Little Paradise
805 Words
I sat on a hard bed watching as machines ransacked me, releasing high-pitched beep sounds at intervals in an all-white ward. After a while that seemed like an eternity, I was finally led to the doctor's office by the nurses and offered a chair.
“Thank you for your cooperation, Lady Harper.” The doctor's smile was the only highlight of the chamber as he was a fine man with fluffy blonde hair and blue eyes.
“It is Andrea, for you.” I tried to reciprocate his warmth.
“Beautiful name. Let's see if your result is as fair as you.” He smiled again, taking the case file from the nurse just before she left, and studying it for a bit. His mood slowly morphed into a melancholy.
“What is it?” My brows furrowed.
“I am afraid, Andrea, we might have to reevaluate your suitability for this procedure.” He gifted me a look of concern.
“W—why? I already gave my consent.”
“I know…”
“I have been under the knife five times, doctor. This is just plastics. Not a big deal, is it?” I argued.
“Forgive me, Andrea. Perhaps I was not lucid enough,” he paused, and dropped the case file on the table, before interlocking his fingers. His stern eyes burrowed into mine. “You are five weeks pregnant.”
Those words hung in the air for a moment, my pulse breaking into a sprint. He was saying other things but I was no longer following. I was carrying a new life inside me. My heart leaped! Now I won’t be alone.
For the first time in a while, joy — like streams of water — washed over me.
“…We will need you to give us a couple of days to set up for the procedure. That is if you still insist on doing it…” These were the last words I assimilated before he excused himself, and left the office.
Shortly, the girl from the warehouse stepped in.
“You heard the physician, eh?” She began.
“I did.”
“Two days.” She added. “That should be enough time for us to arrange your death and new life.”
“I—I see,” I managed to get a hold of myself and stand up. “What now?” I asked.
“You can go home.”
“Home?” My eyes narrowed. I didn't want to.
“Yes, and wait for us to contact you. We will in forty-eight hours so make sure our balance is ready.”
Unwilling to press further, I heaved. “Not a problem. I don't have a phone anyway. So...”
She rolled her eyes and pulled out an old button phone. “Here,” she handed it to me. “Keep it close.”
“Oh, okay. And my car keys?”
“I'm sorry, ma'am. It has already been sold at an auction. Along with the properties inside.” She scoffed, handing me three hundred dollar bills. “For the ride home.”
“You guys move fast!”
“I know right?” She opened the door, gesturing that I leave.
“What is your name?” I asked.
“We don't do that here, ma'am.”
“Fair enough.” I shrugged. And with that, I left. The teenager had already arranged for a cab to take me home. I just followed her lead, lost in thought throughout the drive.
By the time I got home, it was almost midnight. I dozed off on the couch, and when my eyes opened, it was broad daylight. One of the house wardens was standing in front of me wearing an apron.
“Good morning, Lady Harper. There is a mail for you.” He reported, holding out a white envelope.
“Fetch my wheelchair please,” I requested, taking the envelope from him and tearing it open just as he left. It was a message from Counsel Julius.
I have been trying to reach your phone. It was so urgent I had to mail it to you. The fact is, you have to officially resign from the company and request for liquidation of your shares before the legal documents are signed. Do this and you are home free.
I quickly tore the letter into tiny pieces.
“Fine.” I hummed under my breath.
Knowing it entailed stepping foot in the company tower, one that my grandfather built with his very hands, and requesting a sale of my family shares, caused my heart to drown with sorrow. But I would do anything for vengeance, and for my unborn child to live free of the devil I called husband.
Yes, I was keeping the child.
- Writer
