Chapter 2The Triple Curse

That evening, just as I was about to go to bed, Mother’s call came through. The moment I answered, her voice lashed out, raining curses upon me. “You wretched girl! What are your true intentions? You transfer money to your sister-in-law, letting her gorge herself on luxuries, and now she has a stomachache! Tomorrow, you’ll buy her some bird’s nest and shark fin to nourish her!”

I couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Bird’s nest and shark fin cure all ailments? In plain terms, it was just another excuse to bleed me dry.

My husband, Liam, drying his hair, chimed in. “Darling, why don’t I arrange for some bird’s nest and shark fin tomorrow? You can deliver it to your sister-in-law.”

Looking at my considerate, understanding husband, I felt a pang of tears. In my previous life, after my death, Liam never remarried. He even often sent aid to my birth family, giving over half of his salary to Mother. But she still complained it wasn't enough. Ultimately, to seize our home, she had Liam killed. Remembering Liam’s fate in my previous life, I shook my head. “No need. I’ll buy it myself.”

The next day, I barely stepped through the door, gift box in hand, when Mother’s feather duster swished towards me. “You cursed wretch! A pregnant woman like your sister-in-law, going to a hospital, a place of death and ill-omen?! Have you no fear? Are you trying to destroy the Vance family legacy?!”

I blocked Mother’s duster with the bird’s nest box. “Mother, look closely! This is bird’s nest. If you break it, Lydia won’t be able to get her nourishment.”

From the bedroom, where she was secretly watching the commotion, Lydia heard this and immediately began to wail loudly. “Ow, ow, my stomach hurts so much! My three sons must not be getting enough nutrients; they must be craving bird’s nest!”

Mother, hearing this, immediately dropped the duster, snatched the bird’s nest, and rushed to the kitchen. “Lydia, bear with it! Mother will stew the bird’s nest for you right away. My three precious grandsons must not suffer!”

I handed the shark fin gift box to Lydia. Her complexion was rosy, her spirits high, not a single sign of illness on her face.

Marcus emerged from the bedroom, yawning. He glanced at me, frowning in displeasure. “Clara, did you forget to buy me tea this time?”

I feigned a placating smile. “I was so preoccupied with Lydia! Next time, I’ll buy you two extra boxes as an apology!” After all, today’s bird’s nest and shark fin were bought from a bargain bin online store for a paltry sum. In the future, Marcus’s tea could also be purchased from a cheap online store. It shouldn’t cost much.

Lydia suddenly clutched her stomach. “Husband, it hurts so much.” Marcus quickly asked, “Why does it hurt again?” Lydia, with a straight face, replied, “Probably not enough nutrients. The boys want some premium crab.”

I reminded her, “Lydia, pregnant women should limit their intake of rich, high-fat foods.” Lydia ignored me, simply clutching her stomach and wailing about the pain. Marcus quickly said, “Eat what you want! No restrictions!” He then told me to go buy the crabs. Lydia, clutching her stomach, told me to buy a lot, at least ten pounds.

Mother, in the kitchen, pretended to be deaf. Compared to my tragic end in the previous life, their petty schemes were child’s play to me. Since they were so eager to dig their own graves, I would gladly lend them a shovel. As I stepped out the door, Lydia’s triumphant voice floated from behind me. “Husband, aren’t I clever? Yesterday, the premium crab was too expensive for you, but today, your sister can buy it for us. What a brilliant wife you are! Ten pounds should last us two days.”