His Vow

Episode 3

The ward where they were was very quiet. Except for the beeping machines, one could almost hear the ticking of Jonah’s wristwatch. Everyone’s eyes were on Hannah. The doctor had just concluded with running the test and she was seated in the bed. Like the others, she was waiting for the results. But unlike the others, her hands were folded neatly on her lap. She looked calm. Too calm in fact.

Despite feeling the heat of the disdainful stare from Mr. Tomland, Hannah didn't shake. Clara's dad shifted in his seat. His eyes finally moved from Hannah to the others.

“Hannah,” he began, speaking slowly. He had realized it was no help yelling. “please, explain to us why you did what you did. Why did you go ahead with the wedding?”

Hannah took a deep breath and let out a small sigh. Regardless of how many times she had answered this question, she knew it would never be enough. “Clara’s chief bridesmaid came to me early that morning,” she began, still maintaining her calm demeanor. “She said Clara had disappeared. She couldn’t be found anywhere. Everyone was in a panic.”

Ethan’s head snapped up. “That’s not—”

“Let me finish!” Hannah interjected quickly, throwing him a hot stare, before turning back to the others. “I knew what that would mean for both families. People were already gathering for the wedding. If word got out that Clara had run away, it would be a shame neither family could recover from. Especially with the press hanging around outside.”

She looked down briefly, then back up, her eyes moving from her father to Jonah. “And… I also knew I was pregnant for Ethan. So, I stepped in.”

Jonah’s brow furrowed. He turned sharply to his son. “Ethan, God help you and this turns out positive. ”

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “Dad, this is not true.”

Hannah’s lips curved into a faint, almost mocking smile. “Haven’t we just done an Amniocentesis test? Let's wait for the doctor's report.” She said, still maintaining her calm.

Jonah heaved a sigh. He turned his gaze to Ethan, throwing him a disdainful look. Ethan, who couldn't bear the heat of his father's disdain, knew best to keep his eyes away. “If only you had been controlled, this rubbish wouldn't be happening. Ever since Lottie died, you've lost your sense of control! Can't you just get over it already? See where it has landed us now.”

Jonah bellowed his dreadful eyes cast on his son, whose gaze had dropped to the floor. “It was just one night,” he finally muttered. “A stupid mistake.” He was too ashamed. It was quite obvious.

“A stupid mistake that is capable of costing us all we've worked for. Should news of this get outside, do you even have a flicker of idea what doom this spells for the company?” Jonah hollered again, his voice echoing through the ward.

Ethan remained silent, refusing to lift his head. If anyone was to talk about control, it shouldn't be his father. The man was in control of everything else but his s****l urges. But none of it mattered now. After all it wasn't his father's escapades that was about to cause a scandal. The few times he had decided to follow in his father's steps, he was going to regret it. And he didn't even know how long.

Hannah gave a slow nod, wearing a sly smile and maintaining her calm demeanor. Then she turned to look at Jonah calmly. “Mr. Humphrey, I understand you’re angry. But we can always work this out. Once the test proves it, we can find a way of working this out for our benefit. I'm still a daughter of Tomland and….”

“You're not my daughter you dirty b***h! If not for Eunice, my late wife, you won't even have such guts to…” Mr. Tomland interrupted abruptly with much spite but was interrupted by Hannah again.

“Shut the f**k up old Man!” She said to the shock of everyone in the room who widened their eyes in surprise.

“I'm trying to make things easier for your ass,old man and all you thought to do was to bring family disputes here?” Mr. Tomland chuckled.

“Make things easier? Really? After complicating things already? Pray tell me, how in any way made it easier since the wedding? Make things easier my foot!”

He spat and this time it was Hannah's turn to laugh, while the Humphreys just watched the drama that unfolded,not wanting to make any contribution to what was obviously a family issue.

“Your daughter ran off on her wedding day and I….”

“Spare me that!” Mr. Tomland interjected again. “She ran off and you who was already stalking Ethan decided to step in as her night in shining armor right? Such a lying b***h!” He spat again.

This time, Hannah had no response but shot him a piercing glare, to which he reciprocated. She then turned her attention back to the Humphreys.

“As much as I'd hate to admit it, my surname is Tomland. So this old ass who the papers call my father can still benefit from the deal, if I'm married to your son. And word doesn't have to get out.” Hannah said. Her calm demeanor had returned.

Jonah was about replying when the doctor stepped in. Realizing that his patients might have been in a meeting, he decided to apologize for the intrusion.

“I apologize if I interrupted anything. But the results are out.” he announced. His words dropped like a bomb. Seeing how everyone’s breath hung in the air, except that of the lady, he decided to get on with it.

“The test confirms Ethan is the father. I'm sorry.” The doctor said, breaking the news. Hannah laughed but didn't say anything else. The laugh was enough. Only Mr. Tomland shot her a stare. The Humphreys were more bothered with other matters to pay the Tomlands any attention.

Understanding the condition of things, the doctor just let them take their time to process it properly.

“Something can still be done about it. We can abort…” Jonah suggested but of course, Hannah wouldn't take it.

“Abort what? Risk my life for what exactly??! That's never going to happen. I'm going to have this baby and your son will take responsibility!” Hannah responded furiously.

Jonah sighed again.

“By the way? What happened to using protection Ethan? Are you a child for f**k sake?” He hollered, obviously frustrated with the outcome of things.

“I did, Dad. But I later realized the condom broke. I told this b***h but she decided to use it against me.” He replied sounding innocent, but only infuriating his father the more.

“Can you even hear yourself??! You…”

“This is unnecessary.” Mr. Tomland interjected at this point. He then cleared his throat. “For the sake of the media and our families’ reputations, this marriage will go on. Hannah, Ethan… from today, you will be husband and wife in every public setting.”

Ethan looked up sharply. “What? Dad—”

Jonah cut him off. “This is not about what you want anymore. It’s about what must be done. The press cannot know Clara ran away, and now there’s a child involved.”

Hannah who had sat quietly with a victorious smile, also cleared her throat.

“It’s fine. I’ll play my role, if Ethan plays his,” she said simply.

Ethan shot Hannah a glare, that instant. “You’ve dragged us all into this. I hope you’re satisfied.” Meeting his eyes without flinching, Hannah replied “I’m not the one who dragged us here, Ethan. Choices have consequences.”

Seeing that neither of them was willing to give up on the stare they gave each other, Jonah decided to break the silence.

“Take your wife home Jonah. We have more important things to attend to at the company. We'll gradually fix this.” He said and sighed, turning to leave.

Heaving a sigh, Ethan walked out of the ward to his car without another word. And without a word, Hannah followed suit, leaving Mr. Tomland who kept wondering where Clara was. But at least, the major case has been solved. His company would be spared and he knew that somehow Clara was safe. But the major issue had been solved and he was okay with that.

The drive home was a long and silent one. Loads of thoughts ran through Ethan's mind. While Hannah sat silently in victory. When they had finally arrived home, Ethan broke the silence. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but don’t think for a second that I trust you.”

Hannah turned her head to look at him. “You don’t have to trust me. You just have to be careful with what you do now. Because you do very well know, that one wrong move, and everything could fall apart for you.”

Ethan narrowed his eyes in shock. The audacity of this b***h! “Is that a threat?” “It’s advice,” she replied smoothly. “And for your sake, you should take it.” she said with a finality and got down from the car, leaving Ethan to process her words.

The weeks passed on in tense silence between them. They attended public events together, smiled for cameras, and played the perfect couple. But behind closed doors, they barely spoke. And they both were comfortable living like that. Having boundaries for each other and working with it seemed quite okay to both of them and they were grateful for it.

But one night, Hannah was sitting in the living room when Jonah stopped by unexpectedly. He seemed tired, as he fell on the couch Hannah sat on, making her flinch again.

“What happened? Are you okay?” She asked, looking at him.

“Hannah,” he called quietly, “I’m not happy about how all this happened to be frank with you. But I would be an ingrate if I don't thank you. Thank you for protecting the family name. I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

She gave a small nod. “I do. And you're welcome.” she said with a smile, turning her face back to the TV. Ethan nodded equally, got up and took his leave to his room to freshen up.

All kept flowing smoothly, until three months later. Hannah had been feeling strange all day. She had felt these sharp pains in her lower abdomen, waves of dizziness. As she entered her room to rest that evening, she felt it again, stronger than before. Strong enough to drop her to the ground, wailing in pain. Ethan was in the study when he heard her call out. He rushed to her bedroom that instant to find her on the floor, wailing in pain. Fear clouded his eyes. “What’s wrong?” he said, joining her on the floor.

“I… I think something’s wrong with the baby,” she whispered.

He didn’t waste time. They got to the hospital quickly, but after hours of waiting, the doctor came out with a grim expression. “I’m sorry. She’s had a miscarriage.”

Hannah lay in the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. When Ethan came in, she turned her head slightly but didn’t speak.

He stood there awkwardly for a moment before saying, “I’m… sorry.”

She didn’t reply.

---

The news was kept quiet. Officially, the couple was “taking time away from public life.” In reality, the air between them had grown colder than ever.

Jonah visited once more, standing at the foot of Hannah’s bed. “I don’t know what the future holds for you two,” he said softly. “But whatever it is, I hope you both learn from this.”

Hannah gave a faint smile. “Maybe we will.”

Ethan just stared out the window.

The marriage continued, at least in name, but something unspoken lingered between them—a mix of regret, resentment, and a truth that no one outside the family would ever know.