After Being Bitten to Death by a Fox I Was Reborn – Chapter 5
Jack and Emily’s fight ended quickly.
Within days, they were back to normal, eagerly inviting relatives to the party celebrating the one month that had passed after Tommy was born.
But when the party was about to start, Emily clutched her stomach, claiming she needed to go to the hospital.
Linda took Tommy, sending Jack with her.
Seeing Emily’s pale face, vomiting, and clearly having a fever, I recognized food poisoning.
Sure enough, Linda, after a call from them, took my hand solemnly.
“Claire, we must be more careful in the future. We must only eat fresh seafood.”
I nodded obediently.
“Mom, where’s Tommy? Need me to watch him for a while?”
She waved it off. “No need. He’s sleeping next door. We’ll take him home after seeing off the guests.”
“Okay.”
As I spoke, a scream came from the hotel corridor.
“Where’d this beast come from? Catch it!”
Beast?
I looked up, catching a reddish-brown blur darting past.
The fox.
A feeling of uneasiness gripped me.
I hurried to the room next door.
Opening the door, I saw a sight I’d never forget.
Tommy was lying in the crib, bloodied and mangled, blood was splattered everywhere.
Fox pawprints were on his face mocking, provocative.
This was the fox’s revenge!
Emily killed its pups, so it killed her son.
The stench of blood hit me, I wanted to throw up.
I ran outside, vomiting like hell.
This fox was ruthless, vengeful.
A lifetime ago, my words against it led to my family’s death.
This life, Emily’s cruelty cost her her son.
Cold sweat soaked my clothes, clinging to my back.
When Jack and Emily rushed back from the hospital, Tommy’s body was already taken away by the police.
Emily collapsed. Mark caught her, but she shoved him away, screaming, “How did you watch my son? Didn’t we say never leave him alone?”
Mark opened his mouth but only said in the end, “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Emily, eyes bloodshot and consumed by rage, turned on me, raising her hand.
Mark stepped in, taking the slap.
“Emily, calm down. We’re all heartbroken. Claire’s pregnant if you need to take it out on someone, hit me. Or name what you want. We’ll do whatever we can.”
“Fine! I want her to pay with her son’s life!” Emily pointed at me.
Linda stood before me, her voice firm. “Emily, Tommy’s death isn’t Claire’s fault. If you want a life, take mine!”
She rushed toward the balcony.
I grabbed her waist, stopping her. “Mom, why should you pay for this? It’s the fox’s fault!”
Linda, afraid of hurting my belly, stopped struggling, collapsing onto the couch, her eyes hollow.
Emily shrieked, “The fox? You dare mention that fox? If you hadn’t saved it back then, would my son be dead now? You murderer!”
Jack chimed in, “Exactly! How can a beast be that smart? Someone’s behind it.”
Mark, usually patient, snapped, “Watch your words! If you hadn’t kept the fox in the first place, none of this would’ve happened!”
“What’s that got to do with me? You’re heartless yourself, so I can’t be kind?”
“Enough!” Linda roared, silencing the room.
Exhausted, she faced Emily. “Tommy was lost on my watch. Name your compensation.”
Emily sneered, “Give us both of the old houses as compensation.”
Linda shook her head. “No. We agreed the big one for you, the small one for Claire. Claire’s taken care of us all these years. I was already unfair. No way you’ll get both.”
Emily yelled, “I don’t care! Either you die, or give me the houses! Choose one!”