001

Jasmine's pov

“Oh my God, I'm so sorry! My hand slipped.” I apologized hysterically, trying to wipe the water I had accidentally splashed on my mother-in-law. “It wasn't intentional.”

“You stupid woman!” Samantha yelled as she shot up from her bed. “Of course it was intentional! You've always wanted to do this, to show me how you've always hated me.” 

Her words, like a knife, stabbed me to my core because that's not true. I love her like I loved my mother. I have always loved her. 

“You know that's not true. That was…”

“A mistake?” She cut me off with a raised brow. “So, you're saying that I'm lying?”

“No, no. That's not what I'm saying.” I swallowed, lowering my head. “I'm sorry. I was indeed stupid. Forgive me.” I picked up the glass of water from the table again and gave it to her. “Here, you need to take your medicine.”

Samantha sighed dramatically and sat back down like I was in the wrong before taking her drugs. 

I heaved out a sigh of relief. At least, she took it. If it meant becoming a doormat to be trampled upon for her to like me and see me as her daughter, then I'm willing. She's been diagnosed with diabetes and I've always tried my best to buy her the medications even though they cost a lot. 

She looked at me again and her face turned into a mixture of disbelief and anger. “And what are you doing still standing there? Get the hell out of my room!”

I flinched from the intensity of her voice. I thought I'd have been used to it by now, but I wasn't. “If that's all mother, then I'll be in the dining room.”

I descended the last flight of stairs and the sight in the dining area made my heart ache with disappointment. The long table filled with the feast I had spent the entire day preparing. 

Exactly two years ago today, I said yes to Enoch Smith at the very altar where everything changed in a single, startling moment. What began as a sudden choice born of circumstance has since then, became the best thing that had ever happened to me. 

But as I looked at the food that had now turned cold and tasteless, the reality hit me like a punch, hollowing my chest until it ached. 

Fishing out my phone, I dialed Enoch's number with trembling fingers as I sank into the chair. 

Switched off.

Like a blade, the automated voice cut through the silence, the tiny hope I've been clinging to crumbled into a quiet suffocating despair. My hands drifted to my still flat stomach, instinctively rubbing the tiny life growing inside me—our baby.

As one of the many secrets I wanted to share tonight, the dinner, along with my anticipation and every precious feeling, was tipped into the trash.

“Maybe he was busy,” I said. "I will just have to look for another wonderful moment to tell him.” But even as I said that, I just couldn't make myself believe it. 

****

“Goodness, you look awful today sis, what the fuck happened to you?” Derek, my younger brother exclaimed, angry. 

“It's nothing,” I lied smoothly. “I just want to visit the hospital today.”

His eyes widened and his shoulders tensed. “Are you alright? Did something happen?” He asked, holding me by the shoulders and examining me. 

His actions were so fierce but careful that I laughed out loud. “Oh my, you're so cute when you're like this,” I joked, pinching his cheeks. 

Derek rolled his eyes. “Can you be serious sis? How can you be joking in moments like this? And why did you call me over when you have your own car?”

“Um, it broke down yesterday when I went to get groceries. So,” I shrugged, praying for him to believe me. 

Truth is, Enoch uses my car. He just launched his tech company and he needed mobility if he needed to succeed. But Derek didn't have to know. 

“I wanted to be sure of it first, but I'm one month pregnant.”

Derek closed the distance and wrapped me in an embrace so fierce it nearly stole my breath. “So, I'm going to be an uncle?”

I could hear the excitement in his voice. “Yes, you are. So let's go.” 

He broke the hug with a confused expression. “But your husband should be the one taking you to the hospital, where is he by the way?”

“Well, he doesn't know about it yet. I intended to tell him yesterday, but…” My eyes drooped into a melancholic gloom, weighted by a quiet sorrow at the thought. “he didn't come home.” 

And then, after a sleepless night of tossing and turning, I ended up upsetting my baby. 

“That ingrate!” Derek seethed, understanding dawning in his eyes. “I told you he didn't like you. If not because of what happened at the church altar, I don't think he would have spared you a glance and now, look at how thin and unkempt you've become.” 

“No, you don't understand.” I quickly said defensively. “His tech company just launched and it's taking a lot of his time. It's… it's not his fault.”

“It’s not his fault?! Did he know you're an Ives and that you invested so much in that company?”

“Hey, Derek!” I whispered, looking to my right and left. “Quiet, or people will hear you. You know how it is. I don't want him to feel inadequate when he learns of my identity as an Ives Heiress. I'll reveal my identity to him after his company's official opening.”

Derek grinded his teeth, but agreed reluctantly. “Okay. But you have to be quick about it.” 

*****

“Mrs Smith, your baby is fine. You just need to rest and take the medicine I've prescribed for you.” The nurse informed me, and I nodded, relief washing over me. 

“Thank you doctor. I really appreciate this.” I said standing up. 

“You're going to be fine. Tell the next patient to come over as you walk out, please?”

“Alright.” I picked up a bulletin for pregys on my way out. If I didn't want to lose this baby too, like I did the last one, then I'll need all the guidance I could get. 

I opened the first page and took a glance. But paused when I was almost descending the stairs. I had forgotten to inform the next patient. 

I turned around but the couples were already walking towards the doctors office. But that is not what made my heart skip a beat. 

That silhouette…