Chapter 5 I Don't Want to Meet Mama Anymore

"Hopefully, this way will work. That man won't force me again," that's what Maya Lin had in mind. She calmly exhaled. Her body felt comfortable on this soft bed, and most importantly, the constraints that held her were finally gone.

When Maya admitted she was pregnant, Samuel immediately caused a scene at the hospital to verify the truth. Maya Lin was lucky because the doctor there was an acquaintance. "It seems luck is on my side."

"Maya Lin, are you so happy to lie?" Samuel suddenly entered her room.

"Lie about what? Haven't you heard the doctor's explanation about my condition? I'm really pregnant," Maya Lin hid her panic.

"The doctor confessed that you instructed him to make up a story that you're pregnant. I didn't expect you to be so cunning and keep wasting my time," Samuel stared straight at her, his gaze filled with disdain.

"Damn it! How could he betray me like this?" Maya muttered to herself. She paused for a moment, trying to find the correct answer.

While Maya was lost in thought, she was suddenly startled by the handsome man's face right in front of hers. "Samuel, you—"

The man's hands were on either side of Maya's body in a kabedon position. "Maya Lin, you must be thinking of excuses to lie about your pregnancy, right? I helped you spread the rumor that you're carrying my child. Now, you can enjoy acting," a sinister smile played on Samuel Ren's lips.

"You! One problem isn't even solved, and you're adding another one?" Maya yelled in frustration. She held her head. This man really couldn't stop giving her a headache.

"It's your own fault. Who told you to lie? Now, you can never refuse to be with me unless you don't want your career anymore."

Maya clenched her fists. How could things get more complicated? She planned this to escape from this man's coercion. Why did her plan become a double-edged sword, making the bonds that held her even stronger? Still, all the blame rested on Samuel Ren. "You're truly a cunning man!"

"Did you just realize that?" Samuel looked at her nonchalantly. His body began to move away from her. Vibrations filled the silent room. Samuel reached into his pocket.

"Hello, Stelion. Papa can't bring Mama tonight. Papa promises that Mama will be there before you open your eyes in the morning. You have to sleep now."

Maya observed the man speaking on the phone. It had been long since she saw Samuel Ren's warm expression, his voice gentle and full of love and care. "Samuel never showed that expression to me. Only Mathilda and now that girl. Fortunately, my child didn't get to see this look," Maya thought.

Samuel ended the call, his warm and affectionate expression turning cold again. His hateful gaze returned to Maya. "You can rest here for a while. Don't try to escape because it will all be in vain. I've assigned many guards to capture you if you dare to run." The man left after issuing the warning.

Maya couldn't sleep peacefully. She picked up her phone. Regardless, she had to break free from Samuel Ren's influence. Maya Lin's fingers danced on the keyboard, forming a few words.

Maya Lin erased what she had just typed. Her fingers, resting on the keyboard, came to a halt. "No. I need to find a more effective way. Samuel Ren has tarnished my reputation. I'll make everyone see how rotten this man admired by the public of S City truly is."

Maya Lin decided not to send a message to her manager. Instead, she opted to open her social media account. She ignored incoming notifications, believing they were just critical comments. She clicked on her wall to create a status. "Samuel Ren, you will lose your face, and you won't be able to restrain me anymore."

[Good evening. I apologize to my fans who may have been distressed by the rumors circulating about me - Maya Lin. Let me clarify that someone is trying to destroy my reputation. I want to confirm that the child in question is not mine. Indeed, I was once married to Samuel Ren, but we divorced because he left me for my sister, who became his affair. That child is the result of my husband's affair. As a woman, would you accept it? All these pregnancy claims are false. Samuel Ren and I haven't had any relations since our divorce. PS: My cruel ex-husband has confined me to Private Hospital A in S City and threatened me. Please save me.]

Maya Lin pressed the send button. She refreshed her account to see the status she had posted. Strangely, the post didn't appear on her wall. "What's going on? Where's the status I posted?"

Maya retyped the same long message repeatedly, but her posts kept disappearing. "What's wrong with this app? Why can't I? Is there something wrong with my account?"

Maya sighed. I need to stick to my original plan. Her finger pressed the call button on the number at the top of her missed calls.

"Maya Lin, I finally managed to reach you. Why are the rumors escalating, and the pregnancy claim involving Samuel Ren? Do you realize what this could—" Maya Lin cut off her manager's long-winded lecture.

"Manager, I need your help. Please help me spread the word on the company's social media that I..."

The sound of a door opening made Maya Lin panic. If Samuel Ren found out that Maya was contacting someone, she quickly hid her phone as Samuel Ren appeared at the door.

"What are you doing here? I haven't had enough rest. Can you—Samuel, give me back my phone." Maya Lin was surprised by his swift action as he suddenly took her phone. His finger pressed the red button.

"Are you trying to spread slander about me? Acting as if I'm holding you captive? Do you think anyone can set you free? No!" Samuel stared at her sharply, like a ruthless mafia boss belittling his pawn. "You won't be able to post on your social media either because everything is under my control."

"Samuel! Do you think I'm a prisoner behind bars? Not only do you keep that place secure, but you also restrict my communication?" Maya expressed her frustration with a shout.

Maya's phone rang. This time, Samuel turned off his phone. "Maya, I wouldn't do this if you were obedient. Now, it's better to sleep and not cause any trouble because I can monitor every move you make."

"Did you install CCTV cameras?" Maya was shocked. Did this man already know her plans?

"Of course. Did you think I'd leave you unmonitored?"

Samuel threw a document at Maya. "Sign our agreement now! We're also going to register our marriage again."

"I refuse this agreement." Maya tore up the contract paper.

"Maya Lin! Are you testing my patience? Just watch how I make sure you won't be able to restart your career and become the laughingstock of this country," Samuel threatened with a sharp gaze.

Maya Lin began to falter upon hearing the threat, especially when Samuel took her phone and appeared to be typing something.

"Alright, alright, I give in. But I've destroyed the agreement paper. Will you still use it?" Maya reluctantly signed it, her gaze inadvertently fixated on one clause that weighed heavily on her heart. She wanted to break this clause if Samuel didn't keep his promise.

***

"Mama, you've finally come. Do you know I've been waiting for you for so long?" Little Master Stelio hugged the adult woman.

"Don't touch me; you're not my son. Get away from me!" The beautiful woman in silk said coldly, her eyes filled with hatred.

"Mama, please don't hate Stelio. Stelio will grow up to be a good son. Please accept me." Stelio held the woman's hand. Her arms were so soft, but her body was pushed away harder this time.

"Never call me mama!"

Maya stepped away, leaving Little Master Stelio behind. "Mama, please don't leave again. Stelio promises to be obedient. Don't leave, Mama." The boy cried.

His little feet ran to catch up, but the faster he walked, the farther away his mother seemed. His small hand reached out. "Mama, don't go, please!" The little man cried in desperation.

"Little Master!" The nanny called for Stelio.

The little boy woke up from sleep with tears streaming down his cheeks. "Nanny!" Stelio hugged his nanny.

"What's wrong, Little Master? Did you have a bad dream?" The nanny gently wiped the tears from Stelio's eyelids.

"Nanny, I dreamt that Mama didn't want to acknowledge me and looked at me with hatred." Stelio cried in his nanny's embrace.

"Little Master, it was just a dream. No one will reject the cuteness of young master Stelio. Trust me! You will see Mr. and Mrs. shortly, so you should get ready to meet them," the nanny said gently.

"I don't want to meet Mama anymore." Stelio's voice still trembled, and tears lingered.