Chapter Two

The next morning, Valerie got up very early to prepare breakfast for Ryan she also wanted to tell Ryan about the baby even though Ryan ruined the anniversary the previous day, this baby was a source of joy to her and he couldn't take this one from her.

She quickly made breakfast and set the table for him, he then came downstairs and saw the table set for him.

“I won't be having breakfast, I'm going on a work trip and it's for a week , I've instructed Candice my personal assistant to send you your monthly allowance, so don't call my phone because I will be very busy and I do not want distractions”. Ryan said.

valerie wondered why he hadn't mentioned this work trip before now and her face fell as she wanted to tell Ryan the news of her pregnancy that morning but It did not look like this was a good time to bring it up.

“Alright then”. Valerie said. “I'll help you pack a suitcase, but there is something very important I need to tell you about, I promise it wont take long……”.she started.

“Are you dying of some sort of terminal illness?”. Ryan asked.

“No, but…..”. Valerie started but Ryan cut her off.

“ Then I'm sure it can wait till I get back from my trip”. Ryan said.

Defeated, Valerie went upstairs to pack Ryans's suitcase for his work trip since there was no help at home.

When she entered the room she began to pick out his shirts and started laying them on the bed when her eyes caught a piece of paper sticking out from one of the bedside drawers. Curious, Valerie picked it up and opened it, it was an invoice. Ryan had booked a resort for him and a lady, Susan.

filled with anger and jealousy, Valerie took the paper to him and asked him what kind of a work trip took place at a resort and why he was going with Susan instead of his personal assistant Candice.

“Susan is my partner on the trip, even though it is none of your business. It is a work trip and susan is going to be of great help to me, what do you know about the corporate world ?”. Ryan flared.

“I only asked because it shows that you're going to a resort and that's not an ideal place for a work meeting”. Valerie defended.

“Keep your opinions or questions to yourself and focus on the house where you belong and do not disturb me, now go and pack my suitcase or do you want to keep staring at me like a lost puppy”.ryan asked.

Teary, Valerie went back upstairs and finished packing Ryan's things for the trip and brought the suitcase downstairs and he left without even saying goodbye.

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After Ryan leaves Valerie gets ready and goes to the doctors office and she meets Dr Kelvin. She goes for an ultrasound and other series of tests and is now seated in the doctor's office to hear the results of the tests.

“Good afternoon Mrs Hawkins, how are you and the baby doing today ?”. The doctor asked.

“ I'm fine doctor and so is the baby”. Valerie replied.

The doctor then brings out the result from a brown envelope and opens it. He then goes through it before he faces Valerie.

“Mrs Hawkins as it is the baby is perfectly fine for now”. The doctor then pauses before he continues “You see, this your pregnancy is a high-risk one”.

“ what do you mean? By high-risk doctor?”, Valerie asks.

“ What I mean is that during the course of this pregnancy, you have to take very good care of yourself and the baby and avoid as much stress as you can, from the results here you have pre-eclampsia and that is potentially dangerous for you and the baby, it is a potentially dangerous pregnancy complication characterised by high blood pressure. Pre-eclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a woman whose blood pressure had been normal. It can lead to serious, even fatal, complications for both mother and baby”.The doctor explained.

Valerie was already worried.

The doctor continued. “I'll advise you to talk to your husband about the recent development so he can also assist where necessary to take pressure away from you so you can rest adequately, also on your way out visit the nutritionist to collect your meal plan, I'll advise you strictly follow it and also do not forget to take your medication, that will be all Mrs Hawkins, have a lovely day.”.

“Thank you, doctor”. Valerie replied and left the office, she then collected the meal plan from the Nutritionist before heading home.

She was about to call Ryan when she remembered him strictly warning her not to call him or disturb him, she then decided to wait till he returned.

When Valerie returned home she showered and saw four missed calls from her mother. so she called her back.

“Hey mum how are you doing ?”. Valerie asked.

“ Hey Val, I'm fine. How are you and the baby doing ?”. Her mum asked.

“ We are fine I guess”. Valerie replied.

“So, have you told your husband the good news?”. Her mum asked.

“Not yet mum. I don't even know how to bring it up honestly, I don't think Ryan wants this marriage, its like everything that has to do with me disgusts him, I'm tired mum”. Valerie laments.

“My dear, try not to forget that marriage is for better or worse, I know things may not look too good at the moment but I believeyou will find a way to sort it out, you have to be patient with him and you know that it is for better for worse. If you leave this marriage our company's stock will crash and don't forget there is now a baby in the picture how will you raise this child without Ryan's help?”. Her mother explained.

“ I know mum, Ryan wouldn't even let me get a job so I don't have anything to fall back on. No savings or investments, he gives me just enough for my daily needs”. Valerie said, hoping her mother will understand.

“I understand Val, but we have to be very careful I don't want what happened to me to repeat itself again to you you didn't grow up with your dad in your life and I struggled taking care of you so please think of the baby, I know Ryan will come around very soon”. Her mother pleaded.

Defeated, Valerie knew there wasn't much she could do.

“I'll be alright mum, bye”.

She ended the call, she had to be strong for the baby and she didn't want her baby to grow up without a father so she decided to tell Ryan the news immediately after he got back whether he was in a good mood or not.

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A week later Ryan returned from his trip and entered the kitchen to get water when Valerie follows him to the kitchen. She was ready to tell him the news of her pregnancy.

“ Ryan I need to tell you something”. Valerie said.

Annoyed, Ryan replied. “Cant it wait as you can see I just got back from a trip and I need to….”.

“I'm pregnant”. Valerie dropped.