The Wallflower's Revenge

AWR Chapter 31: Bitter pill to swallow

The wedding pushed through four days after I met Mr. Reike's daughters. As much as Deiana wanted to talk to me, their father prevented her from doing it.

He believed that when she does, I will be too stressed I might lose my baby. I can feel that she's really mad at me because her dad will be choosing me over them.

I guess if I am also in her situation, I will feel the same. However, things need to be this way. I have to take my revenge. So, this is how victory tastes like. It is sweeter once you feel like you're winning the game.

If Alexander gave importance to her, then it is my turn this time. I also need to experience what it's like to be chosen and be given importance despite of the simplicity that I am showing Mr. Reike.

I realized that I am their stepmother this time. I became Mrs. Reike I couldn't believe it myself. This new life that he gave me paved the way for my privilege to have the authority over the house as well.

"Congratulations for making this far. I am proud of you" As I went outside our room, she was able to corner me on the hallway by blocking my way. Everything I heard was sarcasm at its finest. She is holding a glass that has wine in it. She grinned as she looked at my terrified expression.

"What do you mean?" 

"Oh, stepmom. You're not getting it. Or shall I call you by your true name? Is 'gold digger' enough for you? Or shall I let your name be longer this time?"

I closed my fist as I tried letting my chin up. I know she's really tall that I am always looking up to her, but not this time. Totally. If there's someone who needs to respect me, that would be the two of them.

Even if our ages were almost the same, she should give me the respect that I reserve in this house like how they respect their father.

"If you find it fine calling me 'Miranda', I won't mind at all."

She gave me a sarcastic smile as she slowly hovered her gaze from head to toe.

"Is it fine if I call you Ms. Gold digger?" She is not losing her smile. I also smiled at her in return.

"You were not here when everything happened. You cannot easily judge me."

"I can't say anything anymore because dad already married you. I am just curious of how you did it so well that he easily believed in you. Bravo!" She laughed in a mocking tone.

"Deiana..." My husband appeared behind me and a sigh escaped my lips. When she saw her father, she tried to walk away.

"I am not done with you yet. You're not leaving when I am not telling you to do so." She frowned when she stood in front of us while I'm touching my pregnant stomach.

"Honey, are you okay?" He asked and I nodded as I smiled, but I avoided her daughter's gaze by looking down. I noticed that my husband frowned at her daughter because of how she treated me.

"Do you even ask if I am okay, too?" She yelled at both of us. I held my husband's arm to get some courage as I face his eldest daughter.

"Don't act so immature."

"I'm not, dad. You know it."

"Leave Miranda alone. If you don't like her, avoid her at any cost but do not stress her out."

"I can't believe that you're doing this to me, dad."

"If you want somebody to respect you, at least earn it. You know how rules apply in this house."

She glared at me and shifted her gaze at her dad and turned her back at us as she walked away, stomping her feet.

"I'm sorry, honey. Are you alright?" He held my hand as he examined my face and expression.

"Yes, love." I noticed my two maids are following us to assist me and my husband as well.

"I apologize for my daughter's behavior. I guess they are still under the process of accepting you as their stepmom."

"I can't blame them, love. I am almost the same age as them. I guess it is normal for them to think a lot of things about us."

"But I don't want to. They should know how to respect you as much as they respect me. I want them to follow it."

I was touched by what he said that I hugged him tight. He chuckled because of what I did.

"Oh, look at this sweet babe."

I bit my lower lip as I smiled at him.

"Thank you so much love. I think with you, I am secured and there's no one to ever harm me."

"Remember, I am your real-life hero." I could hear my personal maids giggle behind us. I can feel that they are also happy with what they hear.

"Mr. Reike, you're so sweet it's the first time we hear it from you." One of the maids couldn't help but to compliment him. He just chuckled in response.

"She made me do it. I feel young because of Miranda." He said as he held my hand as we walked side by side.

"Mr. Reike, we wish you both happiness and blessed married life."

I looked at my personal maids and felt grateful. At least through them, I could feel that they are very kind and caring at me and my current situation.

"Mr. Reike, time for your midday snack. Please proceed to the dining hall." One of my personal maids updated us. I smiled and felt excited all of a sudden. In the house, midday snacks are special. It's a mixture of my favorite foods but a healthier version of it.

Couple of months passed and I gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. My husband felt overjoyed because of the baby. A month after that, we decided to have a simple Christening event for my baby in the grand mansion. We invited a couple of friends and of course, the two daughters were present.

They looked at me as if I am their most loathed person that has ever lived. I can feel that they couldn't accept me as their stepmom until now.

Days, weeks and months went by quickly. My son is now three years old.

"My son is really handsome." My husband hugged me from behind as he rested his head on my shoulders while I let my baby play early in the morning.

"Yes. I know he will grow to be a handsome, fine man because his daddy is also handsome." My husband chuckled as soon as he heard my compliments. 

"Dustin is really cute." The baby cackled as he smiled. 

"Do not spoil him with compliments. He might get used to it." I said as I gently touched the tip of my baby's nose.

"He's adorable, just like you." I smiled as I gently handed my baby to one of my personal maids. We're outside trying to give Dustin his daily dose of vitamin D by exposing him to the direct sunlight as he is practicing his baby steps.

I appreciate my husband getting up earlier than usual just to be with me in doing my daily routine with my baby.

At times, I could see my two stepdaughters going out of the grand mansion as early as 7:00 AM. They were looking at us as if mocking. Deiana is looking at me as she folded her arms. She also looked at my husband and raised her eyebrows.

"We'll be going ahead, dad."

My husband is sitting on his wheelchair and he lifted his head up as he gazed at both of them. They are wearing a fashionable short and a sleeved crop-top. They also wore a piece of boots that matched their pastel colored look.

"Okay. Please take care."

Deiana looked at me again for the last time before she flashed an awkward smile. I know it is not sincere enough for me to believe it. Somehow, I am thankful that she's getting used to my presence every single day, from the moment they arrived from the U.S.

I noticed that my husband is getting weaker every single day. I noticed he only wanted to sit on his wheelchair most of the time. I decided to tell the maids to go back inside the grand mansion for my husband to rest.

"Are you sure you're alright?" I asked, too worried because of what I have observed from him.

"I am feeling a bit dizzy but I guess I'm fine. I'll just sleep for two to three hours. I am still feeling sleepy."

"Sure, love. Do you want me to sleep by your side?"

"That will be awesome, honey." I smiled as I hugged him. His smile alone made my worries fade away like smoke.

I noticed the health of my husband started to deteriorate when her two daughters arrived from the U.S.A. Denysse is a nurse by profession and she took over in telling the maids what medicines her father must take.

I have to retreat because I guess his daughters knew the health of their father more than anybody else. However, right now, I am starting to worry a lot.

When we arrived in his room, I was able to call one of my personal maids who has a background in medicine. I want her to check on the health of my husband right away. She checked his blood pressure and body temperature which my husband agreed after I insist it to him.

"Ma'am, Mr. Reike is in good condition. I guess he just needs to rest." I sighed as I smiled at him. 

"Thank you. That would be all." She nodded and she got all the things with her as she went outside our room.

He laid down the bed, flat on his back. I pulled the mattress up and turned on the air conditioner at room temperature.

"Thank you, honey." He smiled as he closed his eyes. I hugged him as I laid beside him, inching myself closer on his chest.

I also closed my eyes as I listened to his slow breathing that calmed my senses. He's taller than me that's why I could feel his lips on my forehead.

We woke up three hours after we took that long nap. It's almost ten in the morning when we decided to go outside for some snacks.

"Aren't you bored?" He asked me out of the blue. I shook my head from side to side. 

"I am," He smiled as he held my hand.

"Let's go shopping then. Don't worry, my treat." Honestly speaking, that made me chuckle. I nodded. We went back to our room and got ourselves ready as we went to the mall.

"I know you miss doing this."

"Yes. It's my first time stepping inside the mall after I gave birth to Dustin." He smiled when he felt that I am too excited in anticipating what to buy in the mall.

"I don't want to buy things for our son without your consent. I think I will enjoy buying his things with his mom by my side."

"You're having the right decision! Thank you love!" I hugged him from behind as I buried my head on his back while smiling.

"Anything for the love of my life. I want to make you happy, honey."

"I am always happy since the time I met you. Thank you, love." He turned in front of me and held both of my hands. I met his gaze and he placed a smack on my lips that I couldn't help but close my eyes.

"I love you..." I am even shocked from what I just said.

"Do you mean it this time?"

I look into his eyes and I am seeing his melting gaze again. I was left speechless that I also want to ask the same question to myself.

There are salads, fruits and vegetables, cakes and fresh juices.

"Please tell my daughters that we'll be having our midday snacks in bed." Both of my personal maids nodded as they walked towards the dining hall.

"I don't want to stress you out. I just want you to be here. Let's not join them for our midday snack. I will let all the food be here inside our room."

I nodded and smiled. I admit, I liked his plan more.

"Denysse, any thoughts about the new wife of dad?"

"Honestly speaking, I won't mind at all. If she could take good care of our father, then it's okay I guess."

"You're always acting stupid." Deiana couldn't help but to glare at her sister as she rolled her eyes. They were sitting in front of each other as they had their breakfast from Deiana's favorite restaurant.

"You know what? If you can't accept her, then don't force others to dislike her, too. You have your opinion, I have mine."

"Okay. I apologize for asking it." She said while slicing her waffles with a fork and knife. Then, she chewed it slowly as she avoided Denysse's gaze.

"Of all places, you're always going here every time we go home. I am suggesting exquisite restaurants to choose from, yet you've always wanted to eat here."

"Don't talk when your mouth is full." She answered her sister with sarcasm.

"Why? What I am saying is true. If I am acting stupid for my honest opinion, then you're the one whose acting cheap."

"Lilian, do you think we should consult another doctor aside from Dr. Rimes?" 

"Ma'am, Dr. Rimes is the family doctor for more than ten years. I guess Deiana and Denysse will worry if we will do that." I looked at my personal maid's expression.

She's right. I know it will create a buzz when I'll do it but seeing my husband, I noticed he's getting weaker as weeks goes by.

It's like he's not getting stronger day by day. Last few months before Deiana and Denysse came from the U.S.A, he could still walk like a young man. Now, he's already dependent on his wheelchair. He couldn't walk anymore like he used to. And that's something I worry the most.

"I am worrying about his health. However, he trusted his daughters so who am I to stop them?" Lilian looked at me as I sighed. She held both of my hands as if comforting me right now.

"Ma'am, let us just trust Denysse and Deiana. I am sure they only think of their father's health more than anything."

"I understand but then I noticed his health is deteriorating. As I observed, it's not normal anymore because of his age as well."

"Don't worry ma'am, I will ask Ms. Denysse about this one. I will update you as soon as possible." Lilian nodded.

"Thank you so much, dear."

"The pleasure is mine. Do you have anything else before I leave this room?"

"Where's Dustin?" I smiled as I asked her. We both looked at the door because someone was knocking three times before she entered.

"Mommy!" Dustin exclaimed. Deiana giggled as soon as she gently let Dustin stand on the carpeted floor of our room. He slowly ran into me and hugged me tight.

"That little baby is disturbing her beautiful sister..." As soon as my baby heard it, he turned his back to Deiana who was laughing.

"No, mommy." 

"Miranda, don't worry. I never mind at all." She winked at Dustin and my baby ran to her again. She gladly carried him in his arms.

"Oh my, Dustin is heavy, Deiana. I am so sorry."

"Of course, I am taking care of my baby brother. I will never let him get thin." I couldn't help but laugh. I never thought they'll develop that kind of relationship with each other.

We all stopped when one of my personal maids shouted on top of her lungs. It came from our room. Deiana left Dustin to one of the maids along the hallway. We both rushed to where the sound came from.

"Daddy!" Deiana shook her dad's body but he seemed lifeless.

"Ma'am, Mr. Reike is not moving from his bed. He's not breathing anymore." The maids were all crying while looking at Deiana who was wailing aloud.

As soon as I heard it, I felt dizzy. It's like my world is shattering apart and everything went black.

When I opened my eyes, Lilian sat beside me with swollen eyes. I met her gaze as she held my hand. I couldn't stop myself from crying as soon as I saw her.

So it is not a dream, after all. The man who loved everything about me died without me by his side.

"Ma'am, Dr. Rimes said that Mr. Reike died because of cardiac arrest."