I finally realized the gravity of the situation and burst into tears. “What do I do now? Please tell me!”
The old woman sighed heavily, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. She said, “After they swapped their baby into your womb, they left the curse active.
“They’ve been feeding you cursed food to control the stillborn inside you. That baby now listens to them, not you.”
Her piercing gaze locked onto mine as she warned, “Be careful of whoever gave you that fish. That’s the person who cursed you.”
My heart sank. The person who had brought me the fish was not a stranger–it was Vanda Watson, my sister–in–law and obstetrician. She had been my best friend before I married my husband, Hector Watson.
Vanda had handled every single one of my prenatal checkups since I got pregnant. Moreover, she was also pregnant herself, at the exact same time as me.
Not only that, but her husband was also from Mandoville. I recalled how she had taken a trip back to visit her husband’s hometown after finding out she was expecting.
As I recalled the bits and pieces of the past, I could not help but become suspicious. Was it
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Chapter 1
really just a coincidence?
My face turned pale, and I started dry–heaving again. The thought was too horrifying to process. Could Vanda really have done this to me?
Nonetheless, this was my baby, my child. There was no way I would let anything happen to it. I did not want to believe it, yet I could not ignore the fear creeping into my heart.
I stumbled to my feet and headed straight to the hospital to confirm if any of this was true. Just as I was leaving, I hesitated and turned back to the old woman.
“If I need to find you again, how do I contact you?” I asked desperately.
She pulled a small red envelope from her pocket and pressed it into my hand. She said, ” My number is inside. Call me if you need help.”
I opened the envelope as she walked away, finding a handwritten phone number and a strange yellow triangular charm folded neatly inside.
I shoved everything into my bag, said a rushed goodbye, and flagged down a cab.
