Chapter 55
Valerie’s POV
I crumpled to the floor, divorce papers scattered around me. Tears blinded me as I sobbed uncontrollably.
How could he?
Our marriage, our child, our love all discarded like trash.
Gone. Replaced by Sophia’s seductive smile and calculating gaze.
I felt like I was drowning in despair.
Mrs. Jenkins’s gentle touch brought me back.
“Valerie, dear, let me help you up.”
I rose, numb and shattered.
In the mirror, a stranger stared back red-eyed, pale, and broken.
I couldn’t sign those papers.
Not yet. Not until I understood why Damian wanted to do this.
Damian’s words haunted me: “You never understood me.”
Did I ever truly know him?
I needed answers but I knew that I wouldn’t be getting the now.
For the very first time, I felt something leave me, the moment I saw Damian with another woman. To add salt to my injury, he gave me divorce papers.
Damian wants to divorce me! How did we get here? Some months ago, we were madly in love. Tear drops run down my cheeks as I reminisced on the good times.
Damian has hurt me, many times than I could remember. What have I done to deserve this?
He doesn’t even care about the baby. The doctor said that I should avoid any form of stress, most especially mental of emotional stress. But I have been crying all day.
Where am I going to go? Back to my house? I think that is what I will do. I will raise this baby alone. Damian can go to hell.
With this firm resolve, I went into my room and began to pack my clothes. Mrs. Jenkins was there to assist as she looked at me in pity.
My clothes were already filled with two boxes which I kept aside. I was deliberating on signing the divorce papers. Should I or should I not?
I must tell my parents first before taking any decision for now. Let me just leave, go to somewhere safe where I won’t see Damian nor let him find me.
I carefully packed my belongings, each item a reminder of the life I was leaving behind. Richardson Manor, once our sanctuary, now felt suffocating.
As I pushed aside designer dresses in the wardrobe, my fingers brushed against an unexpected bump. A small safe, cleverly concealed.
It was surprising how I’ve never seen this safe here, perhaps I never paid attention. I wondered what the content might be.
A digital keypad glared at me, demanding a code.
What secrets could Damian hide here?
I began to attempt the lock. I tried various combinations. His birthday, my birthday, his mother’s birthday, none was the correct code. Not our wedding date.
I was getting frustrated after several attempts. Then, I remembered the day he proposed to me after our last fight at Texas. He had said it was a memorable day to him.
The date: 30/08/24.
I entered the code. The safe clicked open and my heart skipped a beat for a while. My curiosity piqued as I began to reveal the contents of the safe.
Inside, stacks of documents and a small USB drive.
My heart racing, I unfolded the papers.
Medical records.
Damian’s name on each page.
I scanned the documents, my confusion growing.
Test results. Doctor’s notes.
A specific phrase caught my eye:
“… temporary damage due to injury in the pelvic area. Things could change for the better, but for now, there is no hope.”
Impotence.
Damian was impotent. My husband was IMPOTENT.
An accident which led to injury some years ago. The truth hit me like a tidal wave.
All along he knew. He hid it from me. I covered my mouth with my hands as I whimpered.
The baby I carried… How then did it happen?
I was hurt, confused, angry at the same time.
Damian’s sudden change of attitude, his affair with Amelia. A distraction from his own inadequacy? Is this why he was upset?
Perhaps, he felt that I cheated on him to get pregnant. How could he not trust me?
The USB drive remained unexplored. More secrets?
I inserted it into my laptop. Files loaded. It was a video.
The short clip contained Damian’s confession.
“… can never father a child… can never give Valerie the family she desires…”
His voice cracked.
“… must keep her distracted… keep her loyal… can’t reveal it to her just yet.”
Tears streamed down my face. Betrayal, manipulation. Our marriage, a facade.
Damian knew that he was supposed to tell me. His parents are probably aware of it. How could they betray me like this? I felt so helpless as I laid down my fragile body on the bed.
I thought he loved me, but all along, he was just using me. Is this why his parents had suggested the contract marriage? They knew that I was a fool and that I would fall head over heels for him.
What about my parents? Were they also aware of this? What am I going to do now?
Mrs. Jenkins walked in and placed her hand over my shoulder, pulling me into a hug.
“I’m sorry, dearest. I’m sorry you had to find out about it this way.”
My body stiffened, as I pulled away from Mrs. Jenkins, glaring at her eyes.
“You knew about it, didn’t you? You have been his nanny since he was born, right? You must know about it. Say something!” I screamed.
“I’m sorry, Ma. But I can’t…” Mrs. Jenkins said, her voice trembling.
“I order you! How long have you known about this?” I commanded.
“I have worked for the Richardson’s for over thirty years now. I was Damian’s nanny when he was a child. As soon as he moved over to this manor, he sent for me to become his housekeeper. I swore not to reveal the secret of his health issue to anyone.” Mrs. Jenkins explained, not looking up at me.
“Leave my presence…Now!” I screamed while Mrs. Jenkins scurried away.
I leaned on the wall for support. I could feel my head swirling. It was all too much to take in.
Everyone knew about it. Even the house servants, I was the only one left in the dark. I took some steps backwards as I left the room.
I ran into my room, leaving the box and it’s content on the bed, as I shut the door behind me.
The only thought on my mind was to call my parents and find out if they were also aware of what had happened.
My dad was not taking his calls so I called my mum instead.
“Hi, Mom.” I said, before I droke down in tears.
“Hey, baby, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” She asked, her voice laced with concern.
“Mum, I have a question and I need the truth. Promise me that you’re going to say the truth.” I demanded and she responded in the affirmative.
“Did you know about Damian’s health condition?” I asked.
“What health condition? I have no idea of such thing. Is Damian sick? Talk to me Baby, Is everything alright?”
“No! Everything is not alright! Mum, I’m fed up with everything. I’m tired of this marriage, I’m tired of being lied to.” I rapped.
“Valerie, calm down. What is going on?” She asked.
“Yesterday, Damian came home with another woman and gave me divorce papers to sign. I was packtfew of my clothes, when I came across a safe where he hid his medical records. Mum, Damian is impotent. The man I married, cannot give me a child!” I sobbed loudly.
“Sweetie, just come home, so that we can discuss this.” My mum said.
“No, Mom. I’m going to confront his parents, because they knew about it a long time ago but they hid it from us. Please come over at once to Richardson’s Villa with Dad. I’ll be waiting for you both.” I finalized before hanging up.
I made a firm resolve to end everything today. Once I get to the Villa; to confront Damian’s parents, I’d sign the divorce papers at once and leave this marriage, once and for all.
************
Damian’s POV
After the events of the previous night, I regretted ever bringing Amelia home. Even though I had dismissed her later when I got to my room.
I just hope that Valerie would sign the papers as soon as possible. I can’t continue staying with someone who had the guts to cheat on me.
I closed from work and headed for the house when I decided to take Amelia home. Perhaps, we could make out for a while before she leaves. The thought of being inside her again, filled me with primal excitement.
We got into that car and kissed passionately for several minutes. The tension arose in the car and Amelia suggested that we had sex at the back of the car.
“Amelia, we can’t. At least not here. We are still at the company. Let’s go home first.” I said, taking her hands off my trouser.
I drove quickly till we got home. Once we stepped inside, I kissed her fiercely, dropping her bag and shoes. I didn’t care if anyone was upstairs or not. I was about to strip her naked when she protested. So I swooped her up in my hands and carried her to my room.
I opened the door to my room and dropped Amelia carelessly because shocked filled me at what I saw.