Heir’s Redemption

Chapter 15

RÁMON’S POV

It’s been a week since Veronica dropped a bomb on me. My life has changed and I really don’t know how to make sense of anything.

I keep going through the motions.

Some days I’m angry.

Other days I welcome the possibility of having a son. Then the fear creeps in, making me regret all of my past choices that resorted to this.

Then the anger comes back.

Caterina has been calling me like crazy. She wants to hang out and have dates, but I can’t even look her in the eyes without feeling guilt.

The guilt is starting to eat me alive.

Shit has to change—now.

I’ve been in contact with other doctors, trying to get second opinions. They were very clear that a paternity test was possible and wouldn’t put the mother or child in any danger.

It’s starting to make me think that Veronica has something up her sleeve. I’m having doubts about the child even being mine.

Well, it doesn’t matter anymore. Tomorrow we will finally find out if the child is mine or not.

Then I can finally face Caterina.

I just hope the child isn’t mine. If the child is mine, it would ruin everything I’ve built with Caterina thus far.

I can’t loose her.

I swear I can’t.

I texted Veronica earlier today, letting her know to meet me at the hospital for a paternity test in the morning. She hasn’t responded back and I’m starting to think her act is up.

I swear if the b***h is lying, she will meet a bitter fate.

I despise liars, especially ones that try to ruin my life.

I pulled down the street of my high-rise hotel. I was ready to get up to my penthouse and f*****g crash.

I haven’t been sleeping well lately, knowing my life is turning to s**t before my very own eyes.

How could I sleep?

Before I could pull into the underground garage, my phone rung. I picked it up, seeing that it was Veronica.

“Hello.” I answered.

“Rámon!” She cried out, “I think something is wrong with the baby!”

“What?!”

“I need you!” She begged, “It hurts so much!”

“Where the f**k are you?!”

“I’m at my apartment!” She cried back, “Hurry! It hurts so much!”

Before I could ask her anymore questions, the line went dead.

“f**k!” I yelled out as I turned my car around and sped off towards Veronica’s apartment.

What the f**k is going on?!

…

I pulled up outside of Veronica’s apartment complex.

I was surprised I even remembered where it was, considering I was s**t face drunk the last time I was here.

The complex was on the shitty side of town and wasn’t exactly high class. It was run down and definitely not a safe place for my child to be raised.

If it was my child, that is.

I jumped out of my car and raced inside of her building. I pressed the button to the run-down elevator, but it seemed to be broken.

It wouldn’t open.

“f*****g piece of s**t!” I cursed before taking the stairs instead.

Her apartment was on the third floor.

Once I reached the third floor, I followed my memory and found myself stopping at door 306.

I banged on the door, hearing cries from behind the walls of her apartment.

“Veronica!” I yelled out.

Her door was pulled opened and she stood before me. She had a cream colored night gown on that tightly clung to her figure. Fresh tears ran down her face as she looked up at me like she was in so much pain.

“You came.” She whimpered, “I didn’t think you would come.”

“What the hell is going on?!” I stormed into her apartment, looking around as I tried to calm my rapid breathing.

“I was in so much pain and so scared that something was wrong with the baby.” She explained as she closed her door and locked it. “I called Dr. Marinetti and explained my symptoms, but he said it was just gas and that it way go away.”

I released a deep breath as I watched her wipe her tears away.

“So..the baby is okay?” I asked, feeling like I was loosing my mind.

She nodded her head as she shifted on her feet uncomfortably. “I’ve laid down like Dr. Marinetti instructed, and I’ve felt better since.”

Well thats good, I think.

“Maybe we should get you to the hospital just to get checked out.” I offered, making her shake her head no.

“Please no.” She begged softly, “I’m so tired of going to the hospital, I just want to lay down and rest. Plus we have to go there in the morning, I’ll just get checked out then.”

“So you got my text then?” She nodded her head as she took a seat on the cheap sofa in the small living room.

“I was sleeping most of the day so I only saw it recently. I’m sorry for not getting back to you sooner.”

“It’s fine.” I reassured, making her smile.

“I’m glad that you care about me Rámon. I don’t have anybody else who looks out for me.”

“I care about the baby.” I corrected, “Let’s just hope he’s mine.”

Her smile disappeared as a faint glint of pain swirled in her green eyes.

“He is yours Rámon. I wouldn’t lie about something like that.”

“Let’s hope.” I muttered as I took a look around the small apartment.

It was only one bedroom and the worst place this woman could raise my child. The furniture was minimal and cheap, as if she found everything at a garage sale.

Nothing matched up with each other.

I sighed out, knowing I needed to do something about this— but only after I know that the child is mine.

If the child is mine, then I will put her up in something better than this.

It’s the least I can do.

“Can you get me a ginger ale from the fridge?” She spoke out, brining me back to reality.

I nodded my head, “Sure.”

I made my ways into the kitchen that was a few feet from me. I opened up the fridge, seeing that it was scarce.

She barely had anything in it.

I grabbed two ginger ale’s— one for her and one for me. I walked them over to her and gave her one before taking a seat next to her.

“Why didn’t you buy any food with the card I gave you?” I questioned, trying not to sound too mean about it.

She took a sip of her drink with shaky hands.

“I had to use it for other stuff.” She whispered, not sparing me a glance.

Her body-language screamed fear.

What was she hiding?

“What kind of other stuff?” I asked back.

“I had to pay my father’s debts.” She whined, “I had no choice. He threatened me and our baby. He said he would hurt me if I didn’t help him.”

I growled out, not liking her words.

I knew exactly who her father was. He was a low level member of the Lucheese family. He wasn’t even related to the family, he was just a made-men.

Her father was a con artist—a scheming man. He was no good and I wouldn’t even trust him to wash my f*****g car.

“Why didn’t you come to me?” I asked out, with more anger behind my voice than intended.

“Because you told me that you didn’t want anybody to know I was carrying your child. I wanted to handle my own problems and not involve you.”

“When it involves my child, it is my problem too!” I growled back, making her cower into her seat even more.

I sighed out before running a hand down my face.

“I’m sorry.” I said out softly before taking a sip of my drink, “Just come to me next time. I’ll take care of it.”

She looked over and offered me a small smile.

“In the meantime, I’ll give you some more money.” I assured, “But use it for things you need. Buy stuff for the baby and get better furniture for this f*****g place.”

“I like my furniture!” She complained, “It’s not my fault I’m not rich like you!”

I rolled my eyes, not taking the bait to argue with her.

“Well if the child is mine, I’ll get you out of this place.” I huffed out, “This place isn’t good enough for my son to be raised in.”

“Your gonna buy me a place?”

I nodded my head, “As long as the child comes back as mine, I’ll take care of the both of you. You won’t ever have to want for anything.”

She squealed out in excitement before hugging me. I grunted out, not appreciating the closeness or the overly eager affection she wanted to give me.

“Alright, take it easy.” I muttered out before moving away from her.

She pouted before taking another sip of her drink.

“Can you grab me a snack from the pantry?” She asked nicely as she batted her eyes lashes.

I sighed out before getting up and walking over to the pantry. I opened up the door, noticing it was practically empty too.

“What do you want?” I yelled out as I looked at a bag of chips and a box of crackers.

“I don’t care, surprise me.” She yelled back, making me roll my eyes.

Is this what my life has come to?

Getting snacks for a pregnant woman who may be carrying my child?

Jesus f*****g Christ.

I grabbed the bag of chips before walking back over to her. I threw the bag of chips on the couch and took a seat.

“Thank you.” She smiled before opening the bag. She grabbed a handful and stuffed them into her mouth.

“Would you like some?” She mumbled.

“No thanks.” I sighed, “I actually think I should get going.”

“No!” She yelled back, “You just got here! Don’t leave me yet!”

I rubbed my temple, feeling like I had a headache coming on.

“I can’t stay the night Veronica.”

“Why not?” She whined, “Don’t leave me here alone. I really don’t want to be here alone.”

I looked at her, seeing the vulnerability in her eyes.

“At least finish your drink.” She picked up my drink and shoved it into my hands, “Stay for at least another hour and talk to me, please.”

Internally, I was silently cursing myself.

“Fine.” I reluctantly agreed before taking the drink and chugging it down. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Let’s talk about our son and what we’re gonna name him.”

I guess.

“I don’t know, what do you think?” I asked as I tried to keep my frustration hidden.

“Why not name him after you. He can be a junior.” She smiled, “He is your heir after all.”

I grimaced, hating it.

“No.” I stated coldly, “I don’t want him to be named after me. I want him to have his own name.”

“Why?” She complained, “I think naming him after you would be perfect.”

I ran my hand over my face, feeling like I was gonna loose my mind if I stayed here any longer than I needed too.

“Let’s change the subject.” I muttered as I yawned out, feeling really tired.

I felt my heart beat slow down as a wave of drowsiness came over me. I was so tired that it was taking everything in me to keep my eyes open.

“I think I should leave.” I muttered, “I’m really tired and should get home.”

“You promised you would stay for a little while longer!”

“Veronica.” I growled out faintly, feeling like I wanted to strangle her.

I tried to stand up but I fell back onto the couch instead. My limbs felt like concrete, not letting me be able to use any of them.

I tried to speak but nothing came out of my mouth.

What the hell was happening to me?

“Go to sleep Rámon.” Veronica whispered as she laid me down on the couch.

I wanted to protest but my eyes closed and I felt myself drift off to sleep.