No More Weakness

I lay on the birthing bed, contractions tightening, one after another.

My husband, Liam Clarke, held my hand, his gaze so gentle it could melt.

Just a little longer, Eleanor, well see our baby soon.

Sweat drenched me from the pain, yet I managed a small smile for him.

It wasn't until the nurse walked in with a syringe that I thought it was the epidural for pain relief.

But Liam suddenly released my hand, stepping back.

The moment the needle pierced my skin, I heard Liam say:

Adjust the dosage carefully. She must not go into full labor until Ophelia has delivered.

My eyes widened, staring at him, but he merely glanced down at his watch.

Ophelia is six centimeters dilated. We just need to delay for another two hours.

I wanted to scream, to struggle, but the drug had already been pushed in.

The severe contractions in my abdomen, as if an invisible hand had suddenly squeezed them.

Came to an abrupt halt.

I was wheeled into a makeshift holding cell in the hospital basement.

Liams sister, Lydia, stood by the door, idly toying with a scalpel.

Sister Eleanor, dont blame my brother.

The child Ophelia is carrying is my eldest brothers posthumous sonthe first male heir of our Clarke family in this generation.

No matter how early you deliver, its just a granddaughter. Useless.

I clutched my belly, a new wave of contractions fighting against the medication.

The pain made my vision blacken.

Call a doctor, Im going into labor, really

Lydia smiled.

She walked in, knelt before me, and gently patted my face with the scalpel.

Deliver what?

The medication will last another three hours. Sister Ophelia has already entered the delivery room.

You just wait here obediently. Once her son is safely born, you can deliver however you like.

She finished, then stood up, instructing the bodyguards at the door:

Watch her. If she dares to scream, gag her.

The door closed.

The basement only had a dim emergency light.

I lay on the floor, the blood beneath me already soaking my dress.

My phone had been taken by Liam as soon as I entered the hospital.

He said radiation was bad for the baby.

Now, looking back, he feared I might contact someone outside.

I curled up, trying to breathe deeply to alleviate the pain.

But my mind was filled with Liams expression from earlier.

Cold, calculating, as if looking at an object.

Not a wife, nor a woman about to bear his child.

Three months ago, his eldest brother died in a car accident.

Leaving behind his pregnant widow, Ophelia, three months along.

At the funeral, Old Mr. Clarke wept, clutching Ophelias hand and saying:

You must give birth safely. The Clarke family cannot be without an heir.

At the time, I felt sorry for Ophelia, and proactively said:

Dad, dont worry, Liam and my child will also take good care of you.

The old man glanced at me, saying nothing.

It turned out that from then on, my child had already been forsaken.

Ah

Another wave of contractions struck, more intense than before.

The medication was weakening; the baby was coming.

I clawed at the door panel, banging with all my might.

Someone, Im in labor, save my baby.

There was no movement outside the door.

Only after my voice went hoarse did I hear the bodyguards impatient tone:

Whats all the fuss? Miss Lydia said to wait.

But the baby

If it dies, its fate. Who told your belly not to be strong enough to carry a son?

I slumped to the ground, shivering cold.

Not fate. Someone wanted my baby dead.

I don't know how long I endured in that basement.

The blood flowed more and more, soaking the ground beneath me.

As my consciousness began to blur, the door suddenly opened.

It wasn't Lydia, nor the bodyguards.

It was the Clarke familys personal physician, Dr. Chen.

When he saw my condition, his face instantly paled.

Mrs. Clarke? What are you doing here?

Mr. Clarke said you were resting in the VIP room, didn't he?

I tried to speak, but no sound came out.

I could only point to my belly, tears streaming incessantly.

Dr. Chen quickly walked over, kneeling to examine me.

The moment his hand touched my belly, he gasped.

Fully dilated! Waters broken!

Immediate surgery needed!

He tried to lift me, but the moment I moved, a gush of warmth flooded from my lower body.

Blood.

A large amount of blood.

Dr. Chens hands trembled. He shouted towards the door:

Someone! Quickly! The patient is hemorrhaging!

The corridor was empty.

This private hospital was funded by the Clarke family. Tonight, it had been cleared for Ophelias delivery.

All medical staff were on standby on the third floor.

Dr. Chen pulled out his phone to call, but found there was no signal in the basement.

Ill carry you up, hold on!

He gritted his teeth, picked me up, and stumbled out.

The stairs were long, every step jarring me beyond endurance.

I could feel the baby dropping, but it just wouldn't come out.

The medication was still working, contractions coming and going sporadically.

This was the most dangerous.

Dr. Chen I clutched his collar, my voice a mere whisper. Save the baby, please.

Dont say such foolish things, everything will be fine!

He finally rushed to the first floor, heading towards the operating room.

But at the door, we both froze.

The operating room door was wide open.

It was empty.

The surgical lights were gone.

The operating table was gone.

Monitors, oxygen machines, all medical equipment, vanished.

Only an empty room remained, with a few power outlets on the walls.

Dr. Chen stood rigid.

I heard a gurgling sound in his throat, as if he were being strangled.

How could this be

I checked the equipment this afternoon

Footsteps approached from the end of the corridor.

Lydia walked over with two nurses. Seeing us, she raised an eyebrow.

Dr. Chen, what are you doing here?

Sister Ophelia is in the delivery room on the third floor. Why did you come down?

Dr. Chen pointed to the empty operating room, his voice trembling:

Wheres the equipment? Where did the operating room equipment go?

Lydia looked innocent:

It was moved to the third floor.

Sister Ophelia is having a C-section. She needs the best equipment. In case of an emergency, an ordinary operating room wouldnt be enough.

She said, her gaze falling on me, and smiled.

Is Sister Eleanor going into labor?

Youll have to wait a bit. Sister Ophelia isnt finished yet.

Just hold on a little longer.

I looked at her exquisitely made-up face.

Suddenly I remembered half a year ago, she walked arm-in-arm with me while shopping, sweetly saying:

Sister Eleanor, youre so kind, closer than my own sister.

At the time, I even bought her a handbag worth tens of thousands.

Looking back now, it was a joke.

Dr. Chen frantically rushed into the nurses station, searching for emergency equipment.

But the cabinets were bare.

Not even the most basic hemostats or gauze.

Wheres the medicine? Hemostatic agents! Oxytocin!

A nurse whispered, Theyve all been sent to the third floor.

Mr. Clarke ordered that all resources prioritize Mrs. Ophelia.

Dr. Chen slammed his fist on the counter.

He looked at me with bloodshot eyes, his lips trembling:

Im sorry, Im so sorry, Mrs. Clarke

I cant do anything

Lydia walked over, patting his shoulder:

Dr. Chen, dont worry.

Sister Eleanor hasnt delivered yet, has she? Once Sister Ophelia is done, the equipment will be moved back down.

She glanced at my belly and added:

Even if she does deliver, its just a girl. If shes gone, shes gone.

The Clarke family isnt lacking one of those.

I stared intently at her.

Stared at this person I had loved like my own sister for three years.

Then, with all my remaining strength, I squeezed out two words:

Beast.

Lydias face darkened.

She bent down, leaning close to my ear, her voice very low:

Curse all you want, go ahead.

Anyway, once youve delivered and your body is weak, I have plenty of ways to shut you up.

By then, the position of Mrs. Clarke will belong to Sister Ophelia.

As for you

She straightened up, a brilliant smile on her face:

Out of respect for my brother, well spare your life. You can be a servant.

Dr. Chen couldn't listen anymore:

Miss Lydia! This is murder!

Murder? Lydia scoffed. Dr. Chen, watch your words.

Its not uncommon for a woman to die during childbirth, is it?

Besides, this is my Clarke familys private business. As an outsider, is it any of your concern?

She finished, waving to the bodyguards:

Take Dr. Chen to rest.

As for Sister Eleanor, Ill personally take care of her.

Two bodyguards stepped forward, dragging Dr. Chen away.

Dr. Chen struggled, shouting:

Mrs. Clarke! Press the acupoints to stimulate contractions!

Dont give up! The baby can still be saved!

His voice faded into the distance.

Lydia closed the nurses station door and turned to look at me.

She pulled out her phone from her pocket and made a video call.

Brother, Sister Eleanor is going into labor. Do you want to take a look?

Liams face appeared on the screen.

He was outside the delivery room, with busy medical staff in the background.

Eleanor, dont make a fuss.

Ophelias not doing well here; the fetal heart rate has dropped.

Lydia aimed the camera at me:

Look, Sister Eleanor is bleeding a lot. Is she going to die too?

Liam frowned, glanced at me, and quickly averted his gaze.

Tell her to wait.

Once Ophelia has delivered, the doctors will come down.

Eleanor, you take care of things for now. I cant leave here.

The video call ended.

Lydia shrugged, putting her phone away.

Hear that?

In my brothers heart, Sister Ophelia is the first priority.

You, youre just a breeding tool.

Once a tool is used up, its meant to be discarded.

I closed my eyes, no longer looking at her.

My hand stealthily moved behind me, feeling for the lining of my dress.

A button-sized device was sewn there.

My father had given it to me.

He said, Eleanor, the Clarke familys waters run deep. If anything happens, press this.

At the time, I laughed, thinking he was overly cautious.

Dad, Liam is very good to me, and everyone in the Clarke family treats me well.

Looking back now, I was utterly foolish.

I used my fingernail to pry open the devices protective cover.

And pressed it gently.

No sound, no light.

But I knew the signal had been sent.

My father had told me that once this was pressed, someone would arrive within half an hour.

But half an hour

Could my baby wait half an hour?

My consciousness grew increasingly hazy.

Lydia sat in a chair playing on her phone, occasionally glancing at me, her gaze like someone observing a lab animal.

Sister Eleanor, what did you marry into this family for?

For my brothers good looks? For the Clarke familys wealth?

But didnt you consider, you come from an ordinary family, what right did you have to enter the Clarke familys door?

I said nothing.

Just kept pressing the acupoints Dr. Chen had mentioned.

Press hard.

Even if hope was slim.

Lydia continued:

If it werent for your fertile womb, getting pregnant early, my brother wouldnt have married you at all.

The original plan was for you to have a son, to at least be somewhat useful.

But the ultrasound showed it was a girl, and Grandpas face darkened.

Fortunately, Sister Ophelia is carrying a boy, otherwise the Clarke family would have been cut off this generation.

She stood up, walked over, and kicked my leg.

So, you see, a person must know their place.

Dont force things that arent meant for you.

Once Sister Ophelia delivers, youll sign the divorce papers, take some money, and leave.

Then you can marry an ordinary man later. How nice.

I opened my eyes, looking at her:

Does Liam know youre talking to me like this?

Lydia smiled:

He knows.

My brother asked me to come and persuade you.

He said youre stubborn and he was afraid youd do something rash, so he told me to guide you properly.

I forced a twisted smile.

Wanted to laugh, but couldnt.

Another wave of intense pain ripped through my abdomen.

This time, it was more violent than before.

The medication had completely worn off; the baby was coming.

Ah!

I couldnt help but cry out.

Lydia stepped back, frowning:

So troublesome.

She opened the door, shouting outside:

Someone, check if shes going into labor.

A nurse cautiously walked in, took one look, and her face went white.

Fully dilated, head is visible

But theres too much bleeding; we need to deliver immediately!

Lydia was impatient:

Then deliver!

The nurse was almost crying:

Theres no equipment, no medicine. Delivering like this both the mother and baby are in danger

Then let it be dangerous. Lydia said coldly. Anyway, theyre going to die, why care about this?

Lydia gave her instructions and then went to find Liam, completely disregarding whether I lived or died.

The nurse dared not speak, only knelt down and tried to help me manually dilate.

But I couldnt exert any force.

Too much blood loss, my strength was completely drained.

The baby was stuck, neither moving up nor down.

Time ticked by, second by agonizing second.

Until hurried footsteps suddenly echoed in the corridor.

Many people.

The sound of boots on the ground, synchronized.

The nurses face changed:

Whos there?

The door was kicked open.

A group of people in black combat gear rushed in, each carrying a gun.

The leading man removed his helmet, revealing a sharply chiseled face.

The moment he saw me, his eyes reddened.

Miss!

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

Could only reach out to him.

The nurse shrieked in panic:

Who are you! How did you get in! Security! Security!

The man didnt even look at her, rushing directly to me and kneeling on one knee.

Your subordinate is late, please forgive me, Miss!

He picked me up, ordering those behind him:

Clear the area! Prepare for emergency!

Yes, sir!

The men in black moved swiftly.

The nurse tried to flee in the chaos but was instantly pinned to the ground.

She struggled, shouting:

How dare you touch me! This is Clarke family hospital!

The man turned back, glancing at her.

His eyes were as cold as ice.

The Clarke family?

Soon there will be no Clarke family.

I was carried onto a modified medical vehicle.

The vehicle was fully equipped, like a mobile operating room.

Doctors and nurses were already on standby, immediately beginning resuscitation.

Blood pressure 60/40! Hemorrhagic shock!

Fetal distress! Emergency C-section required!

But the patients condition is too poor, surgical risk

Do it! the man who carried me in roared. Ill take responsibility for anything that happens!

I clutched his hand, using my last ounce of strength:

Save the baby, save the baby first

He squeezed my hand, his voice trembling:

Miss, dont speak, conserve your strength.

The Master is already on his way, hell be here soon.

You and the baby will both be fine, certainly

Before he could finish, the monitor suddenly emitted a piercing alarm.

Heart stopped! Quick! Defibrillate!

Fetal heartbeat is also dropping!

Prepare for C-section! Immediately!

I was quickly secured, and an anesthesia mask was placed over my face.

Before losing consciousness, I only heard the doctor shout:

Its too late! The baby the baby has no heartbeat!

Darkness, endless darkness.

I don't know how long passed.

I opened my eyes.

An unfamiliar ceiling above me, the smell of disinfectant in the air.

The Miss is awake!

Someone shouted in surprise.

Several faces leaned in, all familiar.

My fathers personal bodyguards, uncles who had watched me grow up since childhood.

The baby? I asked.

My voice was impossibly hoarse.

The room instantly fell silent.

After a few seconds, the man standing at the foot of the bed slowly turned around.

It was my father.

A man in his fifties, his hair had turned completely white overnight.

He walked over, sat by the bed, and held my hand.

Eleanor

Only two words, and then he choked up.

I looked at his bloodshot eyes and already knew the answer.

Gone, arent they?

Father nodded, tears falling.

Severe hemorrhage, placental abruption, the baby was suffocated for too long

The doctors did their best

I closed my eyes.

I didnt cry, nor did I scream.

I just felt an empty space in my heart.

The little life that had lived in my belly for nine months, kicking me every day, whispering secrets with me.

Gone.

Wheres Liam? I asked.

Father wiped away his tears, his eyes turning cold:

With Ophelia.

She delivered, its a boy.

Everyone in the Clarke family is celebrating; no one remembers you.

I smiled.

Smiled until my whole body trembled.

Good, very good.

Father squeezed my hand:

Eleanor, come home with Dad.

The Clarke family doesnt deserve you, and that man even less so.

I opened my eyes, looking at him:

Dad, I want to do something.

Tell me.

Prepare a fake body for me.

One exactly like me, freshly delivered, looking like I died from excessive blood loss.

Father froze:

You want to

I want them to think Im dead.

Then, I want to see with my own eyes how they celebrate.

How they joyfully welcome a new life at the time of my death.

Father was silent for a long time, then nodded. Alright, Dad will help you.

The fake body was prepared with uncanny realism.

Silicone skin, blood bags inserted, body temperature simulated.

Placed in the morgue freezer, it was indistinguishable from a real corpse.

I sat in the monitoring room, watching the screen.

Father sat beside me, holding my hand.

Regret it? he asked.

Regret what?

Regret marrying him.

I thought for a moment, then shook my head. No regret. At least it allowed me to see through peoples hearts.

On the screen, Liam finally emerged from the delivery room.

He held a swaddled infant, his face beaming with the joy of a new father.

Ophelia lay on a mobile bed, being pushed out, her face pale but her smile radiant.

Old Mr. Clarke, leaning on his cane, shakily walked over, looking at the baby, tears streaming down his face.

Grandson, I finally have a grandson

The Clarke family has an heir

A group of people surrounded the baby, filled with laughter and joy.

No one asked about me.

No one remembered that another expectant mother was still struggling between life and death.

Until a nurse quietly said, Mr. Clarke, your wife