Chapter 40: The forgotten baby

Rafael's POV

We are all stunned by what she says. Eight years ago? Ashley broke my heart eight years ago. She chose to be with that famous basketball player. "My mother was a gynecologist. When she saw Ashley in my office, she told me about her past. She aborts her baby by drinking different drugs that she believes will cause her miscarriage. That’s what she diagnosed and in the end, Ashley told her that she indeed aborted the baby," she paused.

She grabs the glass that is being displayed on the mini table and pours some brandy on it. She takes a sip. "Based on my best friend’s investigation, you were Ms. Vargas’s boyfriend at that time. I think you’re the father of the baby she aborts," Joan declares. Meredith gasps because of what she hears. She speaks.

"How many weeks? If you still remember it, Dr. Joan," she asks.

"Three months," she replied. I was stunned and can’t even speak because of what I heard. That’s mine. I remember when we start having sex, it’s five months before we separate our ways.

"Shit! That’s yours!" Tristan remarked. My palm turns into a fist. I closed my eyes and tried to control my anger. Joan suddenly scoffs.

"Did you know what she answered when mom asked her why she did that? It’s simple. She never wants the baby. She never loves the father and it will be shameful for her to have a baby that will hinder her dream of being a supermodel," Joan added.

I raise my hand and stop her from breaking my heart further. I’m even clueless that I’ve been a dad since then. Then I remembered what I did to Ella. If she’s not smart, cunning, and strong, I have killed my child.

I gritted my teeth and punched the glass table. It cracks and after a few seconds, it breaks into pieces. Meredith gasps because of what I did. We heard a doorbell from my unit. Tristan stood up.

"I'll tell them to clean this up," he says.

I didn’t say a word. My vision turns blurry because of my tears. How many lives did I ruin because of my existence itself? Bullshit! I was about to punch the floor after kneeling because of this pain I’ve been going through.

I heard footsteps but I know it’s just Tristan and one of the hotel staff. I was surprised when someone grabbed my shoulder. It wasn't in a man's grasp. This scent... it’s familiar. "She's not worthy of your tears but your child is. Joan, thank you for being honest," she says.

I stood up without saying a second word. I embraced my wife and silently clung to her chest. I need her comfort. I want her to know that I need her to calm me down. If not, I’ll go to Ashley and kill her. My lovely wife brushed my back and didn’t say anything.

After calming myself, Ella shed her tears and held my face. "I know the truth hurts. You can build a tombstone for your baby even if we don’t have the fetus. It’s your decision, my love."

I look at her. My wife has two faces: one is gentle and selfless and the other is obsessive and possessive. I love both of them and being with those two Ella’s was a blessing for me.

"I will. I may not know what Ashley did to our baby, but it’s still mine. I want to remember that I love that baby," I whispered. She smiled. Ellasandra grabbed my hand and looked me in the eyes.

"Now you know the truth. You must learn the reason why she suddenly comes to you. It might be connected with your rival in business. You should be wary and careful, my love," Ella says.

I think she’s trying to tell me to be observant between Matthew and Ashley. Wait a second. I know what she really means. Matthew and I had been rivals during our days as rugby players.

He wants to be the captain but our coach chose me because of how calm I am at difficult times. He also likes my leadership, which he didn’t see in Matthew. That’s when things go wrong between us. As soon as we started handling our family business, he told me that he'd destroy me in this industry.

I held my wife’s hand. I placed the other underneath our hands as I kissed her palm. "Thank you for being here. If you’re not, these three must have been stopping me from running towards that criminal and killing her," I remark. Her expression changed.

Sandra was showing us her dark side. She grabs my face with her palm and gives me death glares. "I am not giving you permission to be a criminal. You should stay beside me, our firstborn, and our future children. You are not allowed to go anywhere; did you hear me?" she asserted firmly.

That threat in her eyes was enough to warn me. She blinks and her expression changes in just a few seconds. She lets go and taps my shoulder. "She’s not worth it, like I said. Don’t waste your years in jail for someone like her, right, everyone?" Ella says.

She looks at them. They all nodded after they saw what kind of expression she had. She smiled and looked at my fist. I suddenly realized that I was hurt when she touched it.

"You have a first aid kit here, right? Joan, you’re drinking brandy? Don’t tell me you’re not going back to the hospital today?" she asks. Ella was looking at the glass Joan was holding. Joan laughs and raises her glass.

"I am. Also, I need time to hunt this guy that I meet in the hospital. Her girl dumps him there. Who knows? I can have a fling this time. I need a life, girl. I’ve been a slave to this job of mine for ten years. I better enjoy my youthfulness," Joan says.

My wife laughs because of what she says. She looks at me and drags me into the kitchen. She opened the cabinet and saw the first-aid kit. She opens it and cleans my wound first with iodine. My wife’s eyes were telling me how much she loves me. The way she responds and reacts to things is connected to me.

"I love you," I mumbled. She raises her head and stops cutting the bandage. My eyes were telling her how true these feelings are. She raises her hand and flicks my forehead.

"Thank you?" she teases.

That made me laugh. If she didn’t confess to me how obsessed she is with me, I'd be hurt. Saying I love you shouldn’t receive a reply of thank you. That’s painful. She held my hand and started wrapping the bandage.

My wife is multitalented. She knows so many things; that’s why she’s fucking scary. "It's done. Next time, don’t punch the walls, glasses, or whatever you saw when you’re mad. Did you understand, love?" she says.

Ella raises her palm and sticks her index finger as well while giving me a warning. I laugh and nod. I grabbed her waist and pulled her closer. She looks at the living room but I cough to get her attention. I know she’s wary about the presence of our friends but I don’t care anyway.

"I love you," I whispered. Her lips agape and giggle. Finally, she takes it a bit seriously. "I love you more, silly." I smiled.

She tiptoes, wraps her hands around my neck and kisses me passionately. I opened my lips and deepened the kiss. From now on… she’s not the only one who will fall into the darkness because of too much love. I’m already living in that abyss.

If the true room service didn’t arrive, I wouldn’t stop kissing my wife, even if everyone was here. My wife opens the fridge and the cupboard. She smiled when she realized that I had groceries here. "I will cook something for us. How about a club sandwich and cappuccino? Just a light snack," she suggests.

"I'm okay with that. It’s already three in the afternoon," I said.

She smiled and prepared the ingredients she needed. I just watch her as she makes us something to eat. My phone buzzes out of the blue. It was Lance. Did he forget to tell me something?

"Hello, Lance? Did you forget something?" I ask.