Two

TWO

I left Dr. Bailey's hospital at about 2 p.m. Driving home, I couldn't help but be buried in deep thoughts.

Her words were echoing in my head, like a damn mantra.

She didn't hold back and went all out, emphasizing why I shouldn't take the risk of letting the fetus grow big enough to a point where abortion becomes impossible.

Abortion! She recommended abortion!!

It was the most horrible words I've ever heard from her. How dare she recommend that I abort a child whom I cried day and night for?

But I couldn't get mad at her because she genuinely was just trying to look out for me. She said I could abort the child, and she'd keep it a secret from me.

She recommended surrogacy or even adoption. Anything else but me, carrying a child.

My heart was crushed to bits at that. Made me think I was really incompetent. But I pretended like it wasn't hurting so much and assured her that I'd show up for every checkup necessary but I certainly could never get rid of this pregnancy.

Brent would love me for it. If he knew that I was carrying his possible heir or heiress, he'd definitely love me.

Those sudden thoughts sprang up fresh excitements inside me. I took a U-turn and stopped at a flower shop.

Brent never loved flowers but at the very least, he tolerated the roses that I decorated the house with. It made me think maybe…it was his favorite.

I got him a bouquet and paid the girl selling it. It was more common for a man to get a girl flowers than for a girl to do so for a man.

Brent has never gotten me any. I don't hold it against him though. It just wasn't his thing. But it was my thing, I love buying flowers and I love him. So right now, I don't feel weird getting him this.

I drove home and found the house empty, well, just the maids were present. Brent wasn't home yet and his mother wasn't home either.

I freshened up and went into the kitchen to prepare dinner — Brent's favorite meal. I was desperate to do whatever it took to put him in a good mood when I broke the news to him.

An hour plus later, I was done and exhausted. I went to rest on the living room couch. Brent should be home any minute…

The thought barely settled when the doorbell rang. I jumped to my feet and ran to get the door.

“Honey…” My smile faded when I came face-to-face with his Mum, Mrs. Laura.

“What are you staring at? Take these from me right now!” She yelled. I got snapped from my daze and finally noticed the bags of groceries in her arms.

“Oh, sorry, Mum. Welcome.” I said hurriedly, taking the bags from her.

“Silly,” she snorted, shoving me out of her way as she walked inside. I trailed behind her.

She stopped midway in the living room and made a dramatic show of sniffing the air.

“What is that smell?”

“I…”

But she didn't wait for my explanation. She already stormed into the kitchen and I followed her. She saw the pots in the sink, unwashed and still having streaks of the meals I had cooked earlier.

I dropped the bags on the kitchen counter, whilst awaiting her outburst.

She sneered at me. “Didn't I tell you to quit cooking in this house? Your food is always too salty or burnt. And I'm not gonna let you continue poisoning my son with them.”

As usual, her words were always harsh and blunt. But I was already used to them. I was already used to keeping my head low even when my heart was bleeding. I was already used to smiling even when I was hurting.

And I've never given Brent a burnt or salty food. Just so we're clear.

“But Mum, I'm still his mate. I understand that you want to be the one cooking for him, but I think…maybe…sometimes, I should still do it.”

She scoffed, squeezing her face in anger.

“Besides, today's a special day. So that's why I thought I should cook.” I added with a smile.

“There's never gonna be a special day in this house, not when you're still living here. The only special day would be the day my son finally rejects and divorces you.”

“But Mum…”

“Seriously! I don't get why he's still delaying it. You're barren, poor, useless, have no political connections and so damn USELESS! You're a liability to him. The sooner he cuts you from his life, the better for all of us.”

Tears stung my eyes. I blinked rapidly, determined to hold them back.

“I don't know what spell you used on him to make him very hesitant about divorcing you, but know this, it's gonna wear off very soon. His eyes are gonna open and he'll throw you out of here!” She yelled in my face before going upstairs to her room.

I stood there, motionless, watching my tears drop continuously on the floor. It lasted for minutes before I washed my face and went back to wait on the living room couch for him. For Brent.

Now I was more scared about what his reaction would be. I couldn't help but whisper a heartfelt prayer to the moon goddess.

The sun disappeared and the crescent moon stained the sky but Brent wasn't home yet. The dishes were cold now.

My anxiety intensified. Where could he be? What could have happened to him? I had multiple questions but there was no one to answer.

Two more hours and there was still no sign of him. Unable to hold it anymore, I decided to call his Beta, Jaden. He works at the company too. I can't call Brent. He prohibited me from doing that.

He picked up. The background was noisy, filled with music, which meant he wasn't at the company.

“Hello, Ma'am!”

“Jaden. I'm so sorry for disturbing you. But Brent isn't home yet and I called to find out why. Is he working overnight?”

“Of course not. He left the company a bit earlier today. I thought there was some sort of emergency at home.”

“No. No, he didn't come home.” I was feeling teary.

“Alright, don't panic. I'm sure he's fine. Let me call him and find out.”

“Thank you.” The call ended.

Thoughts clouded my mind. I was desperately trying to figure out where he might be. He doesn't have friends. So there's no chance he went to visit any.

So where did he go?

The buzzing sound from my phone synced with the loud crashing sound from the main door.

Brent was home. Jaden was calling. I didn't need to speak to Jaden anymore. So I tossed the phone on the couch and sprinted to the door to welcome him.

I screeched to a sudden stop, frozen by the sight in front of me. Brent, looking very relaxed, happy, giddy, and different, was spinning a young lady in his arms, while they both laughed.

Brent…was laughing? He's never done that in eight years.

The lady broke the hug and stepped back a bit. My jaw dropped to my feet as I saw her face.

Is this for real??

“Ca…Carolina?” I whispered, and they both looked at me.

How…how was she still alive?