CHAPTER 12

VALERIE'S POV

The drive to the hospital was a quiet one, as I couldn't help myself from thinking about the fact that I actually had a baby brother.

Anger mixed with hatred filled my heart, as I reminisced about all the wonderful things he had done to be the best dad in my world.

Was he lonely after mum's death and decided to have an affair?

Even if he was, shouldn't he have at least brought her home and do things the right way?

Was breaking his promise to me worth it all?

The woman beside me was also lost in her own thoughts. How desperate she must have been to show up at the house like that and even plead with me.

Should I also hate her for having an affair with a married man?

"Ma'am, we are here." The driver's voice pulled me out of my chaotic world of thoughts, as I nodded in the affirmative, stepping out through the right door and she, stepping out impatiently through the left.

She was half running into the hospital, as I hastened my steps to keep up. She talked shortly with the receptionist, handing over the cash to her, before heading for her son's ward.

Deciding to be nice to the little boy as it wasn't his fault to be born this way, I tucked away all the anger I felt towards my father and this woman.

It was a general ward, but there were no kids in sight, as I followed closely behind her. She soon stopped besides the bed of a grown up boy, about my age or two years older, as she kissed his forehead and caressed his hair.

"This is my son, Will." She introduced, as I felt my heart pound faster against my rib cages. He wasn't going to be my younger brother but my older brother?

But how?

Did dad have an affair before his marriage with mum?

"Mum, who's she?" A voice I was dying to hear, to help me clarify things and stop my brain from overthinking, echoed in my ears but it didn't come from who I was expecting, it came from the boy who apparently just found out about his father as well.

"Uhmmm she is..."

"I'm Valerie. How are you feeling now? Better?" I tried avoiding the introduction topics as best as I could, at least until the second half of the culprit shows up.

"I'm good." He said with a nod, as his mum squeezed his hand comforting, or maybe she was trying to comfort herself somehow fighting back her tears. I missed that; a mother's undiluted love for her child, a mother's tears when her child is sick, a mother's kiss and care.

Some nurses walked in, pushing a cart, as they positioned themselves besides him.

"His surgery would take about five to six hours and we are here to prepare him for that." One of the nurses said, as the mother nodded in understanding, standing from besides the bed as she walked towards the edge and stood, looking over him with a smiling face.

He was soon wheeled away into the operating theatre as I sat with her, waiting for the goodnews of a successful operation.

Even if it turns out to be true that this woman's son is truly my father's child, I can't transfer hate to a sick person, and so I prayed for his quick recovery.

The beeping sound of my phone woke me up from my own thoughts, as I pulled the phone to my ear.

"Princess, I'm outside the hospital." He said, trying really hard to be cheerful as always.

"Okay." I replied bluntly, excusing myself as I walked outside to bring him.

"You're early." I said, refusing the hug he was offering, as I kept my distance from him

"I don't know what is happening but I can assure you that I don't have anything to do with that woman. I just asked you to give her the money because I didn't want to drag out the issue which might end up in her son's death but I'm here to prove that..."

"...prove that you didn't cheat on mum? He has your voice though, so you can at least stop denying?"

"Nothing is certain until a DNA test is conducted." He sounded hurt but I cared less, I was too angry to care.

"Okay. He's in surgery now. You should come in and pay your respects to his mother." Sighing, I decided to be a little more nicer.

"Alright, princess."

WRITER'S CORNER

Walking into the hospital, Mr Williams Gonzalez could feel his heart pounding heavily in his chest. He was scared of having to loose the beautiful relationship he has with his daughter. He tried thinking long and hard about his sex life, but no memory of him having sex with another woman came to mind.

"Williams, you came!" The woman was excited, half running as he shoved her away with his hand.

"Yes, I came. I need some answers to a whole lot of questions I have for you."

"Can we do it some other time? Will is in surgery." She pleaded, as Val took a seat, watching closely as the drama unfolded.

"Who exactly are you and how did we meet to make him?"

"You honestly don't remember?" She asked, a hint of sadness laced her voice, "Well, I can't really blame you for forgetting. You told me to my face that it was a mistake you had already forgotten about."

"Speak clearly, woman."

"Okay. I'm Rose and I was a waiter at the club you did your bachelor's party about twenty years ago." She started the narration as he tried going back in time to ascertain her tale.

"You were high and drunk, and some strippers were paid to give you a good time but you picked me and at first I rejected, but you offered my boss an offer he couldn't refuse and I was made to sleep with you."

"I tried making you use a condom but you insisted against it. The next morning you woke up and after realizing what had happened, you cursed out at me and blamed me for everything. You said you were getting married in days time and that you loved your wife. You threw some cash at me and left." His head became heavy as he recollected this memory after a long time.

"A few months later, I discovered I was pregnant with your child and wanted to come look for you but found out you were already married so I stayed away because I didn't want to ruin anyone's home."

"A waiter at a club? How did you know it was my child?" Finally finding his voice, he asked.

"Because I hadn't been with any man after you."

"I don't believe you and that's why we are conducting a DNA test to confirm your story."

"DNA?" She asked, as Valerie stomps out angrily with tears in her eyes.

"Princess!"