BETTER NEWS

JADE

"This is not about what you want," Max's father responded. "Yes, you don't want to be a father, but you put the child in there. Who else would take responsibility for it? Me? I'm too old for that!"

"So what am I supposed to do with her?" Max shot back. "Because she's pregnant, she gets to be my wife and....?"

"Hey, no one said anything about getting married." His father cut him off.

"I don't want to marry you, Max" I chipped in. "I have no intention of doing that."

"Oh really? Isn't that what a gold digger would say?" Max asked me.

"She's just like the other girls, Dad. They'll do anything to get their claws into me." He tried to convince his father.

"Then why did you let them get close enough?" his father questioned.

"I'm very sorry, Max." I butted in again. "I know that I wasn't supposed to get pregnant."

He scoffed, "Oh you knew?"

Turning to his father, he said earnestly, "Dad, I gave this girl a hundred thousand dollars. I remember it because I've never paid that much money for any girl before. I felt sorry for her when she said a family member was dying, and I gave her a hundred thousand dollars."

He turned his attention back to me, "Didn't you ask for fifty thousand? You had more than enough to go to the doctor and do what you wanted. Why did you let yourself get pregnant? Was it a deliberate act to pin me down? This is not going to work. I have a fiancee, someone I love, and in the future, when I am ready, she'll be the one I'll marry."

"For the umpteenth time, I do not want to marry you," I replied with my voice raised. "I just need help. I have nowhere else to go and I want to protect my child."

"That's enough, both of you," his father said. "Let's go to the hospital and get a DNA test done first."

He called out one of the maids and asked her to get me cleaned up. I couldn't be more grateful for that. I was led into a room and given new clothes. Before bathing, I said to the maid, "I am so hungry. Can I have food to eat? I will appreciate it, no matter how little."

The maid stared down at me before nodding and walking away. Ignoring her attitude, I quickly took my bath and wore the dress which belonged to the maid. I ate the food she gave me as quickly as possible and met Max and his father who were sitting on the patio, waiting for me.

When we arrived at the hospital, the doctor took my baby's sample and Max's as well and asked us to wait for the results.

Max's father and I sat down while he paced up and down anxiously. From the look on his face, I could tell he was hoping that the pregnancy wouldn't be his but I knew that wasn't possible.

The doctor came out forty minutes later and said, "First of all, Jade is six months pregnant, and yes, it is a match. Max is going to be a father."

Max's father smiled while Max slumped down onto the chair and shook his head, "No, this is not happening."

"I have even better news," the doctor added.

Max's father and I stared at the doctor in anticipation. "What is the news?" His father asked anxiously.

"Jade is pregnant with a set of triplets," the doctor replied.

Max's face fell in shock, "Oh no! My life is ruined."

"Will you shut the hell up?" his father ordered. "This is the best news of my life. Thank you so much, doctor."

After giving us instructions on when next to come to the hospital and what I shouldn't do, the doctor finally left.

Max looked up at his father who could not hide his excitement and said, "You only care about having grandchildren but don't mind ruining my life in the process."

"You ruined your life with your own hands. Don't blame it on me." His father replied to him and said to me, "Thank you so much for coming to me today, Jade.

It must have been hard caring for my grandchildren all this time. Let's go home, I will take care of everything."

I was moved to tears, "Thank you so much, sir.

During the drive home, I sat at the back with Max who seemed extremely unhappy. While his dad sat in front, beside the driver.

I still could not believe I was carrying triplets. Now I understood why I could barely get anything done in my condition. Thinking back to the fact that I had almost gotten rid of my children made my hair stand on ends. I would never have forgiven myself if I went ahead with it.

When we arrived home, Max's father spoke gently to me, "Listen, you're welcome to stay here until you give birth. As I said before, you will be well taken care of. If you need anything, just let me know. Come, I'll show you to your room."

After giving me a room of my own, he added, "I'll go right away and shop for the things you need. I've done this before, you know. When my wife was pregnant with Max, I did most of the shopping alone. Your food will be served in a short while, so get enough rest and I'll be back soon with your things.

After he left, I smiled and rubbed my belly. It was amazing how things had changed for me overnight. After giving birth, I would definitely further my education and fulfill my dreams.

I was still lost in thought when someone opened the door and began to clap. I looked up and saw Max approaching me while clapping his hands, "I guess you deserve a standing ovation for plotting so well. I should have known that behind this innocent face is a greedy bitch who would do anything just to lay her hands on the wealth of the Andersons."

I didn't say a word in reply. In my own way, I understood his frustration since he never asked to be a father. However, I was just a victim as well, a foolish one, but a victim nonetheless. I listened quietly as he angrily poured out his heart, hoping it would make him feel happy.

However, my silent stare seemed to aggravate his anger. He charged toward me and gripped my neck as he seethed, "Jade or whatever you are, you think you have gotten your way but mark my words; I will make you regret ever crossing paths with Max Anderson."