My Deceased Unborn Nephew

Chapter 1

My sister-in-law was pregnant, and she said that in the village, giving birth was as simple as pushing the baby out. But I insisted she go for a prenatal check-up. It turned out she had a high-risk pregnancy, and a C-section saved both her and the baby.

My nephew was born weak and sickly. Every time he fell ill, my sister-in-law would tell him, "Blame your aunt for this. She was afraid you'd compete for the family inheritance. That's why she insisted I go to the hospital, and you were born prematurely, harming your health!"

Because of this, my nephew hated me. Later, after being mocked by his classmates, he put pesticide in my water, watching me die in agony.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day my family asked for my opinion. This time, I decided not to interfere. I wanted to see what kind of child she would give birth to.

...

I was reborn on the day we discovered my sister-in-law was pregnant. She was proudly showing off her belly, saying, "I asked the local wise woman, and she said this one is definitely a boy."

"Hahaha, I'm the one bringing honor to the Barnes family! You finally have a male heir!" She glanced at me and added, "What good is an education for a girl? You're getting older and still single. Having a baby boy is the most important thing!"

Her belly looked quite large, probably over seven months. My mother couldn't stop smiling, "Exactly! Boys are the best! Mila, you've worked hard!"

Then, my mother hesitated, "Mila, the neighbors say you should go for a prenatal check-up. Have you gone?"

My sister-in-law scoffed, "That's just something rich folks worry about. Mom, you didn't have any of those checks when you had Rhett and Ryann. It's just a way for hospitals to make money."

"We're tougher than those city folks." My mother nodded, feeling it made some sense. Then she looked worriedly at me, "Ryann, you're smart and well-read. Do you think it's okay not to go for a check-up?"

My sister-in-law's eyes instantly fixed on me. I paused, recalling my past life. Back then, my mother had asked me the same question. I knew how crucial prenatal check-ups were. Pregnant women could develop many complications, and the baby's development was uncertain. Check-ups were essential to ensure the safety of both mother and child.

So, I had firmly insisted my sister-in-law see a doctor. Her expression soured, but I offered to pay, and with the family's persuasion, she went to the hospital. It turned out she had a high-risk pregnancy and needed an immediate C-section to save both her and the baby. Thanks to the successful surgery, both my sister-in-law and nephew were safe, though he was born weak.

But I hadn't expected my sister-in-law to be ungrateful. Every time my nephew fell ill, she would whisper in his ear, "Blame your aunt for this. She didn't want you to compete for the inheritance, so she convinced the family to have you born early."

"That's why you're so weak and sickly!" My nephew grew to hate me. One day, after being mocked for his frailness, he poisoned my water with pesticide, killing me.

My sister-in-law found out right away. She convinced my brother to tell everyone I had taken my own life because I was too old to get married. My parents believed this story, but on the seventh night after my death, I overheard them whispering, "Ryann, don't blame us. Michael is the family's only heir..."

It turned out my parents knew the truth. They were accomplices. This was the family I had given up everything for. Thinking of this, I looked at my mother and sister-in-law's faces and smiled.

"It's Mila's baby, so it's her decision."

My sister-in-law rolled her eyes, "Of course. I know what's best for my baby."

Fine, let's see what kind of child you end up with this time.

Chapter 2

After dinner, my sister-in-law gave my mom a knowing look and went back to her room to lie down. My mom pulled me to the sofa and sighed deeply.

"Ryann, you're the sensible one. Look at your brother; he barely makes any money in a month! You're a graduate student, and the school even pays you. Your sister-in-law is pregnant with your nephew! You should cover the nutrition expenses."

It felt like she was making it my responsibility...

In my previous life, my mom had said the same thing to me. Back then, I sent all my project stipends home every month and worked as a tutor in my spare time to cover my living expenses. Sometimes, when I couldn't send enough money, I wanted to give less, but they would say, "It wasn't easy to support you through school, and now you're so stingy when it's time to give back to the family. You've really grown up and started looking down on your own family."

Every time I heard those words, I felt a lump in my throat, unable to cry. In the end, I could only silently hand over the money. But this time, I wouldn't let them drain me of everything.

Thinking of this, I pressed my lips together slightly.

"Mom, graduate students only get paid if they work on projects for their advisors. I'm not qualified yet..."

"I'm attending classes during the day and working at night. I can barely afford my dorm fees and living expenses..."

"If it weren't for my sister-in-law's pregnancy, I would have asked to borrow some money from you this time..."

My mom panicked when she heard this.

"The family has no money, Ryann! You've always been a sensible child. How can you say something that would burden the family?"

I sneered inwardly but pretended to be downcast on the outside.

"I understand, Mom. I'll head back now. I need to find another part-time job to save up for tuition."

My mom seemed torn, probably worried about explaining things to my sister-in-law but also afraid I would ask for money. She hesitated but didn't stop me.

So, I returned to school. Less than a week later, I received a call from my mom.

"Ryann, your sister-in-law said you're studying in a big city and have connections. She wants you to get some exotic foods. She heard that eating them during pregnancy would bring good luck to the baby."

I almost laughed out loud when I heard that.

"Mom, hunting and consuming exotic animals is against the law. The whole family could get arrested. How would I even have access to something like that?"

Eating exotic animals raw, no less. Who knows how many harmful germs it has? I don't know about good luck, but it certainly sounds like a recipe for a serious illness.

My brother grabbed the phone from my mom.

"Ryann, have you grown wings? Are you defying the family now? Crime? I feel like supporting your education was a huge mistake!"

"No wonder your sister-in-law says you look down on the family now. Get us the exotic foods, and stop talking nonsense..."

In my previous life, after my sister-in-law had the baby, my brother would call me every few days, pressuring me to buy things and pay for the child's medical expenses. He said the child was weak because of me and that if the baby had been born full-term, he wouldn't be so frail. I was responsible.

My mom also cried to me every day, leaving me no choice but to give money and effort. But now, I tossed the phone aside, changed out of my work clothes, and shouted.

"Hello?! Brother? What did you say? I'm doing tasks for my professor. The signal is bad. Hello?!"

"Ryann, don't pretend! Do you think I can't deal with you just because you're out of town? Don't make me come after you!"

I massaged my aching neck and hung up, blocking the number. Later, they still listened to my sister-in-law and somehow got hold of some raw exotic foods for her to eat.

Chapter 3

"Eat up," I told myself, deciding to let go and respect others' choices. I was curious to see what kind of fate my nephew would have in this life.

In my previous life, when the child was born, my sister-in-law caused quite a stir. She insisted that a vegetarian diet would be healthier for the baby and insisted on feeding him soy milk. I had to argue and eventually bought formula and consulted a doctor. In the end, she sarcastically remarked, "Yes, you know best. You're the most capable in the family! We'll do everything your way! You take care of the child then!"

This time, I decided not to interfere. She could eat whatever she wanted, just leave me out of it. If she wanted to leave it to fate, so be it.

I heard that my sister-in-law would eat and then gag, but every time she finished, she would touch her belly with a blissful expression and say, "Baby, you are destined for great wealth and success! You'll definitely be more accomplished than your aunt!"

She even posted on Facebook: "A mother must be strong. For my child, I am willing to endure any hardship."

Some people commented, asking, "Does it really work?"

"Yes! I heard the neighbor's child was born destined for greatness because of this!" she replied.

I couldn't help but twitch my lips in disbelief. How could people be so ignorant?

When I went home to pick up some things, I saw that my sister-in-law was so swollen that her features were almost unrecognizable. She was often short of breath, holding her swollen belly, wincing in pain, and glaring at me. Then she would say to my mom with a meaningful look, "All that education, and you still don't know anything! Acting like you know everything! Mom, you see, eating raw food is good. Look at the baby, kicking so strongly! He's definitely a strong one! The neighbors say they had a child destined for greatness, but I think our baby is the real one!"

Watching her clutch her upper abdomen in pain, unable to straighten her back, I coldly smiled. Such severe swelling, combined with her holding her head and upper abdomen, was not just normal fetal movement; it was a symptom of a pregnancy with serious complications.

She was right; I was no judge, so I had no extra compassion for ungrateful people.

Just as I was about to leave, my mom grabbed my hand, her eyes red with tears. "Ryann, you see, I'm the only one taking care of your sister-in-law. I'm getting old, and my back can't take it anymore. Please, don't go back to school. Stay and help take care of her."

In my previous life, I could have stayed at school to pursue my PhD. But my mom kept crying to me about how hard it was for her. She said my sister-in-law blamed me for the child's frailty and insisted I take care of them. She said I couldn't be ungrateful and leave the family in shambles, forcing her to deal with the mess. She even caused a scene at my school, forcing me to return home to take care of my nephew with her.

And what happened? I ended up paying for everything-food, clothing, school, hospital visits. My sister-in-law only showed up when my nephew was feeling better to make snide remarks. That ungrateful brat ended up poisoning me. He watched me die in pain, coldly refusing to call for help, saying, "I'm weak because of you. If you hadn't forced my mom to go to the hospital, this wouldn't have happened. You didn't let my mom take care of me and tried to stop her from making me destined for greatness. You deserve to suffer for being so selfish and heartless."

I had given so much, helping him with his studies, raising him, and in his eyes, I was selfish and heartless. But he was right about one thing: selfish and heartless people deserve to suffer.

Thinking of this, I smiled at my mom. "Mom, my advisor gave me a project that will end in less than a month. I'll get some money then, and my sister-in-law will be close to giving birth. I can come home and help you take care of her."

Hearing that there would be money, my mom slowly let go of my hand.

When my sister-in-law gave birth, I would definitely come back. I wanted to see what kind of child destined for greatness my selfish, heartless nephew would turn out to be in this life.