Neglected mate of an alpha

Chapter 3

Two month later.

Mark and his wife, Ann arrived at Children of Mercy orphanage home, after several calls and applications with the administration of the orphanage. They had visited last month for thesame purpose.

That first day, when they came for baby selection, Mark felt a strong attraction towards baby Precious. He convinced his wife to choose three years old Precious. Ann had no choice among all the babies presented. To her, they all look the same, skinny and unhappy. She decided to go with her husband's choice.

Presently, they are here to sign the necessary documents to enable them pick up their new daughter. They both sat at the receiving chairs opposite the matron waiting for little Precious to be brought to them.

"come on darling" One of the assistant said walking little Precious to the office where her new parents were eagerly waiting after concluding the formalities.

"What a beautiful girl" Mark exclaimed as soon as the assistant walked in with Precious.

"She is indeed an exceptionally beautiful girl. I was surprised that her parents abandoned her" the matron agreed

"This is the irony of the world we live in. While some people are fasting and praying for a child, others and having children and throwing away like trash" Ann added. She has not been happy with the decision to adopt a baby. To make matter worse, her husband has been acting weirdly happy since they choose the baby last month. The way he praises the child irritates her. she wondered how he could love another man's child like his own. To top it all, he is making plans to welcome the girl with a party

She resolved in her heart to make life miserable for the three years old baby. She made a decision to make sure the baby is maltreated to the extent that her beauty will fade away.

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A party was organised at the Igwe's how to announce the new member of the family and to properly welcome baby Precious to her new home.

Mark was determined to make the party a very memorable one. He so much desired for the presence of a baby in his home. Friends and relatives were invited. The was a life band singing and playing a track by popular musician, Oliver de' coque, there is an ice cream truck stationed at the gate of the compound which serves ice cream to all the guests as the walk in, assorted kind of dishes were professionally displayed by the left side of the compound.

Everyone were happily congratulating the couple for their kindness and bravely. Adoption is usually frowned on by most people in Nigeria, they see it as admitting to failure but no one is bold to say anything to the Igwes because of their wealth and social status. Every one kept their opinion to themselves and enjoyed the party.

Ann was not pleased with the party, yet she put on a smiling face in front of the guests. She believed that mark organised the party just mock her but she was determined to act cool in the situation. She strongly believe that she is not barren and she is determined to prove it to the world by getting pregnant by all means.

The party ended around eight in the evening. Guests and relatives started leaving one after the other after giving their blessings to the new baby and saying their good bye

"What a great party" Mark exclaimed. slumping carelessly on the couch. Come baby, come to Daddy" he lifted Precious to sit on his laps. stretching out his arms to his wife

"You too my darling" he gave his wife and daughter a bear hug, pecking them both

on their foreheads.

"A great party indeed" Ann agreed. Precious was already sleepy but the love being showered on her was overwhelming. Unlike the orphanage where she hardly get to eat twice a day she has eaten uncountable times today. She tried hard to stay awake but eventually gave in to nature.

"Darling. Please take Precious to the bathroom to shower and get ready for bed" Mark told Ann.

" Ok sweetie" she said getting up from his laps and gently lifting up the fragile three years old Precious then, walk towards the bathroom.

When she got to the bathroom, she put Precious down on the bath tub. precious was already awake by then.

"Can you take off your dress" she asked the girl

" Yes Mommy" Precious replied softly nodding her head

" Who is your mommy? Do you think you can replace my biological children by calling me mommy? Never. Say yes aunty" Ann corrected harshly

" Yes aunty" replied Precious who is confused by the suddenly outburst from the lady she was beginning to love.

"Ok now undress and take your bath. You must learn to do things by yourself from now on" she stood by and watch the girl struggle with cleaning up herself.

Precious could not understand why, a woman that called her my child in front of the matron and all the guests will now refused to be called Mom.

The Matron had taught the at the orphanage to address their adoptive parents as Dad and Mom. He new Dad was more kind than her new Dad but she feels so grateful to be here. Atleast she is sure to feed better here than at the orphanage.

The next day, Monday. Precious was taken to a private school by her new Dad, to be enrolled into Nursery class.

"Uncle, the school is beautiful" she exclaimed as soon as they parked inside the school compound

" Why do you call me uncle. I am your father" Mark asked angrily

"I sorry Dad. But mom said I should call her aunty so I assumed that I can call you include" she said looking so innocent and confused

" When did she tell you this?" he asked

"Yesterday, while I was taking my bath" she replied

" You mean when she was bathing you?" he asked suspiciously

" No. I can bath myself. mom asked me and I told her that I can" she replied proudly. Mark was doing his best to contain his anger. He couldn't understand why Ann could be mean to a three years old child

"From today on, call her mom. when she ask, tell her that I said you must call her mom. right?"

" yes Dad"

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Precious loved her new school, she is a very intelligent girl. Starting from Nursery class, she was the best student in her class. Every class teacher that teaches her usually like her for her brilliance.

She is so brilliant that even with all the chores her mom makes her do at home, she usually comes home with first position. She was always pick to represent her school in most quiz competitions.

At the age of six, she got first position in the regional school spelling bee. He father was very proud of her while her mom was getting more angrier.

Mark kept showering her with so much love while Ann secretly maltreated her in the absence of Mark. Ann had beaten her so much for reporting to her dad when she told her not to call her mom. Since then, Precious have learnt to bottle up whatever her mom does to her in the absence of her dad. Although that had not stopped her mom from beating her at the flimsiest excuse whenever her dad is not home.

Precious silently beared her cross while she progresses academically.

One night, after dinner, her mom could not tolerate the closeness of father and daughter any longer. she was no longer willing to pretend to love Precious in front of her dad

"Precious clear the dishes, wash the plates and tidy that kitchen before going to your room. don't come back to this palour tonight" Ann instructed

" She can join us to watch television, she is our daughter darling"

"Why must she join us to watch television. why can't I have some privacy with my husband. Why will she interfere in her parents privacy? Are we grooming her to be your second wife" she retorted

" Ahh. take it easy darling. she is our six years old daughter..."

"She is not my daughter!" She barked, cutting him off

" I thought we have gone through this before. Your hatred for this girl is too much and you will regret it one day" he warned

" I will not regret anything. I will have my own child" she retorted.

" Funny. You barren woman." he muttered

"I am not barren. You fool. I am two months pregnant"

" What?"

" You heard me"

" Oh my God. You are not joking right?"

" You wish, but I am not"

" God!" Mark shouted getting up from his chair with mouth wide open when he realized that his wife was serious. He lifted her bridal style and carried her to the couch.

"Darling, have you confirmed this in the hospital" he asked softly, as if speaking loudly will change the situation

" of course. That was what I wanted to discuss with you but..."

" I am so sorry my love. I didn't mean all those things I said. please forgive your sweetie. please" he made a puppy dog eyes

" Okay. You know I love you so much, I can't be angry with you" She said bringing out her scan results and picture from her pyjamas pocket. Mark studied the papers properly for one minute

"Hallelujah!" he jumped up from the couch and started singing and dancing around the palour I'm not.

"He has done for me, he has done for me

what my mother can not do

he has done for me

what the doctors could not do

he has done for me..."

he lifted his wife up and carried her while dancing

"Put me down, don't you know that it might not be good for the baby" she said, while chuckling

" Your wish is my command" he said as he put her back on the couch as gently as an egg.