Chapter 6 - Lies and secrets

“She needs rest, let’s not wake her up now.” The doctor adjusted the tubes by my bedside and left.

Clifford sat beside my bed and brought out his phone, he looked down at me and I immediately shut my eyes to keep pretending to sleep. I felt his hands move and his knuckles brushed my cheeks.

“You’re so beautiful when you’re asleep.” His deep low voice made goosebumps rise under my skin but I forced myself to not react and stay still.

I was not ready to face the fact that I was pregnant. My nerves were seeking a way out to react to this big news, but I needed to stay calm and process things. I still did not know if the baby was mine or if the IVF was a success. If the IVF was a success, that would only mean I’ll have to carry his wife’s baby for nine months, and the thought of it made me cringe.

He dialed a number on his phone, and when the receiver picked he sighed like he was holding his breath, the way someone about to lie will do.

“Hey, babe.” He stood up.

“No, am fine.” He ran a hand through his hair and looked back at where I was resting. “We are having the baby.” He reduced his voice, am guessing it’s because he didn’t want to wake me.

“Yes, it’s Rose. She is pregnant with our child.” He added.

I couldn’t hear what his wife was saying from the other end of the call but when he said “I’ll see in you a few minutes.” And ended the call, I suspected she was either coming to the hospital or he was leaving to go and meet her.

He came to seat beside my bed again and brushed the few strands of hair on my face away. “Am sorry.” He whispered and kissed me on my forehead. I don’t understand why he was apologizing, could he be lying that the IVF worked. Maybe it didn’t work and he wants to claim the child by lying?

“Oh dear, the doctor said you’ll be here.” His wife, Prisca, barged in.

“Shuuuu.” Clifford gestured for her to keep it low.

“She’s still asleep?” Her voice became a whisper.

“Yeah.”

“Gosh, am so happy.” She said in hush voices but the happiness from it could not be missed. She sounded overjoyed and relieved at the same time. I wondered why having a child meant so much to them.

I finally closed my eyes completely and decided not to peek at them, my mind was rolling on about the possibility that this child might be my child and not from the successful IVF. I silently warned myself not to have stupid thoughts because even if this child were mine, it would be better off with Clifford and Prisca. After all, they would give the child a better family than I could ever afford.

My hands moved to turn away from the light as I opened my eyes well enough so that they would see I am awake.

“My darling Rose.” Prisca held my hands warmly, “You’re finally awake.” Her eyes were bright and happy. She never acted this way towards me before.

“Yeah, what happened?” I feigned ignorance.

“You’re pregnant, the procedure was a success.” She beamed with delight.

“Oh.” I had no idea how to react.

“I want to apologize for my actions in the past, let’s have a fresh start okay?”

I nodded and drew my eyes to meet Clifford’s piercing gaze.

“Here, this is the contract for the surrogacy.” She handed me the file as I sat up on the hospital bed. “Just read it through and sign here.”

I took the pen from her and went through the contract. It stated that I’ll have to keep it confidential, meaning no one can know that I'm their surrogate, and if I am seen pregnant, I’ll have to lie. It seemed like they wanted people to think that they were having the baby as normal husband and wife.

My eyes caught on the privileges and I swallowed hard, the money was appealing, I’ve never seen this many zeros before.

“Just to add to the gratitude, we will also be paying for your mother’s treatments,” Clifford stated.

“But…”

“It’s fine dear, we want to show how much we want your mind to be at peace so that our baby will be at peace too.” Prisca was sounding too nice, I knew this wasn’t her true color but am planning to play along for nine month and leave with a million dollar.

I signed the contract and handed it back to her.

“I’ll leave you now with Clifford.” She carried her bag. “I need to submit this to my lawyer, while he will take you home to get your things.”

“My things?” My brow tilted.

“Yes, dear, you will be leaving with us from now on until you give birth. Didn’t you see that in the contract?”

“I must have missed it.” My mind was foggy after seeing the money I’ll be receiving, so I didn’t bother to check other privileges.

“See you later.” She left, and I turned to meet Clifford, still staring at me.

The doctor came in shortly after Prisca and discharged me. I hated being in the hospital, so I was more than glad to leave.

Although, I was still uncomfortable because Clifford had not said a word to me since. We were now in his car and he just concentrated on the road. It was like his thoughts were tying his lips shut.

It took me a lot of courage to break the silence: “Are you happy that you’re going to be a father?”

He took his eyes from the road for a second to look at me. “I don’t want to have my child with you, Rose.” He blurted out.

My mouth opened and closed, unable to ask the questions flooding my head. But I pushed to ask one of them. “Why?”