Chapter 0008

“No, I can't do that; you're asking for a lot.”

“Then forget about me signing.” I didn't mean it, but I had to act serious.

“Val, you know that’s not going to happen, twenty million? Really?”

“Money is not a problem to you, Mr. Roberts, and you should be thanking me. We are married, and you didn't sign any prenup, so–”

“That's because our marriage wasn't any ordinary one. What will your father say when he hears this?”

“He will know that I took his brain. Now, Rodrigo, either that or no deal, and I know you run Atlanta. I know the police and even divorce attorneys won't help, but the media—yes, you can surely buy two or three, but a post made online can't be erased. Your reputation—”

“Fine! Fine, I'll give you the money, but not twenty, five.”

“Fifteen.”

“Ten.”

“Deal.” I sounded like a divorce settlement attorney.

“Shit.” He cursed, running his hands through his hair.

I really didn't get why twenty million was a problem when he had billions. I mean, I had access to his accounts as his wife, so this wasn't making sense, but well, ten could hold me and my baby for a while.

“Write me the check; I'll go to the bank and withdraw it, as I don't trust the bank with my money, not after they froze my account without my consent.”

“Whatever, I'll give them a call, and they will get it back on air again, but you will have to sign first.” Aaliyah appeared as soon as he was done saying the last word, holding the same brown envelope in her hands.

“I'm so glad you are giving me my life back.” She had one of her fake smiles. I honestly didn't care at this point as I grabbed the envelope from her hands. Speaking of envelopes, I was reminded of the one I had with the pregnancy tests.

I had folded and pocketed it earlier, and I was going to reach for it when Rodrigo placed his hands on her waist. God, it was like a punch to the gut as I stopped my hand.

“I can't believe we will get to raise Anthony together; it was not easy giving him up years ago.”

“I know that, honey, and I’m sorry she made you do it.” He kissed her cheek.

“She got to my head; she made me think I was not a good mother.” She was looking at me, so I raised my brows, as it didn't make sense. “Yes, I'm talking about you, poor nurse?!” She seemed to have just noticed my outfit as she looked at me with disgust.

There were no clothes at the hospital, and this wasn't a movie where someone could just randomly get you new clothes, so Derek, the director, decided to give me one of the nurses' uniforms, which was a little loose on me and made me look horrible.

“What are you talking about?” I asked about what she meant by ‘got to her head.’

“You told me I was not a good mother; you made me believe I would never make for a good wife. That's why I gave you my life and ran away years ago.” She accused me, and I wish I could say I was surprised, but I did say those things, but it was out of anger. I didn't like how she got everything, and I surely didn't mean it.

Well, this gave me another reason why I had to give it back to her, because if it was my words that made her abandon her four-year-old son, then it was my fault. I mean, this was news to me, to be honest.

“What? You have nothing to say for yourself? Shit, just sign the papers and leave, ugly.”

“I will… I will after I cash out the check.”

“Check?”

“Yes, they tend to help faster when you're Mrs. Roberts, so the faster you get me my ten million check, the faster I'll sign.” Where did the confidence come from? I have no idea.

“Ten million? Don't tell me you are wasting such an amount on her.” She turned to Rodrigo.

“Honey, it's for the best.”

“What do you mean for the best?”

“She won't sign; she wanted twenty. Now I know she's not worth that, so—”

“Excuse me?” I asked, not believing what Rodrigo had just spat.

“Yes, you're excused.” No, the voice didn't come from either of them; it came from behind me.

I slowly turned, and it was Madeline, my stepmother. Well, before I could say anything, a slap was planted on my right cheek, and before the pain was sent to my body, I heard her instruct people to seize me.

“It's clear that mental place is weak and didn't break you, so we are sending you to a prison cell. Let's see how long you will last there. Yes, officer, this is my stepdaughter; she's the one who stole my very expensive necklace. Arrest her!” I heard her say before my soul left my body, and fear consumed me.

No, I couldn't go back to another dark place. I was just about to escape, and then this. I couldn't let that happen. I was pregnant, for God's sake. My baby wouldn't take another tragedy.

Well, it seemed like the officers were already putting me in handcuffs. Of course, they didn't ask for my side or even consider the fact that I was trending as unstable, with my law knowledge, this could be an excuse.

They were going to drag me out when I shouted that I was pregnant.

Of course, Aaliyah said I lost the baby, and Madeline supported her, but I still went on, my focus on Rodrigo as I remembered how happy he got when he found out I was pregnant.

“I didn't lose it; I have proof in my pockets.” I desperately said, since the officers have stopped moving.

“She's trying to get out of this one by lying. It's not working, ugly!” Aaliyah yelled, but again, she wasn't my focus. Rodrigo seemed conflicted; it's like a part of him wanted to believe me.

“Did I mention she lost her mind? Oh, I totally forgot that part,” Madeline said, softly smiling to the officers, “Please take her away.” She handed the one who seemed to be in charge a stack of cash, and that was it, as after accepting it, he signaled with his fingers for the people holding me to move.

I kept screaming and shouting until my voice was gone.

We were headed for the door, and I thought my life was now completely over when Rodrigo's authoritative voice sounded, echoing, asking them not to take another step, and they didn't as they stopped.

He ran Atlanta, of course, they stopped.

“Uncuff her, now.” And just like that, I felt them remove the handcuffs from my wrists; they were so tight on me, which I'm sure they did on purpose.

When I felt my hands free again, I was going to thank Rodrigo and show him the proof, but that's when everything turned upside down, and I blanked out, completely seeing and feeling nothing.