truly believe that spider plant proves anything? Plants grow at varying speeds; who can state with absolute certainty what caused it?

My heart leaped into my throat. She knew about the spider plant. She had not only been exchanging messages with my mother-in-law, but she was also fully aware of everything that had transpired today. Aunt Liu pressed on, As for the plant cutting your mother took with her, it would be best not to handle it carelessly. Some substances, when clung to the skin for too long, are hardly beneficial to one's health.

My mother snatched the phone right out of my hand.

Stop playing your sinister, demonic tricks! Where are you right now?

The call was abruptly disconnected on the other end. My mother immediately attempted to call the number back, but it was already turned off. She was trembling with rage.

These people are utterly vicious.

I took the phone back, saved the audio recording I had just captured, and backed up an extra copy.

Mother, let us take this recording to the police first.

She nodded firmly.

And that so-called consent form—we must find it at all costs.

I closed my eyes. That document was most likely still in the hands of my mother-in-law, or perhaps it had already been handed over to Aunt Liu. Just as we turned to leave, the nurse called out my name.