Chapter 4

Raina

Not only the three of them were shocked by what Evo said but I was too. I did not expect him to admit in front of the three about our secret.

When I told him earlier that I would think about what he said, it was like I admitted that his suspicion was correct, that he is the father of my child. I suddenly got scared of what he might do if he discovered that what he was thinking was true while I kept denying it so I just admitted it indirectly. I was afraid of his threat. His family is a billionaire, and they have many connections, so what chance do I have against him if he tries to take my child away from me after I give birth?

"Are you crazy, Evo? Why would you claim the child of Raina when you're not really the father? And do you think I will allow you to claim her child as yours? No way?" Rina strongly opposed it. Earlier, she was pleased with what our father planned to do for my baby, but now her face was dark and clearly showed great disgust when the table suddenly turned.

"Whether you like it or not, it doesn't matter to me," Evo coldly replied to my half-sister.

"Of course, I won't allow it. I'm the one you're going to marry, but you'll claim my disgraced sister's child. I won't allow it!" Rina insisted again. Any woman would indeed not agree to such a situation.

Evo raised an eyebrow and glanced at my father, who slightly bowed his head, then turned back to Rina. "Your father didn't tell you that I already canceled our engagement and the wedding?"

The mother and daughter were suddenly left speechless after hearing what Evo said. Rina started crying and sought comfort from her mother.

"Evo doesn't want to marry me anymore, Mom. I won't allow our wedding not to push through. Do something, Mom," Rina said to her mother while crying.

Mom, my stepmom, immediately hugged Rina and calmed her down. "Don't worry. Mom and Dad will fix this problem for you."

Rina stopped crying and looked at me sharply. "It's because of you that Evo doesn't want to marry me anymore. You're a slut! A whore just like your mom!" Rina shouted angrily while pointing at me.

If I weren't feeling weak, I would have approached her and given her a strong slap. She can insult and belittle me, but not my mother who has already passed away. Even in death, Rina drags my mom into her anger towards me.

"The wedding between you and my daughter cannot be canceled, Evo. You have an agreement with Edwardo that he will sell you the land you want to buy in exchange for a large sum of money and you'll marry my daughter," my stepmom angrily reminded Evo.

"I know. But there is nothing written in the contract that says I can't change my bride-to-be. You can refuse to sell me your land. But I assure you that no one else will buy that land until it is foreclosed by the bank to which your husband owes money. I know your husband won't do that because he was in deep debt. And Rina marrying me will save you. If I marry her sister Raina, nothing will change in our contract. I will buy the land for a large amount," Evo explained at length to those in front of him.

I couldn't understand what they were talking about. I seemed to have no strength left to speak and ask, so I just kept quiet.

"How can you be sure that Raina's child is yours?" My father finally spoke again but in a controlled voice.

"I don't need to explain that matter to you any further, Mr. Cervantes. I am sure that I am the father of your daughter's child," Evo answered my father firmly. "All you have to do is give me your eldest daughter."

"No! I will not allow Raina to marry you instead of me!" Rina shouted at Evo and then pointed at me again. "This is all your fault, Raina! You're a flirt just like your mother!"

Rina approached me and gave me a strong slap on my face. I was weak because of the medicine injected into me, so when Rina gave me a strong slap, I suddenly collapsed to the floor after being released by the two women holding me, who were both shocked by what my half-sister did.

"Raina!" I heard Evo's worried voice before my vision suddenly spun, and I lost consciousness. I don't know how long I was unconscious, but when I woke up, I was already in my room, lying on my bed while Evo sat at the edge of the bed holding one of my hands.

"It's good that you're awake now. How are you feeling?" he asked me with concern.

I suddenly remembered the medicine injected into me by the two women, so I immediately held my stomach. I was worried it might affect my pregnancy.

"My baby," I said in a weak voice, tears welling up. Although I expected that my father might possibly do this, I still couldn't believe that he would really want to kill the life inside my womb even though it is his own blood.

"Don't worry because the baby is safe now. I sent my friend, who is a doctor here, and he checked you up as well as the baby in your womb. He said both of you are in good condition."

"I thought they would succeed in killing my baby away. I'm thankful that you came. If you hadn't arrived, they would have succeeded in their evil plan." Tears fell from the corners of my eyes. I felt so helpless earlier but when I saw Evo, I felt hope. I know he won't allow anything bad to happen to his child. "Thank you for saving my child, Evo."

"Our child. The baby in your womb is our child," he corrected me. I didn't say anything because it was useless to deny the truth to him. "Don't tell me you're still going to deny that the father of your baby is me?" he asked when I didn't respond.

"Okay, fine. You are right. You are indeed the father of the child in my womb. Are you happy now to know the truth?"

"Yes. I'm very happy," he answered without hesitation. "So I will ask you again this question, Raina. Are you willing to marry me now?"