11/22/2025
đ When I went into labor, my parents refused to take me to the hospital. âYour sisterâs bridal fitting is more important,â they said. So I called an Uber aloneâwhere I gave birth in the back seat. Days later, they had the nerve to ask if they could meet my baby.
I had already been accused of trying to steal attention when I announced my pregnancy. They hadnât said it outright, but I could see it in my motherâs expression, in my fatherâs sigh, in the way Isabelle had pursed her lips and said, âWell, thatâs unexpected.â That was their polite way of saying unwanted. I was unwanted.
Still, I walked into the kitchen, holding on to the back of a chair to keep myself steady.
âI think Iâm in labor,â I said, my voice smaller than I wanted it to be.
My mother sighed. âClarice, donât be dramatic. Your due date isnât for another week.â
I gritted my teeth through another wave of pain, gripping the chair tighter. âI know, but itâs happening now. My contractions are getting closer. I need to go to the hospital.â
For a moment, no one spoke. Then Isabelle scoffed, shaking her head. âMom, we donât have time for this right now. My dress fitting is in an hour. Weâre already behind schedule.â
My mother nodded in agreement, rubbing her temples. âSheâs right, Clarice. This is an important day for Isabelle. Weâve had this appointment booked for months.â
âI am literally about to give birth,â I said, my voice rising. âI need to go to the hospital!â
My father finally spoke then, his voice calm, detached. âCall a cab if you really think itâs that urgent.â Not, weâll take you. Not, letâs go now. Just that. Call a cab. Like I was some stranger off the street.
I was shaking, and not just from the pain.
My mother sighed again, this time with irritation. âClarice, stop making this about you. Youâll be fine. First labors take hours. You have time. We need to focus on your sister today.â
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