Chasing After Her

Chapter 7

Valerie’s POV

“What happened to my daughter? That’s my Daughter’s bow! That’s my..”

“Ma’am please calm down. A young man collapsed. That’s his blood. He was just rushed out to the hospital.” A woman behind consoled me.

My heart still raced, I had no idea if I could believe her. I shifted my gaze away from her to the bow which was getting soaked in blood.

“Valerie…”

Before Ethan could continue, The clicking sounds of heels expressed the hurried footsteps that interrupted us.

A Young woman rushes towards where we both stood, Panic written all over her face.

“Ethan, There you are! I have been searching everywhere for you. We need to talk right now!” She exclaimed, completely ignoring my presence. There wasn’t even any form of communication or exchange of pleasantries between us.

I frowned, Stepping back a little. I had my daughter to worry about

“What the hell are you doing here, Amanda?” I overheard Ethan’s loud whispers. “I should be asking you that question. What the hell are you doing with her? Who is that b***h?” The woman scolded in a not-so-low tone.

The whole scene was becoming awkward and irritating. I did myself and both of them a favor by excusing myself. That name Amanda sounded familiar. I was trying so hard to recall who exactly she was and where I heard her name from.

The event was about to take a kick start; I hadn’t seen Maya or Roco around for some minutes now so I went on in search of them. To be sure the blood wasn’t from my daughter.

A chocolate fountain was around, and I supposed that was where they were.

I exchanged glances with some top CEOs before arriving at the chocolate fountain.

“My goodness! What’s going on? What happened?” I sobbed, falling to my knees, trying so hard to catch my breath before I pass out.

“Please can someone tell me what happened here? Why are you all silent?” I questioned. My heart was thumping so hard as though it would break out from my chest and fall to the floor. My entire emotions were bursting out and running wild. Adrenaline surged to its highest level.

My head was spinning as I was slowly losing it. My vision became blurry, eyes heavy as my body shivered in response to the signals my eyes sent to my brain. I had no idea how to tackle the situation before me as it seemed like I was experiencing a brain freeze.

My whole world was lying on the floor before me helplessly. I wished for the presence of my mother. At least someone to hold on to.

I embraced her, trying to raise her from the floor where she lay helpless. The people around were all heartless. No one was saying anything or even trying to help save the life of my poor daughter. They all left her to struggle alone.

I can’t blame them much. It was all my fault. My poor little angle. I shouldn’t have left her all alone here. I shouldn’t have even brought her here. I too should not have come here. I sobbed and screamed, holding her in my arms, droplets of my emotions falling on her face. I couldn’t help it.

“Let’s have her ma’am.”

********

“How is she? Doctor, Where is she? The little girl who collapsed at the event center, Please where is she?” Ethan’s voice echoed all over the hallway.

“Sir please, calm down. You would have to wait patiently over there for a few minutes then someone will attend to you. We do have strong protocols which we follow here.” I overheard a voice explain.

I fastened my footsteps, “What do you mean by protocols? Do you by any chance know who I am? I am Ethan Darwins and I want to see my daughter at this moment.” Ethan’s voice became louder as I got close.

“Your daughter? Then this is the wrong hospital, sir. The information we have here states that the child has just one guardian, Her mother. And as we speak, she is present with the child. Please excuse me.” The doctor said, walking out of Ethan, revealing me.

I stood there uncertain of what to say to him. I threw my gaze away just so he wouldn’t feel so bad that someone had just embarrassed him before me.

“Valerie? So this is how it is now. How long have you been standing there? You couldn’t even defend me or say a word.” Ethan spat with disdain.

I could see the aggravation written all over his face; He must have felt so embarrassed. Deep down I loved how the doctor had put him in his place. Someone needed to do that to him at least once in a while, just so he knew that the whole world didn’t revolve around his fingers.

“Are we just going to stand here or you will take me to where she is?” He was at it again.

I took a deep sigh and led him to her ward, at least that would help reduce the nuisance and scene he was creating.

“My daughter! What happened to her?” Ethan questioned, placing his hands on her head.

I cleared my throat before staring around to confirm if anyone was around. “I don’t appreciate you referring to her as your daughter,” I said, My voice barely above a whisper but heard.

“I hope you do know whose fault all these are?” Ethan said. I arched my brows, uncertain of where he was heading too. Was he trying to blame me for what happened to my daughter?

I shouldn’t have even allowed him in here; That would have saved me from all the insults he was raining on me.

“More reason why I asked that she move in with me. You have no idea how to take care of a child. If you were careful enough, my daughter wouldn't have passed out. What responsible mother would allow her daughter to leave her sight? Crazy!”

The anger and frustration in me boiled. I felt like throwing him out of the ward. How dare he stand in front of me and blame me for my daughter’s condition? He had no single idea of how much I had invested in Maya.

I would do anything for her. Maya was my only source of happiness, My reason for existence, My joy of motherhood, my pride. And this man stands here to say trash just because I allowed him to come into my life.

I couldn't hold it in anymore.

“A reckless mother? That’s what I am being called now? Could you be any better as the father you claim to be?” I questioned, fixing my eyes on his cold eyes.

‘Phone rings’

“I have to take this.” He said, excusing himself out of the ward.

I took a deep breath before exhaling; Biting my lips hard, I couldn't help but think of ways to dispose of him because he was already getting on my nerves.

A few minutes later he returned, His face held a lot of expressions. I was not interested at first so I pretended like I did not notice his sudden change of mood.

“You did this right?” He lashed out. I stared at him confused. After some seconds I threw my face away from where he stood, fixing my gaze on Maya; The only person that mattered to me at that moment.

“Are you just going to stand there and pretend like you don't know that I am Talking to you?” He said.

“Listen, Ethan, I don't give a f**k about whatever the issue is with you right now. Why don't you remain calm or take your sorry ass out of here.”

“You filed for custody, right? How could you, Valerie?”


My throat tightened. He wasn’t supposed to find— definitely not like this, not at this time.