As the morning light filtered through the curtains, I couldn’t shake the strange feeling that had settled over me for the past few weeks.
There was something off about Josh’s behavior, something that didn’t quite sit right with me. His sudden excitement about our long-awaited pregnancy was certainly welcome, but there was a hidden tension in his voice whenever he mentioned the baby.
A tension that made me wonder if his excitement was genuine or if there was something more sinister at play. Was there a hidden agenda behind his eagerness? It was just a fleeting thought, but I couldn’t shake it no matter how hard I tried to push it away. Little did I know that this small hint of doubt would soon turn into a nightmare I could never have imagined.
My husband said I was going to give birth to a boy. Otherwise, as he stated, he would incur financial losses. I felt conspicuous. “What denomination of currency is he referring to?” he thought.
I cannot express enough my immense joy when the pregnancy results revealed the presence of two well-defined lines. Josh and I had been trying for a baby for two years and the long wait was finally over. I was devastated.
Lunar surface.
As soon as I received the test results, I immediately contacted Josh and informed him. “Ah, we’re finally embarking on the journey of parenthood!” I was happy to inform him.
“Oh, Claire!” “Are you serious?” he asked with great pleasure.
Tears welled up in my eyes. “Indeed, my dear. The arrival of our youngest child is fast approaching.
“I just hope everything goes well,” I said shakily.
Josh could see that I was getting more and more emotional.
Don’t shed tears, Claire. “Everything will be fine,” he replied calmly. I will finish my work soon and come home. Finally, I am now required to spend a constant amount of time with my wife. It is essential to ensure that none of her requests go unanswered.
I blushed. “I love you Josh and we will meet again soon.
“I love you too, Claire,” Josh said, ending the call abruptly.
From that day on, Josh took care of me with the same level of attention a mother gives to her newborn. He paid attention to even the smallest details, such as making sure breakfast was available on time, not allowing me to carry bulky items, and accompanying me to all my medical appointments.
Josh has been a diligent and hardworking individual for as long as I can remember, but changes! observed in him in the last three years
The last few months have confirmed my belief that I could not have met a more suitable companion.
My parents strongly opposed our marriage three years ago citing our financial differences as the main reason.
Josh and I come from very different backgrounds. While I come from a middle-class background, he comes from a rich family. Based on their assumptions, my parents saw Josh as a rich jerk who would go to great lengths for financial gain and would eventually leave me if I refused to comply with his demands.
Faced with their possible rejection if I were to marry Josh, I immediately left their presence and went to Josh’s origin. Shortly after that, Josh and I got married and decided to start a family.
Despite the struggles we had during the first two years, Josh’s unwavering support gave me confidence that he would never leave me. But one day, all my expectations collapsed. A man I deeply respected used me as a means to secure his wealth…
Our goal that day was to undergo a series of tests at the hospital. Rosaline, Josh’s mother, also accompanied us. It was strange that she decided to join us because she never left her fancy house.
Even during a medical emergency, she would have access to all doctors in her residence. The hospital visit was far beyond her expectations, I assure you! However, I believed that she truly cared about the well-being of her grandchild and me. Unfortunately, my assessment was completely incorrect.
“I trust everything went smoothly and my grandson is fine,” Rosaline addressed the nurse as she entered my room after the examination.
“Well ma’am, no need to worry. But we will have to wait for news about the gender of the child,” responded the nurse.
Rosaline gave Josh a stern look.
“The child must be male; otherwise you will not receive any monetary compensation.”
I felt weird. “What specific type of currency are they referring to?” I was thinking. I considered asking Josh about the meaning of his mother’s statement, but Josh had already expressed his thoughts. Be able to pronounce anything. Calm down, mother.
It will be a male. It is quite unlikely that my first child will be a female.
The statement surprised me. “Josh, what is your statement?” he asked with concern.
“What is the significance of whether our child is male or female?” We will love our child regardless of their gender.
“No, Claire!” Josh looked at me with utter displeasure.
“I want a son.” “That’s why I married you!”
“What the hell!” My assumption was that you loved me. I strongly warned him.
Josh gave me a sympathetic look. “While I have no animosity towards you Claire, the reason I married you was because I always favored male offspring in my family. In order to succeed my family as a future beneficiary, I need a male descendant.
But Josh…
..”
Before she finished her remark, Rosaline suddenly interrupted me. Exercise restraint, young lady. Since my son has provided you with nourishment and care for many years, it is not wise to think of having a daughter. It would be a serious insult to our family and your husband will suffer financial losses.
I looked at Josh. “That’s not right, Josh. The biological s*x of the child is irrelevant to me.
Josh proactively approached me and warned me. Regardless of the method used, Claire, it is imperative that the individual selected be male. I am determined to persevere to get the money.
I was deeply saddened. I was amazed to see that the man I had trusted and admired had lived up to my parent’s expectations: he was a rich man who had gone to great lengths for financial gain.
For several hours I sat mired in hopelessness, not sure how to proceed. Due to my internal conflicts and subsequent separation from my family, I found myself without any viable option of refuge.
The man I loved was now motivated only by financial gain.
Although I assumed it would get better after some time, nothing happened. Josh became more and more determined in his desire to have a son and began to impose absurd rituals and unconventional diet methods on me.
“Honey, I am aware of the strategies you must adopt to conceive a boy!” he stated after returning from work one day.
“Really? Define it.” I asked in a melancholy tone.
“Start consuming two pounds of uncooked beef a day along with a serving of hot, spiced tea!” is recommended. “During dinner, it is advisable to light some specific herbs.
I stood stunned. “Joshi, it is harmful to the vitality of the baby and me!”
Josh countered, “I don’t know Claire, but you’re following my instructions!”
Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened.
Josh made me eat steak and tea during our dinner. A short time later I found myself on the floor out of breath. My next memory is of being in the hospital when I regained consciousness.
“The food poisoning was serious, but luckily there were no ill effects,” the nurse informed me.
I replied in a low tone, “Thank you for your help.” “However, where is my husband?”
“I’ll reach for him at this point,” remarked the nurse, and left.
I watched as Josh and Rosaline entered the room just in time. “I am amazed at your apparent fragility, Claire!” Josh yelled at me. “I believe you will never conceive a healthy child, that’s why I’m leaving you now!”
I was stunned… “Josh, are you mentally unstable?” I am currently in a state of anxiety because of the actions you made me do and that is your entire statement.
“Now the measures taken are complete, Claire. Goodbye!” After saying these words and preparing to leave, the doctor entered the room.
“You don’t have to worry Claire.
You and your son are fine,” he informed me.
Immediately after hearing the word “son”, Josh’s character underwent a transformation. He started apologizing and assuring me that he would take good care of me, but I resolutely refused and told him that I was ending our relationship for good. I was determined to prevent my child from being raised in the company of someone as unpleasant as him. So we finally broke up.
Exactly half a year later, my son was born. When we were reunited with my parents, we reached a state of deep contentment in our lives. Besides, I’m currently busy making sure Donato doesn’t miss any opportunities.
I named my child Donato because it has the connotation of “gift from God”. In the end, it was a wonderful gift that allowed me to separate from my horrible husband.
What key lesson can be learned from this story?
Discrimination based on gender is abhorrent and must be eliminated.
Children are blessings given by God.
Ultimately, Claire’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength that lies within us, even in the most challenging of circumstances. Her journey from a hopeful wife to a strong, independent mother highlights the importance of self-respect and the courage to walk away from toxic relationships. Despite the societal and family pressures she faced, Claire chose to prioritize the well-being of herself and her unborn child, showing that true love and happiness cannot be built on superficial desires or financial gain.
Her experience teaches us that gender-based discrimination, especially in relation to childbirth, is not only outdated but deeply harmful. Children, regardless of gender, are a blessing to be cherished, unencumbered by societal expectations or financial pressures. Claire’s decision to leave her husband and raise her son Donato alone exemplifies the resilience and determination that every parent should embody.
Ultimately, this story encourages us to appreciate the sanctity of life and the blessings we receive and understand that every child is a gift from God that deserves love, care, and protection. It reminds us that no amount of wealth or inheritance can replace the true richness of unconditional love and the joy of raising a child in a nurturing environment.