Countdown

Chapter Five

Sofia entered the mansion where her father stayed and the sweet smell of the polished furniture  filled the air, doing  little to calm the tempest that was in her.

Javier gently  helped her sit  on the couch with a strained face and a set jaw.

“Why me dad? Why did he do this to? Five pregnancies, I lost five babies… for him.” Sofia cried, the pain rushing back afresh. “I left my life behind for him. Despite the pain, each time I get so excited only for it to end. How does he repay me? Going back to his ex.”

“And this is all your fault! This is the result of your stubbornness! And this is the same reason why I did not want you to get mated or involved with a man you hardly even knew, a man that you saw at a nightclub, a man that is still grieving his ex-mate! You met this man at a club, sad because his ex left him and you’re wondering why he went back to her?” Javier yelled, his self control snapping at the sight of Sofia in tears.

“I know, Dad," Sofia  trembled. "I... I regret it. I had 

 believed that I would be able to replace the woman he was interested in. I... I was too naive. Too foolish. I had thought that love can remedy all, that it will make him mine, that I can make the marraige work....I…I thought he loved me…but he used me to heal… and when I could not give him an heir…he left me.”

Javier felt pity for her, she may have defied him for a man but she was still his daughter. He pulled her into his bosom, and hugged her. “Don’t cry… it’s all in the past now.”

At that exact second, the doorbell rang. 

Javier turned towards the door, watching as a security guard escorted a man into the room.

“You?” Sofia mumbled, as she recognized the man

Damien’s lawyer.

“Greetings Ms. Javier,” the lawyer began in a polite, but slightly haughty way, “ I have come here to explain the terms of settlement on behalf of Mr. Damien. We are offering to Mrs. Sofia 30 per cent of his property.”

Sofia stood motionless, with her heart going up and down her chest. Thirty percent? And all the sacrifices made she had? And then all the pain, all the miscarriage, sleepless night, random bursts of anger, mental and physical abuse , all the devotion, all the years she had lost? It felt like a slap to the face.

Javier flared with anger. "Thirty percent? That's an insult! Did you ever consider what she gave herself to this man? She deserves 50% of his property! That and nothing less.” 

His attorney straightened his back. "Mr. These are baseless claims, with all due respect, Mr Javier, which do not stand standard.... or even serve as an excuse to claim 50% of Mr. Damien’s properties.”

"Standard?!" Javier laughed and turned to fully face  the attorney, his voice raising and veins popping on his forehead due to rage. “This man took her in since she a teenager! She suffered five miscarriages, wet through physical and mental trauma, he cheated on her with his ex. He initiated the divorce to get rid of her the second he found out she could no longer carry children! And he wants to give her 30%?”

Sofia turned her head. Her body failed her and she made an attempts to speak but no words came out. 

“I believe Ms. Javier is the party involved and should be the only person speaking.” The lawyer said.

Sofia tried to stand up but her knees trembled. 

"Sofia!"  Her father screamed as he held her hand, helping her sit.

“Go back and tell Damien… I will not accept anything less than 50% of his properties.” Sofia managed to utter.

“Sofia, let’s be realistic here..” the lawyer began but was cut off my Sofia’s father.

“Let’s continue this discussion in the court room.” He said, signaling to a security guard who escorted the lawyer out.

“Sofia, are you okay? You look pale.” Javier said, turning his attention to Sophia.

“I’m fine.” Sofia lied. 

Javier do not believe her and called the doctor immediately, and his usual anger was replaced by panic alarm. "Get her to the hospital now! Something's wrong!"

Several minutes later she was in a hospital room, on the cold white bed once more, her body weak and drained and exhausted. The doctors were quick and performed tests, samples and scans. Sofia could only watch them in a semi-trance like state. 

She was able to hear some conversation, through the haze, the figures, the samples needed, the medical jargon , but it was all nonsense. She could only dwell upon the sense of sinking in her chest area as she felt the empty ache which seemingly had established itself there.

Finally, the chaos died down, she was transferred to a private ward and a doctor walked into the room, minutes later. His face was serious and in his hands a think folder.

“How is my daughter, Doctor?” Javier asked the doctor the second he stepped in the room.

“I hate to break it to you Mr Javier, but Ms. Javier has been diagnosed with cancer.”

Sofia felt like the air was sucked out of the room.

“A-are you sure?” Javier stammered, tears welling up in his eyes instantly but he quickly wiped them off.

“Yes sir.” The doctor replied, his face grim.

“How… how did this happen? Where did I go wrong? What did I do to deserve this?” Sofia mumbled, under her breath.

“You have to be strong, Ms Javier, now is not a good time for you to stress yourself. Your body is still healing, and you need all the rest you can get.” The doctor said, calmly.

“When do we begin treatment? How much would it cost? Please doctor, do anything, save my daughter. Money is not a problem, but please save my daughter.” Javier said, his voice cracking despite how hard he tried to sound strong.

“I am sorry sir…but treatment… may be too late at this stage.” The doctor says.

“What? What do you mean?” Sofia asked.

“Ms. Javier has less than six months left to live.”