Chapter 5 – Dessert after supper.

"Congratulations, Miss Parker, you are one month pregnant," the doctor revealed with a smile, causing Iris's face to drain of color.

Her mother, equally caught off guard since Iris claimed to have been forced to take the pills, felt restless.

Iris had always been a good girl. Jacqueline's friends called her lucky for raising such a responsible daughter.

What would they say now? And what about her husband's political career? His opponents would surely use this against him.

Her daughter couldn't lose everything after just one night. Something was wrong, and they needed to find a solution.

"Doctor, is it possible that the result is incorrect? I mean, my daughter isn't interested in men, and she confirmed taking emergency pills," she asked, hoping for a different answer.

The doctor's eyes widened, but he smiled understandingly and patiently explained,

"Oh, Mrs. Parker, this result is accurate. Your daughter may not have a boyfriend, but having unprotected sex even once, for any reason, can result in pregnancy. And emergency pills can fail for various reasons as well."

Iris felt apathetic as she pictured that man's face in her mind again.

While she never wanted to see him again, this seed in her womb would constantly remind her of that regretful morning, since she couldn't remember much about the night.

A tear rolled down her cheek as she stood up and made her way towards the door. She needed to escape before her father found out.

She couldn't bear to face him after refusing to reveal the man's location and identity to him.

Iris had no desire to involve her family in this chaotic situation. She didn't want to burden them with her problems.

Just as she reached for the door knob, it swung open from the outside, causing her heart to skip a beat.

"Dad!" Iris exclaimed, taken aback by her father's unexpected presence at the hospital. Trembling, she asked, "What are you doing here?"

She avoided making eye contact, lowering her head in shame.

"I heard that you weren't feeling well. What did the doctor say?" Her father's caring tone only intensified her guilt.

Her father loved her deeply and had always provided for her, but this revelation could potentially ruin his political career.

That's why Iris had planned to run away.

Her father, Austin, had arrived with his assistant, Adam Sander. They had been together in the office when they received the news of Iris's illness.

Adam, who had secretly been in love with Iris, was equally disturbed by the situation.

However, Iris didn't want to discuss such a sensitive matter in front of an outsider.

She hadn't even intended to tell her father, but rather escape to another state until she gave birth.

Unfortunately, it seemed like that plan was no longer feasible.

I think we should discuss this at home," her mother suggested, desperately trying to buy herself some time to figure out how to break the news to her husband.

She had no idea what her daughter had in mind.

"Why do we have to wait until we're home? Just tell me now," Austin demanded, growing increasingly impatient and disturbed.

They were already in the hospital, and he couldn't bear the suspense any longer. He shot a glare at the doctor, frustrated that both his wife and daughter remained silent.

The doctor felt a sense of fear, knowing that Austin held a powerful position as the County Commissioner at the Poconos. Despite Mrs. Parker's warning gaze, he finally mustered the courage to speak.

"She's pregnant," the doctor announced, his voice trembling.

Adam's face contorted with pain, while Jacqueline stood defensively by her daughter's side.

Iris braced herself for the inevitable wave of chastisement, realizing that there was no escape from the consequences of her actions.

Her father's devastated expression tore at her heart, as she knew she had deeply disappointed him. However, she never expected him to burst into tears.

"You're pregnant? You mean you're carrying my grandchild?" he sobbed, shocking everyone in the room.

Iris was left bewildered, struggling to comprehend what was happening. Tears welled up in her eyes as she choked out her words.

"Dad, I know you're disappointed, but-"

"No. It's a good thing you don't know the father's identity, and it's a good thing he doesn't know about the pregnancy. This child will bear our name," Austin declared, leaving everyone in utter astonishment.

They had anticipated his explosive anger, but instead, he seemed to be softened by a wave of emotion.

Adam couldn't help but feel that his boss had overlooked the potential consequences this child would bring.

"Sir, this could have an impact on your political aspirations and your campaign for mayor," Adam voiced his concern.

Austin appeared visibly saddened by Adam's words, but after a brief moment, a smile crept across his face.

"I understand, but right now, I also want to be a grandparent," he replied.

Adam felt a mix of disappointment and annoyance. He couldn't allow his boss to jeopardize his own career because of an illegitimate child.

"Sir, you're making a mistake. If you want to have both, Iris and I can get married, and the child will have a father. This way, you won't have to sacrifice your political ambitions," Adam suggested, seizing the opportunity to turn the situation around.

Currently, he would be regarded as the savior of everyone for having Iris as his wife.

Given his numerous failed attempts and rejections, there was no other way for Iris to agree to marry him except through this method.

However, would Iris consider marrying a man with whom she felt no connection?

"No, I will never marry you, or anyone," Iris shouted, her anger evident in her voice.

Adam felt a pang of pain but responded impassively, "It's a shame you'll be jeopardizing your father's career. Do you even care about him?"

"It's fine, Adam. I will never force my daughter to marry a man she doesn't want anymore. I just want a grandchild, and since she's pregnant, she's free to live her life as she pleases," Austin defended his daughter, causing all the excuses and defenses his wife had prepared to vanish, leaving her speechless.

"But what about your dreams and aspirations, sir?" Adam asked with genuine concern, concealing the pain he felt from losing this incredible opportunity. Austin explained,

"I need a grandchild, and I'm willing to sacrifice my ambitions for it."

Iris felt a pang in her heart as she realized how much her father had lost because of her.

She knew how much he loved his political role, which made her feel even guiltier. "I'm so sorry, Dad," she said, her voice filled with remorse.

Her father pulled her lovingly into his arms and reassured her, "It's alright. Your mother was right. I've been too hard on you."

Iris managed a smile through her tears, feeling comforted by her father's warmth.

Meanwhile, Adam, who was greatly upset, went unnoticed by everyone else. He silently swore to himself,

"Iris Parker, you shall be mine. Just wait and see."

Eight months later,

Iris was discharged from the hospital after giving birth and had been home for a few days.

As she looked at her babies in their coats, a mixture of sadness and joy washed over her. They slept peacefully, their innocent faces bringing a bittersweet smile to her lips.

Her father had been protective and watchful over his grandchildren, and he asked her,

"What are you going to call them?"

Iris took a moment to compose herself before answering, "Cooper and Curtis."

As she said their names, she couldn't help but break down. She had only just begun researching names for twins after coming home from the hospital, but a certain someone's face kept appearing in her mind.

“Don't cry, Cooper and Curtis are beautiful names," Austin comforted his daughter, understanding that she was going through depression.

Iris smiled bitterly and spoke up, "Dad, I can't keep both of them."

Her father stood frozen, questioning, "Why? Why would you give one of them up for adoption when I'm here?"

Austin wanted to keep both of the twins. He loved them and didn't want to separate from either of them.

However, as Iris explained her reasoning, he began to consider her perspective.

"Dad, they look so much like their father, especially their gray eyes. I want to forget him, but whenever I see them, all the hurtful things he said and did to me come rushing back."

Iris found the courage to share everything about that morning with her parents after her father had accepted her pregnancy.

As a result, her father understood the situation quite well, but he was still saddened.

"So, what do you want to do?" he asked.

Iris had already discussed her plans with her mother and now only needed to convince her father to accept her decision as well.

"I want him to suffer, just like I am suffering," a tear rolled down Iris's cheek as she recalled her statement. "I don’t eat the same food twice. I don’t want you back with a child and claim it to be mine. He will have exactly what he is running away from.”

"And how do you intend to do that?" Austin asked, unsure if he could agree to such a plan. Iris smiled bitterly before explaining her intentions.

***

Garvin, it's been two days since you last ate. You come home late and spend your Fridays at the club, coming back drunk.”

“Your friends have mentioned that your employees are walking on eggshells around you. If you continue to neglect your meals, then you won't be leaving this house," Luna, Garvin's housekeeper, spoke with a mix of seriousness and concern.

Luna, who treated Garvin like a son, was in her early fifties.

Garvin could be distant towards everyone, except Luna. However, when he didn't feel like eating, he didn't want to be forced.

"Luna, I'm not hungry."

"You've been losing weight for the past nine months. You're losing your vitality and becoming less like yourself," the older woman nagged.

"It's nothing. I have to leave now," Garvin tried to walk past her, but she stubbornly blocked his way.

"No, then you'll have to fire me because I won't let you leave on an empty stomach again today."

Garvin felt helpless. He had an early meeting with some CEOs for an important partnership and didn't want to be late, but he also knew that Luna would follow through with her words.

"What am I going to do with you, Luna?"

"If I don't look out for you, then who will?" Luna said sadly before pulling out a chair for him.

She knew how hard Garvin worked, but neglecting himself like this was concerning. He refused to share what was bothering him and always kept it to himself. Luna was deeply disturbed.

Garvin nervously took a few bites of his meal under Luna's intense gaze. Just as he was about to take his third bite, one of the security men burst into the dining room, clearly excited about something.

"Mr. Barret, somebody has brought you a package," the security man exclaimed.

Garvin glanced at the adorable blue basket and furrowed his brow. Did he look like a woman who would receive a package in a basket? He responded coldly,

"A package in a basket? Take it back. I'm not expecting anything, and why would you accept something without informing me first?"

His frustration was already building. The security man was taken aback and turned to leave when Luna intervened.

"Let me see," Luna said, stopping the security man in his tracks.

She took the basket from him, gently placing it on the dining table, and lifted the lid. As she did, her expression changed and her eyes filled with tears.

"It's a baby, and he looks just like you," she said to Garvin.

"Huh?" Garvin nearly dropped his coffee, his eyes darting towards the basket.

He picked up the envelope resting on the beautiful shawl covering the baby and noticed his old shirt neatly folded beside the child.

It was the same shirt the blondie had claimed to have borrowed and refused to return. It had been washed, ironed, and carefully placed next to the baby.

Garvin had never shed a tear in his life, as far back as he could remember, but a warm liquid dropped onto his cheek as he already suspected what was happening.

As he gazed at the slumbering baby, he read the note, “Dessert after supper. I suppose the pills didn't work."

Garvin's words from just over nine months ago echoed in his thoughts. ‘I don’t eat the same food twice.’

Though there was no signature, he already knew it was her. The blonde woman he had been searching for nine months ago. He urgently turned to the security guard and demanded,

"Where is the mother of this child? Bring her here!"