"Well,” Maya said, " if you think that's the best thing to do, then go ahead and do so since the whole thing centered on her.”With newfound determination, Darien left for Jeri's mansion after a long discussion with Maya.Perhaps the truth would change everything. Who knows?Darien arrived at Jeri's mansion a few minutes later, his heart pounding. One of the gatekeepers led Darien to the garden where Jeri was having fun with her son. "Jeri," Darien said, his voice barely above a whisper.Upon hearing her name, Jeri swiftly turned, her eyes narrowing. She was taken aback when her eyes fell on Darien."What is it, Darien?" Jeri asked, her brows furrowed.Darien stood dumbfounded as though he didn't hear her. Unfortunately, his attention was carried away by the little child who was busy playing with a ball.When Jeri noticed that, she became uncomfortable so she decided to ask her child to go into the house and he did.Dawson ran past Darien without greeting him. Probably because he did
The only sound in the dimly lit hospital room was the heart monitor's constant beep; the air was thick with the antiseptic smell of disinfectant. The bright daylight was fading into thick darkness, and Jeri's dreams were becoming increasingly blurry with each passing second, as she lay on the hospital bed, her pale face twisted in agony. Her abdomen ached, her insides feeling like they were being torn apart. Perhaps this would be her last day on Earth. Who knows? “No…please.” grappling the sheets tightly, Jeri cursed amidst the torment as tears continued welling down her eyes and soaked the bed. She tried to call for help, but her voice was thin and barely audible. “You're finally getting what you deserve.” A chilly expression graced the face of Jeri's stepmother, who was sitting in a chair next to the bed. She made no attempt to assist the 21-year-old pale pregnant woman who was in anguish. Well, she can't be blamed because her barren life never permitted her to experi
A few minutes later, a doctor, who will deliver the infant, a labor nurse, who will coach the pushing while monitoring the baby's progress, and one more nurse entered the room. One of the nurses held a delivery tray containing gloves, scissors, artery forceps, cord clamp, sponge-holding forceps, a urinary catheter, a bowl for antiseptic lotion, a gauze piece, and some other surgical equipment. When they approached Jeri, who was lifeless on the bed, the doctor turned to Margaret and announced. “Sorry, madam. Please excuse us while we perform her operation, okay?" Dr. Eric spoke calmly but eagerly, hoping to save both Jeri and the baby. Margaret chuckled and said nothing, instead taking her daughter's hand and exiting the room, leaving the medical staff to their duties. As they walked away, their only wish was that Jeri and her innocent child would not survive the surgery. As soon as they found themselves in the hallway, they spotted an average height man who was coming their dir
“I need to speak with my daughter,” Mr. Hemsworth told Dr. Eric, clenching his fist furiously. The doctor nodded, turning around, and leading them into the operating room without giving a second thought. They found themselves staring at Jeri, who was lying in a pool of her blood on the sick bed. When Mr. Hemsworth's gaze fell on Jeri, whom he had been claiming for years as his biological daughter when she was not, he cursed the day he married his ex-wife. "Sir, she is gradually dying. We must act quickly to prevent her death, which would not only be tragic for the family but also for her defenseless newborn child.” The father of the patient was notified by one of the nurses who was with Jeri. Suppressing his tears, Mr. Hemsworth dragged his legs to the sick bed where Jeri was lying, his anger boiling inside of him. As her father approached her, she assumed her father was sad because of her condition, unaware that it was something more heartbreaking than what she was going throu
At that moment, Jeri persuaded herself that everyone on Earth, including heaven and earth's inhabitants, detested her. Not even the rain shows her love or sympathy. Her only hope for survival was the streetlights that illuminated the deserted streets; everything else was dark. Pulling the blanket over her infant, she wondered where she would find safety. She was drenched to the bone and her infant was wailing in her arms in a matter of minutes. Although she was wet, her baby was not because she did everything she could to keep the rain from touching him. The cold weather was only the child's challenge. She surveyed her surroundings, but she could not find any cover. As fate has it, a stranger came into view just when she was about to lose hope. Jeri started to back away in terror, convincing herself that the man was not there to rescue her but rather to hurt her. Maybe her stepmother sent him to get rid of her. Who knows? The man had an umbrella slung over his head and was d
Darien supplied all they needed, so Jeri was able to take a shower in the guest room and make sure her child was clean as well. She quickly changed into her new dress that Darien had purchased after taking a shower. After dressing her baby, she sat on the edge of the bed and gazed at him in admiration. The infant fell back asleep shortly after his mother breastfed him. “I love you my hero,” Jeri shut her eyes and kissed the infant on the forehead. "You do not need to worry because Mom is here for you. I will do everything in my power to help you succeed as a man. That's a promise from me.” Jeri's eyes were filled with genuine motherly love as she mumbled a few words to her child. Although he was the reason she was going through this hell presently, she still feels blessed. Thousands of married women out there have been seeking this same blessing but they haven't gotten. But here she's carrying a baby when she's yet to marry. Well, having him also brought light to her life. Becaus
Jeri attempted to clean the blood stains on the floor before beginning the treatment, but Darien objected. “I will not sit here and watch you do that, Jeri. You have nothing to worry about. I will clean it myself. All you need to do now is go sit down and get your treatment, okay?” Darien informed her. “No, Darien. I'm the woman here. So it is my responsibility to clean. Besides, I was the one who stained the place, so…” “I am not sure who said cleaning is only for women,” Darien interrupted. “If I could clean the spot you stained before leaving to shower, why can't I do the same with this small drop on the floor? As I previously stated, you will not be responsible for cleaning or cooking as long as you live in this house. I am going to do it myself.” Jeri was unable to speak further; instead, she smiled as she stared at Darien. 'He is such a caring man,' she reflected internally. “I know, right?” Darien chuckled, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. “Huh?” her mouth wi
“Is… Is this you?” she inquired, her voice barely audible. "Oh, of course I am. Are you surprised?” Darien inquired, an evil smile on his face, as he tried to close the gap between them. Jeri took a few steps backwards, clutching her child tightly to her chest, ready to protect him from harm. Darien paused a few steps away from her when he realized her back was already against the wall. He stood with his arms wrapped above his chest, staring at Jeri, who wished the world would open and swallow her up. Just then, a lady emerged behind Darien from the darkness. The lady was tall and slender. She wore a long black gown. Her hair was dark and glossy, and her eyes were a striking blue. She stood between Darien and Jeri, a smirk on her face. She looked at Jeri from head to toe with disdain. “Who are you?” Jeri inquired, her voice trembling. “I am here to save you, Jeri, but there is a cost to pay before you can be saved,” the lady explained. Jeri was perplexed and could not c
"Well,” Maya said, " if you think that's the best thing to do, then go ahead and do so since the whole thing centered on her.”With newfound determination, Darien left for Jeri's mansion after a long discussion with Maya.Perhaps the truth would change everything. Who knows?Darien arrived at Jeri's mansion a few minutes later, his heart pounding. One of the gatekeepers led Darien to the garden where Jeri was having fun with her son. "Jeri," Darien said, his voice barely above a whisper.Upon hearing her name, Jeri swiftly turned, her eyes narrowing. She was taken aback when her eyes fell on Darien."What is it, Darien?" Jeri asked, her brows furrowed.Darien stood dumbfounded as though he didn't hear her. Unfortunately, his attention was carried away by the little child who was busy playing with a ball.When Jeri noticed that, she became uncomfortable so she decided to ask her child to go into the house and he did.Dawson ran past Darien without greeting him. Probably because he did
Ever since Darien got the text, he became restless to the point of refusing to eat his dinner.He was eager to meet this unknown person to know who the person is and what the person wants.When it was almost midnight, Darien took with him three guards and exited the mansion without telling his father or grandfather.Within a few minutes of driving in the almost empty road, he arrived at the old warehouse, his heart racing with anticipation and fear. The text had been cryptic, but the threat to Jeri's life was clear.Since he was asked to come alone, he asked his guards to wait for him from a far distance from the old warehouse.As Darien stepped out of the shadows, a figure emerged, causing him to flinch in fear."Who are you?" Darien demanded out of fear.The figure revealed a woman with piercing green eyes and raven-black hair."I'm Maya," she said. "I've been tracking Adrian's operations for months.""Huh?” Darien's eyes narrowed."What do you want?"Instead of responding to his que
Darien began to pace around in the garden, wondering what to do. It was as if his head were going to explode for trying so hard to figure out what to do next.“I need to act fast. I can't sit back and watch them hurt Jeri. Not now," Darien said to himself with determination.At last, he retreated to the living room after giving it much thought.As he re-entered the mansion, he heard his grandfather speaking."Jeri, dear," Dr. Williams said, his voice soft, "I know my family has wronged you. But Darien has changed. He's trying to make amends. And as his grandfather, I will beg you on his behalf to please forgive him even though he deserves to face the consequences of his actions. He was still a kid that time when it happened and probably his father was afraid to lose his son that was why they kept it hidden. Please have mercy on them, Jeri."As Dr. Williams' words pierced into her ears Jeri's gaze wavered. Her plan was to get Darien and his father arrested, and not to forgive them. Now
The mansion felt empty, the tension filled the air with Mrs. Lucinda's departure. Jeri's emotions swirled, relief and sadness mixed.As they exchanged glances, Sophia broke the silence. "It's time to start healing.""And seeking justice.” Freya chuckled.Just then, Darien approached Jeri, his eyes sincere, as he was eager to seek her forgiveness."Jeri," he began,“ I know I can never undo the harm I've caused. If only you could forgive me, I would be the happiest man on earth presently. Not only that, I would be able to help you as well.""Help me?” Jeri's gaze hardened, her voice icy. “ You're the reason I've suffered. In fact, I'm still suffering because without my mother, I'm just like an orphan.""I know,” said Darien as he took a step closer, his gaze full of regret. “But I'm willing to make amends. Let me help you fight those who've wronged you.""You think you can just waltz in and fix everything?” Jeri scoffed. " My mother's dead because of you."Darien's face contorted in ang
"Huh?” Jeri gasped, her eyes narrowed as she tried to digest the whole thing."So you were the one who ruined my life from day one?" Jeri's eyes blazed as she spoke to Darien. Jeri glared at Darien as if she should strangle him to death. He killed her mother. As if that weren't enough he ruined her life by impregnating her."Jeri, I…" Darien continued, but Jeri cut him off."Shut up! You have no right to speak," Jeri spat, her voice venomous.The tears she had been suppressing for a long time finally escaped her eyes, and streamed down her cheeks.She came to seek justice for her dead mother and also to expose Mrs. Lucinda's sinister plans and now this. Jeri's world crumbled right before her as she was still finding it challenging to believe Freya's words.Upon seeing how heartbroken Jeri was, Sophia stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Jeri's shoulder as she attempted to comfort her."Jeri, let's think this through," said Sophia as she gently rubbed Jeri's shoulder with her thu
Darien's face paled, his eyes filling with a mix of shock and guilt. At last, Freya exposed the secret they have been hiding for decades.Mr. Ethan's eyes widened in astonishment, wondering what Jeri was talking about. He wasn't aware that the woman his son stabbed to death in his office was Jeri's mother.“What…what are you talking about, Jeri?” Mr. Ethan inquired, his gaze shifting from his son to Jeri. "Oh please, don't pretend as if you can't recall how your son murdered my mother in your office many years ago,” she growled in response, her fist tightened.Just after Jeri said that, it dawned on him that the woman was indeed Jeri's mother who had no one to look for her after her death.Mr. Ethan averted his gaze away from Jeri to Darien. He couldn't believe his ears. Never has he for once thought that this thing will come up in the future. Mrs. Lucinda, on the flip side, couldn't say anything, rather she froze in place staring at everyone with skeptical brows. She was just imagi
“What?" Darien gasped, his eyes shifting from the old man to his father. “ What did I just hear you call him, father?" “You heard him well, Darien," Dr. Williams cut in, causing Darien to avert his gaze away from his father to Dr. Williams.“Dr. Williams,” Darien called, still trying to comprehend what was happening. " I have been searching for you. You were nowhere to be found a few months after Jeri had left this city. I thought she came back and took you away demanding that you saved her life. I was astonished when she came to my office asking me about you. Where have you been all this while? And why is my father addressing you like that?”"How many times do you need to be told that Dr. Williams is your grandfather?” Jeri snapped."Zip your mouth, Jeri. I wasn't talking to you,” Darien countered, his brows drawn together.“What Jeri said is nothing but the truth, Darien," Dr. Williams responded, walking past Darien, his hands tucked behind him.“Huh?” Darien gasped. He curiously i
As soon as they set eyes on Jeri, they were taken aback, wondering how she was permitted into the house without their permission They exchanged glances, wondering if Jeri had come with the police to arrest Darien or something different. Just as Mrs. Lucinda was about to question how she came into the house without their permission, Jeri stepped into the lounge and Aysel followed.Immediately Mrs. Lucinda set eyes on her daughter, she quickly swallowed her words, convincing herself that she had access into the house through Aysel.Upon realizing this, it fueled Mrs. Lucinda's hatred for Aysel.After Jeri and Aysel stepped forward, Freya and Sophia followed. Their faces were holding no traces of smile, causing Darien and his parents to ask themselves what exactly the ladies were there to seek.Jeri's eyes blazed as she stepped forward. "We know what you're planning, Mrs. Lucinda. And we won't let you get away with it.""I have no idea what you're talking about," Mrs. Lucinda snapped,
“What's wrong, son?" Mrs. Lucinda asked as she sat beside her son on the couch.Darien, whose face was clouded with anger, hastily stood up, avoiding his mother's touch.“Tell me, is it true?" Darien asked, his arms folded above his chest, and his back against his mother's gaze.Mrs. Lucinda was confused as she couldn't comprehend what her son was talking about.“What exactly are you talking about, son?" Mrs. Lucinda stood up and asked with skepticism.Darien turned around and faced his mother. They locked eyes as though they were about to wrestle.Although Darien didn't believe what Jeri and the other girls were saying about his mother, he felt it best to ask his mother a few questions to be on the safer side.Again, the evidence provided by the girls triggered him to believe them a little. He wasn't ready to fully trust them as he was well aware that Jeri was determined to get back at him because of what happ