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.
DANICA“Five minutes, Danica. Be ready outside.” Ivan's voice, sharp and commanding, seeped in from behind the door.“Almost done,” I called back, hurrying to get everything right for the last time. “I just have to brush Valerie’s hair.”Just like Ivan had said, two days ago when he barged into my room, we had a court wedding to prepare for. I paused at my reflection in the ornate mirror, my fingers sweeping over my dress to smooth non-existent creases. Anything to buy me more time.On the surface, I looked calm and my dress clung perfectly to my curves, but my eyes betrayed the turmoil brewing inside–a mix of anxiety and uncertainty that had my nerves tangled in knots. “Hey, baby,” I whispered as I knelt in front of Valerie. Her big eyes sparkled with that innocent light that made my heart ache. “Remember what Mummy told you? We’re going on a little trip. Mummy just has to sign some papers with Mr. Ivan… then we’ll come home. Okay?”“To make him my new daddy?” Valerie squeaked excit
Hey guys! Thanks for stopping by, it means a lot to me especially with this being my first book here. I do hope we have a great time together unraveling Danica and Ivan's unlikely love story. And if you're feeling generous enough, please leave comments so I know your thoughts on this book. Also, kindly support in whatever way you feel is alright by you. Have a fabulous day. XoXo
IVANAs I sipped my coffee, the bitter flavor jolted me awake. My body felt like someone had used it as a piñata at a particularly aggressive children's party. I groaned, stretching my legs under the small table in the coffee shop. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the hum of conversation in the background.After last night's disturbance, sleep eluded me and just when I thought I’d finally dozed off, my alarm blared in my ears, determined to make me go crazy. So much for having a brand- new wife and daughter. I swallowed my drink in one gulp, relishing the taste of roasted bitterness on my tongue. Hopefully, it would keep me alert for my next meeting in forty minutes. I could already picture the insufferable board members droning on and on about the proposals for our new car designs. Taking a bill from my wallet, I tucked it under the saucer on the checkered tablecloth, and stood to leave. As I stepped out into the warm sunlight, my eyes scanne
DANICA“Perfect!” I nodded, as my eyes caught a unicorn in one of the shelves the sales lady pointed to. “Can I get it wrapped up please?”“Sure,” she said, flashing me a practiced smile with ease.I had planned on getting Valerie a little gift, something to cheer her up and make her forget about last night's incident.Thinking about it made my chest tighten. I couldn't bear to see her in any form of pain. Especially when the pain came in the form of Ivan Clarkson.“Asshole.” I murmured under my breath.Retrieving the package, my feet walked past the surging crowd, briskly. It was that time of the month where everyone wanted something from the mall because of the eye-catching and mouthwatering discounts.Dave and I were to meet up. He had sounded worried on the phone, mentioning something about everything being so fast. It was so fast, even for me. I still remember that look he had on his face when I revealed who the father of my child was to him. It wasn't disappointment. More like
DANICAThe night felt too quiet. The kind of quiet that made my thoughts loud. Valerie and I had moved into Ivan’s mansion just hours ago, but the walls already felt like they were closing in on me.I stood by the large window of my new room, the city’s lights stretching endlessly beneath the dark sky. It should have been beautiful, but all I could feel was the weight of the contract I’d signed.I hadn’t even unpacked. How could I? How does one settle into a place that feels like a cage draped in expensive furniture and ceiling-to-floor windows?My heart ached, but at least Valerie was fine. That was all that mattered now. Ivan had paid the medical bills and directed doctor Kendra to oversee Valerie's treatment.I moved quietly down the hall, pausing outside Valerie’s room. The soft sound of her breathing was a balm to my uneasy nerves. I watched her for a long moment, her little fingers wrapped loosely around Ella’s ear.I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, “we’ll be okay. I promis
DANICAI heard a voice calling out to me. There was something about the way it sounded.It was strange, yet familiar.I rolled my head gently towards the sound, my eyes fluttering open only to be blinded by bright lights. I squinted, trying to make sense of where I was.Then came that annoying smell of disinfectant and sterilization that was common with hospitals. Wait! A hospital? Where am I? My thoughts screamed in my head.Out of nowhere, someone leaned close to me. So close, I could feel his hot breath fan my neck as he spoke.“She's alive. Valerie is alive.”My breath caught.Flashes of the call episode came rushing back in my head.That voice. It could only be Ivan's. What was he doing here? Why was he talking about my daughter–as if she were still alive? Lying through his teeth like I wouldn't know.My heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces, each one cutting deeper into my soul, suffocating me. The tears which had welled up in my eyes, wasted no time in spilli