LOGINMARK“Excuse me, what did you just say?” I asked Mona, hoping that I either didn’t hear her correctly or I didn’t understand what she was saying.“I said I am suffering from early pregnancy sickness,” Mona answered more emphatically.My heart began to race faster.She couldn’t be serious!Did she mean what she just said? I was a hundred percent certain a few seconds ago that she had gotten rid of the pregnancy, judging from my interaction with her receptionist at her gift store and her housekeeper downstairs. What the heck was she talking about?“Most women have it during the first weeks of their pregnancy,” Mona added.But I didn’t care for her damned explanation.I wouldn’t know this because I wasn’t present during the first weeks of Alexa’s pregnancy, and it just dawned on me that during her dad’s funeral and the fair, which were good chances to see her but I didn’t, Alexa was already carrying my child.I had to mentally shake off the thought from my head because it wasn’t import
MARKI arrived at Mona’s store, which used to be Alexa’s store, and I didn’t help because I was reminded of Alexa all over again; each time I came here, I was always reminded of Alexa. Anyway, I parked and got down.“Hi, good day, Mr. Mark!” Her receptionist greeted me with cheerfulness.It was expected because she knew that Mona and I were seeing each other.A lot of people knew after the fair, actually, and it was a good thing that they didn’t make such a fuss about it because it would have put me in a very uncomfortable situation. I wasn’t ready to show anyone to the city as my partner.If Mona wasn’t so clingy that day, no one would have guessed.“Hey, good day,” I responded. “Is Mona in?” I asked her.“Um, no, she is not,” the receptionist answered. “She hasn’t been here today,” she added, much to my surprised.“Oh, is that so?” I asked. “Yeah,” she responded. “When was the last time she was here?” I asked.“A few days ago,” she answered.“Do you know why?” I asked carefully.M
ALEXAWaiting for Mark to finish up whatever he was talking to the doctor about really upset me, and I wanted to call a cab, but I recalled that I had left my cell phone back at the house, and so I had to wait for him.Painfully so.My phone was right on the table in the living room where I had kept it, but I noticed that it was in a different position; as though someone had shifted it.Usually, I wouldn’t have even thought about it, but I did, especially with Ivy in the house.Angrily, I grabbed the phone and hurried upstairs to Ivy’s bedroom. Without knocking, I barged in.“Alexa, goodness, what is it?” Ivy asked. “I didn’t even realize you were back,” she added.“Did you touch my phone?” I asked Ivy.She blinked for a few seconds before regaining her composure.“What?” She asked, sounding bewildered to be asked that kind of question.“Did you go anywhere near my phone?” I asked her again through clenched teeth.“But you only just got back. How is it possible that I would have gone
MARK“Is anything the matter?” The doctor asked me as soon as Alexa left us alone.“Yes, and I intend to be quick because I don’t want to keep her waiting,” I responded.“Okay, what is it?” He asked me again.“Alexa looks really pale and unhealthy,” I started.The doctor sighed deeply, and it was enough for me to know that he also noticed it. “Although I am glad that it didn’t affect the health of the baby, but I am also worried about her,” I continued.“What is your concern?” He asked.“What is wrong with her?” I asked worriedly.And he sighed again.“You see, Alexa has been through a lot, Mark Ronaldo. She is also dealing with a whole lot, and from what I gather, she might be financially unstable at the moment. All of these are affecting her health,” the doctor said.“I think I know about the money part,” I told him. “But how do I help her get better?” I asked with deep care.This wasn’t only because Alexa was carrying my child. It was also because I truly cared about her. I tried
ALEXAThere was something different about Mark the moment he walked in and I noticed it, and it made me furious.I was certain for a fact that Mark went out to speak to his lover, Mona.Gosh, the rage inside of me knew no bounds.This was the very reason I didn’t want Mark anywhere close to me. It wasn’t just because I didn’t want him anywhere close to the child, but it was because I knew that he was involved with someone else whom he had even displayed publicly.I couldn’t get over how cozy and loved up they had been at the fair.Rage bubbled inside of me all over again.Mark couldn’t even wait until this was completely over before rushing out to take her call, and here he was, acting all excited.What did she say to him?Did he tell her about this appointment and she called to show her support to him and offer him words of encouragement? Was that why he seemed more relaxed and excited?Heck, I really wish I could stop Mark from coming anywhere close to me.“Are we ready?” The doctor
MARK“Hey, Noelle,” I said the moment I was able to get to a good corner to talk and picked up.“Today is Alexa’s antenatal appointment,” Noelle stated.“Yes, I know. You don’t think I would forget something as important as this, right?” I asked Noelle.I wasn’t even upset with her for asking that kind of question. Noelle didn’t understand what this moment meant for me. She had absolutely no idea.I only had to look at the list once and every single appointment was committed to my memory, and I would not miss any of it for anything in the world. Not even my company could stop me.“We are at the hospital,” I added.Noelle sighed with deep relief.“Thank goodness,” Noelle said with so much relief that I could feel it.“Why is that?” I had to ask.“I didn’t want Alexa to be here on her own, Mark,” Noelle said. “I am just relieved that you are there with her as well,” she added.“Noelle, this is my child as well. I am not doing Alexa a favor by being here. I am simply being responsible f
MARKThe memory with Noelle, which we had both sworn to bury forever, made me more confused as to why she would ever come to my house.Getting together with Alexa made her more hostile.Poor Alexa didn’t know that the major reason Noelle was fiercely against our marriage and the love that she had f
IVYI stayed away from everyone and starved myself for days because the dawn of every new day reminded me of the battle I had lost.For weeks, I gave in to a beast just so that I could plan an escape, only for him to take a transfer from the mental home completely.Doctor Lionel was never coming ba
MARKFive years ago…“Don’t drive fast,” I told Ivy as she drove out of my house.“Why? You used to like driving fast, Mark,” Ivy said lightly, almost making me upset.“I got into coma because of a car accident and you are asking me this kind of question?” I asked her, displeased that she could say
ALEXANoelle and I had an appointment with Brent three days later.He sent a message that we needed to see at his office, and he included that Clara would be showing up with her lawyer, Grace.“That fast?” I asked Noelle.“I told you he was the best,” Noelle responded.She was driving us there and







