004

Baby, now she's out of our lives for good, I am so elated. We can finally get married, Jordan." Luciana exclaimed, a radiant smile lighting up her face as she gently caressed Jordan's cheek, staring into his troubled emerald orbs. Despite Jordan's efforts to mask his unease, Luciana could see the worry behind the faint smile he wore. Nevertheless, she felt unconcerned; Jordan was sorely hers now. That was all she cared about.

Jordan merely murmured a response to Luciana as his mind was consumed with several thoughts and emotions. For some reason, he couldn't comprehend the guilt pangs that tugged at his heartstrings each time he acknowledged that Alexa was truly gone. He didn't know where she had gone to or where she was, but it had been weeks since he last saw her. And that was the day she had left home and suffered a miscarriage in the hospital. He had wanted to...

"Jordan!" Luciana's firm voice cut through his reverie, pulling his dazed gaze back to her. She frowned when their eyes met, "I was talking to you, baby. You weren't responding. What were you thinking about?" she inquired, her tone shifting to a sultry lilt.

Forcing a smile, Jordan pushed aside his thoughts of Alexa and tenderly brushed his thumb across Luciana's cheek as he replied, "I was listening, sweetheart. My thoughts just momentarily wandered, imagining how grand our wedding will be. And also," he continued, his hand resting on Luciana's rounded belly, "My unborn child. I can't wait to meet him..."

Luciana beamed, interrupting him with a playful protest, "It's a girl!"

Jordan nodded, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Regardless, baby, it doesn't matter to me. I just want an heir, and as long as it's yours, that's more than enough for me."

Luciana's heart melted at his kind words. "Aw, Jordan, you're so sweet," she said affectionately as she climbed on top of him on the bed, their lips meeting in what seemed like a passionate kiss. Yet deep down, Jordan still felt those pangs of guilt as thoughts of Alexa lingered in his mind once more. He was fazed.

***

"I still can't believe you're leaving the country already, Alexa," Elena lamented, her perturbed gaze fixed on Alexa, who was packing a few belongings into a small travel bag on the bed. Alexa remained silent.

Elena carried on when she got no response from her. "It's only been two weeks. You haven't fully recovered yet. Are you sure you'll be alright?"

Fed up with her incessant concerns, Alexa paused and let out a frustrated sigh, turning to face her friend. She met her brooding brown orbs.

Softly, Alexa reassured. "I am fine, Elena. I appreciate your concern. But, I have to leave... I have nothing left for me here."

"But you have me..." Elena pouted, crossing her arms in annoyance.

Alexa heaved out another sigh and added. "Come on, my love. You know that's not what I meant... I have to go back to claim back my inheritance, Elena.."

"But It's been three years since you left home, Alexa. Do you think the fortune will still be yours by now?" Elena asked worriedly.

However, Alexa retorted. "I don't care if it was passed on to my step-brother when I left. The fortune is rightfully mine. I am the true heiress, and I'm getting it back, no matter what it takes! Only then can I get my revenge on the Salvadors." Alexa elaborated, her voice laden with determination.

Elena replied, worry etched on her face. "Alexa, don't you think it's time you forgive them and move on, especially from Jordan? He isn't worth the trouble."

Alexa spat out, huffing irritably. "Move on? Forgive? He fucking left me to die! I will never forgive him. Just as he said, his child is no longer in me, so there's nothing getting in my way of revenge against him now. I, Alexander Mia McKenna, will make Jordan Salvador pay for what he did to me. I'll make him crawl on his knees, begging me for a second chance, that I won't spare to him. I'll make his family pay for how they badly treated and neglected me when I was nothing but a good daughter-in-law to them. I've been calm and weak for too long, but now, NEVER. They will all pay. That is a vow!" Alexa stated firmly, her eyes flashing with rage and unshed tears that threatened to tear her apart.

Elena observed her friend, anxiety etching across her face. She was acutely aware of how badly the Salvadors had treated Alexa in the past, but she never wished for her to seek revenge. All Elena wanted was for Alexa to divorce Jordan and move on with someone else as she believed Alexa deserved so much better. However, the situation was spiraling out of control.

Elena knew she had to step in before it was too late. Perhaps she could help shift Alexa's intense desire for revenge against the Salvadors and convince her to forgive them.

With a calm voice, Elena started, "Alexa... I understand that the Salvadors have wronged you in every way. You have every right to be mad, I get it. But please, don’t allow them to change the good person that you are. Don’t let their actions overshadow the kind person you’ve always been. I beg you to forgive them and let go. I know you’re hurting and heartbroken right now, but..." Her words were cut off as Alexa snapped in response.

"There is no 'but,' Elena!" Her grey eyes darkened with rage, and her words came through clenched teeth.

"He left me to die! He abandoned me because I lost our baby. I can’t and will never forgive him. I sacrificed everything for him; My family, my career, my loved ones. I gave up everything just to be with him. People warned me about him, but I ignored them. Now I've witnessed for myself. He not only mistreated me, but he also cheated on me with that wretched bitch, Luciana. No. I can’t forgive Jordan, ever. His child is no longer in me, and I'm very pleased with that. Nothing stands in my way of seeking retribution now."

Tears streamed down Alexa's face as she finished her statement, but she quickly wiped them away, her breaths coming in sharp gasps. She fought to suppress the emotions threatening to burst out of her. Though her eyes were red and glistening, she refused to succumb to tears.

Heartbroken and anxious, Elena rose from the bed and approached Alexa, whose gaze was fixed on her in an unwavering stare, her hands trembling slightly, but still composed.

Elena offered a gentle and warm smile, cupping Alexa's cheeks. She urged politely. "Let it out, Alexa..." Alexa's breaths were labored, the tears hovering on the brink of spilling, but she held them at bay.

"Let it out. Let that anger out of you," Elena encouraged, pulling her into a warm embrace. "Let it out!"

With her head resting on Elena's shoulder and her eyes closed, Alexa surrendered to the moment, and tears cascaded down her cheeks as she wept on Elena's shoulder, her face twisting with intense anguish.

She broke down. "I— I don't deserve any of this, Elena," Alexa choked out, her heart aching with despair. "I— I haven't done anything wrong. I gave up everything for him... How could he do this to me..."

Elena embraced Alexa tightly, gently patting her hair as more tears streamed down Alexa's face.

"You’ll heal, sweetheart. You haven’t done anything wrong. Everything will be okay," Elena reassured her, her words only eliciting more tears from Alexa.

They both shared a moment of sorrow before Alexa managed to regain her composure, her cries eventually subsiding. Although the release of tears had provided her with some sort of relief, it did little in alleviating the lingering pain and resentment towards the Salvadors, within her.

"Are you feeling alright?" Elena asked, gently pulling out from the embrace and tenderly caressing Alexa's face with her thumb, wiping away her tears.

With a sniffle, Alexa nodded, her voice almost in a whisper. "A little bit, yeah."

"That’s—" Elena wanted to say something but paused when she noticed Alexa's swift change in demeanor like she was in pain.

Alexa suddenly let out a heart-wrenching scream and doubled over, gripping her stomach as she collapsed onto the bed. "Argh,"

Elena was agitated. "What’s wrong? What is it?" She asked, alarmed by the pain etched on Alexa's face.

Alexa opened her mouth to speak but instead emitted another loud, agonizing scream, clutching her abdomen tighter. "A-argghhh!! Elena, Elena!"

Elena bent and grasped her tightly, confusion written all over her face. "What’s happening? Talk to me!"

Alexa struggled to speak. "I- It's my stomach... it hurts... Arrghhh!"

"Oh, my goodness. We need to get you to the hospital, right now. Hold on!" Elena exclaimed decisively, swiftly sprinting to grab her car keys from across the room.

***

"Doctor, what do the test results say? Am I sick or something?" Alexa asked Dr. Eddie as soon as he entered the office; they had been patiently waiting for him.

Elena added with concern, "Yes, Doc. What do the results say?"

It was the same doctor who had tended to Alexa during her miscarriage, two weeks prior.

Dr. Eddie let out a heavy sigh, regarding the two women wordlessly. Alexa and Elena exchanged a glance, their confusion and perplexity palpable.

"What’s wrong, Dr. Eddie? Is it that serious? Please, say something." Alexa pressed as she redirected her gaze to the doctor, fear already stirring within her.

Clearing his throat, Dr. Eddie finally spoke. "Ms. McKenna, you claimed you experienced a miscarriage two weeks ago..."

"Yes, I know," Alexa retorted sharply, not understanding the need for old news. "What does that have to do with anything?"

Dr. Eddie swallowed, struggling to maintain eye contact as he handed Alexa the test results.

"I'm surprised, Ms. McKenna. Another miracle has indeed occurred once again. Your condition is not due to any serious illness. In fact, it's your babies moving and kicking in your abdomen." The doctor stated, a smile crossing his old face.

Alexa scoffed incredulously, glancing between confused Elena and the doctor.

She questioned, her annoyance surfacing. "Excuse me, but what the fuck do you mean by babies? It was confirmed that I had a miscarriage two weeks ago! I don’t understand."

The doctor offered a reassuring smile as he explained. "Ms. McKenna, we never mentioned anything to you regarding that. That was simply an assumption on your part. What occurred two weeks ago was not a miscarriage but rather another medical issue that led you to lose your consciousness."

Confusion and shock washed over Alexa for a moment, likewise Elena. They couldn't comprehend the meaning of this.

Ultimately, Alexa snapped back, "So, what are you trying to imply, Doctor Eddie? That I didn’t have a miscarriage? What does that even mean?" She demanded.

The doctor continued sedately, "That is precisely what I'm trying to say here, Ms. McKenna. You never suffered a miscarriage and you are still very much pregnant with your fraternal twins. Congratulations once more."

In disbelief, Alexa leaned back into the chair, scoffing and huffing at the same time as her eyes locked onto the doctor's. She spat out. "You've got to be fucking kidding me!"

*

As they exited the hospital, Elena trailed behind, still bewildered by the situation. She noticed that Alexa's face was still devoid of emotion and it fazed her.

Unable to contain her curiosity, Elena asked as they walked past the hospital entrance, "So what’s your plan now, Alexa? Are you going to tell Jordan about this?"

Alexa, who had been walking briskly, abruptly stopped upon hearing Elena's inquiry. She turned to face Elena, who also stopped and looked at her with confusion.

"What?" Alexa asked like she hadn’t heard Elena right the first time.

Elena repeated, "I asked if you’re going to tell Jordan that you still have his..."

Alexa cut in sharply. "I am not telling anyone shit! He is dead to me. That man, Jordan Salvador, is as good as dead to me, likewise to my unborn children," Alexa retorted fiercely, her eyes darkening with rage.