CHAPTER FOUR

Declan sat in his office, scribbling through documents piled up before him, frustrated to the core. Ever since news about his divorce went public, his company has suffered massive losses. No one wanted to work with a man who couldn't put his family together. And this morning, a call come from the hospital informing him that Octavia was pregnant and that a very important document would be sent to him about her pregnancy.

A knock came and his Secretary entered.

"Sir... The document from the hospital have arrived" He informed, stretching the envelope to Declan who immediately grabbed it and waved at him to leave. 

Declan stared at the medical report in his hand. The first paper was an ultrasound confirming Octavia pregnancy. His face beamed. But the second paper made the smile on his face vanish instantly. His eyes grew wide in shock.

"Elective Termination of Pregnancy at patients request" The bold saying read.

His eyes flew back to the top, rereading the patient's name.

"Octavia Rothschild" 

No. This must be a mistake 

But Octavia's signature stared back at him, bold and clear. It was then everything sank in.

Octavia terminated her pregnancy.

Declan's eyes darkened in pure rage, his fist clenching and crumpling the papers he was holding.

How dare she? How could she?

And with just one sharp exhale, he got up from his chair and stormed out of his office.

Back at her Lancaster's Mansion,. Octavia sat at the dinning when the Lancaster's Butler appeared and informed "Someone is here to see you, Ma'am" 

She frowned "Who?" 

"Mr. Rothschild" 

Octavia's stomach churned at the mention of Declan's name. What is he doing here?

When she stepped into the living room and saw Declan standing there, a sharp pain lodged at her chest but she kept her expression calm and demanded,

"Why are you here, Mr. Rothschild?" 

Declan stormed towards her and threw the medical report on the table.

"So this was it? This was the reason you wanted a divorce?" He scoffed and Octavia let out a tired breath.

"What are you talking about?" 

"Read it" Declan pointed at the report. Octavia frowned picking it up. But as she read it, the color drained from her face and her eyes widened in horror.

"What is the meaning of this, Declan?" 

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that fucking question?" Declan let out a bitter laugh. "You killed our child" 

Octavia's head snapped up "What?" 

"You terminated your pregnant. How could you, Octavia?" 

Something inside Octavia fractured and tears immediately pooled her eyes.

"I didn't terminate anything " her voice trembled.

"You signed the consent" 

"I never signed any..." 

"It has your fucking name, Octavia! You signature. Your approval!" Declan hollered.

"You don't know what..." Octavia made to say but he quickly cut her off.

"You couldn't even carry my child. Is that how much you despise me?"

"I didn't terminate anything!" Octavia snapped, her tears threatening to spill

"Do not insult my intelligence, Octavia" Declan gritted.

Octavia couldn't take it anymore. "I called you, Declan. I was bleeding. I was terrified!" her voice broke, her tears finally stumbling down. But all she got was a look of disgust from Declan.

"You should have handled it like an adult instead of sabotaging my life" he accused. Octavia could feel the last atom of love she had left for him shatter.

"You've always wanted more from me. More love. More attention" Declan scoffed "And when you realized you wouldn't get it, you killed our child. You murdered an innocent life just because it was inconvenient for you!" 

Something inside Octavia snapped and before she knew it, her hand slammed against Declan's cheeks. The sound echoed through the mansion. She glared at him, her body vibrating in rage.

"Don't you dare...call me a murderer when my child died because of you!" She yelled. "If my child died, Declan Rothschild...it died the day you chose your empire over us!" 

Declan stared at her in shock. Octavia quickly wiped her tears and stepped back. And glaring at Declan with nothing but hatred, she gritted codly "Get out" 

"Get out of my fucking sight, Declan"

Declan turned and left without looking back.

Instead of heading back to his office, he drove straight to his mansion. The moment he stormed in, he was greeted bu a deafening silence. Ever since Octavia left the entire mansion has become empty. Declan had angrily fired all his house workers.

If it were months back, Octavia would be standing by the door ready to welcome him with her usual beautiful smile. Now all the welcomed him was silence.

The quietness of the house only added to Declan's fury. He yanked off his tie and fling it off, then took off his coat and tossed it to God know where. He headed to the home bar and grabbed a bottle, pouring himself almost a cup full and took it down in one gulp. The burning sensation of the whiskey did nothing to calm the anger burning inside him. Suddenly, a voice echoed,

"You're back?" 

Declan turned swiftly to see Vanessa climbing down the stairs. He hissed.

"What are you doing here?" He took another gulp.

"I heard what happened" Vanessa replied and sat beside him "I can't believe Octavia would do such a despicable thing" 

Declan looked away without a reply. He made to take another gulp when Vanessa placed her hand on his. Declan shot her a glare but she didn't flinch.

"Don't waste your time drinking, Declan" she moved closer, her voice soft. "Octavia was never right for you. She didn't understand your ambition. What your legacy meant to you" 

Declan's fist clenched but he didn't say anything. Vanessa smirked.

"I can give you what she wouldn't. An heir. A family. A wife who stands by your side" 

Declan finally looked at her.

"Marry me, Declan...

THE NEXT DAY

Octavia stood in the airport terminal with her suitcase beside her.

Her phone buzzed with notifications. She wanted to ignore it but decided to check

She shouldn't have

The headlines was bold "Declan Rothschild Announces Engagement to Vanessa WhitMore"

A bitter chuckle left her lips and instead of tears, something cold and final settled in her chest. Her fingers slowly moved to her stomach.

"Enjoy it while it lasts Vanessa. Because soon...power will decide who truly stays and who gets to leave"

Immediately, boarding was announced. Octavia turned off her phone and walked away.

Meanwhile,

AT THE PRIVATE HOSPITAL OFFICE

Vanessa sat across from the doctor. A thick heavy envelope was passed to the doctor whose face beamed. He made to grab it but Vanessa placed a hand on it.

"Everything has been adjusted?," she demanded.

" Yes. The termination file is now the official record" the doctor answered 

"And the original? Has it been destroyed?" 

The doctor hesitated before answering "Yes" 

Vanessa smiled "Good" she let go of the envelope and the grabbed it

She stood up " Make sure Mr. Rothschild never sees anything else"

The doctor nodded frantically 

"If anyone finds out about this, I will kill your entire family" With that Vanessa walker out,her heels echoing down the corridor.

Finally, everything is fucking over...