Julia didn't even think. "How can that be? My son's sheets must be sun-dried every day! He's just an autistic child; how can he compare to a healthy person?"

After saying that, she covered her mouth, her face turning embarrassed.

I turned to everyone. "Dear neighbors, my sister-in-law is pregnant, so please don't cook anymore. Our building's exhaust system isn't well-sealed, and we can smell it when anyone cooks. As a noble pregnant woman, how can she be exposed to cooking fumes?"

For a moment, the air was still.

Soon, the neighbors' faces turned ugly.

"It's just a pregnancy, not that delicate. When I was pregnant, I had to take care of a whole family, even my bedridden father-in-law, all by myself."

"Exactly, she's not pregnant with my child. Why should we outsiders follow her demands?"

Hearing this, everyone laughed.

Johnson was holding back his laughter so hard that his face turned red.

Seeing the change in everyone's attitude, Naomi glared at me, her face pale. "They're outsiders, but you're Bennett's aunt. That's different, isn't it?"

I quickly waved my hand. "Bennett's grandmother hasn't said anything yet. What does an aunt like me count for?"

Everyone turned to look at Madeline.

Madeline opened her mouth but said nothing.

Naomi was already extremely impatient. "Fine, fine, Mom, you take care of Bennett. I have an appointment for prenatal care and need to leave soon."

She then asked Johnson to take her to the beauty salon.

Under the watchful eyes of the neighbors, Madeline, anxious to the point of losing her voice, said, "That's not possible. This little rascal hits people. At my age, what if he hits me and something happens? Zoey should take him away."

I was both amused and exasperated. "If you're afraid of being hit, so am I. Why don't you ask the kind neighbors if anyone isn't afraid and let them help?"

Madeline looked around, and the neighbors quickly ran away.

I quickly grabbed my bag and went out.

I didn't know if it was an illusion, but as I left, I saw Bennett out of the corner of my eye. It seemed like he was smiling at me.

I didn't have time to think too much about it; I was already running late.

Before I even got to the office, I was bombarded with calls from Wyatt.

Seeing his call, I was so nervous I almost dropped my phone, my heart pounding as if it were about to jump out of my chest.