Chapter 62
Valerie’s POV
The drive seemed endless, the scenery blurring outside my window. My mind wandered to Jacob, his gentle touch, his reassuring smile.
I longed to leave this toxic marriage behind. But fate had other plans.
As we drove, the city gave way to rolling hills and countryside. The hospital loomed before us, a sterile, impersonal structure.
Senator Richardson led me to a private wing, where a doctor greeted us.
“Welcome, Valerie. I’ll be performing the paternity test today,” he explained, his smile kind.
I nodded, trying to calm my racing heart.
The procedure was quick, but the waiting was agonizing. Senator Richardson paced outside, his phone glued to his ear.
I sat alone, my thoughts consumed by the unknown. What would the results show? Would my life be forever tied to Damian’s?
The doctor returned, a sympathetic smile on his face.
“The results will take a few hours. We’ll need to wait,” he said.
I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and dread.
The wait had begun.
As I sat in the hospital room, my mind racing with possibilities, I knew one thing: No matter the outcome, I’d fight for my freedom.
For my chance at happiness with Jacob as I couldn’t think of the possibility of going back to Damian.
For my baby’s future.
The hours ticked by, each one weighing heavier than the last. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that my life hung in the balance.
And when the results finally arrived…
Would I be free, or forever bound to Damian?
I stood, pacing the room, my anxiety growing.
Suddenly, the door opened, and the doctor walked in.
“Valerie, the results are in,” he said, his expression serious.
My heart stopped.
“What do they say?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
The doctor hesitated.
“Please, sit down,” he said.
I fidgeted in my seat, anxiety eating away at me.
The doctor entered, a somber expression on his face.
Senator Richardson stood up, his eyes fixed on the doctor.
“What do they say?” he asked.
The doctor cleared his throat.
“The paternity test confirms that Damian Richardson is the biological father of your child.”
I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. Mixed emotions swirled inside me.
Relief that the uncertainty was over, but dread at the implications.
Senator Richardson’s face transformed from stern to ecstatic.
“Excellent!” he exclaimed.
But then, a hint of surprise crossed his face.
“But… how is this possible?” he asked the doctor.
The doctor leaned forward.
“Damian’s medical history showed a… complication. However, it appears he’s made a full recovery.”
Senator Richardson’s eyes widened.
“You mean… his condition?”
The doctor nodded.
“Yes. Damian’s fertility issues are no longer a concern. He’s capable of producing healthy offspring.”
Senator Richardson beamed.
“This changes everything!”
I felt a chill run down my spine.
What did this mean for me?
For my future with Jacob?
Senator Richardson turned to me.
“Valerie, this is wonderful news! You and Damian will-”
I was mute without any form of expression on my face.
Senator Richardson’s expression softened.
“I know that this is a lot to take in.”
But his eyes sparkled with triumph. I knew what he was thinking.
This was a victory for the Richardson family. A chance to secure their legacy.
But what about me. What about my happiness? My freedom?
I stood up, feeling trapped. I folded the test results and put them into my bag.
“I’d like to go home now,” I said.
Senator Richardson nodded.
“I’ll arrange for the car to take you back.”
As we left the hospital, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease.
What did this mean for my future? Would I be forced back into a loveless marriage?
The car ride was silent, Senator Richardson lost in his own thoughts.
I stared out the window, my mind reeling.
Jacob’s face flashed in my mind.
What would he say when I told him? Would he still want me? Still love me? What about Damian?
The uncertainty was suffocating.
The car sped along the winding road, the scenery blurring outside my window. I felt trapped, like my life was spiraling out of control.
Suddenly, the driver swerved to avoid a speeding truck.
Tires screeched. Metal crunched.
The world around me shattered. I jolted forward, my seatbelt digging into my chest.
Senator Richardson’s voice shouted, “No!”
The car spun, tossing me around like a rag doll. My head smashed against the window. Glass shattered.
Everything went dark. I drifted in and out of consciousness. Pain seared through my body.
Groaning, I forced my eyes open.
The car’s interior was mangled, twisted metal everywhere.
Senator Richardson lay slumped beside me, blood gushing from his forehead.
His eyes stared blankly ahead.
“Help…” I whispered.
My voice was barely audible.
Panic set in.
I tried to move, but agony shot through my body.
My belly ached, a sharp pain stabbing at my womb.
No, no, no…
Not the baby.
Tears streamed down my face.
Senator Richardson’s eyes flickered open.
“Valerie…” he whispered.
“Help…” I screamed.
My voice echoed through the desolate landscape.
The senator’s eyes glazed over.
“No… please…”
His body went limp.
I screamed again.
“Someone! Help!”
The silence was deafening. I strained to free myself, but the wreckage held me captive.
Blood dripped from my forehead, blinding me. My vision blurred.
“Jacob…” I whispered. Where was he? Would he ever find me?
Tears mingled with blood on my face. Desperation clawed at my chest.
I screamed until my voice was hoarse. The darkness closed in.
No… Please… Someone…
The world faded to black.
And then… A faint sound. Distant sirens. Growing louder. Hope sparked.
“Help!” I screamed, my voice barely audible.
The sirens grew closer. Red lights flashed through the wreckage.
Footsteps approached.
“Over here!” someone shouted.
Hands touched me. Gentle voices reassured me.
I tried to speak.
“Baby…”My baby…”
The voices soothed me.
“We’ve got you, ma’am. You’re safe.”
Safe? Was I?
As the darkness claimed me once more, I wondered…
Would I ever be safe? Would Jacob find me? Would Damian find me? Would I see my baby alive?
The last thought echoed in my mind… Will we survive?
Suddenly, I was jolted awake.
A paramedic’s face hovered above me.
“Ma’am, can you hear me?”
I nodded.
“We’re going to get you out of here.”
I whimpered.
“My baby…”
“We’ll take care of you and your baby.”
Tears streamed down my face.
“Father… his father…Damian”
“Who’s Damian?” the paramedic asked.
“My… my husband.”
The paramedic’s expression softened.
“We’ll find him and notify him.”
As they carefully extracted me from the wreckage, I caught a glimpse of Senator Richardson.
He lay motionless.
A shroud of darkness settled over me and everything went black once more.
As I drifted into unconsciousness.
The fate of my future hung precariously in the balance.
************
Damian’s POV
I paced around my office, unable to focus on anything.
The paternity test which Valerie had gone for with my dad. Would it confirm what I already knew?
That Valerie’s baby was not mine? Or would it reveal that I was now well?
I stopped in front of the window, staring out at the city.
Valerie. My wife. My possession.
I clenched my fists. She thought she could leave me? Betray me? Not a chance.
My phone buzzed, snapping me back to reality. I glanced at the screen. My father’s name flashed.
“Damian,” he boomed.
“What is it, Father?” I asked.
“The test results are in,” he said, his voice trembling with excitement.
“And?”
“It’s yours, Damian. The baby is yours.”
I felt a rush of relief.
Valerie hadn’t cheated on me. She hadn’t betrayed me.
“It’s confirmed,” my father continued. “The baby belongs to you.”
I let out a deep breath. Tension melted away.
“Thank you, Father,” I said.
“This changes everything,” he said.
“I know,” I replied.
But my mind kept drifting back to Valerie. My wife. My possession.
She’d tried to leave me. But now… Now she was mine. I must treasure her now to make up for my mistakes. I must take good care of her so that she’ll have the baby safely.
We ended the call. I stood up and walked to the window. She would be mine and no one would ever take that away.
******
(Some hours later)
My phone buzzed, snapping me back to reality. I glanced at the screen.
Unknown number.
“Hospital,” a voice said. “We need to inform you of an emergency.”
My heart skipped a beat.
“What emergency?”
“Are you the son of Mr . Frederick Richardson?”
“Yes, I am. What is wrong?” I asked, trepidation showing in my voice.
“Mr. Richardson. There’s been an accident.”
I felt like I’d been punched in the gut.
“What happened? What about Valerie?”
“It was a car accident. She’s being treated now.”
“Is she…?” I couldn’t finish the question.
“She’s not so stable, but critical. You should get here as soon as possible.”
I didn’t wait to hear more.
“I’m on my way.”
I sprinted out of my office.
My driver screeched to a halt outside.
“Drive me to Christian Hospital. Now.” I barked.