Chapter 0007

I inwardly cursed as I struggled to remove the IV from my wrist. Shit, this was hard, but if I needed to save myself now, I had to get out of this hospital.

I was still struggling when I heard the clearing of throats, not one but two, and so without stopping, I looked in the direction it came from, and it was the director and his wife; they were just staring at me without any comments.

“I think you need a nurse to help with that.” The woman said, and I almost cursed her, as how could I call for a nurse when I'm locked here? But I remembered her husband was the only person who could help me, so I stopped, nodded my head, and kindly asked her if she could get me a nurse.

“I need to get home.”

“Home?”

“Yes, anything wrong?” Like, why did she sound like that?

“Um, I don't mean to rub salt in your wound, but my husband told me about the incident. If your sister did that, then imagine what she would do when she sees you.”

“I don't care about that; my accounts are frozen, I'm pregnant, and I need money.”

“Yeah, money, I guess we could—”

“I appreciate your help, but trust me, the money you can give me won’t get me what I want.” And I wasn't lying; I used to spend a lot. It was an addiction. I mean, Dad made up for his absence by giving me money, and I never wasted any of it, as I spent it on expensive things.

My clothes, jewelry, and everything I owned were designer, imported fabric from Italy. That's why I have only a quarter million in my personal account, as I spent almost a million when I found out I was pregnant.

“Honey, could you please go and call the nurse?” The director asked his wife, who hesitated before leaving. She seemed offended that I indirectly called her poor, but that's not what I meant at all.

After his wife left, he came toward me, and that's when I realized the clothes he was holding in his hands.

“Forgive my wife.”

“No, she should forgive me, but all I was saying is even a million won't be enough for just my clothes right now.”

“Oh, I mean…” He cleared his throat. “You're a Wilson. Everyone knows they are one of the wealthiest families in Atlanta. Apart from their real estate company, they also own several restaurants—”

“And hotels. But I didn't mean to offend her.”

“Trust me, Paula is always offended.”

“Oh, her name is Paula?”

“Yes, and I am Derek. Alright, here, I got you some clothes. We don't want you leaving in that hospital gown.”

“Thank you,” I thanked him and asked him to place them on the chair since I was still tied to the bed. Well, Paula and a nurse came in right at that time, and the nurse, without asking many questions, disconnected the IV needles from my wrist, freeing me.

I got up and went to the bathroom. After changing, I came out and gave the director his cellphone, and they both led me out after picking up my release form and the pregnancy confirmation.

Paula and Derek insisted on giving me a ride, and since there was no cab available, I agreed. As I got in their back seat, before I knew it, we were parked outside my home—well, what used to be my home.

“I can't take that.” I refused as Derek handed me five hundred dollars.

“Just in case.” He insisted, and seeing his wife roll her eyes, I took it and thanked both of them before getting out of the car.

Rodrigo and I lived a little outside the city; we had a mansion here since we were raising a family, Anthony. We couldn't stay in his apartment in the city.

Taking a deep breath, I walked to the gate, banged on it, and the gate guard, after confirming it was me, opened the gate for me.

Ignoring his greeting, I walked straight in and quickly regretted it as I was met with an unpleasant sight.

My husband, Rodrigo, and sister, Aaliyah, were in the living room, not doing anything inappropriate, I could tell, as Rodrigo was fully clothed even when my sister was dressed provocatively.

“Valeria?” Rodrigo stood up while Aaliyah walked to the table where a glass of wine was, picked it up, and walked to the sofa, and relaxed there. She was standing behind Rodrigo when I came in, massaging his shoulders. “What are you doing here?” He asked, making my heart skip a beat as I didn't know what I was doing here.

I mean, I knew maybe I had forgotten, but did I need a reason to come to my home?

“Silly question, Rodrigo. Maybe she's here to finally sign the papers, right, Val?” Aaliyah asked, sipping on her wine, and I shook my head. “Shit, then why are you here?”

“Yeah, Val, why are you here?”

“Last I checked, I was still your wife, and this is where I live,” I answered, earning me a scoff from both of them.

“Well, you might have missed the news, but we are now engaged.”

“Aaliyah, not now.”

“Excuse me?” Aaliyah quickly stood up. Okay, it also shocked me how Rodrigo spoke to Aaliyah. I thought she was a goddess, that no man, not even Rodrigo, spoke to her like that.

“I said not now.”

“She has to know.”

“I think she already knows.”

“Then I don’t see a problem; let her sign and let us be together.”

“I will sign okay, but you have to keep in mind…” I paused as I looked around the house. “We didn’t sign a prenup, so half of his worth will be mine, and I’m thinking of keeping this mansion.”

“Excuse me, ugly? You're making threats now?” Aaliyah came toward me, and I moved backward a safe distance. I was pregnant, and I couldn't risk it.

“You heard me, if I say I'll take half of his worth, that's how marriage works, or have you two forgotten that I studied law?”

“Law?” She laughed, “You know our world doesn't follow the law. What nonsense are you saying? And besides, what is my mom going to say about that?”

“Well, then I’ll sign those papers over my dead body.”

“Oh, I can arrange that.”

“Oh, you can?”

“Yes, bitch, I just need to grab my phone and—”

“Enough!” Rodrigo yelled, making both of us stop, “Aaliyah, you're not doing anything, and you, you are going to sign these papers today. I can't stand you anymore.” He said, looking straight in my eyes, “I'm marrying your sister, and for that to happen, you have to sign the papers.”

It sounded like a threat, and yes, hearing him say those words hurt. Why on earth would he say that to me when it wasn't long ago that he confessed to liking me?

Well, as much as I wanted to cry, I knew I couldn't, so centering myself, I cleared my voice and told him I was going to sign, which made Aaliyah jump in excitement while Rodrigo looked confused.

“Under one condition.”

“Oh, anything, baby. Oh my god, this is the happiest day of my life. I'm going to call Mom.” Aaliyah said, and then rushed to the sofa, picked up her phone, and walked out, pressing the phone to her ear.

I couldn't believe my misery made my sister this happy.

Holding it together, I cleared my voice before turning to Rodrigo so I could answer his question as he asked what I could possibly want.

“I want…”