Chapter 5

• Novah's POV
• A month later…
• Even though I still regretted my meeting with Riana, I couldn't ignore the fact that my current status was due to his involvement.
• Though I still worked at the mall, I wasn't bothered about anything as I had more than enough money to cater for my needs and that of mom who was still hospitalized.
• That night, he left me with a huge amount of money and as if that was not enough, he sent some money to my bank account.
• While I was still attending to a customer, my boss, Lady Elsie as we always called her, walked up to me.
• “Come see me in my office.” She said swiftly and then turned around to leave.
• “Yes ma'am.” I replied and the moment I finished attending to the customer, I made my way to her office.
• She was on her computer when I walked in but immediately, she took her gaze off and with her eyes on me, she asked, “Are you pregnant?”
• Startled, I staggered backwards, my heart lunged in my throat as I stared back at her.
• “Answer the damn question Novah.” She yelled, slamming her fist against the table.
• “I thought you were different from the others. I’m so disappointed in you.” She spat out in fury, plopping back in her seat.
• Her words made my face go pale as I stared back at her, my mouth slightly agape to defend myself but I couldn't say a word.
• Blinking my eyes, I pushed my hand into my hair and then began to tug on it.
• “You're unbelievable Novah.” She said with a dismissive tone and immediately I stepped out of her office, I rushed to the bathroom.
• With a heavy heart, I slide through the door to the floor, pulling my feet to my chin and using my hand to wrap them.
• “I can't be pregnant, he is impotent.” I muttered but each time the look of disappointment of Lady Elsie appeared in my head, I begged to differ.
• My curiosity led me to the pharmacy after work hours to get some pregnancy test kits.
• When I got home, I discarded them only to pull them out to confirm if indeed I was truly pregnant or if it was Lady Elsie that was wrong.
• The next morning, I woke up late since it was my day off.
• I had already forgotten about the kit only for me to see it on the wash hand basin and not only that, it turned out to be positive.
• With my breath hitched in my throat, I staggered backwards, sliding through the wall to the floor with my eyes widened in terror.
• This can't be happening — These words kept ringing in my head as goose pimples appeared on my skin.
• Grabbing my head which was now aching with both hands, I shut my eyes tightly, trying to get a grip of myself but it was to no avail.
• “The product is fake.” I said, only to start getting prepared hurriedly to pay a visit to the hospital.
• When Doctor Fernandes saw me, he stood for a moment, giving me the same look that Lady Elsie had given to me the previous day.
• “You should go for a pregnancy test.” He said and reluctantly, I made my way towards the laboratory.
• While waiting for the outcome of the test, I was in Doctor Fernandes office, fiddling with my fingers as my heart rammed against my chest in quick bolts.
• If it turned out that the test kit was right after all, I was definitely going to lose my mind.
• To punish him for having his way with me without my consent, I had always hoped I wouldn't bear a child.
• He was going to be at a loss since he had already invested a lot of money on me already.
• Just then, the door creaked open and Doctor Fernandes walked in with an envelope.
• Without being told that it was the test result, I grabbed it from him and then tore the envelope open.
• “This can't be real, right?” I yelled the moment I saw the word POSITIVE highlighted.
• For four weeks, I had been carrying Riana's child inside of me and I had no idea of it.
• Pushing my hand into my hair, I began to tug on it, my eyes shut as my heart constricted against my chest.
• “Congratulations Novah!” Doctor Fernandes said, pushing his hand forward for a handshake but I refused, slowly lowering myself on the couch.
• The thought of carrying Riana's child drowned every other thought in my head, making me numb.
• The only time I returned to my senses was when Riana walked through the door and immediately, I rose, my heartbeat becoming erratic.
• “I will take my leave now.” Doctor Fernandes said and immediately, he scurried out, leaving me with Riana who kept staring at me with a hard face.
• Gulping, I tried to speak but he beat me to it.
• “I knew you were going to carry my child the moment I set my eyes on you.” His rich baritone did nothing but to shred me further.
• With my head stuck up in my hair, I began to rack my head on the perfect word to say to him but my tongue was tied.
• “Come with me, we need to celebrate.” He said, pushing his hand forward which I reluctantly received.
• While inside his car, he exhaled and then made a call to his wife, informing her of the news and urging her to join us at the restaurant he had picked out.
• At the end of his call, I shifted my gaze to him, “I can't go with you, my mother…”
• “I will bring you back.” He cut in.
• Gulping, I began to fiddle with my fingers as I darted my eyes around, the air around me was suffocating.
• “Thank you Novah!” He said for the uptenth time, the excitement in his tone never wavering even for once.
• Just when he was about to take a swerve into the highway, a truck which was on full speed ran into his car, the impact of the hit on the owner’s seat which I occupied.
• “N
• ovah…” He called out to me weakly as blood trickled down my face, darkness slowly closing in on me.