Brinda

“Ms. Brinda, the result is positive.” Dr. Faith announced happily, her smile very deep from the bottom of her heart.

Quickly, I collected the file from her and glanced through it to confirm the result. When I looked back up at her, I felt the urge to hug, peck and kiss her.

“Words can't describe how satisfied I am with your help. Thank you so much.” I said, breathing profusely.

I walked out of the hospital with a huge smile on my face — One I haven't had in years. Truth be told, fate has a way of playing things.

Nine years ago, my fashion house was still struggling to get a foothold but when a hot-looking and irresistible young man stepped into my company, everything changed.

Despite him being a sales guy, I had my eyes on him till it led to a one-night stand which after we got married a year later.

The sales guy was my husband.

At that time, he was my guardian angel but things started taking a drastic turn in our marriage when his mother wanted us to carry the family name forward.

However, my husband remained faithful to me. We attended several pregnancy functions and saw a lot of gynaecologists but nothing fruitful was always the result.

A week ago, behind my husband, I took a bold step and decided to go for artificial insemination as that seems to be the only option left. I've known Richard to be a supportive man so he would support me as long as I stop being an object of mockery to his family.

But would he still love me if he knew someone else's sperm impregnated me? Which means I am carrying someone else’s baby and wanting him to be the father.

Am I not selfish? Yes, I am… but I can't bear the pain anymore.

What I fear the most is if words get out. I would be defamed. The reputation I struggled to build for years would be ruined.

With mixed feelings, I alighted from my car and dashed into the house. Upon entering, I was greeted by the eerie silence in the living room. I assumed Richard wasn't home so I headed to the bedroom with several thoughts on what to do next.

Approaching the door, the muffled sounds that rang in my ears made my stomach turn — low moans from behind our matrimonial room closed door.

A minute later, I opened the door to see Richard and Isabella, his supposed younger cousin, in a position they are not meant to be in.

I looked away after seeing my husband shirtless and his partner, almost naked as they cuddled each other.

“Richard, what the hell is this?” I demanded after I was able to hold myself. My voice — sharp and cold.

Richard stretched his arms in the air before pulling Isabella away from his body.

He was meant to have a face full of remorse but his laughter was infectious filling the room with joy. “Why do we have a weed in the room?”

“That's absurd,” Isabella added. “She's a barren woman who can never give birth. Just imagine. She must have aborted a series of pregnancies before she even met you.”

“Yes, darling.” Richard appealed to his emotions and pulled her in — Tighter than earlier — while I burnt in jealousy and rage.

A wave of nausea washed over me as I advanced towards them. I dragged Isabella away from Richard to the floor with a loud thud.

Tears fell from Isabella's eyes like a train.

Richard's eyes blazed with fury as he rushed to help Isabella to her feet. His jaws clenched and his fists trembled with suppressed fury. “How dare you, Brinda? Do you want to kill our growing baby because you can't birth one?”

Brinda

I felt like crawling under a rock and hiding after Richard's words. I couldn't believe it.

He's having a baby with Isabella?

I gasped for air as I struggled to breathe.

When I finally mustered the courage to talk, my voice cracked with emotions. “Richard, how could you do this? Isn't she meant to be your cousin who arrived from South Africa?”

Isabella's eyes sparkled with wonder, her face alight with excitement. “Cousin? My foot!” Her skin crawled with unease. “I am his beloved wife. The wife of the famous millionaire, Richard Davis.”

How is Richard a millionaire? I own all the properties. So much for a stupid woman.

“How long has this been going on?” I asked with a hitched breath.

“For as long as you can't remember.” He paused. “Isabella is my childhood friend, not my cousin. We have always been cautious of every step we take. And we also use pregnancy prevention measures but there's no need for that anymore since the person I'm married to is a well of barrenness. She might as well be the mother of all women who can't give birth. So tell me… Why should I stay with a woman like that?”

Now, I understand it all. All the meetings he always attended in South Africa was a lie. He would normally go on business trips there leaving me for a month or two all alone.

If Isabella is actually pregnant, then it's not a lie.

I took it all in as I paced up and down in the room while my mind was filled with a lot of vile thoughts.

I narrowed my eyes to meet Richard's, who was rubbing Isabella's back as he offered her water. “Leave my home.” I commanded sharply.

“Home?” Richard mocked. He walked to the drawer and pulled out a document. It looked familiar but I can't remember where I last saw it. “I own the properties. Or should I say… Your properties.” He giggled.

“How come?” My voice crackled.

Richard stretched a smile on his lips.

I remembered vividly that I signed a document three days ago but there weren't property transfer papers or were they?

“Yes. It is what you're thinking. You love me so much that you failed to notice that there were a lot of papers in the document. You didn't even bother to check it out. That's your punishment for being a lovely wife with the brain of a chicken.” He laughed.

My jaw dropped and my face turned pale.

“Darling, can you just throw this piece of emptiness out already? She's making my skin crawl. Our unborn child is getting uncomfortable.” Isabella hissed and made a low groan.

Every step Richard made towards me made my breath quickened. He grabbed my arm, pulled me out of the room and pushed me to the floor, face flat. “Security!” He thundered.

Within a twinkle of an eye, they arrived.

He had changed them all. The security guards weren't the same I employed anymore.

“See to it that this bitch never crawls in here again. Next time she does, charge her with the crime of the attempted murder of our unborn baby.”

Once outside, my eyes became red-rimmed as Richard handed the divorce papers to me. I felt as if I was trapped in a nightmare.

“Sign the papers. We're done.” He uttered non-chalantly. “And don't expect to get anything from me. The properties were transferred to Isabella. She owns everything.”

“Did you ever love me?” I asked him.

“No.” He replied simultaneously. “Why… Why do you think I had ever loved you? You are not worthy of anyone's love. No wonder your whole family never bothered to know if you are alive or dead. You are a curse, Brinda. I heard your father died the day you were born. You even lied about that.”

My heart swelled and nearly bursted as Richard opened the old wounds of my past.

Brinda

“Shut up! Don't say a word about my past?” I warned him as I stuck a finger out.

If there is anything I hate to hear anyone speak about, it is my past. A past full of mockery and bad memories is nothing a human should have.

“Are you scared? You don't want them to be rekindled?” He laughed. “Anyway, sign the divorce papers. You are wasting my time. I have a wife and an unborn child to take care of.”

Richard's eyes trailed my whole body with a hastened gaze. I realized he didn't just wanted me to leave, he wanted me to vanish from the world.

“It's now or never, Brinda. Divorce this man.” A voice rang in my ears.

My breathe quickened at the thought of what I was about to do. Tears prickled at the corner of my kids but this is a decision I must take or else, I would be a subject of eternal mockery.

“I should have known that you were a bastard not to be trusted. I gave you everything I had but you still betrayed me. It's always said that a woman has more venom than a man. That is a blatant lie. A man harbors more than a venom. You are despicable.” I poured out my thoughts in an instant.

I signed the document and threw the pieces of papers at Richard before walking into the silent night.

Coupled with my sorrow, the heavens cloud opened and a heavy rain poured on me.

There was nothing I had to hide – No cash. No cloth. No papers. No friends. I'm not even with my phone. Just me and the foetus growing inside me.

How disheartening is it?

From a millionaire to a street… Beggar? Yes, that's what is.

Everything has slipped away from my hands already. My business. My assets. My long term goal.

“Why are you such a fool? I get irritated every time I come back from work. Why can't you just get a fucking cleaner to clean up my home?” A deep male's voice filled with authority rented the air.

I stopped as I turned to see a handsome man who stood in front of a huge mansion that must have cost a fortune to build.

He shielded his body from the rain with an umbrella and he was cladded in a green suit. “You're fired!” He concluded as he ended the call.

He needed a cleaner and he couldn't get one. What am I doing? Moreover, I have nothing. If I work with him, I might end up having a place to lay my head tonight or get paid to find a suitable place to pass the night.

I decided to try my luck before he darted into the gate.

“Sir, I can clean your home.” I pleaded, on my knees. I didn't care about the fact that the rain was pattering heavily. “That is something I can do easily.”

“You look like a lost puppy. Aren't you so cute? Anyway, I don't need someone like you around me.” He said, while he placed his hand on the gate’s handle. “You look so fragile. You can't work.” He added, turning around.

I realized it was my last chance or else, I would be on the streets for the night.

“Sir, please. I can clean your home. I have worked as a cleaner for several years.” I lied. “I was just thrown out by my boss.”

He chuckled. “That gives me more reasons not to employ you.”

“Trust me, sir. I can do all types of work.” I begged, tears streaming down my face.

“Manipulating me, uh?” He arched an eyebrow.

“No sir. I dare not.” I retorted.

“Fine. Come in. Let's see how you perform tonight.” He concluded.

Swiftly, I followed him into the house. He gave me a gown to change into as I was soaked and he ordered that I work as if there was no tomorrow.

I worked as hard as I could despite my condition. When it was time to clean his room, he told me not to.

I rolled my eyes.

If he hated the fact that house cleaners should clean his room, then why did he insist that the other parts of his home should be clean?

Rich people and their drama.

“Drop the dispensable tank over there,” he instructed the delivery man who walked in a few minutes ago. The man kept the item and disappeared.

Since I was done, I waited for him to pay me.

He stayed upstairs for just five minutes which seemed like ages to me. I really needed the money.

As he strolled down the stairs, I admired how good-looking he was.

He handed over the money to me and I thanked him after a smile played on my face because of the huge sum of cash.

“Hey, come back tomorrow evening. More work. More pay.” He smiled.

I had no choice. No family. No friends. So, I will be back.

“Or do you care for dinner?” He asked.

“No sir.” I replied before I ran out of the building.

I hurried out of the mansion’s gate so I could find a place to spend the night. Then, I heard a lady's voice cut through the droplets of rain.

“Were you able to complete the job or not?”

Quickly, I hid behind a wall to listen.

“I dropped the psychedelic in his water. It will take just a few minutes then you can do whatever you want.” The delivery man replied before he stretched his hands to be paid.

The woman smirked as she handed several bundles of cash to the man who left with a vicious smirk on his face.

“I just have to wait for some time. Then, I would restore my glory in the Fernandez family.” She chimed as she headed towards a red car.

Fernandez family? Can it be possible that the man who owns the mansion relates to the Fernandez family?

I decided to stop whatever disaster they have in mind since the delivery man just left the house.

My heart skipped a bit as I rushed back into the mansion to stop the handsome man from drinking the water in the dispensable tank.

I banged the door endlessly until he finally opened the door. In his right hand was a glass cup filled with half water. He must have drank out of it already. I'm too late.

“You… again?” He struggled to keep his eyes open, his lids fluttering shut.

I pushed the cup from his hand to the floor. It shattered into pieces. The man shot me a deadly glare because I broke the glass.

“What is your problem?” He held his head for a while before he pulled me in for a light kiss.

I struggled to escape his hold but it was firm and unrelenting.