Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

"Oh." Gilbert's laugh was cold and full of scorn. "So, it's about the money, huh? What else could it be? It hasn't even been a month. Why the hurry? Don't worry. You'll get what's coming to you. Just wait. My family won’t let you starve, will we?"

After a pause, he added, "And don't call me for no reason. I'll get in touch if there's anything."

With that, the call ended.

Sherilyn stared at her phone, stunned. Gilbert really hated her that much!

"Huh." Her face pale, Sherilyn felt utterly demeaned for begging him for money moments ago. Silently, she lifted her hand to her abdomen and closed her eyes as tears began to stream down her face.

...

Eight months later, Sherilyn was asleep in bed in the slums of Crestwood, her belly large and round.

The due date was around the corner. The doctor had advised her to check into the hospital early due to the baby's position.

Sherilyn just smiled, saying nothing because she didn't have the money.

After her phone call with Gilbert eight months ago, where he said those heartless words, the promised financial support. The living allowance had never arrived.

Sherilyn had spent all her savings. She couldn't afford her apartment anymore and had to move to the slums. Sherilyn hadn't asked Gilbert for money again. She couldn't bear to hear him call her a parasite again.

After settling into the slums, Sherilyn found a part-time job and continued her studies. Though she didn't earn much, it was enough to keep her fed.

While she was deep into a peaceful dream, the sound of panic and yelling suddenly filled the air.

"Fire!"

"Run for it!"

Sherilyn was jolted awake, got out of bed, and opened her door to see chaos. Smoke billowed, and flames reached for the sky!

Her face went white with fear.

"Sherry!" Her neighbor, a student from abroad, saw her, and she went frantic. "What are you still doing here? It's a fire! Hurry up and run!"

"Oh! Right!" Sherilyn dashed back to grab her backpack.

She was about to head back inside when her neighbor grabbed her. "Are you insane? Where do you think you're going? Run!"

"I can't!" Sherilyn stamped her foot in desperation.

Inside was the money she had scrimped and saved, penny by penny, for her baby's future needs like hospital bills, diapers, and formula.

"I have to go in!" She had barely taken a step when a burning beam fell from above!

"Ah!" Sherilyn quickly stepped back, unharmed, but the way forward was blocked.

"Sherry! Run!" Her neighbor urged again.

"No!" Sherilyn shook her head fiercely, trying to break free from her neighbor and rush back inside.

"Ah!"

A gust of wind sent a tongue of flame toward her. Sherilyn turned away, and the fire scorched her lower back, causing her to wince in pain.

"Sherry!" Her neighbor quickly pulled her back. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Cough, cough..." She shook her head, but the thick smoke made her cough uncontrollably.

"Let's go!" Her neighbor held on. "You can't go back in!"

Sherilyn hesitated, "But..."

Her neighbor snapped, "Think of the baby! This smoke could kill you both! Do you want to end up dead? Run!"

Dragged by her neighbor, Sherilyn finally made it out of the fire.

With a burnt back and no money, Sherilyn could only watch as the humble place she called home was consumed by flames, turning to ashes.

What was she going to do?

"Ah!" Suddenly, pain struck. Sherilyn clutched her belly.

"What's wrong? What's happening?"

People crowded around.

"She's going into labor!"

"Call an ambulance! Get her to the hospital!"

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"Ah!"

"Push!"

Sherilyn got rushed to the hospital, lying on the delivery bed, enduring hours of labor, teetering between life and death.