Chapter 7: Indecisions

DAHLIA'S POV

“Are you a stalking me?” He stops short in front of me, then grabs my chin harshly. “Who paid you to follow me?”

“Get your hands off me!” I push his hand away, stepping backwards.

“Wells, what's going on? Do you two know each other?” Nani asks him quickly, standing between us.

“If he's the brother I am supposed to carry a child for, I am sorry to disappoint you, ma'am, but I can't do this!” I cry, starting to hurry away.

“Wait a minute, she's the one? No, that's outrageous because this stupid woman can't be a mother to my own offspring!” He shouts, his tone matching mine.

That makes me stop midstep to rush back to where he still stand looking at me. Nani’s eyes were wide open. She obviously doesn't understand a thing going on.

While her brother's infuriating attitude cast evil shadows around the corners of his dark green orbs.

“You don't fucking call me stupid!” I yell, loosing my temper enough to attack him.

He overpowers me before my fist lands on his face and grabs both of my hands firmly with one strong large hand, pinning me against his body. I freeze, realizing I just made the worst mistake of my life as my heartbeat accelerates. I feel his crotch press hard against my lower body and my knees suddenly turn jelly. That is how dangerously close we are entangled.

“In everything you do in this life, don't ever try to hit me.” He warns in an icy, bone-chilling voice, making sure he holds my eyes captive with his. “Now get the hell out of my property, volcano.” He releases me so gently that I stumble backwards.

He walks away in slow graceful strides that one would never imagine him being the mean, grumpy, devilish man who just shattered my resolve.

“Are you okay, Dahlia?” I jump at the sound of Nani's voice.

I did forget that she is standing there. She holds me and apologizes softly as if she already knows that her brother is really that cold, overbearing man.

“I've to go.” I murmur, pushing myself away from her.

I can't stand a second more in his property, he made it clear that I am not allowed to be here.

“You don't have to let him get to you. He's not always like that. I don't know the story between the two of you, but you can't go back now. You've already signed the contract and if you breach it, you know the consequences. Are you sure you want out?” She explains, holding me back.

“I…I just need to get out of here. Please,” I stammer and leave before she tries to coax me again.

I wonder how I manage not to cry on the bus since I feel tears sting the corners of my eyes. I get a call from Sunny who calls to check in on Jerome and Cleo. I explain that I have accepted Nani's offer and just going back to the hospital after signing the contract, omitting the other parts.

I reach the hospital to meet a smiling reception as one of the nurses send me to the doctor's office. I am confused about their behaviors, but I believe the doctor has answers to everything, so I enter his office first and he waves me to a chair in good spirits.

“Your husband's surgery was successful and he is already awake, taking first steps in months. He's ready to go home whenever you are.” he tells me with a broad smile.

A heavy sigh escapes before I could hold my emotions back, tears spill from my eyes and roll down my dry cheeks. The fact that I know I am not crying because Jerome is back on his feet makes me feel guilty.

Isn't that what I have been praying for all these while? Haven't I convinced myself that I am risking it all so he'd be fine again?

So why in hell am I crying because another man brought out the old me? He made me remember who I am. He lit the fire in me again and still quenched it. I don't even deny that I felt something strange in-between the anger and calmness which I thought had been long dead.

“It is alright, Dahlia. You have been strong until now, and you deserve to be happy. Okay?” Doctor Lorenzo gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “Miss Nani already made full payment to cover the hospital bills, so you don't have anything to worry about anymore.”

I only nod and stand up to leave so I can go see for myself if truly Jerome can walk again with both legs without support.

“Please, don't forget to sign checking out documents at the reception so he can be discharged when you are ready to go.” Lorenzo says before I close the door behind me.

I go straight to Jerome's room and I am told he is in Cleo's room. I hurry to the children's ward and walk into my daughter's room to see him sitting by the bed, holding her hand.

I run to him immediately and hug him tightly. I kneel down beside him and hold up his face in my hand, finally glad that every pain that brought me here is really worth it as long as I can have my family back. Well, what's left of my family.

“Thank you for fighting your way back to me. I am so happy, babe.” I kiss his forehead although he doesn't smile at me. I just feel genuinely happy that he is well again.

“I can't do this anymore, Dahlia.” He finally speaks, bringing my hands away from his face and shifting so that our bodies don't touch.

“Babe, I don't understand. We've won this fight already. We made it to this moment and I promise you that I am working on getting our lives back on track. You can walk now, just give me a little more time to make it happen again.” I go closer to him, taking his hand in a reassuring grip.

“I just can't be with you anymore. I'll talk to a lawyer tomorrow and have him prepare divorce papers. I advise you get a lawyer too because I want custody of my daughter.” He stands up, shoves me aside and walks out of the room before recover myself.

“No, Jer! You can't do this to me!” I scream, almost sprinting out of the room after him, but Cleo's voice roots my feet in the marble floor.

“Mommy?”