The Truth About the Past
The doctor continued, voice steady but grave:
“She has already had two miscarriages before. This is the third pregnancy. With proper rest and care, this might have been avoided.”
Mrs. Reyes staggered back.
“Two? But she never said anything…”
The doctor looked directly at her.
“Many women don’t speak up. Because no one gives them space to.”
Each word struck her like a hammer.
Carlo remembered every morning:
“Daughter-in-law, sweep the floor.”
“Daughter-in-law, wash the dishes.”
“In this house, daughters-in-law don’t rest.”
And Mia had endured silently.
The Mother-in-Law’s Confession
When Mia regained consciousness, her voice was faint.
“I’ve been enduring… I thought things would get better…”
Mrs. Reyes collapsed to her knees.
“I became the person I once hated,” she whispered.
Carlo looked at her in confusion.
“When I married into this family,” she sobbed, “your grandmother treated me the same way. I promised I wouldn’t repeat it. But slowly… I did.”
The nurse intervened gently.
“The patient must not be stressed.”
But stress had already carved deep wounds.
