Chapter 37
Valerie’s POV
All these while, I was just a fool. I could have read the handwriting on the wall. This whole time, Damian was asking me to avoid Claire. It was because he was afraid that I would find out the truth.
Reality struck me like a huge blow to my face Damian and Claire have betrayed my trust. Claire would have told me that she had an affair with my fiancee instead of coming up with lies. She also encouraged me to stay away from Damian. That is simply because she was afraid that I would find out the truth.
“Well done. Both of you. You have tried in keeping this story away from me for weeks now but the truth is finally out. Claire, you were my friend. I trusted you only for you to backstab and humiliate me like this.” I voiced out bitterly.
“I tried to tell you Val. But you never allowed me to. You were so in love with him, I felt that you would not listen to me anyway. This was my only option.” She explained.
“Sweetheart…I…” Damian started, making a move towards me.
“Shut up. Do not say a word to me.” I said defiantly, taking some steps backwards.
“Everyone, calm down. Let us handle this situation in a civil manner. Since Damian admitted that he is the baby’s father, then we do not need much drama. He will have to marry Claire.” Damian’s father suggested, which aroused stirs and gasps from everyone.
“Father, I never made such admission. I said that we had an affair but that does not mean that it resulted in a baby. She could not have gotten pregnant for me and I am not going to marry Claire under any circumstances.” He declared.
“I am simply saying that you can get married to the two of them. Your connection to Valerie is the contract, whilst your connection to Claire is your baby. It should not be a big deal.”
“How does this sound to you? I should have two wives? Is it not enough that I am forced to go against my will and marry Valerie, now it is her friend too?” Damian asked.
“But the two of you have been getting along quite well. What else do you suggest? What do you want me to say? This is all your fault!” My father said at the top of his voice.
“Marrying Claire is impossible because I cannot possibly be the father of her baby.” Damian said swiftly.
“Why do you say so, Damian? I can swear with my life. You have no proof, you are just trying to deny the baby. Our baby.” Claire said desperately.
Something felt odd within me. Hearing Damian’s futile attempt to deny his baby sounded ridiculous to me.
“Why do you keep saying that you cannot be the father of Claire’s child? Are you not man enough to make a woman pregnant?” I asked, switching my gaze to Damian.
Surprisingly, his parents turned to look at me too. His father looked uneasy and he began to search his empty pockets. His mother was obviously avoiding my gaze for reasons I know nothing about. The atmosphere changed at once as tension thickened. Damian just fixed his hands inside his pocket and bent his head.
“Is there something I need to know that no one wants to tell me?” I asked again.
“There is nothing like that, Valerie. Damian can be irresponsible at times. I am sorry that you got entangled in this mess.” His mother explained.
I still had my doubts but I would leave them for later. We need to resolve this present issue first.
My legs had grown weak as jelly so I just slumped to the nearby sofa. I held my head with my two hands as it was throbbing badly. The noise and confusion was getting on my nerves, I needed some fresh air. They argued on and on while I watched, sobbing quietly. I did not expect this kind of drama to happen when my wedding was so close.
Claire beckoned on the housemaid to take her son away so that he would not witness their unruly behavior. Damian was still trying to explain himself which seemed to me like a futile attempt.
I got up wearily and walked to the door, ignoring Damian’s call behind me. He ran after me to the corridor.
“Valerie, please give me some time to fix this. I promise that I will sort this out. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you earlier. I never knew that Claire would come up with this.” He explained.
I did not bat an eyelid, much less say a word. I simply stared into the distance, neither looking at him nor acknowledging his presence.
“Valerie…please say something to me.” He said, holding my arm softly.
I turned and glared at him with so much hate, staring down at his hands that gripped my arm. He got the message and let go of my hand at once.
I was still mute when I heard footsteps and I knew that we had company. It was Claire.
“You are not welcome here. Please leave us, we need to speak in private.” Damian said to her.
“Valerie, I know this is a lot for you to take in. Believe me, I did not plan it this way. But do not worry, we will get through this together. Hopefully when we all live in the same house, we can be one family. You and Damian can have all the privacy in the world but I just need my son to know his father and have a proper home over his head.” She said, ignoring Damian’s earlier statement.
I turned to look at her and I saw the mocking smile she wore on her face. She must be mocking me silently, thinking that I would become her co-wife. The mere thought of sharing my home, my husband with her was sickening.
“You have wild imaginations my friend. In your wildest dreams will you become Damian’s properly wedded wife. Even if that happens, I will not be a part of such useless marriage.” I declared, much to her surprise.
“You don’t even have a choice. I’m sure that if you did, you would not have agreed to marry Damian. This is a contract marriage and you have to continue with it whether you like it or not. You cannot opt of what has been signed without your knowledge nor consent. Or can you?” She asked with a sneer.
“Besides,” she continued, “I will be merciful enough to you as my future co-wife but you must give me the respect I deserve since I have a son for him already unlike you.”
Damian just stood there in the midst of my heated argument with Claire.
I bit my lips until I could feel a salty taste in my mouth. I was bleeding but it could not be compared to how much my heart bled. This has to be the highest embarrassment I have received in my whole life. I struggled to prevent the tears from dropping before I turned to face Claire.
“What right do you have to talk to my wife in that manner? You have no right, no matter what! Now leave us because you have made your useless point and she is right to say that I will only marry you in your wildest dreams.” Damian said. He turned to look into my eyes and added,
“Let us go somewhere else, my love. Away from this noise and nuisance.” He held out his palms for me to place my hands. I hesitated at first, pondering in my mind if I should leave with him before I decided to say my mind.
“Whether I can do it or not, should be my problem. Allow me to worry about that. For now, I have a conversation to finish with my husband.” I said as I grabbed his already set arm and we walked downstairs.
We walked hand-in-hand until we reached the garage. The moment we were away from anyone’s gaze, I recoiled from his grip and pushed his hands away. I straightened my dress and pushed my hair behind my ears.
“Valerie, I know that you are upset with me. You are right to do so, I would be angry if I were to be you too. But allow me to sort this out and prove myself to you. Please.” Damian pleaded.
“And how on earth do you intend to do that? Damian, I find it difficult to believe a single word from your lips now. Falling in love with you was a mistake to start with and I dread the day I met you at that party.”
“Just hear me out. I suggest that we run a paternity test on the boy. So that we can find out if the boy is mine or not. We cannot just believe her claims no matter how true they may sound. I have something to discuss with you later after this. It is one of the reasons why I have my doubts but for now, we have to sort this out. I will need your unwavering support please. We can get through this.”
Damian said, giving me a deep gaze which could soften even the stoniest of hearts.