Labor in the Forest

I'm the only daughter of a mafia leader. I married Marco, an outsider, against my father's wishes.

Six months ago, my father died in a car accident. Marco took over part of the family business. One day when I was feeling down, I passed through the slums and saved a girl named Gianna who was being beaten for stealing food. I took her in as my assistant and treated her like a sister.

But when I was six months pregnant, I walked into the company break room and found Gianna in lingerie, seducing Marco.

I ordered the guards to immediately remove her from the company.

Marco tried to plead for her. I cut him off coldly: "I don't want to see her again."

He went silent for a moment but didn't oppose my decision.

Over the next three months, Marco seemed warm and caring on the surface but grew increasingly distant. I thought he was just busy with work and decided to help him after the baby was born.

My due date is this week.

Last night, Marco lulled me to sleep like always, his voice so gentle.

But now when I wake up, I find myself lying in the middle of a deserted forest.

...

Cold cuts through my bones.

I open my eyes and see tree branches and night sky. I'm wearing nothing but my thin maternity nightgown.

I struggle to sit up. My belly is terrifyingly heavy. My hands and feet are freezing, I can barely feel my fingers.

"Where am I?"

Panic floods through me like a tide.

Where is this? Why am I here?

"Marco..."

I try to remember. Last night Marco put me to sleep.

Now I'm in a forest.

There's light in the distance.

I turn my head and see a glass house glowing in the darkness.

Then I see him.

Marco sits on the sofa. Gianna leans against him, wearing his black coat.

My breath stops.

She's back.

Several men smoke outside the glass house. They see me wake up and burst into laughter.

"She's awake!"

"Boss, your wife's awake!"

Marco looks at me through the glass wall, a cold smile on his lips.

My heart clenches.

Anger and shock hit me at once.

I try to push myself up off the ground, but my belly is too heavy. I fall.

My palms scrape against the rough ground. It burns.

I grit my teeth and try again.

After several attempts, I finally stand steady.

"Marco!" I shout, trembling. "This is insane! I'm nine months pregnant!"

He stands up and walks to the glass wall.

Through the transparent barrier, we lock eyes.

"You like sending people to the slums?" Marco says. "Now taste what it's like to be helpless and alone."

He pauses, his smile deepening.

"Let's see how you deliver that baby."

My legs go weak instantly.

"Marco, are you crazy?" My voice trembles.

His men burst into roaring laughter.

My chest tightens.

I shout loudly: "Don't you remember how you swore to my father you'd always protect me?"

Marco and his men laugh even harder.

That laughter is more terrifying than the cold.

"Your father is DEAD," Marco says. "Stop using a dead man to threaten me."

One of his men adds loudly: "Lady, your dad died in that car crash six months ago! Wake up!"

My heart sinks heavily.

My hands start shaking, my nails dig deep into my palms.

"This is your child too," my voice comes out hoarse. "Don't you care at all?"

Marco shrugs.

"It's just one night," he says. "You'll be fine."

He turns and walks back to the sofa. Gianna gives me a triumphant smile.

My eyes instantly turn red.

The glass house is so warm with light, while I stand in the dark forest, holding my nine-month belly, like discarded trash.

My legs shake violently.

The baby kicks me. Hard.

I press my hand to my belly and feel a strong contraction.

No. I can't give birth here.

My hand reaches for the necklace around my neck. The emergency button is hidden inside.

I press it without hesitation.