4

When Valeria returned to Markos' room, she was immediately taken to the hospital for a medical checkup by the doctors. “If you are ovulating, we would extract the eggs from your body. Otherwise, we would give you a shot to stimulate ovulation. And that will assure everything including preparing your body for the process.”

"There is no need to worry, Mrs Moreno. This might hurt a little but the child will be healthy, sound and safe." Valeria was consoled by one of the female doctors. Valeria lay on the bed as her heartbeat quickened. "How long will it take to make that happen?"

"It's hard to say. If we're lucky, it would take three to four months maximum. Otherwise, it might take forever," said the doctor. She then paused before adding, " But don’t worry. You're young, so I'm sure this will go smoothly. There is less to worry about. Just eat well and stay healthy.”

Once everything was over, Valeria returned to Markos's mansion. As soon as she reached home, the first thing she did was check up on Markos. ‘Look what am I doing for you. And how carelessly you are ignoring me by not waking up.’ He was lying motionlessly on the bed as usual, and she watched as a servant changed his clothes. 

"When will you wake up?" Valeria sighed. Markos's eyelashes twitched slightly and the servant acted as if nothing had happened. That evening, Valeria came out of the shower, she sat by the bed, took out the new face cream she had bought that day. Completely neglecting that she was naked, the woman massaged it onto her skin.

"Hey, do you want me to put some of this on you? Is this why you are looking at me? The weather has been dry lately, you are right." Valeria said as she walked over to Markos's side. She sat on the edge of the bed, then spread the cream on Markos's face with her fingers. Valeria slowed the caressing and kissed his cheek.

Markos's eyes suddenly shot open, the sparkle in his gaze, shocked Valeria so much that her breathing turned heavy. Her fingers continued to massage his cheeks gently as she mumbled to herself. "I read online the reasons you've never had a girlfriend before. These media people spread rumours for everything. No?” Mumbling to herself she acted like talking to him.

“But I don't think you're that bad! You look great, you have strong arms and these muscular legs. I mean you are handsome though I am not sure about your attitude." Once she was done putting the cream on him, she patted her hands on Markos's arms and legs. Her touch was light enough that it would not hurt him.

“Mm~” However, Markos's response made her eyes widen instantly because she thought she heard the sound of a man's voice. "Was that you, Markos? Did you say something just now? Do it again, please." Valeria exclaimed as she sprung off the bed. Her almond-shaped eyes stared intensely at him.

Markos stared back at her too.

There was something different about his gaze. When he used to open his eyes before, they were lifeless and empty. “Please, do it again. Say something.” This time, the eyes staring at Valeria had emotion in them, even if those emotions bore a hint of anger, hatred, and suspicion. “Oh my goodness!” She yelled and dashed out of  the room.

"Mrs. Stella!" Valeria cried as she rushed downstairs like a crazy hysterical person. "Mrs. Stella, Markos is awake! He just spoke! He's really awake!"

Her cheeks were flushed, her heartbeat was irregular, and her chest rose and fell rapidly. Markos Moreno was awake.

Valeria was sure that he was awake, because he had spoken to her in addition to opening his eyes. They all ran towards the room when Valeria stood beside him. Even though his voice was husky and he spoke slowly, it was threatening. Markos had asked her, "Who are you?" Valeria's mind went blank at that moment but composing herself she ran downstairs.

Everyone around her had told her that he was going to die soon. It was the reason why she had never thought about what she would do if he ever woke up. Mrs. Stella, the doctor, Lars and the bodyguard rushed over upon hearing Valeria's cry. The mansion was filled with people half an hour later.

Everyone was in shock. None of them thought that Markos would ever wake up.

"I knew you would wake up, Markos! My son." Stella exclaimed through tears of happiness. She kept on kissing his face while supporting him to sit up. "It's good that you're awake now, brother." said Henry. "You have no idea how worried all of us were, especially Mother. She was so upset that all of her hair turned gray."

After the doctor was done checking on Markos's condition, he turned to Stella and said, "This truly is a miracle! There were no signs of recovery when I checked on him last time. Now that Mr. Moreno can speak, we just have to follow up with rehabilitation treatment. And he will be back to normal in no time. This indeed is a miracle.”

The good news came so suddenly that Stella could not bear it. Her legs buckled, and she fainted from shock. Henry caught his mother and supported her out of the room. The doctor, Mrs. Stella, and the bodyguard remained in the room while Valeria stood at the door in stunned silence. She was too afraid to enter.

The chilling aura that Markos exuded upon regaining consciousness was terrifying. He sat up with his back against the headboard, and his sharp eyes shot an icy glare at Valeria. "Who is she?" he said in a powerful, deep, and scornful voice. The doctor was so scared that he did not dare to breathe too heavily.

An elderly maid bowed her head and explained, "Master Markos, she is the wife that Madam Stella arranged for you while you were sick. Her name is—" Markos's thin lips parted slightly, and his voice was dull and indifferent as he spoke, "Get her out of here! I don’t want her here.”

Valeria was so startled that she could not help but take a few steps back.

Markos was like a savage beast that had awakened from a deep slumber. There was nothing scary about him when he was asleep. When he was awake, however, there was a menacing air of danger around him.

Mrs. Stella walked out of the room and shut the door.

She saw Valeria—who looked like a deer caught in headlights—and said gently, "Don't be afraid, Madam. Master Markos just woke up, so he might not be able to accept the news yet. Let's get you to the guest room for tonight, and we'll talk in the morning. Madam Stella loves you, so she might just be on your side."

Valeria's mind was in a frenzy. She had thought about how Markos might die any day, but she never thought about the possibility that he might regain consciousness. "Mrs. Stella, my things are still in the room…" Valeria said as she glanced at the door of the master bedroom, hoping to enter and take all of her belongings.

Judging by the vicious glare that Markos had aimed at her earlier, she had a strong feeling that he was not going to accept her as his wife. She needed to be ready to leave the mansion at any time. Mrs. Stella let out a sigh and said, "Let's leave it there for now if it's nothing too important. I'll get it for you tomorrow."

"Okay,. You are right. Thank you for the help." Valeria responded. She might be his wife, but this was their first meeting. It was understandable that he might act hostile toward her. Valeria did not sleep well that night. Her mind was filled with a million chaotic thoughts.