Three

Camilla's POV

“Push!” I heard the doctor's voice as I screamed with a loud voice. I was finally bringing my sugar plum to life. The only reason I had kept fighting, blushing hard to survive.

“She is not going to make it.” I heard one of the nurses shout in distress.

“Not on my watch.” The doctor replied immediately and walked up to my bedside where I was sweating and my breathing was reggae.

“You need to push harder for me, Camilla. That is your name right?” He asked, staring at me.

I nodded.

“Good. Why don't we try this again. When I say push, you give it all your strength!” He shouted walking back to the front.

I was not going to let everything go to waste. I have kept fighting on for her sake.

Pushing through the rigorous life in the prison. “Push!” The doctor shouted again.

This time, I heard the loud wail of the baby before darkness finally enveloped me.

[ Few months later ]

The state government was finally having some prisoners freed based on good behaviour and my name happens to be among. I barely believed my ears when I was called.

I jubilated with Cora in my hands. I watched as she wriggled and giggled, almost feeling my joy.

The papers were processed and I was asked to leave the following day.

I didn't come in with much and neither did I go out with things except, Cora.

As I stepped into the outside world, the sun burned my skin, a harsh reminder of the world I had forgotten. I squinted, shielding my eyes with my hand. Cora, sensing my tension, whimpered and clung to my chest.

I took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin. It was a sensation I hadn't experienced in years. I looked around, taking in the sights and sounds of the outside world. The noise was overwhelming, a cacophony of car horns, chatter, and sirens.

Everything seems to have changed over the past few years. I was unrecognisable. No one knew who I was, of course, I was shabbily dressed and looking horrible.

My stomach rumbled again reminding me of my current state. I was famished, I had breast fed Cora the day before.

I was all alone, no money, no family.

I walked into the bubbling street where a lot of noise and daku activities were going on. If only I could get a daily job.

Something to put food on my table and probably buy Cora a set of new clothes.

My feet burned as I walked street after street trying to find a handbill, an inscription that tells me where to get a job but the more I looked, the harder it was.

I remembered many places I had been to in my fancy car, my heels clinking against the tarred street but here I was. Back to my root with nothing, no name, I was unrecognisable.

The windy air blew hard against my face. I looked up gently and saw it was going to rain soon. I needed to find a shelter for me and for Cora.

Trying to cross the street, I didn't see an incoming vehicle which I crashed into. For a moment, everything became blurry as I fell down trying to protect Cora.

I bashed my head on the flashlight coming from the car and slowly passed out after making sure Cora was safe.

[ SOME HOURS TIME ]

The smell? What is that?

Are those pastries?

My eyes yanked open. I glanced around the luxurious room that I was in. The bed felt fluffy, a stark reminder of where I had been coming from.

I tried to remember what happened to me and how I got myself here. As I tried to, I suddenly remembered.

My baby, where is she?

The door opened slowly revealing this handsome looking young man. Judging from his sense of fashion, I could see he was filthy rich. Maybe richer than the Baldore's judging from the room I had found myself.

“Stay away from me!” I said in a hurry, moving backward towards the far end of the bed. “Are you alright?” He asked with a gentle voice.

“I won't come over if you don't want me too but I need to know you are alright.”

My stomach rumbled again reminding me to feed it. “Cora, where is my baby?” I asked, looking anxiously.

“She is safe, we just need to make sure you are also okay.”

“We? I want my baby right now!” I shouted, clutching my head in pain.

I watched as the young man walked out of my room. He was back with Cora in a jiffy.

I snatched her from him, “We are leaving right now.” I said looking at Cora who smiled at me.

“You don't look like you have anywhere to go but you can..”

“What do you mean? Are you saying a grown ass woman like me has no family?” I said defensively.

I watched as he walked away from the door, “Since you got here, no one has called and you were not having a cell phone. I think you are all alone by yourself.” He finally said.

I looked at Cora and back at his face. “But you are free to stay. I promise to be nice. My name is George Wilton. I can see you are hungry, food will be brought over in a bit. Feel free.”

Over the next few days turned into weeks, months and years, I dedicated my time growing, mending, not dwelling in my past mistakes. George showed me the ways of the business world, building me and bringing out the talents of a raw business woman.

“You are a natural talent, Camilla.” He said to me one day with a smile. “You are teasing me, right?” I said looking at him.

“You are ready. I don't know why you are pushing your limits but whatever it is I am ready to help you fight them.” George replied

I started looking at him, not sure if he was actually ready or just another Darian in disguise. I told him my story and I felt lightened.

“Fine, why don't we show them how powerful and resourceful you have been? Why don't you head my bank company, J and F?”

I looked at George and hugged him tightly. He was an angel sent to help me get my revenge after all. I looked at Cora who was now walking, she giggled and called cooly, “Mama!”

I walked towards her and lifted her up, with a smile on my face, I said gently.

“It is time for some payback!”