Chapter 4

When Martin reached home, he went directly to his bedroom, opened the drawer beside his bed and took out some stuff. 

Those stuffs belonged to his dead wife that is Velma's mom and he treasured them like they were some priceless treasures.

When he met Velma's mother, he had just graduated from college and was struggling to start his own business. He was not from a rich a family where children could just inherit their family business after they came of age.

He started from the scratch and build his way up to where he was today.

Velma's mother, Christine was good at designing jewelry and when they met, she suggested to Martin that they start a jewelry company and she will be the chief designer  and she will also teach people so that when she was not around, they will keep the company going.

Since both of them liked each other at first sight, they did not waste time and immediately registered their marriage. Their relationship was great from the very first time and they had a great chemistry. 

Under Martin's guidance and Christine's brilliant design, their company was soon a listed company. It bloomed at a faster rate and soon attracted a lot of investors.

Christine often disappeared from time to time but Martin was never worried. She always told him that it was the nature of her work and he absolutely trusted her.

One time she disappeared and came back three months later and said that she was pregnant. Counting from the time she had disappeared and the period of her pregnancy, Martin was immediately excited. During the remaining six months, Christine did not go anywhere and stayed at home to take care of her pregnancy.

Martin was so happy that he could not ask for more.

Days went by. And month after month passed. It was her due date and Martin took her to the hospital. She delivered a baby girl whom Martin fell in love with at first sight.

But five years later, Christine was involved in a car accident. Martin went to find her body but it was nowhere to be seen. He became suspicious and started to investigate but up until now he has come up with nothing.

Coming back from his distant memories, Martin gave a painful laugh as he let tears roll down his cheeks.

"I thought that you were a goddess. I never asked anything concerning your work or your family. I trusted you wholeheartedly and did not care what you did. But what did you give me in return. How could you be this cruel to me?" Martin cried as he stared at the photo in his hands.

"I loved you. I did everything so I could not let you down, but you still made a fool out of me? Why Christine... why?" Martin could not control his emotions and sobbed thoroughly.

After a considerable amount of time... Martin stood up, took all the things that belonged to his dead wife and went to burn them.

After burning them to ashes, he locked himself in the study room and smoked cigarette after cigarette. 

***

When Velma opened her eyes, she found herself lying in huge king-sized bed. Several machines were connected to her body. 

She was startled and tried to wake up. The noise from her side woke up the man who has been napping on the chair beside the bed.

"You are up?" Albert opened his eyes and asked gently.

When Velma heard someone speaking beside her bed, she immediately looked over. She was shocked to see Albert staring at her with a gentle light.

"Where am I and where is my baby?" Velma asked. You could see in her eyes that she was panicked.

"You are in my house and your baby is safe. You needed immediate medical attention. How could you be so careless. You had just given birth but you were out there standing in the cold." Albert said. Although he was angry, he could not bring himself to scold her.

Velma instantly felt wronged when she heard Albert's accusing tone.

"Do you I think I wanted to be on the street? If I had somewhere to go, I would have gone already. Who are you to find fault in me? Do you think that I don't care about my baby?" Velma said as she cried sadly.

She has not come over the fact that her father had abandoned her mercilessly. How could she face another accusation.

"Thank you for your help. I will leave with my baby so we that we don't become a burden to you. I will be sure to repay your kindness one day." Velma said as she tried to get off the bed.

Albert moved closer to her and held her.

"I did not say you can leave. And I'm sorry I did not mean to frighten or accuse you of anything. I'm just worried about. You suddenly fainted and I did not know that you had just given birth. The birth was a little weak and the doctors are taking care of him. Rest well we will talk after you have recovered." Albert said gently as he tucked her in bed.

"I will call the doctors to come and check on you. Don't move around. I mean no harm." Albert said and called the doctor over.

"Please don't take my baby away from me. He is the only family I have left. Please." Velma cried as she clutched Albert's hand tightly.

Albert stiffened. Did he look like someone who could kidnap a baby? Although he wanted to, but the prerequisite was that they had to be both mother and son. He cannot let her escape again.

 "Rest assured I will not harm your baby. I just want to confirm somethings with you once you get better. I have been looking for you all this while just to take responsibility and not to harm you." 

Remembering that night, Albert's body was uncomfortable. 

He had dreamed different scenarios if them meeting, but none of what happened was in his mind.

He missed her body so much that he did not even want to look at other women.

When the doctor came, Albert left them to do their job and went to his study, followed by his assistant.

"Go to the city hospital and get me the details of Velma and investigate everything that happened. In detail. Do not leave anything out." Albert instructed.

He then went to see his son who was sleeping peacefully in the nursery.

Looking at the little guy, Albert eyes softened. He had never thought that he will a father the moment he returned. Although the feeling was new, he wanted to cherish every moment of it.