Chapter 5
“Well, well! Look who’s too important now! So your own mother has to wait in line to see you?” Linda shouted loud enough for every nurse on the floor to turn and stare.
She hadn’t even made an appointment, pushing aside the patient who was about to enter.
That patient was someone I’d been treating for years and had always been good–natured. She just hesitated for a moment, then waved at me, saying quietly, “It’s okay, Dr. Harper. You can see her first. I’m not in a rush.”
I felt both helpless and embarrassed, but Linda was infamous for being the village hellcat back where she came from.
She had no shame, but I still had my dignity.
I could only nod apologetically to my patient, then pull Linda into my office and shut the door.
Once inside, Linda wasn’t even angry about being dragged in. Instead, she walked straight to my chair like she was inspecting her territory and planted herself in it.
“Hmph, at least you know to close the door. So you’re not completely hopeless,” she said, eyeing me like she was evaluating a disappointing purchase.
“Look, drop the act. I know you and Zach are fighting. So what if he found another woman? It’s not a big deal!”
I stood there, staring at her coldly, saying nothing.
Seeing I wasn’t taking the bait, she continued on her own, her tone becoming increasingly imperious: “Men, especially virile young ones, make these little mistakes! As a daughter–in–law of the Collins family, you need to show some class! Look at
yourself–married all these years without producing a single child. You think you can keep a man? On what grounds?”
“Our family’s been too kind. Any other family would have thrown you out ages ago! You should be grateful! Count your blessings!”
11:35
The Deadly Maternal Trap My Husband Built for Himself
40.0%
Chapter 3
Of course I was angry. But I knew this wasn’t the time to argue–my divorce case was at a critical point, and I couldn’t afford any missteps or give her or Zach any ammunition.
Linda probably interpreted my silence as submission and switched to a patronizing tone: “Alright, I’m not just here to criticize you. I’m giving you a way out. When that woman gives birth, we’ll bring the baby home for you to raise.”
“And don’t be ungrateful. This child will be the true Collins heir! You’ll raise him properly, love him like your own son! Enroll him in the best preschools, hire the best tutors! Buy him a nice house! This is all for the future of the Collins family! If you do a good job, I might let you keep your position as our daughter–in–law.”
By this point, I was nearly laughing out loud.
11:58
