JOANNE
I was lying on Hardy’s king-sized bed, watching my life fall behind me.
His room had become mine, which was more like a prison than a room; I wasn’t allowed to go outside the room myself.
I never had a reason to, and even when I once decided I would like to see the sun and feel the wind on my skin, I had more than four bodyguards, including Theodore, all glued to me like I was going to fly if they glanced elsewhere.
I would never put them to blame; they were just doing their job. And I was doing somebody else’s job.
Bailey’s!
After the day, I got inseminated. I never requested to go outside; all I ever did was eat and sleep.
I got sick of everything and thought of ending my life.
The thought had terrified me, so instead, I threw a tantrum and tore down the gigantic portrait of Hardy. I crushed everything into wooden pieces, waiting for the worst.
The worst became the worst I didn’t expect because Hardy didn’t care. I threw a tantrum, but he never showed up. I didn’t even know if he lived in the villa or somewhere else. I didn’t see him for days!
That day, the maids had taken care of my mess, and I was drugged to sleep.
Fascinating.
Now lying in the same bed in the same room, I was in good health, yet a sense of exhaustion had overtaken me, rendering me almost stuck.
Three weeks seemed to stretch on endlessly, and the joyful commotion coming from Trinity in the room only served to deepen my depression.
“You’re really pregnant!” She cried.
I said nothing.
Of course, I was pregnant. Wasn’t that the highlight of my life now?
“You’re pregnant!” she cried again.
If only she could just shut up.
The door opened, and my eyes darted from Trinity to Theodore.
“Theo,” Trinity called with joy in her eyes, stretching the papers in her hand towards Theodore for him to see.
“How did the result go? I am here for the news. Hardy sent for words,” Theo said the moment he walked in, closing the door behind him.
Trinity dramatically placed her hand over her mouth, like she was about to cry. “She’s pregnant. Tell Hardy it came out positive.”
“Third time’s the charm.” Theo scoffed a smile in an attractive way.
“I knew the first two tests were a bit too early. The third time’s really the charm,” Trinity said, making a weird dance.
“Well, it’s all thanks to you, Trinity,” Theodore said.
All thanks to Trinity? What happened to the pregnant woman on the bed?
Giving all thanks to Trinity because I got pregnant?
I had to go through that rough insemination where I was almost pinned down to get injected.
Theodore walked up to the bed with this stupid grin on his face.
Was he going to give thanks to the bed now?
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
How was I feeling? Well… I felt utterly defeated, overwhelmed by a sense of worthlessness that consumed me. It seemed as though I was trapped in a void, yearning to escape the confines of my existence. The only glimmer of hope was the possibility of finding someone who could rescue me from this desolate place, where I was being forced to worship a man and get pregnant for him.
I gave Theodore no reply, and he got the message, and with a nod, he walked away from me with his smile fading.
For the past two weeks, Theodore has been one of those people who has been really nice to me; he has watched me break down more than once and left weird comforting words that never really felt comforting. And Trinity has been nice too.
The rest of everyone in the villa hated me-all the servants, especially the females-and, of course, Hardy.
That man was incredibly heartless, and I wouldn’t dare hope for his approval.
It was truly frustrating to witness his complete disregard for everything and everyone around him.
I’ve been residing in his residence for three weeks now, and to add to the difficulties, I find myself expecting his child. Yet, the true intentions behind his actions remain a mystery to me.
He is a remarkable individual, leading a life of great wealth. However, despite all his possessions and achievements, he still found himself yearning for something that doesn’t make sense.
Why would he want a child, coming from a woman who owed him a debt?
What was the true motivation behind his desire for a child – a longing for companionship or a need for an heir?
“This is beautiful,” Trinity commented, staring at the pregnancy results.
I wasn’t sure if she was talking about me being pregnant or the paper in her hand.
Trinity turned to Theodore, who was halfway towards the door. “Hurry, go share the news with Hardy.”
“On it.” Theodore nodded before opening the door and disappearing out of sight.
Trinity walked up to me with a smile still lingering on her face.
Seeing how gloomy I looked, she tapped my back and smiled.
“You’re doing great.”.
I sat up, pulling the thick duvet to cover my body.
“Doing great?” I scoffed. “Maybe you should think about your words deeply before you speak them out.”
I wasn’t trying to be rude, but I was more than pissed off, and it was because my test came out positive.
The fact that I would be more than pinned to this place and that my plan of escape would be minimal was throwing me off the edge.
Trinity sighed, taking my hand in hers. “I know you don’t deserve this, Joanne; I’m not trying to be on my Hardy’s side, but before you know it, it’s all over.”
“Yeah, it’s over, and I’m tossed and free of this place after being used, and my child is lying in the hand of a stranger, paying for somebody else’s life, and what happens when he finds Bailey?” I yelled.
Trinity pursed her lips and breathed out a sigh.
“I’m sorry.”
I looked up at her.
“On behalf of everything going on, I apologize.” She continued.
I shook my head. “Your apology doesn’t fix anything, Trinity.”
“I know, but please just let me do this one,” she pleaded.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Apology doesn’t fix anything.”
“Fine.” Trinity gave up. “I’ll take my leave now. I’ll personally take care of you. And don’t think too much anyway; it will be unhealthy for the baby.”
“That is, if there’s a baby at the end.” I mumbled under my breath, but loud enough for Trinity’s ear, and slowly watched the look of terror appear on her face.
“Please,” was what she said, with pleading eyes, before walking out of the room.
–
The night was cold later that day, a cold air welcoming October and dragging my state of despair.
After dinner and an arranged hot bath that night, I got my unexpected visit from the devil himself, and the unexpected happened.
.*