Chapter 4

" In other to make Desmond to be normal again, I had to come and replace his dead sister. That's the reason you see me living here.

He was given some drugs to take so that it will also help his situation, but some times he doesn't take it that's why we're worried about him. Sparkle concluded.

I heaved a sigh of relief, as I watched her leave me in tears. " Till death do us apart" I said in tears. 

The next month was planned for the grand opening of the lost son. I was having mixed feelings because on one hand I was happy that someone was coming to live with us and on the other hand, I was so scared due to the way my husband has been acting lately. I never allowed his attitude to bother me much because i expected that from him. 

The long awaited day finally came, the decorations were so beautiful, everywhere smelt like a heaven. At exactly 7pm, everyone was sitted for the event to begin. We sat at the front, so i had a full glance of everything. After a brief introduction and recognition of some dignitaries in our midst, Dad was invited to the stage so that he can give a short speech, after which he will reveal the face of his lost son to us. 

" There is no limit to the joy anyone will have when he or she discovers that what he lost years ago has been found. There are some things that are so special that we love to keep memories of, but it would have been better if the memories would be a reality.

About two months ago, i found out that my long lost son, is still alive. He takes after me in all areas, from his looks, to career and whatever a son needs to look like his father, and that is what surprises me the most because we didn't grow up together, infact the last time i saw him, he was still a baby, but today, things have changed. I found him after many years.

Ladies and gentlemen, with a clapping and standing ovation, join me as i welcome my lost but found son; Ned Harris, he is the CEO of Nora's taste, a wine's brand that he lauched about 2 months ago.

Immediately Ned's name was mentioned, a cold sensation ran down Nora's spine. While others clapped their hands with cheerfulness, Nora stood like a lifeless body as she watched Ned walked majestically to the stage. She perceived that her husband was looking at her non stop, she decided therefore to smile as the others did and also clap her hands. The microphone was handed to him so that he can address the audience. At this point, Nora could not hold her tears anymore, she wept silently as she listened to him.

" Good evening everyone, i feel loved to be here because i feel i'm in the midst of those who love me. Thanks for welcoming me into your midst. well, i don't have much to say but i'll just emphasize on something in the next few seconds. No matter how long it takes for one to be seperated from what he ought to have or what is rightfully his, a time will definetly come when what ought to be his would be his and nothing, i mean nothing on earth can stop it from coming to him. All he needs is just patience.

There is no point in rushing into any deal because the patient dog has always gone home with the fatest bone. Thank you. He bowed and handed over the microphone to the master of ceremony.

He thereafter turned to go with his dad to be welcomed by the rest of the family. Nora's heart almost sank into her stomach when Ned shook her hand. Immediately after the official welcoming of Ned into the family, Nora ran into the garden to weep uncontrallably. 

* * * * * * * * * *

Mr. Harris has thought it wise for Ned to live with them for the main time so that he can get familiar with the rest of the family but he has decided not live with them because of the reactions he has gotten from his wife and son on the first day he met them, after much consideration, he thought of stopping by during the weekends. His welcoming happened to on a weekend, so he had to live with them for 2 days before leaving. The room he was given to stay whenever he felt like coming home was the room before Nora's room. 

He entered without an arguement, but was bothered because he had never gotten the opportunity to talk to Nora, they have only communicated with eye movements and signals. When Desmond noticed that Ned's room was so close to his, he decided to act romantically to his wife whenever he was around, on the other hand, Nora have plans of talking to Ned when nobody will be in the house.

As Ned lay his head to rest on his bed, he heard the laughter of his soulmate with another man, a man he never liked since they were kids. He rose up from is bed and placed his ears close to the wall. He heard the sound even more, which made him to shed tears. He bacame annoyed, he opened the door to his room and ran outside the house to give a  scream, Nora seemed to have heard him scream, when she heard his voice again, she knew that something was wrong with him, she  push her husband aside and decided to go check on him.

She walked in trembling towards the entrance to behold the sight of her eternal lover in pains. She walked outside the house and bent over him.

" Ned what is it? She asked him in a trembling voice.

" Nothing is wrong with me. Why? he asked him in return.

" I heard your voice, so i thought of coming to check on you. She replied as a tear dropped from her eyes

" Nothing is wrong with me. I'm fine. You can go back and play with your husband. He's waiting for you.

" But i heard you screaming. Ned please talk to me.

" Why are acting as if you care about me? Why have you suddenly become an angel? Why have you suddenly showed up as if you really show concern about me when you really do not. He whispered in agony as tears dropped from his eyes.

" Ned, i can explain. I wanted to check on you but i couldn't find you. I wanted to search for you but i never knew where to start the search from. I was confused about what to do. I was made to believe that you were no more or probably with another woman.

" That's not an excuse Nora. If you really loved me, then you would have waited for me. We made a promise never to leave each other right? Nora could not respond but nod to what Ned has just said. Then why did you break the promise?

" But why did you leave me without telling me? She asked him

" Didn't you see what happened that day? Your heartless brother almost took my life if not for my mother that came to my aid. why did you leave the scene in the first place? I thought you were still there watching the evil that your brother was carrying out, but I never knew that you ran away. 

If you were there, you would have known what happened next. 

" Ned i'm sorry, pleae forgive me. She pleaded

" What's the point of your pleas when you've already broken the promise? There's no point, i think we should jut go our seperate ways but even if we go our seperate ways, you will still be cherished by me, you will continue the only woman i love: My eternal lover.

As he concluded and turned to leave, he was brought back because of the sound he heard behind him: Nora had slumped on the ground .

He looked around to make sure nobody saw her slumped. His heart raced for the fear of what might happen if someone should come and see her on the floor. But they just had a little conversation, could that be the reason why she slumped. He took one, two, three and four steps towards her to feel her temperature, she was still warm.

The thought of leaving her washed him, but he tried to wash it off as he made attempt to go call Desmond. Just then, he heard footsteps, he quickly moved into the dark part so that he would see what will happen next. " I didn't touch her, " he thought. I think she just fainted.

Desmond came out to see the body of Nora on the floor. The fear of moving closer to her gripped him. His mind quickly flashed to the day he saw his little sister lay on the floor. The scene was playing right in front of him. 

Immediately, he let out a loud cry that woke everyone up. " What could be happening on this happy day of ours? Mr. Harris asked his wife as he jumped out of the bed almost leaving the room in his pants but was taken aback by his wife.

Sparkle arrived the scene but stopped at the sight of Nora on the floor.." what happened? Could she be dead? What led to her death? Who was she with? And who saw her when she slumped? All these thoughts ran through her head.

Mr. Harris arrived and without wasting time he Carried her into his car, he headed straight for the hospital. Ned made his way and followed his father while sparkle calmed Desmond.

Ned walked to and fro the corridor of the ward as he waited for the doctor to come tell them what has happened to Nora. Mr. Harris has gotten the story of what transpired between his daughter-in-law and his son. 

He understood whatever chemistry going on within him. He rose up and crossed his hand around his shoulders as they walked out.

" I understand you son, nothing will happen to Nora. It's a minor case I think.

" Yeah, she'll be fine. He told and walked three steps farther from him." Could he be thinking that I still want her? Nah! He told himself as he turned to look at his father

Mr. Harris understood the fact that the connection between him and his son was not solid yet, if not for his mother's pleas, he didn't mind not searching for his real father.

" Hello Mr. Harris. The doctor called.

" Hi sir. How is she? Ned was quick to ask.

" Are you her husband? The doctor asked him.

Ned bowed his head and replied with a heart breaking "No" as he shook his head alongside. The doctor turned to face Mr. Harris and told him to come with him immediately, Ned was made to wait outside, he sat on a long chair outside as he pondered on what was going to be the doctor's response.

Within ten minutes, Mr. Harris was out with what looked like an envelope. " I thought as much son, she's pregnant. He told her as he sat close to him, trying to bring out the test results.

" Pregnant? That means she's gone for life! He muttered to himself. He felt a tear rolled down his check but he quickly wiped it with the edge of his hand, not wanting his father to see him cry.

" Have you checked on her? He managed to ask 

" Not yet. I think we should go together, she must be feeling lonely.

Nora laid on the hospital bed as she watched the drip placed on her hand dropped in bits, flowing through what looked like a pipe into her hand. She allowed her tears to roll freely down her checks, but the sound of the door opening made her quickly turned to the other side, she shut her eyes,. pretending to be fast asleep. She felt the presence of Ned which made her readjust on the bed so that she could talk to him.