2: Stranger

Kiara's pov

My eyes flashed open to the blurred sight of a middle-aged man leaning close to me. Panic shot through me as I tried to remember where I was, or even who he was. My fingers tightened around the sheets as my head throbbed.

“Doctor, she's awake!” He called, his voice echoing around the room.

My head pounded as I slowly recalled what happened. Divorce. Nicholas. A car.

“Where am I?” I managed to speak as I looked at the man who sat beside me. He looked rich.

“You're in safe hands now, Miss Kiara Abernathy.” The man spoke, a small smile leaving his lips.

How did he know my name?

What in the world was going on? How did I end up in a hospital?

He only nodded toward the doctor, who stepped forward to examine me briefly. “She’s stable, but she needs rest,” she said, giving him a meaningful look before leaving us alone.

“Thank you doctor,”

“I'm sorry it took us so long to find you, ma'am. Your father is sick, and he wants to see you.” He said, his back slumping.

I had a father? And he was sick? I let out a strained laugh, the sound bitter in my throat.

“My father?” I furrowed my brows as I tried to sit up, groaning in pain. “Sorry, sorry.” He helped me up, pity surging in his eyes.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to focus as I began to make sense of his words.

It felt impossible, like a cruel joke. For years I had believed I had no one.

Now, a stranger was telling me that my father had been searching for me all along?

“Where was he before?” The question slipped out, sharper than I intended, cutting through the silence.

The man looked down, hesitating. “He's been looking for you for thirteen years ma'am. He never stopped, life… just didn't make things easy.”

“Oh, so you're saying life stopped him from finding me? Where was he when I needed him? Where was he when I was bullied at school for being an orphan? Where was he when my husband divorced me and I had nowhere to go?” I said, tears threatening to leave my eyes.

I had really been through a lot, alone. What if I had even died through this accident?

“He abandoned me, didn't he?” I asked again after leaving him speechless.

“Miss Kiara, your father didn't abandon you. He looked for you everywhere. And I've spent years searching for you.”

“What does he want from me?” I wiped a tear off my cheek and folded my arms.

“He wants to see you, ma'am. He couldn't come himself. He's… running out of time.” The man's tone softened.

It all felt like it was a dream. I couldn't trust the stranger that fast.

“I don't trust you. Please, leave.” I said without meeting his gaze, then he brought out a card from his pocket, stretching his hand.

“What's this?” I frowned, looking at it.

“It's your father's card, Miss Kiara. Have a look.” He nodded his head firmly.

I collected the card and glanced at it, it read: Mr. Vincent Abernathy. CEO of AJ.

Time seemed to stop at this moment as I widened my eyes.

A lump formed in my throat as I noticed the picture on it, there was my father. His smile was so vibrant and charming.

It felt surreal. The father I never knew was a billionaire. He was real, and powerful.

I looked up, the man watching me expectantly. “Is… is he really my father?”

“Yes, Miss Kiara,” he said with a small nod. “My name is Collen, and I’ve worked for your father for twenty years.”

“Take me to him, right now. I want to see him.” A weak smile curled my lips as tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.

“But ma'am… the doctor told me something when you were asleep.”

“What's that?” My smile faded as my heart beat faster.

“You're two weeks pregnant.”

“What?” I gasped, my heart pounding.

Pregnant?

I barely processed it. Two weeks pregnant, carrying the child of the man who had torn my life apart. My fists clenched and I bit my lip, barely thinking past the rage boiling inside me.

Nicholas had left me for his first love without knowing that I was carrying his child.

How would I raise my kid without a father?

Okay. Not now. I'd deal with Nicholas and this baby later.

“I need to see my father.” I told Collen in a sharp tone.

“But ma'am, you're not strong enough right now, considering your condition too.” He said softly, glancing at my stomach.

I frowned, removing the drip from my hand and emerged from the bed, my legs trembling. I realized I wasn't that strong, but I had to be.

“Now.” I commanded, and without further arguments, Collen walked me through the hospital halls.

Soon, we were in a black car speeding down the road. “We'd get to the airport in a few minutes, ma'am. Thankfully, you have your passport here.”

Collen affirmed as he glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

“Yeah, okay…” I mumbled, looking out the window.

How could Nicholas treat me like trash after spending three years with him? How could he leave me for Sarah?

I thought they had nothing to do with each other anymore. How did she end up carrying his child?

He had probably been seeing her behind my back, and I was the stupid housewife doing everything to please him.

I remembered the wicked look on his eyes when he grabbed my jaw. A drop of tear left my eyes, and soon, I dozed off.

After the flight to and driving through the city, we finally pulled up to a massive estate, the gates swinging open as we drove up a long driveway lined with towering trees.

The mansion was just too beautiful, looking completely out of reach for someone like me.

Collen led me up to the front doors, pushing them open to reveal a room. And there, on the sick bed, laid an old man who happened to be my father.

“Kiara…”