“Sir! The young miss has been involved in an accident at the site!”
Rafael was in his office when his assistant told him the distressing news. His face froze, and he abandoned everything he had at hand.
“Cancel the meetings and ready the car. We leave immediately!”
Rafael hit the road to a private hospital where his wife was held. He couldn’t understand why she wasn’t taken to the South City Hospital where Carson could take proper care of his wife but when he found that his mother was around at the time of the accident, he let himself relax a bit.
Meanwhile, June had undergone all sorts of tests which she deemed useless as not a single hair on her head needed to be put in the right place. She felt like it was all a waste of time seeing she was not hurt but to avoid upsetting her dear mother-in-law, she submitted herself to the process.
Mrs Beatrice sat in the doctor’s office while June sat on her hospital bed, waiting for her mother-in-law’s verdict. “What did you find? Does she have a womb?”
The doctor looked through the scan results before responding. “I don’t think it is right to reveal such intimate details of the patient without her permission.” The doctor said, “Or a written consent-”
“Do you want to lose your job?” Never had Mrs Beatrice felt so insulted as she did in the moment. “Do you know who I am?”
The doctor who had newly been transferred had no idea of the identity of the woman before him. He was only doing his job. “Ma’am-”
“I need to see the Medical Director.” She ordered with a frown.
Meanwhile, the medical director who was informed of Mrs Beatrice’s presence at the hospital rushed to see her and convey his respect. He walked into the doctor’s office and met the tension.
“I said get me the medical director!” She roared, and the doctor intervened.
“Mrs Ambrose! Please forgive my oversight!” The doctor said in a respectful tone. “This junior is still learning to handle things properly. I will scold him properly at a later time.” He led her out of the office.
Mrs Beatrice threw a scornful look at the doctor who bowed his head, stricken with fear. She didn’t have time to vent her anger as she knew it was only a matter of time before her son came barging into the hospital.
Then she wouldn’t be able to carry out her thoughts efficiently.
Mrs Beatrice followed the medical director into the office and soon, the scan results were interpreted. June could not mother a child. According to the doctor, her womb had been damaged and there her chances of carrying a child were close to impossible.
The news affirmed the doubts that had grown in her heart since her meeting with the Rivera’s. Apparently, all they said about that wench was true. That woman was trying to corner her son into childlessness after the callous life she led as a youth!
Mrs Beatrice felt her blood pressure rise with anger. June had agreed to bear children just last night! She had made her believe and hope for more grandchildren when she knew she was incapable of doing the job.
Just how much had she deceived her son? Did he know that she could not carry a child? Lots of thoughts swirled through the brain of Rafael’s mother, each making her angrier than the last.
Armed with the results, she headed to the room where June sat in wait for her. Unknown to her, Rafael had arrived at the hospital and rushed to his wife with flaming eyes.
The police remanded the Caterpillar driver for his reckless driving and Rafael was ready to do more damage if the hair of his wife was out of place. June tried to placate him.
“It was hardly an accident. The vehicle stopped just in front of me. In fact, I wouldn’t come to the hospital if Mother hadn’t insisted on having me checked.”
Rafael was happy that his mother insisted. He would convey his thanks at a later time. For now, he needed to be sure his wife was alright. He wouldn’t settle until he heard from the doctor in charge.
Carson had also been informed and he was to meet them at home for a more intense check on his wife. Rafael left no stone unturned when it came to caring for his wife. Just then, Mrs Beatrice appeared inside the hospital room with a frown marred on her face.
“Mother,” June stood up with a smile, “What did-”
“Don’t you dare call me mother! Have you forgotten who gave birth to you?” She roared, eyes ablaze. “You barren woman, do you think you could deceive us and get away with it?”
She threw the papers on the floor, only then did she notice her son. “How dare you deceive us in this manner?! How dare you?!”
Mrs Beatrice made to hit her face but was stopped by Rafael who got hit in place of his wife. “Mother!” He roared in anger. “Control yourself!”
When Mrs Beatrice hit her son in place of June, her anger increased threefold. “You will pay for this! I promise! You will pay for playing with our hearts like this!”
June could not wrap her head around the situation. She couldn’t understand what was wrong and why her mother-in-law was suddenly so upset. “Mother…” She stepped forward, away from her husband who stood protectively in front of her.
“What did I-”
Before June could complete her statement, Mrs Beatrice delivered a resounding slap. Rafael stepped forward but June held him back and then faced her mother-in-law.
“If slapping me will make you feel better, then please, slap me a thousand times. Vent your anger until you feel better. I will take it all.” She said with sincerity in her tone. “Just please, tell me what’s wrong so I can fix things afterwards.”
Mrs Beatrice scoffed, “Do not think you can play that card on me, young lady! I was warned and I was a fool to think for one moment that you are any good.”
“There is nothing you would do that can make me feel better.” She sneered. “You are not fit to be my son’s wife. You are a disappointment and a shameless woman who is out to reap where she did not sow! You don’t have a womb and you dare to lie about it?”
“Who knows how many men you have allowed to defile you before getting into such a state? Your former husband even divorced you! I will not let my son settle for less. I don’t want to see you in that house ever again.”
By the time Mrs Beatrice was done speaking, her breath was harsh and her eyes blazing. Rafael stared at his mother with a hardened expression. June tightened her grip around him but it did nothing to stop him from speaking.
“She is MY wife! MINE!” He growled at his mother. “You have no right to speak to her in that manner and she will be going nowhere! Apologise!”
Mrs Beatrice was shocked at the harsh voice used by her son. Rafael had never spoken to her in this manner. It was all because of this barren woman! She faced June with anger coursing through her veins.
“Was this your plan? To turn my son against me? Was this your plan all along?!” She voiced, while June remained quiet.
“It will not work! Do you hear me? Your plans have failed!” Mrs Beatrice turned around with regret in her face. “That vehicle should have crushed you! That driver should have crushed you and rid my family of this curse!”
“MOTHER!”
“WHAT?! Are you going to pick her over me? Are you going to pick this woman over your own mother?!”
Rafael was tethering at the brink of insanity. “Don’t push me, mother.”
Mrs Beatrice pushed further. “I cannot live with this woman under the same roof as my son and grandchild.” She said, throwing a dirty look at June. “You have to make a choice, son. Because there is no way I can live with this devil in my home.”
“My home.” Rafael was quick to correct. “My wife is staying in my home.”
“What will it be Rafael? Your mother this barren woman.”
Rafael’s jaws clenched as he broke free from June and stepped into his mother’s face. “You will not refer to my wife in that manner.”
“Make a choice, son. Who will it be?”
Rafael didn’t think before he answered. “My wife will always come first.”
Mrs Beatrice felt like she’d been slapped in the face. She opened her mouth but no words came out. She didn’t expect to be so brutally rejected by her own son. All because of the lying and barren woman.
June opened her mouth to speak but Mrs Beatrice beat her to it. “I hope you are happy now. Make no mistakes, you might have won this battle, but you will lose the war.”
With that, she walked out of the hospital with a vengeful spirit as she thought about her next action. That woman would not be left alone. She would see to that.