2. Pregnancy Ultrasound Letter

[JOENATHAN]

"You've been married for four months, but why is Zeeva not showing any signs of pregnancy?

Albertto, my father's question, made me and Zeeva look at each other. We had indeed been married for six months, but Zeeva had yet to getting pregnant. 

To be honest, Zeeva and I have of course having sex so many times. But until now, Zeeva hadn't gotten pregnant. I had a bad feeling even though I tried to calm myself down. 

"Soon, Robert, your grandfather, will be handing over the inheritance. You as the first son of the Dore Family must have a child to succeed the company," Albertto said. 

I looked at Zeeva, who was visibly upset, and took her hand. I tried to calm her down with a faint smile. 

"We've been trying to get Zeeva pregnant, Dad," I assured Albertto. 

"You have to make sure you have a son in order to get a big share of the inheritance, Robert," my mother Catherine said. 

"Can't you give the inheritance to Gerald's son?" I wondered. 

"Gerald does have a grandson, but he is my younger brother. So Robert waited for me as the first son to have a grandson first," Albertto explained. 

Albertto was very keen that the inheritance of Robert, my grandfather, should remain with the next generation of our family. That's why Albertto wanted me to have a son as per Robert's terms on the company's inheritance rights. 

Gerald, father's younger brother, already has a grandson. But since he was the second son, it would have to wait whether Albertto's grandson's bloodline from me would be a son or a daughter.

If I have a daughter, then the person who inherits the company after me will be Gerald's grandson. The company will be led by the very greedy Gedald family.

"You must keep the company in the hands of your father's descendants, Joe," Catherine said. 

I let out a long sigh. I felt uncomfortable with Zeeva because of the demands of my family's inheritance rules. Who would want to go through a marriage with such heavy demands? 

"I'll try to do a pregnancy program when it gets closer to the inheritance distribution," I said reassuringly. 

"The distribution of the inheritance will be two months later," Albertto said, pressing his sentence with a sharp gaze. 

"Can't you give us more time? What if I'm still not pregnant?" Zeeva interrupted the conversation. 

I saw Albertto and Catherine's gazes sharpen. Along with that, I grasped Zeeva's hand tighter in order to calm her worries. 

I knew Zeeva was secretly upset. Because all this time, Zeeva had been questioning the health of her womb for fear of not being able to give me a child soon enough.

"Whatever happens, you must find a way for Joenathan to have a son," Catherine replied without compassion. 

Alberto nodded approvingly. "Your marriage was made to benefit each other's business. Don't ruin our family's good reputation," said Albertto. 

I actually wanted to refute Albertto's words. But I couldn't say anything. 

"Zeeva and I will strive for that," I said somewhat unwillingly. 

***

"The results of Mrs. Zeeva's uterine health examination revealed that there is inflammation of the uterus or endrometriosis. This inflammation has caused Mrs. Zeeva's fertility rate to drop dramatically, making it difficult for her to get pregnant." 

I was speechless as the doctor examined Zeeva's uterus. Beside me, Zeeva was frozen with a look of shock and fear on her face. 

"Does that mean... I won't be able to get pregnant, Doctor?" asked Zeeva. 

"Most likely, yes. Because this endrometriosis disease includes ovarian cysts, and the cure rate is almost impossible." 

Zeeva and I both collapsed. I didn't expect Zeeva to have complications like this. My anxiety began to grow as I remembered Albertto, my father's request. 

This was not something I had expected. Although I had gotten a bad feeling, but I had not thought as far as Zeeva having a serious uterine complication. 

"No way. Didn't you give me the wrong diagnosis?" protested Zeeva, sounding exasperated and panicked. 

Doctor Patricia shook her head. "Of course I didn't misdiagnose you, Mrs. Zeeva. That's what happened to you." 

Zeeva laughed sarcastically. "How could that be... impossible. I always take care of my body, and my body gets expensive treatment!"

"Zeeva, stop," I intervened to calm Zeeva down.  

"I can't accept this—"

"Zeeva, I told you to stop talking!" 

I unintentionally raised my voice after Zeeva didn't stop talking. It felt dizzying to think of this diagnosis as well as Albertto's request for a boy. 

"Is there a cure?" I asked hopefully.  

Unfortunately Doctor Patricia shook her head with a pitying expression. 

"There isn't. The disease cannot be cured because it has the potential to recur," said Doctor Patricia. 

I let out a long breath as I felt very uneasy. 

After the consultation was over, I took a very agitated Zeeva out of the room. I held Zeeva's hand quite tightly. 

"We have to tell this to my parents," I said. 

Zeeva seemed to disagree. "What if they tell you to find another woman? I can't be far from you." 

I was getting agitated. Without answering, I took Zeeva's hand and held it. I didn't have any solutions right now. 

***

"You have to find a way to get a boy, Joenathan. At all costs." 

Albertto's words during the discussion about the diagnosis of Zeeva's uterine disease rang in my ears. I was really anxious about how to comply with my father's request. 

On the other hand, I had the option of finding another woman, but I didn't want to leave Zeeva. I didn't want to waste another chance at a relationship with Zeeva. 

"How can I get a son without marrying another woman?" I muttered uneasily. 

I was now in the room I shared with Kyle. The discussion a few moments ago made Zeeva so angry with my parents that she chose to go to her parents for a while. 

I instantly remembered Kyle, who was always gentle no matter what our situation was. Even if my parents treated her badly, Kyle never helped or got angry. 

How is she doing?

Will I be able to have a son if I'm still with Kyle? 

When I was thinking about Kyle, my pair of eyes accidentally saw Kyle's personal safe. During the time we were together, I never looked into the safe. Now my curiosity was aroused. 

I walked to the safe and opened the door with the password I already knew. I saw an abandoned cloth, I pulled on it and an object fell to the floor. 

Instantly my whole body stiffened at the sight of the object that had fallen. It was a test pack. 

"What is this?" I muttered, picking up the test pack. There were two red lines on it. 

My heart stopped beating for an instant. 

"Kyle got pregnant? Since when did she hide this?!"