Chapter 1

SARAH'S POV:

As I sat comfortably on the couch in my sitting room, I was completely engrossed in the program being shown on the television. The show was really interesting and I was thoroughly enjoying it. However, all of a sudden, I started experiencing a sharp pain in my stomach. It was completely unexpected and took me by surprise. The pain was so intense that it made me feel quite uncomfortable and uneasy. I couldn't understand what was causing it and I started to worry.

The pain was persistent and did not seem to subside despite the changes I made in my breathing. As I have not experienced anything like this before.

I suddenly started bleeding. I felt helpless, not knowing what was happening to me. I screamed for help, hoping someone would hear me and come to my rescue. Despite calling out several times, it seemed that nobody could hear me. The sound of my voice was the only response I got.

I began to feel weak and dizzy. I know I needed help urgently. When I thought I couldn't hold on any longer, I heard footsteps coming towards me.

It was my daughter Mabel, who had heard my cries for help.

"Mom" she called me, she rushed to my side and tried to lift me, but she couldn't. She now looked confused and scared as she stared at me.

“Mom, wait here am coming,” she said and ran out immediately. Then when she ran out I tried to stand but I couldn't. My eyes felt because I was bleeding profusely on the ground, I can't just tell how I am going to survive it. Then I tried to stand again and saw Mark staring at me. He was just there looking at me without attempting to help as if nothing was going on, how heartless he was. I thought.

As I tried to straighten up my hands to call for him to help me but was held by a hand that drew me backwards… Then I managed to raise my face if I could see the person. It's Brenda.

Brenda expressed her frustration and concern for me. She has urged me severally to leave Mark, whom she deemed wicked and undeserving.

Mark Adrian is my husband and one of the richest CEOs who owns a company.

When I got married to Mark Adrian in exchange for the money my parents owed his father during their business contract before my parents died in a motor accident years ago.

I could do nothing, I had no choice but to give in to the marriage, or my family would become slaves and pay every dime and would be abandoned as well.

Life has been hell staying in his mansion.

According to him, I was a low-life person he couldn't live with. He treats me like trash, he never shows any affection.

I never stepped my feet outside without being surrounded by the guards. Because he thought that I might run out and his money won't be refunded. He visited me on his own time because he gave me my separate room.

I don't feel submissive to him in bed or that might be my end.

He never asked about my feelings, and I had no means to speak to him about it.

Life continued that way, even though I lacked nothing but it was better to be poor and happy.. until I gave birth to my daughter Mabel who is going to clock 8 years next month.

“Are you okay? Sarah. Who did this to you? Why are you bleeding continuously?” Brenda said in anger, but I couldn't answer because I was weak.

"You deserve the best," Brenda emphasised, her tone laced with anger and disappointment and it was evident in her facial expression that she was struggling to control her anger. My situation seemed to have struck a nerve with Brenda, and if given the chance, she might harm Mark.

“Can you walk?” Brenda asked me but this time she was more concerned about me.

“Stand, let's leave, I'll take you to the hospital,” she said to me, believing that I would stand up and follow her.

Mabel was behind me sobbing heavily trying to lift me which she couldn't.

I was already 2 months pregnant, and I didn't want to lose my baby so I had to be strong and pick myself up.

If I'm not fast enough, I might die because of the pain I was passing through and I don't wish for such a thing to happen.

“Follow me!” Brenda said to me and she walked towards me and lifted me.

Mabel, who tried to follow, was stopped by Brenda, she protested but Brenda assured her to take care of me and told her to back off, which she agreed to let go.

As we entered the car, I could see my daughter crying, then she drove off.

We were seated in the waiting room when the doctor arrived in less than ten minutes and called for me walking towards me.

“What happened to her.. the doctor asked.

“I got a call from her daughter telling me that her mom needs medical attention. Then I rushed her here”. Brenda explained. “Nothing bad must happen to her, please.” She pleaded.

“May I ask if you have been battling with any complications before now?” I nodded no.

Then he checked my pulse. “It was weak. But you will be fine”, the doctor said.

I could not alter a word because I was down, I just kept staring at both as they spoke.

“So... what exactly are we going to do?

And is there no medication you can administer for quick recovery?” Brenda asked.

He sighed. “Of course, there is medication.” the doctor said.

He took out a pill bottle from him and requested for a glass of water which one of the nurses handed over to him. He pushed the brim of the cup through my lips, forcing me to gurgle it up.

“You will be fine in no time when you wake up”. The doctor said and took a few steps backward before dashing out.

Then I got myself glued back lying to the bed and then slept off.

……..

As I gradually regained consciousness, a feeling of suffocation overwhelmed me. With great effort, I mustered the strength to open my eyes, I felt relieved that I was in a hospital and then slowly pushed myself up into a seated position. To my surprise, I didn't feel any pain.

The door suddenly burst open, and a man in a white lab coat rushed in. "My dear, how are you feeling?" he asked in a gentle voice.

I scrutinised the man's face; he seemed strange to me.

“How did I get here?” I asked him.

He sighed deeply. “Your friend drove you to this hospital”.

That was when I recalled everything that had happened. “Brenda,” I bit my lower lips.

“Oh shit!” I rubbed my stomach and I raised my face, and I took a glance at the doctor. “What about my baby's condition? I hope nothing has happened to him”, hoping for a positive response.

“The baby had not survived”. The doctor replied.