CHAPTER5
1366 Words
Zara kept mute as she slid into the car.
“I’m very protective of my woman”, Chris continued.
How did it go? Are we expecting a child ? He asked with excitement, clearly expecting a positive response.
“No”, Zara answered.
“I’m not pregnant”. She said he handed him the test results.
“What the hell do you mean by that”? He burst out as he collected the results from her.
“You barren b***h, how can you not be pregnant after all my efforts?”
“What do you think I married you for?”
“To have fun and spend my money?”
He continued shouting at the top of his voice.
“ I should have known that you and your mother were fraudsters. Like mother, like daughter.
Zara was still quiet.
At this point, they had arrived at the mansion.
She immediately opened the door and went in without a word. She locked herself in one of the rooms and cried her eyes out till she fell asleep.
She made up her mind to be free from the shackles of Chris.
The next morning, she dressed up and waited for Chris to leave for work. Immediately she was sure that he had gone, she sneaked out of the house, avoiding all the camera angles to go meet the doctor.
“You made it”, David said, sounding excited.
“I did”, she said, looking back to check if she was being followed.
“This place is not safe, I can’t be seen outside”. She said, timidly.
“Get in the car then”, he said as he opened the door for her.
“Where are we going”? She asked.
“You’ll see,” he answered.
David drove until they arrived at his house.
It was a beautiful modern duplex.
“This is my house”, David said, as they arrived.
Don’t worry, we don’t have to go inside if you’re not comfortable. I just wanted to take you to a safe space. He continued.
“It’s fine”, Zara replied.
They both spoke at length about everything Zara had been through and different ways to get her out of the situation.
Zara felt very comfortable around him and continued to sneak out of the house to meet with him.
“Why are you trying to help me?” she asked.
“I …. I’m just helping, David replied, trying to avoid eye contact.
“It’s difficult to believe that you’re just helping,” Zara said.
“I love you”, David interrupted.
“I’ve loved you from the moment I set my eyes on you”. He added.
Zara was dumbfounded, she had gotten very comfortable with David, but she never expected that reply.
“I’m sorry”, David said.
“It’s fine if you don’t feel the same way”. He added, looking away.
No it’s not like that, she said.
“ I just don’t understand how you would fall in love with me despite knowing my story. She said her voice was breaking.
It’s being weeks of getting to know you Zara and each moment we spend draws me closer to you. You did not choose this life, and I’ll make sure I get you out of it, he said as he held her hands.
Zara leaned in for a hug.
“ Thank you so much, this means a lot to me,"she answered.
They both stare at each other as he draws her in for a kiss.
“I feel so whole with you”, Zara said.
“But I’m married and if that monster ever finds out about us, he will kill us”. She said, sounding defeated.
I know we’ll keep it a secret until we are good enough to elope and start life in a new country, he said, sounding reassuring.
Zara and David continued seeing each other and sharing intimate moments.
“You left the house without my permission”. Chris' voice resonated behind Zara as she tried sneaking back into the house.
I had your door burgled. You weren’t there.
“I … I’m sorry I just needed some air”, she answered, fidgeting.
“How long has this been going on?” he asked.
“Just today”. Zara answered.
“ It won’t happen again”, she cried.
You’ve deprived me of s*x for weeks and I must get it today, he said as he pushed her on the bed.
Chris forcefully had his way again and this continued for weeks.
You should run another test, Chris said.
I’m so sure you should be pregnant by now, he added, handing her a pregnancy test strip.
“Oh, and it will be done at home, under my supervision”, he said.
“I’m beginning to doubt that doctor and the hospital in general”, he added.
Zara collected the strip and went into the bathroom.
Chris stood by the door as he watched her place the strip into her urine.
“It's positive”, she said, shaking profusely.
Chris could not hold back his happiness. “I’m going to be a father”, he said as he carried Zara around the house, announcing to all his staff.
I’m going to be a father, he continued shouting.
Zara had mixed emotions and was not sure who the father was, but she decided to play along.
“And what if he’s not the father”?she thought to herself.
Chris suddenly became caring and overprotective of her.
I don’t want anything to happen to my baby, he said as he robbed her stomach.
The s****l violence and abuse suddenly stopped, and he began to treat her like a queen.
Zara was confused, she was beginning to enjoy being married to Chris, and yet she still loved David.
She has not been able to communicate with him for weeks, and he clearly does not know about the new development.
“I made you breakfast”, Chris said as he entered the room.
I prepared it myself, he said, dropping the food tray beside Zara.
Zara, I’m sorry about how I treated you at the beginning. I was desperate about having an heir and I had to do what I did. I promise to give you and my unborn child the best life. I’m sorry, he repeated.
Zara could not believe her ears. She wasn’t sure if he was being genuine, but she decided to play along.
It’s fine, I understand, she said as she picked up the tray to eat.
“I’ll feed you,” he said, collecting the spoon from her.
Chris continued to treat Zara well. She never had to lift a finger.
Chris and Zara were watching television one evening in the sitting room, with her legs on his lap as they suddenly heard the doorbell.
Chris had dismissed the staff for a few days to spend time alone with Zara so it could not have been any of them.
“Are you expecting company?” he asked, looking at Zara.
“Of course not”, she answered.
They both ignored the doorbell but it continued.
“I’ll get the door”, Zara said.
“Not on my watch”, Chris answered as he stood up and headed to the door.
“Hello doctor”, Chris said.
“I’m here to see Zara”, David said, ignoring the pleasantries.
You just walked into my compound asking to see my wife, and you think that’s fine. Who do you think you are? Chris asked angrily.
Zara came to check what was going on.
“What”! You ghosted me for months only to get pregnant with this monster? David asked angrily, ignoring Chris.
Zara quickly ran back inside, ignoring the question. Chris slammed the door at David’s face and went to meet Zara.
What the hell is going on?he asked, angrily.
Zara was shaking, she couldn’t find the right words.
“Answer me”, he shouted.
- Writer
