CHAPTER THREE
1231 Words
I stood outside the hospital room, waiting for the doctor to finish examining my father. The smell of antiseptic filled my nose, making it hard to breathe… I hate this smell.
I just sat there, thinking about how everything about my life had changed so fast— with just ink and money.
The sound of the door pulled me from my thoughts. I stood up immediately.
“Doctor… How is my father?”
He gave me a reassuring smile as he took off his gloves.
“He is stable.” He lost consciousness due to severe pains. He will be fine after some rest. You can discharge him once he wakes up.
Thank you, doctor, I whispered.
I pushed the door quietly and went into the room, and my father looked pale. I sat close to him, rested my head on his side, and drifted to sleep.
**********
Back home, I gently supported my father to the couch slowly as he groaned from waist pain.
Easy…. I whispered.
I handed him water to take his medication and waited for him to swallow before letting him relax his back.
As I turned to go back to the kitchen, he called me.. “Ava…. please sit.”
I stood there froze
because I knew this conversation would come, the conversation I had been dreading.
I turned, forcing a smile on.
“Okay dad”… I sat opposite him, smiling from ear to ear.
His pale eyes locked on me. “How did Mr Lucas release you?” he asked with a worried expression.
I sighed and looked down briefly.
Slowly, I told him everything about Miles Oakley, the surrogacy, and the marriage.
Each word felt heavy from my mouth.
As I spoke, my father's expression changed little by little …. From anger, to fear, pain, and guilt
I saw tears slide down his cheek.. “I am sorry Ava”… his voice was broken.
“I failed you”
I opened my mouth slightly, but words didn't come out as I shed silent tears with him
**********
The sound of my phone woke me up from sleep, I picked up my phone, and I was still half asleep
Hello.. I murmured while yawning.
“My driver will pick you up in a minute”
The deep voice cleared sleep from my eyes instantly.
“He…llo, who am I speaking to?” I said, frowning.
“Don't be late.”
The click sound came next…I stared at my phone in confusion.
Then my brain flashed—Mr Miles.
I hurried out of bed to the bathroom to get ready.
I sat in front of Miles, hands pressed together between my legs, as I stopped myself from shaking.
Behind me stood the doctor with his head lowered.
Miles sat comfortably in his chair, with his sharp gaze unreadable.
“Speak,” Mr Miles ordered.
The doctor cleared his throat and shifted his glasses.
Based on the test result, Miss Ava has no underlying disease or infections, he paused… “The hormone test showed an LH surge, indicating imminent ovulation.”
Miles stared blankly at the doctor. “Explain”.
It means she ovulates normally, and reproductive health is excellent, and…
he bowed his head embarrassed…Her ovulation starts tomorrow.
Miles' body stiffened briefly, and I almost thought I imagined. Then he went back to his cold and controlled demeanour.
He gave the doctor a dismissive wave… and turned towards the man beside the door…“get the car ready. We leave in five minutes.
“Where are we going?” I asked in confusion
“The courthouse” he said without a glance.
**********
The entire ride was suffocating
I sat stiffly by the window, holding my bags to my laps tightly, as my phone vibrated from time to time.
His sharp jaw tightened everything my phone vibrated…finally his cold baritone voice cut in,
“Take the call”...
I hurriedly checked the caller… my manager.
“Hello…” I whispered.
“YOU ARE LATE!
If you are not here in five minutes, forget about your job.”
The call ended before I could explain.
I knew I had already lost the job.
An uncomfortable silence filled the car again.
Within an hour, the marriage papers were finalized. Signatures were made, and stamps were sealed.
“Tomorrow morning, you will be brought to the mansion,”
He stood up and left.
Ben nodded and followed immediately
My lips parted in shock… he actually left me here.
Shame covered my face as everyone stared at me in confusion as I walked out alone.
“Ava…”
Kalisha walked up to me, looking worried.
“What happened? You got fired.”
I looked at her for a while before I spoke.
“I got married,” I replied lazily.
Kalisha froze…
looking at me in confusion and anger.
“Married!”
“To Miles Oakley” I dropped the bombshell.
Her mouth was wide open as I narrated everything to her.. I could see her angry expression changed to a proud look and excitement.
“I am proud of you, girl..” she hugged me.
“Proud?”
she shook me, you are married to “Miles Oakley, CEO of BlackOak…
“Do you know how rich he is?
Before I could say anything else, she looked at me mischievously..
So “have you had s*x…. Is he big down there?”...
I covered her mouth with my hand instantly.
“Keep it down” I whispered, looking around.
It is not as interesting as it sounds, “ I am just... a business transaction.
Kalisha looked at me like I was crazy..
“Girl, people will kill for my womb to be worth billions.”
My chest tightened because to others, it was an opportunity, but to me….. it felt like losing ownership of myself.
I sat on my bed and looked around my tiny room.
Old curtains, worn out paints.
From tomorrow, I will not be in control anymore. my choices, my future, not even my body..
The thought sat heavily on my chest.
Then, a soft knock pulled me out.
“Ava,”
I looked at the door “dad,” I opened the door and stepped aside for him.
“You are awake,” he said as he walked and sat at the edge of the bed, beckoning on me to sit
“How do you feel?...I can go to Miles…, maybe ask him to work to pay back his money… somehow”
I gave a short laugh, sounding weak and tired.
“Dad… I am already married”.
He bowed his head in regret.
You know he said ... .His voice sounds teary,
“A father is supposed to be a protector…to his child, from hardships like this… but I am so incompetent to allow life pushed you this far”
I moved closer and gently locked my hands with his.
“Life may not be going as planned..” But I am sure I won't end with my head down.” I smiled as I rested my head on his shoulder “so dad… you don't have to feel guilty.”
The words tasted uncertainly on my tongue.
But I still forced them out anyway.
“After all… I will just be married for six years.”
- Writer
