chapter 3

TESSA’S POV

i slowly opened my eyes, my eyes came in contact with the white ceiling

beep beep beep

the smell of antiseptic filled the air

that's when it drowned me that i am in the hospital

"oohhh, you are awake, welcome back. my name is Dr Lan, hope you are feeling alright?".

“yes doctor” i replied i don't know if my voice is barely audible but I am sure she saw my lips move.

“you fainted due to stress, which is quite normal for a woman who is pregnant”. she said writing down something on the paper.

huh, wait, did i just hear her say pregnant?.

“uhmm, sorry you look like you have no idea she said noticing the look of surprise on my face.

“yes doctor, how is my child, I hope i don't have anything to worry about”.

Truly i wasn't very surprised, because after the servant mentioned it, i was scared but i still hoped.

“yeah sure, reduce stress, eat a lot of foods and fruits with vitamin, like i said avoid too many stressful activities.

you can be discharged now”

“okay, thank you doctor, but uhmm please can i stay for a while”

‘i needed time to process my condition and what next to do’ i thought to myself

“yes sure” she replied before leaving my ward

i lay back down on the hospital bed

The doctor's words are still echoing in my mind. I am pregnant.

I got divorced the past two days, and now I am faced with the daunting reality of raising a child on my own.

But i know I have to think clearly and fast it's not time to pity myself, i have to find a way to provide for myself and my unborn child, i can't go to my father for help, he definitely won't support me, best thing i can think of is getting out of this toxic memories and constant reminder of my failed marriage, which means leaving the country, and starting life anew.

I need to come up with a plan, and I need it very fast.

that's when i remembered Elvis's statement

' i can't leave you without a settlement '

as much as those words hurt really badly, it seems it's going to be of help now, nothing matters to me more than this child.

I steeled myself and made a decision to go back to Elvis and ask for the supposed settlement.

standing outside Elvis house, it's no longer our house sadly, i felt a mix of emotions: anxiety, determination and a hint of desperation.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside, mentally ready for whatever that was about to come.

The servants greeted me with curiosity. "Tessa, how can we help you"

they now address me by my name, well I am not surprised.

i forced a smile, trying to appear calm. "I need to speak with Elvis. it's urgent".

the servant nodded and disappeared inside. A few moments later, Elvis emerged, with surprise written all over his face.

"Tessa, what's going on? what's so urgent?".

'Should I tell him about the pregnancy?'

no, that's not a good idea

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check. "You talked about not leaving me without a settlement, I am here for it."

Elvis's expression changed from surprise to disgust. "Very well, I will have my lawyer prepare the papers" .

A few minutes later Elvis returned with a paper and a card and dropped it at the table i am sitting

“30 million naira, and a house here in New York, sign here”. he said without any emotion evident on his face.

i nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. i signed the paper, took the card and stood up to leave, i can't help but look back at Elvis and for a moment, i thought i saw a flicker of something- a glimmer of regret, perphaps, a hint of it .

i pushed the thought aside, it's all in the past now, i still can't help but feel accomplished that i have taken the first step in securing a future for my child.

7 YEARS LATER

CANADA

Tessa POV

it's been 7 whole years, a lot has changed in my life… for the better

it took a lot of time and will to get over Elvis but i am proud that i did, and living my best life now

the decision to keep my pregnancy turned out to be the best decision i have ever made, because i can't even imagine my life without my daughter in it .

whereas 7 years ago i was a housewife, a dumb woman who did nothing but worship her husband, now i am working in a fashion world, i can provide all my daughters needs and make sure she is comfortable and lacks nothing.

A few months after i left New York, i returned the money and house back to Elvis, supported and earned for myself.

i know he must be very surprised on getting the money and house back, but i don't care anyway.

“mama, i want to come with you, i want to see nanny and grandpa too” shally walk in distracting me from my thoughts.

“baby, who is going to stay with a lonely biggie Rolex?” i asked jokingly

“he is going to come with us mummy” she said with a chuckle

“No baby, mummy is going to work in New York, i will take you to see nanny and grandpa next time, okay”

“i will go there, supervise what I am going to supervise and flewwwwwwwww, you will see me back here” i said tickling her

“hahaaaaaaahaaaaa, that tickles mummy, pinky promise” she said still giggling.

“yes, pinky promise”

“5 more minutes here, and we are going to play till the next day” Rolex walked in, reminding me that i will be missing my flight soon

“heeeeyyyyyyy, biggie is back, i have been waiting for you, uhmmppp” shally said looking angry while she jumped in at him herself.

“sorry my queen, guess what i got for us” he said trying to appease her.

“uhmmmppp” she replied still looking angry

“really, mummy is going to miss alot, we are going to have a movie night with pizza and chocolate ice cream”. Rolex said trying to please her.

“with my favorite cartoon”. she asked looking tempted.

“yes, of course”. he replied with a smile

“yeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhh”

as they were blickling and giggling i slipped out of the house, careful not to make a sound. i can't bear the thought of alerting her, she is always very full of energy.

as i closed the front door behind me, i caught the eye of Rolex, Tessa's favorite playmate and my good friend. i gave him a subtle nod, a silent signal that i am leaving.