Love through it all

As the weeping’s of a poor unfortunate mother echoed through the corridors of the maternity ward when she was told that she gave birth to a still-born baby, a father rejoiced the birth of his long-awaited gift of joy. It was a moment he lived, prayed and hoped for. He was elated that his wife was at least, able to give him a reason to be happy in all the times they’ve been together. He looked down at his wife, kissed her forehead “oh my, Lenna, you have made me the happiest man in the universe. I’m so happy that I got you something that I know you will love. The nurse is preparing your papers. I can’t for you to see the gift waiting for you at home”. Never could he had imagined what his wife did just to secure her position. Smiling at her husband but also hurting on the inside, Lenna thought to herself “my beloved baby might have left me, but this lowly thing will surely get me everything I desire. Oh, my poor baby, I hope your soul rest in perfect peace” as a tear fell down her eye. As the family flowed into the room Bella, mourning the death of her baby, pretended to be asleep. The celebrations she heard across the room only added to her sorrows. A baby she dreamt all her life with, was gone. She never had anyone to call hers until a few moments ago, but that too was been taken away from her. Her parents died in a car accident when she was six and her relatives decided to dump her an orphanage, took what she inherited from her parents then cut ties with her. The five-year boyfriend she met during her last year in the orphanage left her for another woman the day she found out she was pregnant. All her hopes were pinned on her little baby but now that the baby was gone, she felt miserable. She felt cursed. Shattered! She was all alone with no body to ease her pain. Across the wards, Lenna and her husband, Mark, were about to leave the hospital, whispering her ear he said, “As I promised earlier a big surprise awaits your arrival at home”. Lenna’s joy overcame the pains in her heart as she started to see Marks’s loving and caring side, a side she never knew existed. As they drove back home, Lenna couldn’t take her eyes off Mark. She felt like this was her first time seeing her stone-hearted husband. She couldn’t even feel the journey back home until Mark opened her door, smiled at her as he took the baby from her hands, leading to the garage. Just as the garage door was sliding Lenna she saw an SUV written “Mrs. Rowen” on the registration plate, she couldn’t help but shout at the top of her lungs and wrapped Mark onto a comforting hug. Mark on the other hand thought that the new-born baby will be the reason Lenna changes her spoiled attitude and behaviour and finally be a mother to their baby and a wife he always wished she could be. He was a down to earth, kind and generous rich man who had to get married to a spoiled daughter of his investor to secure his company. All his married life, he had to face insults from Lenna and her family about how he isn’t good enough for her. Even though the couple never shared a love relationship, Mark had a change of heart about Lenna because of their little Jordan. Lenna’ POV I could feel the tension in the air, heavy and thick. Mark, standing there, his thoughts clearly elsewhere, lost in his own bitter reflection of our marriage. But I wasn’t about to let that ruin this moment. He had just given me the SUV I’d been eyeing for months, and to my surprise, he wasn’t as distant as usual. He had done something that showed a sliver of what I needed: attention, approval, love, even if it was a faint flicker of it. I couldn’t let him think he could keep me at arm’s length forever. I had worked too hard for this marriage, this life, to just let him slip away emotionally. My heart twisted with a strange mix of triumph and tenderness as I stepped toward him, closing the distance. He was still holding little Jordan in his arms, and the sight of our son, the one thing that had truly bonded us, reminded me that I had a role to play. This was my life now; this was my victory. I’d get what I wanted, and I’d make sure of it. As I leaned in, my lips brushing against his, I saw the shock in his eyes. But I could tell he wasn’t immune to it. His body tensed for a moment, like he hadn’t expected the warmth of my affection, but then something flickered behind his gaze. Was that relief? Maybe even a trace of longing? I couldn’t be sure, but I wasn’t about to waste the opportunity. When I pulled back, I let my words hang in the air, laced with sweetness. "I never knew you had this appreciating side..." I let my voice soften, almost as if I were being vulnerable for the first time in forever. But I knew better. Vulnerable wasn’t a card I played often. "I mean, I’ve always known you to be rude and ungrateful for everything I do for you," I continued, letting the bite of truth slip in. But then, a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips, and I leaned closer, my tone lightening. "Nonetheless, I’m happy that you finally saw my worth." I watched closely as his expression shifted. I could see the c***k in his resolve, the brief moment where he let down his guard. I had him exactly where I wanted him, and in that fleeting second, I could almost taste victory. His smile faltered, though, just a little. That was when I knew, he still wasn’t convinced. The warmth I saw in his eyes quickly evaporated, and I could feel the walls rising again. ‘Typical Mark,’ I thought. ‘He’ll never let himself believe I could be sincere. But I’ll make him see. In time, he will. I always get what I want.’ "Mark," I said softly, almost a whisper now, my hand gently brushing against his chest, feeling his heartbeat. "Don’t you want this? Don’t you want to be proud of us? Of me?" I watched his face for any flicker of response, any hint that he might finally see things my way. "I can be the wife you’ve always wanted. I can be the mother Jordan deserves. I just need you to believe in me." I knew the game I was playing, and I knew how to push his buttons. I wasn’t just manipulating him, I was giving him what he wanted, at least on the surface. And in return, I’d get everything I desired. Security, wealth, and most importantly, his heart. Or at least the illusion of it. But as I watched him walk away, handing Jordan off to the nanny, I couldn’t help but feel a knot of frustration coil in my stomach. ‘He still doesn’t trust me,’ I thought bitterly. ‘He still doesn’t believe I can change. But I’ll show him. I’ll make him see that I’m everything he’s ever needed.’ And as I turned to admire the shiny new SUV in my garage, I whispered softly to myself, "Oh little one, do you see why I need you? You are the key to my every heart's desire. Just by being here, I can finally have Mark wrapped around my finger. Now that I have you, his new but greatest weakness, he’ll eat from my palm." I smiled, almost cruelly, as I headed into the house to put on a show of warmth and devotion. Mark didn’t know it yet, but I had already won. Everything I ever wanted is within my reach now. And this time, nothing—not even him—will stand in my way.