I ALMOST DIED

"Are you sure you're ready for this, Janice?" Dian asked, her voice laced with concern as she looked at how Janice's gaze was fixed on the divorce papers.

Janice swallowed painfully and nodded, her eyes almost at the verge of tears as if she remembered all her terrible past.

The golden light from the morning sunrise spills through the windows. Janice took a deep breath, sniffing the sweet scent of the dew–wet grasses as she looked through the windows.

"It's almost 10 o'clock, Dian. You know I can't afford to keep Lucas waiting." Janice said softly as she shifted her gaze towards the clock on the wall.

'Wow!' She mumbled in silence, a light grin spreading across her lips as she stood before the large mirror fixed at the wall, admiring herself. This is the first time in three years since she wore a dress that really suits her curves.

All through her years of marriage to Nelson, she has always been putting on dresses that depict her as an older woman just to refute her in-laws' constant accusations of addressing her as a gold-digger.

The ride to the hospital took almost forty minutes.

"Janice, What if your in-laws threatened you over the divorce? What if Nelson refused to sign? What'..." Dian continued but Janice didn't cut in impatiently.

"No need to fear, Dian. I've already requested the services of two male escorts. Virginia dare not start her madness."

"That's better. In case she does and lands herself on the hospital bed, then she'll understand why a street fighter like me has to force control over my anger." Dian chuckled.

At the hospital, Dian waited in the car while the two heavily built escorts walked behind Janice as she proceeded to the Ward.

"You bas..." Virginia rose with anger to launch a dirty slap on Janice when one of the men quickly stepped in between them.

"And who do you think you are to raise a finger on her? The man asked, fixing his deadly eyes concealed behind the dark glasses on Virginia.

"I...I...it's a mistake." Virginia stuttered.

Janice let out a wicked smirk as she saw the fear in Virginia's face.

"Oh Janice. Where have you been? Your husband and everybody has been looking for you!" Melissa said softly, her voice laced with a fake tone of concern as she walked up to give Janice a hug.

"Yeah, I know that Nelson must be looking for me. That's why I'm here to see him." Janice replied , her voice cold and indifferent as she averted the hug, because she knows Melissa would have done worse than her mother if not for the fear of the escorts.

"Ja...nice. You...left. I... almost died." Nelson stuttered, his voice barely against a whisper.

"Yes. He's right. I almost thought I was going to lose him–my one and only son." Virginia nodded, closing her eyes to force some fake tears down her cheeks.

"Yes, I know you might soon die, Nelson. That's why I need a divorce." Janice replied, her voice indifferent as she pulled out the papers from her bag.

"What?" Virginia widened her eyes in shock.

"Janice, please. If you're doing this because of how Melissa and I have been treating you, then we're sorry. I swear to God, we'll never treat you wrongly again. At least, remember your husband who has never stopped loving you. You're his last and only hope to live, Janice. This is the time he needs you more than anything." Virginia began to plead on her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"So do I need myself more at this time as well." Janice sneered.

"Nelson remained speechless, but his eyes couldn't hide his shock and remorse.

"Ja–nice." He struggled to talk.

"No need to stress yourself, Nelson." Janice cut in.

"You know, one can also die if he forces speech out of his mouth when he's strengthless. So, just save that strength and sign the papers before you die, in case you wish to." She added and tossed the papers into his hands.

Nelson looked up, the sight of the bold title almost choked him to death.

"If you find it difficult to read, you might as well give your mother to help you. After all, there's no need to panic because I'm not taking anything. I didn't come to the marriage with valuables, the same way I'm going to leave. You know I've always been a considerate wife, right?" She scoffed.

Nelson was reluctant. "Janice please, you two can still talk about this once he recovers and the problem persists. I don't see why you should be rushing things this way." Virginia pleaded.

"Do you need any help in holding a pen? My men can help you hold your hands." Janice scoffed, her eyes holding a trace of detachment.

Without further argument, Nelson took the pen from her hands to scribble his signature on the divorce papers.

Janice almost bursted out with laughter when she saw the look on his mother's sullen face, imagining what chaos the old woman would have caused if not for the presence of the two escorts.

“Can you still give me a little time to go through this again?” Nelson asked weakly.

“Sure. But just don't die before signing the papers.” Janice scoffed and turned to take her leave when a wave of nausea washed over her, making her retch.

Virginia's brows furrowed in a slight frown. She moved closer and held Janice's back. "Are you pregnant?" She asked.

Janice's heart sank. It's been over five months since she and Nelson had any serious intimate moments because of how he always complains of his fear to complicate his kidney failure if he strains himself with sex.

The only moment she could remember was the one that took place three weeks ago, when he returned from the office frustrated. And to calm his temper, he took excess shots of whiskey, making him drunk before he went to bed. That night, all Janice's effort to stop him when he started moving his hands around her body proved abortive. But pregnancy can't happen that easily right?

Janice clenched her fist tightly.

"No. I can't be." Janice replied without a blink.

Virginia wanted to talk when Janice's phone began to ring.

"My lawyer would contact you for the final processes." She said hesitantly and began to move. But somehow, Virginia managed to grab her wrist and held her back, whispering into her ears with an evil smirk. "You better don't be pregnant, Janice. Because my son can never have anything to do with a low profile gold digging bitch like you! And even if you are, I assure you that I'll do everything possible to make sure that child leaves the world before he even sees it.

Since you chose to show your ungrateful self at the hospital with a divorce, then I'll remind you that you were never welcomed to this family in the first place." She cursed.

Janice didn't say anything and left. She knows that Virginia has never loved to have a grandchild through her, that's why instead of weeping and sympathizing with her when her first baby with Nelson was pronounced dead on delivery, Virginia was happy.

And now, even Janice herself wouldn't like to be tested positive with Nelson's pregnancy. The era of trying hard to conceive a child for him is over.

***

"Hey, sorry for keeping you waiting for so long." Janice said, her voice calm and tired.

Dian furrowed her brows. " Janice, Is everything okay?" She asked.

Just when Janice was about to answer, another wave of nausea washed over her, causing her to retch.

"Janice, you're pregnant?" Dian widened her eyes.

"Not at all." Janice shook her head weakly.

"My period was supposed to start yesterday, but a one day delay is normal though. So, I'm sure it's just some fever symptoms due to stress." She added casually.

Immediately, her phone began to ring again. The moment she checked the caller ID, her breath hitched.

"Janice. You've kept me waiting here for almost an hour, hope you know what that means?" A hoarse masculine voice roared over the phone.

Janice was silent. Even though she's completely weak, she dare not ditch a person like Lucas.

"Let's stop by the pharmacy and get a test trip before I proceed to meet Lucas." She suggested.

"So, what if you find out that you're actually pregnant? Are you nullifying the divorce?" Dian asked.