CHAPTER 4: (A “POSITIVE” SURPRISE)

DANICA

“Dani”

David called gently, his voice breaking through the dull noise of the pediatric ward as he appeared at the corner. “What’s going on? I came as soon as I got your message. Is Valerie okay now?”

Dave, my best friend, had entered my life through a former client, whom we had both worked for. I was the physical therapist and he, the home nurse. He’d bonded with Valerie instantly, and she with him. Shortly, we became a family—something I hadn’t felt since I lost grandma.

“I don’t know, Dave,” my shoulders shook slightly as I struggled to keep it together. “I’ve been in and out of this hospital for days. She’s not getting any better and I’m... I’m just so tired.”

“Hey, you’re not alone in this.” He placed an arm on my shoulder. “You know I'm always here for you. Plus we've got experienced hands overseeing her treatment.”

I swallowed hard, rubbing my temple. “I feel like I’m falling apart. I lost my job three weeks back, Val is in the intensive unit and she…My head’s a mess, my body aches all over, and I’ve been nauseous all morning. I—”

My rambling came to a halt as I lurched to my feet, clutching my stomach. I stumbled toward a nearby waste bin, where I emptied all of last night's dinner into it, leaving behind a bitter taste in my throat.

David rushed to steady me, looking closely at my face. “That’s it. You’re getting checked out too. You don’t look well.” His voice was laced with worry.

Too drained to argue, I nodded feebly following his lead. 

Minutes later, I sat tensely on the examination bed as he returned, holding a white hospital envelope. His face had a troubled look.

“What is it?” I asked, concerned.

He hesitated. Danica, your test results came back positive... You’re three weeks pregnant.”

Pregnant.

The words echoed in my brain like a curse.

“It can't be...” I gasped. My knees weakened as reality hit me. “No, no, no!. Not now, not his child!”

Frustration flared behind my eyes as my trembling fingers clenched tightly around the envelope.

“I can barely hold it together for and now this?” My voice cracked, choking with tears.

Not uttering a single word, David gently pulled me into his arms, letting me sob quietly into his chest.

Standing before Ivan’s towering office doors, my heart pounded so hard it echoed in my ears. Each step from the elevator felt like crossing a minefield with just one foot, bringing me close to a potential disaster.

What if he doesn't believe me and feels I'm a gold digger desperate for more money? What if he chases me out of his office? Many ‘what ifs’ crossed my mind, so much for this ‘positive’ surprise. I had no plan of how this would go but I also had no intention of being intimidated—not today.

I drew a sharp breath and pushed open the door with a golden tag marked ‘CEO’.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Ivan's eyes narrowed, his posture changing like a porcupine bristling. “The answer is no, if you came here to beg for your job. As you must have heard, I can walk on my own.”

His harsh words caught me off guard, “I didn’t come here for that.” I steadied myself, masking the tremble in my voice. “I’m pregnant. And it’s yours.”

Ivan's brow furrowed. “Pregnant?” he echoed in disbelief, “If this is some stunt to ruin my day with a ridiculous lie, I have no other option but to call security.”

“I'm not lying. I'm sure you must want proof,” I stepped forward, shoving the folded test results from my sweating palm onto his desk. “Well, there it is.”

He stared at it with growing irritation before picking it up to read. “Mckeller…” he started to complain but his voice halted, his eyes bulging in shock as he glanced at the paper. “Three weeks pregnant? And you think it's supposed to be my problem?”

“It's yours!” I fired back, despite the tremor in my chest. “You should be smart enough to do the math.’’

“One night together and you think this gives you an edge over me?” His lips curled into a bitter smile. 

He squeezed the test result in his hand, tossing it on the floor, inches from my feet. 

“This isn't about leverage Mr. Ivan,” my voice wavered but I held his gaze, determined. “It’s about responsibility. I thought.. hoped.. you’d want to be involved in your child’s life.”

He let out a cold and hollow laugh. “Responsibility? You're more desperate than I thought, you really take me for a fool don't you?”

He rose from behind his expensive desk with slow, deliberate movements, moving with ease like he never sat in a wheelchair. 

“If this is some pathetic attempt to dig your claws into my wealth by dragging me into a scandal, try harder, McKellar.”

“I don’t want your money!”

“But you took it last time, didn’t you?” he sneered. “Cheaply, I might add.”

I flinched at his crude words, shame and rage mixing in my gut. “I regret that now,” I whispered. “Seeing you for who you really are... I thought you’d at least have the decency to acknowledge your unborn child.”

He stepped closer, his breath hot against my face. “Don’t act all innocent. You knew what you were doing. Besides, it was you who slept with me, not the other way around.” He tossed his hands in the air, gesturing. “If you were stupid enough not to take some contraceptive pills, that's on you. You have no right crawling back.”

“What?” my jaw dropped, face flushing red. “You’re a heartless monster,” I hissed. “Were you never loved? Is that why you treat people like they’re beneath you?”

“Watch that tongue of yours and spare me the theatrics,” he snapped. “You want a father for your bastard? Try one of the other names on the list of people you probably spread your legs for.” 

I reeled, his words hitting me harder than a slap. My breath caught in my throat.

“I was wrong,” I said quietly, my voice shaking. “You don't deserve to be a father. Not to this child, not to anyone.” 

With that, I turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind me.

Outside, my legs felt like jelly. The rush of blood in my ears made me dizzy, but I kept on walking, wrapping my arms around myself as the hot tears finally spilled.

Strong hands caught me from behind before I hit the floor. Through the haze, I could hear an unfamiliar voice reaching out.

“Easy,” a calm, older voice said. “Are you alright, ma’am? I saw you leave Ivan’s office…”

On hearing his name, my head jerked up, trying to look into the face of the well–dressed elderly man, standing near me. 

“Not a single word about that selfish asshole.” I whispered hoarsely, bolting for the exit.

The cold air outside slapped my face as I ran, but I didn’t stop.

I couldn’t stop.

Not now.