The Wrong Bride

The Damn Heart

I could hear a beeping sound. I opened my eyes slowly. Smell of disinfectant filled my nose. I looked around. I was not at home. This was not my new apartment as well.

I moved my hands, the side of my bed had metal railing and my hand had a tube attached to it.

I was in a hospital.

I remember the last time I was in a hospital. When the police officer told me that my parents are dead. I remember I cried so much that I fainted. When I woke up, I was in a hospital. That was the last time. I rarely get sick so I never have to visit there.

But why am I in the hospital right now?

The door opened and a middle-aged nurse came in. "Hello, how are you feeling now?", she said giving me a smile.

"I feel fine. Why am I here?"

"Well girl you fainted down on the road. You did get some scratches in the process but you'll be fine now. Nothing serious", she said while checking my vitals.

"Yeah I haven't been eating well lately. That must have taken a toll".

"You should eat well and take care of yourself. You can't be careless now".

"Why now? Wha...."

My conversations were interrupted because just then the door opened and Eddy came inside.

I was surprised to see him, "Eddy what are you doing here?"

But then after him, Damianos came inside too.

My heart skipped a beat. He is also here? Looking at him. I gripped the bed-sheet trying to control my emotions.

"Damian", a whisper escaped my lips.

My eyes got filled with tears. With sadness, reminiscence, mortification and many emotions I didn't know.

I could not take my eyes off him. But he, on the other hand, did not look at me. Not once. His face was blank.

And I know him too well to know that it does not mean well.

"How are you feeling Elly?", Eddy asked drawing my eyes away from Damianos to him.

"I'm fine", I said trying to understand my situation.

"It's good to know", he said smiling.

"When can I leave?", I asked wanting to get out of here already.

"Soon", the nurse said, "your vitals are normal. There are a few blood tests we have done on you. Once they come back normal you can leave", she said leaving the room.

Damianos went outside too. I was too mortified to call him so I stayed quiet.

Eddy came close to my bed and sat on a chair. "You had all of us scared you know".

"How did you know I was here?"

"Your aunt told us that you've shifted to New York. Seriously Elly, what were you thinking?"

He continued, "do you have any idea what we went through in the past few days? What were you thinking? I thought I was your friend and you didn't even tell me. Did Damianos do something?"

"No, its not his fault. It has nothing to do with him. And I'm sorry for putting you through this", I said absently, thinking why did Damianos left the room.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't be yelling at you like this. Anyway, tell me, would you like to eat something?", he said back in his jovial mood.

"I would like some coffee", I said as I was starting to have a headache.

Soon after Eddy left, the same nurse came inside with a doctor.

"How are you feeling now?", asked the doctor.

"I'm fine", I said thinking how many times I have answered this question since the morning.

"Good. I'm doctor Heathers. I've come back with your reports".

"Is everything okay?", I asked suddenly nervous about my reports.

"Yes, everything is fine. You are perfectly healthy. Healthy enough to carry a baby", she smiled looking at me.

I think my heart stopped beating for a few seconds. What did she say? Did she just said 'a baby'?

"Carrying a baby?", I asked.

She looked at me puzzled. "You don't know? You're pregnant. I thought you'd know. You are almost six weeks pregnant", she said surprised as if she expected me to know that.

I shook my head. I mentally counted and realized. I have missed it this month. I'm really pregnant.

I'm carrying a baby. I put my hands on my still flat stomach. All this while I didn't know. I'm going to be a mother.

I imagined a little baby. What my baby would look like? Chubby cheeks, dark hairs, and big black eyes.

Just like him.

I suddenly remembered Damianos and the fact that I have left him now. He will be marrying Maria. I wonder how he will react when he finds out about the baby. Or whether I should keep this information to myself.

No, that wouldn't be fair to Damianos or the baby. But how will we manage a baby after the divorce. I hate to think about the arrangements like some parents have to make, like weekends with dad and weekdays with mom.

Ugh I was so frustrated. My head was now pounding. I was glad that the doctors have left me. I needed to be alone for some time.

After some time Damianos came inside. I sat up.

"Discharge papers are ready. We can leave now"

"What are..."

".......your luggage is already in the car. We can leave as soon as you're ready", he continued without heeding to what I was saying.

"Damianos I'm saying something", I said with raised voice which caused him to stop his rambling and look at me.

"I'm not going anywhere with you", I said with full emphasis.

"Aren't you done with your drama?", his voice turned vile. "Or is there something left?" he came towards me and grabbed the side railing of the bed.

"I've said what I wanted to say. I appreciate what you've done for me. Really, but I would have been fine anyway", I said getting up from this horrible bed but he was standing in the way.

"Please get out of the way Mr. Costas", I said looking at the front.

So shocked with my cold behavior that he got out of my way.

"Thank you", I said

I looked at a small bag containing my stuff. I took it and started towards the bathroom.

"Elly", I heard a small whisper.

My heart was beating loudly. It was hard enough to be cold to him. I cannot answer when his voice is sounding like a plea.

I braced myself and turned around.

"Yes...?"

"Why are you doing this? What have I done wrong? Do you hate the fact that I've forced you into this marriage? Or do you hate me?", his voice broke at the end. His eyes got filled with tears.

"Damian", I walked towards him trying to hold him. I cannot see him like this.

But he didn't let me touch him.

"No, I want answers". His eyes were red. "What do you want that I haven't given you? I gave you everything I have.

I gave you my house, I gave you my name, I gave you my time, I gave you my f-ucking heart", he broke down. Tears were flowing freely on his cheeks now.

I was crying too seeing him like that.

"I know I have been horrible on you in the beginning of this marriage. I know I pushed you in this marriage. But god knows I've tried. I've tried everything to make you feel loved and respected. Have I not done that?"

He was now sitting on the edge of the bed with his face on his hands.

"What have you done to me Elly? I was a strong, practical man. I never let anyone hurt me because I would never open up to anyone. That's the one thing I've learned from my father to succeed in the business world, never to be vulnerable. I never begged for anything, from anyone.

"And here I'm at my worst. My most vulnerable state, begging you. So please Elly tell me, what can I do to bring you back?

"Because I have realized, much as I hate to accept it that I cannot survive without you. Its just not possible. I forgot to breathe when I realized that you've gone. Thinking, pushing myself to remember what have I done to deserve this."

He then looked up to me. His eyes bloodshot. "I'm lost to you Elly. I'm at your mercy. This lame excuse of a man is nothing without you. Please don't leave me".

I was sobbing by now. I went towards him and put my arms around him. This time he didn't resisted.

"I'm sorry Damianos, I'm so sorry to put you through this". I kept on crying on his neck. I hated myself to put him through this.

"You won't leave me, now right? You'll come back to live with me?", he asked through my hairs.

I got out of his hold and stood up. "No, I'm not coming".

"Why not?"

"I gave you the reason in the letter", I said turning my back towards him.

"What, that stupid letter about your lover? If I wouldn't have been so mad at you, I would have laughed at that. You expect me to believe that nonsense?"

I turned to him. Looks like my letter was an utter failure. "Believe what you want to believe. I'm not coming with you", I said facing the window.

He came to me and turned me to face him. His face serious.

"Then I want the real reason".

"You already got your reason".

"Real reason Elly. And don't think you can escape now. If I don't get a reason, I will drag you all the way back to home and lock you. Where no one could meet you except me".

"You can't do that", I cried exasperated.

He came very close to my face, "you know I can".

I don't know what to do at this situation. He has overpowered me. But I knew if I tell him, he won't let me leave.

"Fine, I'll tell you. But you have to promise if I tell you, you will let me go".

"We'll see"

"No, I want a clear verbal promise. If I tell you about it then you'll let me leave"

"Okay, I Damianos Costas promise if my wife tells me her secret then I'll let her leave me", he said in an over dramatic way, amused at the situation.

I shook my head. There's no way to make him take me seriously. So, I decided it's better to tell him.

Without beating around I told him, "I know that your company is going in loss and you are on the verge of bankruptcy".

I looked at him, all the amusement was gone from his face and got replaced by fury.

"Who told you?", he asked grabbing my arm.

"Is it true?"

"Yes", he said in a detached voice. "Get your stuff we're leaving".

"But you said..."

"I know what I said", he shouted, voice raised, "pack your damn bags". His face was red, veins throbbing through his forehead.

I was shocked. What happened to him? He has never shouted at me before.

Before I know, I was getting my things to go with him.

#*#*#*

Right now, we were in our bedroom. Damianos was pacing the room.

Suddenly he stopped and looked at me.

"Who told you this Elly?

"Does it matt...."

"Was it Sofia?"

I looked up. "What makes you think that?"

"Was it Sofia or not?"

"Yes".

"Damn it", he said exasperated as he ran his hands through his hairs.

"Why didn't you tell me?", I finally asked.

"Why? So that you could plan to leave me earlier? Suddenly your rich husband isn't rich anymore and you don't see the benefit in this marriage now?"

That definitely took me.

"What did you say?", I got up from my place. "Do you even think before throwing accusations at me?"

I was in rage, I continued, "You know Damianos, I've said this before as well, I don't care about your money. I never wanted your money. It's this stupid money that always creates barriers between us", I was breathing heavily after my outburst.

"Really, then tell me dear wife, why did you leave me?", his tone acerbic.

I turned to look at him. His face was calm but eyes were accusing.

"You think I left you because you lost your money?"

"I don't see any other possible explanation for your desertion".

I took a deep breath. I was getting too worked up. There's no need to be discreet now. So, I told him on his face.

"I left you because I love you", my eyes got filled with tears but I was determined to tell him how far I can go for him. "I left you so that you can divorce me and marry Maria. So, she can provide the money you need to save the company. Wasn't that the primary reason for your marriage to her?"

"So, you were sacrificing yourself like a hero to save my company", he asked in a sardonic tone.

"I was trying to protect you", I said.

"Protect me from what? Lack of money?"

"Not just lack of money. But a broken pride, ego, public humiliation."

"And who said I needed protection".

"I know you did".

He sighed, "it's not your job to protect me Elly"

"Why not? Is it only man's job to protect his wife? Does it not work the other way around?"

"You could have prevented all this by talking to me. Why didn't you come to me when you found out?"

"The same reason you didn't tell me what you were going through. We tried to protect each other by keeping the other in dark".

He didn't say anything. He knew I had a point. I realized that is our first major fight. We rarely fight. Trying to keep things to ourselves we were doing more harm than benefit.

After some time of silence, he said.

"You really think I would have married Maria?", he asked with amusement.

"Yes. I thought I was keeping you in this marriage unwillingly."

"Why would you get such thoughts?"

"Because you were very aloof the last few days. I know you had work but your behavior had changed too".

He resigned on the bed, "I know. It's just that I had so much pressure, I would hardly think anything other than work. I did that because I knew it was only temporary. I thought once I get out of this mess, I will be able to give you more time", he explained.

"I also saw you with Maria one day at a restaurant", I said crossing my arms.

He looked at me, "when did you see... Oh screw it, it doesn't really matter. I met her once, you are judging me on that?"

"No, I'm not. But I still didn't saw you telling me about it. If it didn't matter then why did you hide it?"

"Were you jealous?", he asked with a smirk.

"And that’s really important to ask right now", I asked rhetorically.

"Of course, it is. I would like to know if my wife was jealous", he grinned, clearly enjoying it.

"I was not jealous. I was hurt. After Boston, I thought things had changed between us. And then I suddenly found you dining with Maria."

He sighed, "Oh Elly, I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry. Maria was pestering me. Calling me hundred times a day. Threatening to ruin me in business. I could have laughed at her childish attempts. But I needed it to stop. I asked her to meet me and she told me to come to the restaurant. I just wanted to warn her before I take a legal course because I respect her father. And if your eyes wouldn't have been clouded with jealousy that day you would have seen that I didn't order anything for myself", he finished with a smirk.

"Really?", I couldn't believe that I let a stupid jealousy get to me.

"Yes, my little wife. I told you there's no one else for me except you", he pinched the bridge of my nose.

"I'm sorry Damianos, I should have talked to you about all this. This only created more misunderstandings."

"Not only you. Even I hid things about me. Thinking I was preventing you from worrying. But clearly I was wrong".

"Let's promise we'll be more open with each other".

"Yes, we will", he came close to me and kissed me.

"And Elly?", he said through my hairs.

"Yes?"

"There's one more thing I want to tell you"

"Hmm?"

"I'm not going bankrupt".

I got out of his hold.

"What? What do you mean? So, all this while it was all a lie?"

"No, I mean I'm not going bankrupt per se".

"What do you mean?", I was confused.

"Sit down and I'll tell you".

I sat beside him focusing on what he has to say.

"Before I fully took over the company, my dad used to have the authority of every deals and transactions. That time I was only assigned a small part of the company. So, there were deals taking place under him which I was unaware of. Bad business deals. And it kept on happening for three years. He had invested a major portion of our assets under a single company.

By the time I knew it, a major portion was already in risk. The business that he invested in was showing positive results only in the last three years. From outside it looked like a promising investment. But if we looked closely, and I did my full research. I found out that the company was hanging by a thread. One downfall in the market and it will go down, and with it, so will the thousands of investors who put their money in it.

"So now the company is going down and with it so is your money?", I asked.

"No Elly, it's not quite that simple. When I found about it, I presented all the facts to my dad and the board. They acknowledged their mistake. It was then my father stepped down from the CEO post and I took over. He felt so guilty about his mistake. But I assured him that I'll rectify it. That I won't let his name go down. I worked day and night, even before I met you. I was meeting investors, other shareholders, I tried to withdraw as many shares I can from that company. I have already withdrawn more than fifty percent of the shares that we had invested.

But now the news of the state of the company has reached other investors also. So, they are cautious now. No one is willing to buy the shares anymore. I'm afraid the fate of the rest of the shares and the money invested depends on the market now. If it goes up then we won't lose our money. But if it comes down then we will lose it."

"But you're not going out on the streets?"

He chuckled, "No Elly, we are not going to be on the street. We will be losing a lot of money though".

"Oh, so that's the whole story"

"Yes. And you see Elly, my pride won't get hurt because I took over a company that was at its worst. If my pride was in question then I wouldn't have taken over my dad's position".

"That's a relief. So now that you don't care if you lose it all, I don't care even if you go bankrupt".

"Really, and why is that?"

"Because I have a job now. I can take care of the two of us. Just imagine me going outside for work. And you waiting for me like a pretty little husband."

He made a face as if he was actually imagining it in his mind. "Doesn't sound that bad. Me and you all alone in that studio apartment of yours. No one to disturb. Not even Martha and Gordon".

Just then I remembered something.

"I have to tell you something too", said.

"What?"

I took his hand and put it on my stomach.

"I think it's going to be a little more crowded than just the two of us", I smiled.

He stopped smiling and got up on the bed where he was lying till now, "you mean?"

"Yes. I'm pregnant. You are going to be a daddy".

They didn't talk anymore as their lips had far more important things to do.

THE END

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