Part 75

75

Chelsea didn't respond; she simply cried, releasing the pain and disappointment that had mingled within her. She also touched her no longer swollen belly, everything gone, taken away so cruelly by Margaret.

"Sis, please, don't do this to me! I'm not ready to get married!" protested Alexa, entering Chelsea's hospital room, startling the embracing couple. There, behind them, stood a middle-aged man who had been following them around, the two young people who were supposed to be getting married, but instead were arguing.

"Please, you need to understand, Lex. I want us to get married. Aren't you concerned about that man, Dad? He's been chasing us relentlessly. Aren't you tired of following me around?"

Alexa shook her head, trying to retrieve her phone from Vano's grasp.

"I don't care who that man is; all I know is you'd better return my phone. I want to tell my mom that you're just joking. There's no way the dowry is that large. I don't like jokes like this."

"I'm not joking, that's why I stole your phone, so that your father would come here to marry us. As for your family's land, don't worry; I'll buy it back."

"No, thank you. I'm not ready to get married!"

"But I need you to be my wife so that I have a reason to..."

"Van, who is this?" Chelsea interrupted, cutting through the debate between Vano and Alexa.

"Is Ms. Chelsea awake? I'll call the doctor in a moment," Vano responded. Instead of answering, Alexa rushed out of the room to summon the doctor who had been tending to Chelsea and to fetch the necessary medical supplies. As a medical intern, she had to be quick and efficient, surpassing even the hospital staff.

"Why?"

"It's really tough, Dad," Vano complained, handing Alexa's phone to his father. "Mom, she finally woke up. So, Mom, help me get the girl to agree to marry me. I don't want Celine or Amber to come and pressure me into marriage. It's better to pretend to get married or have a contract marriage with Alexa."

"Who's Alexa? The girl from earlier?"

Chelsea pulled the corners of her lips. Curious to hear Vano's complete story. It had only been a day since she lost consciousness, and already new things were happening.

"Mom's right. I want to marry her. So now, help me think about how we can get married."

"Where's Celine, anyway? To the point where you have to force her into marriage."

"We'll discuss that later, my dear. It's better if we help Vano get married first."

"All right, then. Call the girl's parents and tell them that you've impregnated her."

"What an idea, Mom!"

"You're both insane!" Carlos and Vano chimed in simultaneously.

"Both of you have crossed the line. I won't take responsibility if Alexa gets angry later on."

Chelsea and Vano could only rub their necks. They were afraid to reconsider their recent plans. Vano had indeed contacted Alexa's father via her phone and told him that Alexa was now two weeks pregnant due to their actions a few weeks ago.

Vano had also asked Alexa's father to come so that their marriage could proceed. Initially, the girl's father was angry and wanted to hang Vano, but upon hearing that the dowry for marrying Alexa was a luxury car and a promise to redeem all the mortgaged farmland, things changed. Vano also promised to pay off all of Alexa's debts for her education.

Who wouldn't want such blessings? Just by marrying his daughter to her lover, he could get everything. It also meant that Alexa and the man who had contacted her were in a special relationship. However, Alexa was hesitant to admit it due to the agreement that had to be redeemed: before getting married, she had to pay off all her debts and redeem the land first.

There was no need to ask or wait for Alexa's arrival; Carlos could already predict that she would be very angry when she found out about the deception in her wedding plan with Vano.

"Dad, don't scare her like that."

"I'm not trying to scare her, Van. It's just that you're too pushy and forcing things. What's wrong with finding another reason? That's why I said you two are really crazy and reckless, but what can we do."

"Dad, if we don't do it this way, I'm sure Alexa won't want to marry Vano." Chelsea defended her stepson, not wanting Vano to be scolded by Carlos continually. "Let me talk to Alexa for now. In the meantime, you and Vano should leave this room. I'll talk to her heart-to-heart and apologize for our somewhat unreasonable plan."

"Up to you two, but Daddy just doesn't want any major problems to arise from all of this," Chelsea nodded and held Carlos's hand tightly.

"Trust me, I'll handle the mess we created ourselves." She forced a smile. Dealing with Vano proved effective for Chelsea to momentarily forget the sadness she was experiencing. Although she still couldn't accept the loss of her future child, the Vano situation was engaging enough for Chelsea to divert her thoughts, even though a lingering sense of tightness still gripped her chest.

Like Chelsea, Carlos was also mourning the loss of their unborn child, but continuously dwelling on it was not a healthy way to cope. They needed to move forward with their lives in order to find happiness. Continuously mourning their loss would only trap them in sorrow and could lead to stress for Chelsea.

When Alexa arrived with a doctor, Carlos and Vano hastily left the room. This departure struck Alexa as odd because Carlos usually stayed to monitor his wife's condition. His hurried exit with Vano made her uneasy about what might have happened in her absence.

Chelsea's condition was not serious, but the doctor advised her to get complete rest to ensure her body fully recovered, especially from the wounds and bone injuries. The doctor also recommended postponing pregnancy for 4-5 months before trying to conceive again.

Chelsea didn't pay much attention to what the doctor was saying; her focus was on Alexa, the girl in the KKN uniform who looked charming. From her perspective, Chelsea saw Alexa as a kind and well-behaved girl and believed that matchmaking her with Vano could lead to happiness.

Although Chelsea still didn't know why Vano had rushed to find a new potential wife, considering that his marriage to Celine was well-prepared and Carlos had given his blessing, it was puzzling why Vano was randomly seeking a new wife at the hospital.

"I'll take my leave now. If you need anything, just call me or Alexa," the doctor said to Chelsea after finishing her duties.

Chelsea nodded but then reached for Alexa's wrist, asking her to stay with her for a moment. Even without words, Alexa understood that Chelsea wanted to talk. From Chelsea's gaze, Alexa could tell that something was on her mind.

"Before we proceed, I want to apologize for my recklessness in suggesting that Vano tell your father that you're pregnant so you can get married today."

"Wh-what?" Alexa's mouth hung open in shock upon hearing Chelsea's words. She was unable to say anything more.

"Where did Vano get..." Alexa's words trailed off as she suddenly remembered that Vano still had her phone. That meant he had obtained her father's number from there.

"But why, Ma'am? Why do I have to become Vano's wife? Aren't there many nurses and doctors in this hospital?" Alexa asked, clearly overwhelmed.

Chelsea shook her head. "I myself don't know why it has to be you and why Vano chose you to be his wife. But one thing I believe is that you were destined by God to be with my son."

"Your son?" Alexa mumbled in disbelief, given that she and Vano were nearly the same age.

"You'll understand later why I call Vano my son. But for now, I'm asking you to accept Vano as your husband."