Chapter 5: The wrong father

Isabelle's POV

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying flat on a bed, staring straight up at the white ceiling of the hospital.

The sharp smell of antiseptic hit me immediately, making me wrinkle my nose.

I pushed myself up slowly, my body weak.

I felt so dizzy. My head throbbing with a dull pain.

The door was pushed open almost immediately.

Donavin walked in, calm like a man that owned the space.

“Miss Hart”. He said my name in a low voice that carried a dangerous edge I couldn't quite point out.

“Mr Prescott”. I lowered my gaze.

Just then, the doctor came in.

“You're awake”. She came closer, checking my vitals and body temperature.

“You should be more careful next time. Your body isn't that strong to handle emotional stress. Thank goodness your baby wasn't affected”.

“Thank you”. I replied sincerely.

“Make sure to rest well. And try to give yourself some space”.

After laying down several instructions, she scribbled down words on her note and walked out.

The room went back to its earlier awkwardness.

I didn't want to start a conversation with Donavin. Not now.

I didn't even know what to say. I haven't had time to process the whole thing.

That I was carrying his child?

The one person who could control my life with a single snap of his fingers.

After a long time, he actually spoke.

“I really…do find you amusing”. He scoffed, staring at the paper between his fingers.

“You are married”.

My heart did a heavy ‘thump’ before I realized it.

“Yes. I am. Currently filing for a divorce”.

“I know everything about you. And I didn't ask you for the last part”. He answered flatly.

“You already had me investigated?” I looked at him. But there wasn't a trace of emotion in those dark eyes.

“It doesn't matter”.

A dry chuckle escaped me at that. It hasn't even been a full day and he's already dug into me.

“What do you want from me?”

“What do I want?”

A beat passed before he continued.

“Even though I do not consider you a good fit, you're carrying my child. Miss Hart”.

At least he wasn't calling me Mrs Walker.

“Mr Prescott. I don't know what you think of me. But no matter what, I cannot get an abortion. If you do not want a child from someone like me, I won't force the baby on you. I can take care of my own child. You don't have to interfere. And I certainly won't disturb you”.

He closed the space between us. Leaning down close to my face, I could feel his breath on my skin.

“You think I can't afford to take care of a child? Or you think I'll dump everything on you just because I do not consider you a good fit?”

Heat crawled up to my face due to the closeness. “I..I didn't mean that”.

“Then what exactly do you mean? That you think I'll force you into abortion?”

“No”. I shoved his arm. But he was too strong. He didn't even budge.

Seconds ticked by before he pulled away.

“Take this”. He threw a black card that landed squarely beside me.

“Get the necessary things you need. For the baby”.

That didn't sit with well with me. Accepting money from someone who fired me hours ago felt like a charity case.

“I don't want the money. You can take it back”.

He snorted.

“Don't mistake this for affection. I am simply doing what I should. I don't want rumors going around about me abandoning someone carrying my child and me refusing to take responsibility”.

My hand dropped.

“Okay”.

“Here is also my business card. Call me if there's anything else”.

The door slammed behind him.

I stared at the cards on my palm for a long time before putting them into my bag.

My body was sore from tossing and turning on the bed.

“Can I go through my discharge now?” I asked the young nurse in front of me.

“Of course”.

After going through the procedures, I made my way to the executive floor.

The security guard recognized me almost immediately and he let me in.

Mr Yates was on a call when I came in, one hand on his waist, pacing around his office.

His call ended.

Seeing me, he shot his head up. I could see sweatbeads on his forehead.

“Mrs Walker. Please… We're so sorry. I swear it was a mistake. The sample got mixed up with your husband's. I wasn't aware of it until today that I found a suitable donor for Mr Prescott to review”.

I set my bag down on the desk, feeling my fingers trembling.

“You said you found a surrogate today”.

“Yes”. He confirmed.

“Before this procedure, had other surrogates been found for Donavin before?”

“Yes.” He answered again.

“But they never got to the stage of the procedure. Mr Prescott always rejects them without a second glance”.

Which meant his sperm was still supposed to be stored and not touched.

“Then how did it get mixed up with Ryan's swimmers which was ready to be used?

He went quiet. A cold realization dawning on his face.

“I hope you can give me an understanding explanation. I can't bring myself to believe this”.

I picked my bag, about to walk out when he blocked my path.

“I promise. Mrs Walker. We're going to do our every best in clearing everything. But.. please. Give us time. The pressure from Mr Prescott demanding an investigation is already so crushing”.

“That isn't up to me”. I shook my head.

“And your husband..” he trailed.

“Did you tell him yet?” I chirped.

“Not yet. I couldn't bear to”.

“Good. You don't have to say anything. I'll tell him myself’’.

As I left the hospital, I couldn't help but feel a little bit of relief.

In as much as this doesn't make any sense at all, I wasn't carrying Ryan's child.

As long as I can get through the divorce, I'll have nothing to do with him.

I stood outside, unable to get a cab.

I glanced at my watch.

After waiting for a long time, I still couldn't get one.

I decided to walk through the road.

A car began trailing behind me.

I didn't want to look back at first. So I ignored it and kept on walking, but the person grew persistent no matter how fast I walked.

Finally, my patience wore thin. I spun around, wondering who it could be.

The car was familiar.

It moved a few feet ahead of me, before coming to a stop.

My stomach tightened.

The passenger’s window rolled down, revealing Ryan's face.

“Isabelle. Get in”.