Chapter 5

The following morning, Velma woke up with a start. Remembering what has transpired since she gave birth until now, she felt a headache.

When she was pregnant, her father had tried his best to block all the news concerning her. She also stopped going to the company.

Her father told her colleagues that she had fallen sick and had gone overseas to recuperate.

Thinking about her father, Velma's heart hurt so much that she could not even breath. Will he ever forgive her. Her father had been looking forward to the coming of his grandson, she did not expect that something like that could happen.

Suddenly the door was pushed open. Albert walked in the room wearing a plain t-shirt and loose pyjamas. It seemed like he was not going to work today.

"You are awake." His face bloomed with a happy smile when he saw Velma.

Velma looked at him and said nothing. She only cared about her baby and if he was okay.

"Where is my baby. I want to see him." Velma said.

"Your baby is alright. You should wash up and then I will take you to him." Albert said.

He moved forward and touched her forehead, seeing that her fever was gone he let out a relieved sigh. She suddenly developed a high fever yesterday at night and he was worried that it might be dangerous to her health. Knowing that the fever was gone, he was assured.

Seeing him come close and touch her forehead, Velma shrunk in the covers.

"What are you doing." She asked, her voice panicking.

"I'm just checking if your fever is gone. You suddenly developed a high fever of 41°C and I was worried. But it is gone. You should clean up and come out." Albert said and turned around to leave the room.

Velma looked at his lonely straight back and had a strange feeling in her heart.

When she tried to stand up, she suddenly realised that her body was very sticky and even the clothes were sticking on her body as if they soaked. She felt embarrassed thinking that Albert had seen her in that state. She wondered how long she had been sleeping.

She hurried to the bathroom to take a bath.

Soaking in the lukewarm water in the bathtub, Velma sudenly felt alive.

...

Martin had been in bad mood for the past few days and spent almost all his time drinking. He did not even care about the company and had not been seen for several days.

He had not even contacted Velma and he did not know how she was doing out there with a new born baby.

He felt terrible thinking about what his late wife had done to him. He could only drown himself in alcohol.

"Why are punishing yourself because of unimportant people?" Susan's displeased voice was heard the moment Martin opened the door his whole body reeking of alcohol. 

"She betrayed you first. Why would you punish yourself because of her. Shouldn't you be strong so that whenever she is, she can feel ashamed of herself. You have already abandoned her daughter. What else are you afraid of? Wake up stop wasting your time and start building yourself up." Susan said as she supported him to the sofa.

But Martin pushed her away with disdain.

"What do you know about Christine? I know she had her own reasons. She will never betray me." Martin murmured in his drunken stupor.

"Stop fooling yourself Martin. Velma is there, proving that your wife betrayed you. She gave birth to child for another man. Don't you see that? Stop brainwashing yourself. It will be of no use." Susan shouted angrily. 

Only she knew how she had endured all this time. Since they registered their marriage, Martin had never touched her. To be precise they slept in separate rooms. 

Martin said that he will never betray his dead wife by sleeping with another woman. The far he could go was get a marriage certificate.

To him, Susan was more of a nanny than a wife. He had said that no one will be able to replace his dead wife.

He only married Susan because she slightly resembled Christine. The resemblance was not obvious but to Martin, it was like his wife had come back to life. That is why he agreed to marry Susan in the first place.

Susan was tired by being a substitute and really wanted to end this marriage, but thinking of the order from her master, she could only restrain herself and endure the humiliation.

"Chris...ti...ne..." Martin called out painfully and fainted.

Susan sneered in her heart and helped him to the masters bedroom.

This was her second time coming to this bedroom. The first time after their marriage, Martin almost strangled her to death when he found her sleeping in the bed.

**Flashback**

"What are you doing here?" Martin asked angrily as he approached the bed.

"We are married, aren't we supposed to stay in the same room." Susan said, not understanding what she had done wrong.

"Who said that you could step into this bedroom. You have no right to do that. This is mine and Christine's room, no one is allowed to enter." Martin roared at her.

"From now on, you will staying in the guest room. Just take care of my daughter well and I will not treat you bad."

Her face was streamed with tears as she left the room but Martin did not show any mercy.

***

Coming back in this room for the second time, she felt sentimental and did not know what to do.

But remembering the humiliation she had suffered, she just wanted to stuff Martin on the bed and leave immediately.

After walking him to bed, Susan helped him to remove his shoes and tucked him in the covers.

She turned around intending to leave but Martin immediately hold her hand.

"Christine... don't leave okay. I don't care as long as you are with me. I don't even care about Velma, please come back to me."

Susan turned stiff. He has still mistaken her for Christine, when will he ever stop to treat her like a substitute?

Susan turned around stiffly and tried to pry her hand from Martin's strong grip.

"I'm not Christine. I think you had too much to drink. You should rest." Susan said through gritted teeth.

"Christine, why did you do that to me?" 

Before Susan could react, she was flung on the bed and fell directly in Martin's chest. He kissed her with hunger. She did not have time to react before her clothes were torn open.