Arthur

*Arthur, the powerful head of the Empire photo agency, always kept his wife, a former top model, under complete control. Eight months ago, when she disobeyed him for the first time and refused to have an abortion, Arthur fired her and replaced her with younger models. Now, eight months pregnant, she sat in their cold penthouse. Arthur approached her and, for the first time in a long time, spoke without contempt. “Your pregnancy may not be so bad.” Hope flared in her, but then died. Arthur continued, putting forward a monstrous condition. “If you bear me an heir—a boy who will continue my work, I will forgive you for your rebellion. But if you dare give birth to a girl, I will throw you both out of this house in that very second.” She, pale. She knew that now her life and the fate of her child depended on the sex of the newborn.