Betrayed
1662 Words
Joyce
Six months later, my protruding stomach is not easy to hide again, but things went smoothly just as we planned.
"Hey babes. I brought you fruit while coming back. Should I slice some apples for you? Sophia cheerfully asks
"No, I think I'll mix it with more fruits." I murmur, caressing my lower body. It's been a beautiful journey of doubt, pain, sadness, joy, and care, but I didn't feel any regret. The love I have for my unborn child outweighs that.
Aurelia is handling the company just fine with Sophia's help, and her own capacity is astonishing. My parents will be proud where they are resting. Surprisingly the Mercer family didn't raise any pressure except their late condolences and apology for not attending their burial. Stating reasons that the old man died a day before
We didn't plan such a thing, but it means both families are still grieving in their own way, and our worries have ceased to exist.
"Here it is. Sophia brought the sliced fruits over and sat beside me.
"I'm glad you're doing just fine. Hope you're not feeling any discomfort and have been eating well? She asks.
"I have and no discomfort. My sister made sure I'm at the hospital for any complaint. Sophia has been there even when work at the company keeps my sister so far from me and makes her come back late and hurry out in early hours. We've barely seen each other this week, but she holds me in her heart and makes sure I never lack anything.
My antenatal visits, she never misses those, and she ensures my cravings are used to review the meals we began to eat. She's been so accommodating.
"Hmm, babes. The work at the company is so tight lately, and I won't be able to stay here anymore. It's not convenient. My place is closer and easy to commute to," Sophia narrates.
"It must be hard on you. I understand, and thank you so much, Sophia. I don't take all you do for granted."
"Not at all. You know I'm always a call away, right?
"Of course."
"Try not to miss much. I will drop by when time permits, and then she draws closer. "And how's our baby doing? I hope you aren't disturbing?
"I will definitely miss you, and yes, the baby is behaving as it should," I chuckle.
"Good to know. Are you sure you don't want to check the gender? She caresses my lower body, smiling.
"No," I want to be surprised.
"Fine by me, but I really have to go to prepare ahead for tomorrow." The time runs so fast," she murmurs.
"You're driving back tonight. Why not leave early tomorrow?
"I have work to finish and am leaving early for the office tomorrow." She sighs, placing a kiss on my stomach, and stands up.
"Drive safe."
"I will. Take care of yourself." She left.
Left alone in the living room, I check the massive clock on the wall for time. It's past nine, and my sister is still not back.
I switch the TV off and head to my room; the initial color of grey I love to see is now exchanged for nude since my pregnancy craves it. My queen-size bed was calling to me, but I had to quickly freshen up.
Eight months and counting, my cravings have increased rapidly, and my emotions are unstable.
"Babes, the cook called me." Sophia barged into the living room breathless to see me in tears.
"Yes, I don't want to eat what she cooks; I want you to cook," I pout.
"And I'm here now. Don't cry. What do you want me to prepare? She moves to clean my tears.
"Waffles"
"Give me some minutes." She ran to the kitchen; the aroma filled my nose when she brought it to me.
I ate and felt satisfied. When I looked up, her eyes were on me, mouth agape with how big my appetite is.
"I thought I made too much." She murmurs.
I chuckle and caress my stomach. "The baby likes it."
She flicks my head, but I burst out in tears.
"Why do you hate me now? I complain.
"I don't... I mean, I was just trying to play with you." She stutters.
"Okay," I quieten.
"Babes. She chuckled, bringing my legs up to her thighs to massage the swollen feet.
"So, I have to travel for a meeting and won't be back anytime soon. She carefully explains
"Really, why can't you decline?" I ask.
"What?? She gasps.
"I want you here because I could go into labor, and you've to be present, Sophia," I complain.
"I know, but this can't wait. I will try to make it as snappy as I can." She pleads.
"Alright, I will miss you." I hug her tightly as my protruding stomach could allow.
"I'm packing tonight, and my flight takes off very early tomorrow. Stay strong, and I will give you a call when I arrive.' She squeezes my hands.
"Promise???"
"Promise." She nods.
I watch her walk out of that exit door feeling overwhelmed.
Weeks flew by, and I didn't get to speak as frequently to Sophia. She got too busy, and I had to understand.
My eyes widen when my sister comes to the living room with the snacks I requested.
"I'm sorry for not staying by you and just focusing on work." This is her tenth time saying this.
"I know you're doing your best. Come on…" I trail as my leg parts and water streams down my leg.
I shriek, holding the couch in a tight grip, spreading my legs wider.
"What's wrong? You… My sister started seeing I was going into labor.
The cook and my sister guide me to the car, and my sister zooms to the hospital. I bite my lips, tears of pain rolling. My back lay on the backseat as I relaxed, unable to close my legs.
"Sorry… Almost there. She helped me down slowly and sat me in the foyer as she quickly called the doctor's attention to me.
The nurse and doctor attend to me carefully as my sister's concerned gaze is stuck on me, but she has to stay out of the ward as they wheel me away.
I broke out in sweats as the door closed behind us. My head is fuzzy and gaze unsteady.
It felt so long, and it was finally over. I felt weak, but the cry of a baby softened my heart. Passing out and waking up to see nobody in the ward
Where's my baby???
A nurse walked in, and her piercing eyes held mine; her tone was low. "I'm here to announce to you that it was a stillbirth.
"We know it's tough, but I thought it would be better to let you not see the baby to make it easier. Get some rest." Her tone was warm but the words were cold.
I sat there motionlessly. Looking at her retreating figure, but couldn't do anything. My head spun as I got up to search for answers, ignoring my state, but then I fell hard on the hospital tiles, causing me to hiss out in pain. My blood spread from my private areas; I sat there in a pool of warm blood. Helpless.
The door opens the second time, and the sound of heels echoes. My sister came to view, and I signed in relief.
"What's happening, Aurelia? I don't understand the nurse." I painfully crawl to hold her legs.
"Get off!" She kicks my shoulder, and I slide to the cold tiles, moaning in pain.
"Oh, you poor thing. I'm sure they confirmed you had a stillbirth." She snickers.
Moving my head up, still in shock at her display of character My eyes linger on her hostile gaze thrown my way. Gone was that love and care.
"Lies!" I scream. "I hear a baby cry before passing out," my breath harsh as I force out the pain shooting through me.
"There is no baby Joyce. Get that into your skull. A stillbirth—that's what your pathetic self could produce." She yells.
"This… is not you," I shriek. "Give me back my sister."
"It seems you need some beating to wake up." My eyes dim seeing a rookie come out behind her; she's not alone.
"Go on," she snaps.
My body slams to the hospital tiles by the force of the beating; his powerful hits all with a precise landing as I groan out in pain.
"Please… please, Aurelia. What did I ever do wrong to you?" I cried in pain.
"Your entire existence disgusts me, and your sick, righteous acts of attracting all I want to yourself," she spats.
"But your parents are gone. You're nothing without them, and I can finally reach out to whatever I desire."
My eyes widen in terror seeing who she truly is. "So you've been pretending to love me, but my parents loved you and care for you."
"Lies. They only kept me around for their precious daughter, the heiress, while I was left with nothing."
"They wanted to support your dream of becoming a model; you refuse."
"Only when you butt in, never on my own words. I already had enough of you pathetically being the reason I was adopted, but all that doesn't matter now."
An eerie feeling washes over me as I shiver.
'Go to hell. Burn in hell. You and your parents will reunite. I'm sending you to them." She twists iconically while laughing.
While the rookie beats me continuously till I lose my breath hanging on a death line, "Toss her body with no trace."
I heard before I breathed my last.
The rain pours on my lazy body.
I luckily released a harsh breath in the rocky dumpster I lay in.
"Oh dear sister, I just got reborn from hell; I didn't get burned." I chuckle sadistically with bloodshot eyes.
- Writer
