The big reveal

CHAPTER ONE

STEVE'S POV

"Now that your father has finally decided that it's time to retire and hand over the company to you, don't you think it's proper that you and your wife start making plans to give the Williams family an heir at least your father and I can rest easy," my mother said for the umpteenth time

Trust my mother to bring up this kind of topic at such a time, she just couldn't let my wife be, I wish I had the liberty to move out, I would not have stayed because my mother had proven to be a thorn in my marriage.

For a little context, my mother never liked Diana right from the first day I introduced her as my girlfriend for reasons best known to her. She made every effort to make sure the wedding didn't hold but it was either Diana or no one else.

Today, my father called for this family dinner, my Sister Stella and her husband Nathan were invited, he had announced his intentions to retire hence handing over to me.

My father was diagnosed with hypertension Five years ago on his 65th birthday when he collapsed, he had been managing himself through drugs but his doctor advised that he take more time off work to manage his health properly hence his decision to retire.

On that note, he picked me to take over from him while Nathan filled in my position. So I was pissed that my mother would bring up such a sensitive topic at a gathering such as this. Normally she refrains from making obvious hints such as this in the presence of my father but today she went all out.

This issue of childlessness has been giving my wife sleepless nights, she has on several occasions dragged me with her to hospitals for a series of tests only for the result to come back the same. I was fine and so was she. We just had to keep trying, but my mum wouldn't let us have little peace of mind

"Unless she doesn't have what it takes to carry a child" she added

I could see the tears rolling from my wife's eyes as she ran out of the dining and headed for the stairs.

"Satisfied?" I asked my mother and glanced around the table expecting my father, sister, and brother-in-law to say something but nothing came from them

"What was I expecting, you all would not say anything to Mother Dearest" Despite saying this none of them raised an eyebrow, they all focused on their food like nothing had just happened.

Why wasn't I surprised? So typical of them.

"Excuse me!!" I murmured while dragging my chair back, I stood up and headed upstairs

Before I could reach the last floor, I heard my mother's voice echo

"Do not take one more step, Steve".

My mother's voice always came with authority, I knew this tone too well and I knew better not to disobey her, I turned to face her, she was a few stairs below me

"what is it, mother? Haven't you done enough?"

"If saving my son is a crime then I am guilty," she said almost in a whisper

"Saving me from what?" I almost shouted

"You wouldn't want your father overhearing us so I suggest you keep your voice down and follow me to my study, we need to talk"

Without a second glance at me, she turned and headed for her study which was on the first floor, my wife and I Stayed on the second floor which happened to be the last floor, we had four rooms on each floor.

She walked to the last room by the left which happened to be her study, I watched her unlock it and we entered, she walked to her seat, picked up a brown envelope from her desk, and stretched it towards me

"What is this" I asked taking the file from her and going through it. I couldn't believe my eyes I looked at my mum who was already seated in her chair with a smirk plastered across her face

"This is bullshit, you made this up, I know you don't like my wife but for you, this is another level of low mum!!" I said trying to control my anger

"I knew you would defend her, feel free to take it to her for verification. Your lovely wife has Asherman Syndrome from a D&C she had 10 years ago. She knew all along that she was the reason for your condition yet she kept it from you, what kind of a wife is she?"

She said still very much relaxed and confident which scared me.

"But we went for several tests, and the doctors certified us healthy," I said almost in a whisper.

"The question should be whose doctors? Does she and Catherine pay to fake the results? It's obvious you do not know who you got married to, I warned you not to marry her, I told you something was fishy about her and her mother but the stubbornness you inherited from your father would not let you see clearly!" she concluded now standing up and moving towards me.

"Does father know?" I asked calmly as anger brewed in my heart

"Do you think he would agree to retire and leave the company to you if he knew your wife was barren?" she asked shaking her head and walking out

I stormed out of the office and headed for my room in full rage with the paper in my hand. As I swung the door open I saw Diana crawl up on the bed in a fetal position shedding crocodile tears, as she saw me enter she lifted her face and I could see her eyes were red but I didn't care

"Care to explain this?" I flung the paper to her which landed on the floor next to her, she stood up and picked it up, and looking at it I saw her eyes widen

"Baby, I can explain," she said cleaning her eyes with the back of her palm

"Explain?" I chuckled " What do you want to say? That you aborted my child all those years ago which led to this complication or that you kept me totally in the dark? Come to think of it Was that child even mine?" I screamed like a maniac, clenching my fists, we  had the entire floor to ourselves so I wasn't bothered about someone listening in.

"No. Let me explain, please Steve" she said crying loudly

"You have nothing to explain. You disgust me." I told her, my face void of any kind of emotions and walked out of the room, slamming the door

I hurried downstairs, as I got to the dining door I glanced inside and was crushed to see that everyone was still seated and interacting cheerfully, my anger intensified as I walked right past them.

I picked up the first car key within my reach once in the garage and pressed the open button to see which one it was for and the rear lights to the Porsche blinked, I walked up to the car got in, and drove off.