My daughter began to sob.

— Mom, she knows you’re going to have a girl soon. And she said “we don’t need a second one.” She wanted you to lose the baby…

My legs gave out, and I leaned against the wall.

At that moment, my mother-in-law appeared at the end of the hallway. Her face calm. Much too calm.

— Are you feeling better now? — she asked, almost gently. — Should I bring you some water?

My daughter squeezed my hand so tightly her knuckles turned white:

— Mom, don’t drink anything…