Not My Wish

Episode Four

Lizbeth sat at the edge of her bed. The sun set, casting golden rays on her room's window. She pondered the discussion she had with Emerald a few days ago.

She had seen the disappointment in Emerald’s face; she wished things could be different.

Lizbeth shifted, pulling her knees to her chest. She remembered Emerald's advice telling her not to pin the pregnancy on Sam, though her words were encouraging but cautious.

“Thank God for the bad network the other day,” she muttered under her breath. She almost spilled it to Sam.

Regardless, she still needs to do a DNA test. The idea of collecting Mike and Maxy's DNA samples frightens her. So many questions raced through her mind. “What if Maxy was the owner? Mum will never forgive me.” A chill ran down her spine as she considered the possibility.

She reached out to her phone, scrolling through pictures in her gallery, when she stumbled on the first pictures of her and Sam together on their first date. Lizbeth smiled, at the reminder of their bond. Shortly after, she drifted into sleep.

Lizbeth bit her lower lip, staring at the screen before her during work hours. The thought of collecting the DNA sample from Mike and Maxy flooded her mind.

How can I inform Mike without causing chaos or even falling back into Maxy's manipulative traps? A sigh escaped through her lip as she ran her fingers through her hair.

"Maybe I could collect some of his cutlery from his secretary?" She wondered, but she knew the secretary wouldn't agree. It could raise suspicious questions.

She paused for a moment, pondering, "What if I come clean to him?" The risk was immense; what if he denied ever meeting me or even agreed that I was a p********e after hearing the complexities of her story? Lizbeth thought.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to push her anxiety aside and allow the universe to come to her rescue. A few moments later, she received a call from the chairman's office informing her that her attention was needed.

You called for me, Lizbeth said as she entered Mike's office.

"Yes, I did. You're yet to run me through your monthly report, Ms. Lizbeth," Mike asked as he buttered his bread without raising his head.

“Can I do my presentation tomorrow because I have a lot on my desk at the moment?" Before she could finish her statement, the knife nicked Mike's wrist.

“Oow!” Mike exclaimed, looking down at the cut on the side of his wrist, blood beginning to surface.

Lizbeth hurriedly grabbed the first aid box, which was not too far from Mike's desk. She brought out cotton wool to clean the blood, and then added first aid treatment to stop the flow.

The joy that filled her heart knew no bounds; the universe indeed came to her rescue. “Who could have thought I would be getting Mike's sample today?” She thought to herself as she packed the tissue and organized the first aid box.

Thank you, Mike said to her as she stepped out of his office.

With the sample in Lizbeth’s possession, she felt a wave of relief washed over her. One of two done, she said to herself. With determination, she stood up and gathered her things together to leave for the hospital. She felt a sense of hope that this would clarify her and her child's future.

She took a deep breath as she gave the sample to the doctor in the hospital.

Stepping out of the hospital, she felt this uneasiness and uncertainty but immediately dismissed it by reassuring herself that all was going to be well.

Now, how do I collect Maxy’s DNA sample? Lizbeth pondered as she drove back home that evening; the buzzing sound of her phone distracted her thoughts. She glanced at who the caller was; it was Sam.

She picked up and said, "Hey, babe! I am sorry, it's been a crazy day.”

“I thought as much; are you sure nothing is bothering you? You've been a little bit distant lately.” Mike spoke with a hint of concern in his voice.

“Nothing; I'm good. work and the wedding preparations have been extremely hectic. Lizbeth responded in a light tone.

“I will be in Texas soon to give you a full-body massage, just the way you love it,” Sam said.

After the call, she felt a heavyweight lift off her chest. “He truly knows how to make me feel better,” Lizbeth muttered under her breath.

It was Friday evening, and Lizbeth was dressed in a red mini gown. She wore light makeup. She arranged the plates and cutlery on the table; she had spent the afternoon preparing and wanting everything to be alright.

She planned a dinner for herself and Maxy. The main dish was creamy pasta garnished with parsley. On the side, she prepared a vegetable salad tossed with cherry tomatoes. She ordered a red velvet cake with chocolate ice cream for dessert, which Maxy adores.

Shortly after she finished setting the table, the sound of the bell made her heart skip a beat. She opened the door. It was Maxy standing there; he handed over a bouquet to her, and she thanked him.

After serving the food, she poured two glasses of white wine and handed one to him as they cheered to friendship. As they both ate in silence, Mike's voice cut in. “I can see you're still a talented cook.”

“Thank you,” Lizbeth responded with a mischievous smile.

After eating, she cleared the table and brought the dessert which she planned.

At this point, Mike was already feeling drowsy, but then Lizbeth served him some red velvet cake and ice cream. He didn't finish the cake before he slept off. It was his snoring that made her aware he was asleep. She jumped up like a puppy to go get her collection kit.

Lizbeth carefully positioned herself alongside him on the couch, ensuring he was completely asleep.

For some minutes, she was worried, wondering what would happen if he woke up, but then she remembered that the substance would not leave his system until after 8 hours. She removed the swab from the kit, opened it, and softly rubbed it against the inside of his cheek.

Shortly after she removed it, Maxy turned but didn't wake up. She felt a sense of relief as she packed the collection kit.

The night stretched on, and she couldn't wait for it to be morning so she could go drop the sample but then anxiety crept in.