“Breathe, Breathe Lexie," Naomi said as she patted my back trying to help me through the pain.
The contractions were getting worse by the second. I thought I had already prepared myself. Since the day I found out I was pregnant, I had already thought of preparing myself for the cruel pain of labor. Yet I wasn't ready. I didn't want to die like my mother did.
“Naomi, promise me. If I die here, you must give the baby up for adoption. Don't even think of trying to raise the child ” I said looking at my best friend because I knew her personality.
“Stop saying rubbish. You won't die. Plus, are you still considering the adoption stuff?" Naomi asked me making me nod my head.
I was in the final year of my masters. Raising a child right now was considered madness in every definition. It was a risk I wasn't willing to take at all since I had to fulfill my mother's dying wish. To graduate.
“Nurse, please help her. She's in labor." Naomi said as she explained things to the nurse while they brought me out of the cab.
Watching the nurse nodded her head, I grip the armrest of my wheelchair groaning. It was as if the pain was all over my body. Now I finally understood why my mother had given up the ghost in labor. It would be a miracle to survive this.
“Help me! " I scream anxiously as I take deep breaths.
Once the doctors enter the room a few minutes later, I can't wait to finally get this baby out of me. The faster, the better. While I am here suffering in pain, I can't help but think of Kingston. He had dragged me out to save the pain of being humiliated. I had been the fool who seduced him without thinking of the consequences. Now, I was about to give birth to his baby.
“Do you want to stay? She might need someone to encourage her.” The doctor said to Naomi making her nod my head.
Watching her grab my hand, I try to force a smile at her assuring her I am okay even if I am not. A few minutes later, I finally gave birth to King's baby. A baby boy.
“It's a baby boy, Lexie. Look at him. He is perfection, I swear. He's so handsome even though he's a baby." Naomie said hyping the baby up as she carried him over to me.
Looking down at my baby, I can't help by suddenly feel like crying. Not because he was handsome just the way Naomi had said, but because he resembled Kingston. Kingston and Princeton were brothers. They looked so identical that sometimes it would be hard to differentiate them. My baby looked like Kingston but he could very well pass off as Princeton's baby too.
“Have you let the adoptive parents know I have given birth? They can come and take him anytime they want." I say coldly before turning my face away.
“Lexie. Even after good through that, you still want to give your son away?" Naomi asked making me nod my head.
" I want to. There is no need for me to keep him here. I am going to sleep for a while. I feel very tired.” I said closing my eyes while Naomi sighed leaving the room.
Waking up a few minutes later, I groan in pain feeling very bad for some unknown reason. Reaching for the button on the side of my bed, I try to press it so I call for the nurse but my hand falls weakly making me close my eyes.
“Are you okay? How do you feel?" I hear someone ask making me open my eyes.
Looking at the person walking towards me, my mouth falls open slightly from the shock of seeing him. The last person I wanted to see in this world.
“How?" I ask surprised as I watch King press the button for me.
The door opens immediately in a second and the doctors come rushing to check on me. After they are done, Kingston talks to them while I reach for my phone texting Naomi. It must be her. No one would have called King here if it wasn't for her. Did she tell him about his baby? Looking around the room, I spot my son sleeping soundly in his crib. I had not even heard him when he cried for the first time.
“What are you doing here? How did you know I was here?” I ask King as I watch him enter back into the room.
“Doesn't matter how I knew? What matters is that I know you just gave birth. Is he my son?" King asks getting straight to the point with his question stunning me.
Turning my gaze from him, I look towards the crib where our son is sleeping soundly. I didn't want to have anything to do with Kingston and his family. This baby was something that could bind us together and I didn't want that at all. Opening my mouth, I want to deny that he is not the father of the baby but King beats me to it.
“Don't even bother to try denying it. I asked the hospital to do a DNA test already. I know I am the father. Besides, the baby looks exactly on me." King says making me clench my hand.
I had no other option but to say the unthinkable.
“He also looks like your brother. He could be your brother's child." I say hoping that would get him to give up. It would be much better if he thought the child was Prince's.
Instead, a smile formed on his lips as he leaned in to stare at me making me frown. What was he up to?
"Is that so? Then why don't we go and tell my brother? You hid his child from him and secretly gave birth. You even want to give the child up for adoption.” King says making me gasp.
“Naomi told you everything, didn't she? How could she?” I ask looking away from him as he stands back.
“Is it because he hurt you? Is that why you want to give his baby away as revenge? Why don't you just tell him so you can stop his marriage? You know he hasn't gotten married to his secret girlfriend yet. This could be your opportunity." King said.
" I am not that kind of girl. I won't force myself on anyone.” I say sternly as I look at him.
“Then I will adopt the child. You don't want the child. I can help you relieve your burden and take the child. Prince will not know that the baby is his." King said making me shake my head.
“You can't.”
“Why? Why can't I? Didn't you want to give the baby away in the first place?" King asked making me close my eyes as I sighed in frustration.
I couldn't let him adopt his child.
“Anyone else? Anyone except you or anyone from your family. I am not giving my baby to any of you. Do you understand? Now leave ” I say to King pointing at the door and signaling him to leave.
“Then you leave me no other option but to say the baby is mine. After all, we had a one-night stand. The baby looks like me and Prince. Doesn't matter if the baby isn't mine, I can take you to court and claim he is mine. With a fake paternity test, I can take him away." King says leaving me stunned.
“Why are you doing this?" I ask staring at him shocked by his words while he walks around the room in front of me.
“Because I don't want my life to end up like Prince's. Once my beloved mother is done arranging Prince's marriage, she will come for me. And I don't want that. How about this? Pretend to be my wife for 3 years. With the fact that you have my baby, she will have no option but to give in." King said.
" No. Don't even dream of it. I won't do it.” I say sternly as I get out of bed staggering weakly as I try to get to my son.
Catching me just before I can fall, King carries me back to bed before sitting down beside me so I don't get back up.
“ You don't have a choice. Only two options. Be in a contract marriage with me for 3 years or I will take away your beloved child. Choose one." King said smiling as he looked at me.
The fact that he is even smiling makes everything worse for me. How could I be affected by my ex-boyfriend's twin brother? Looking down at my son once again, I can't imagine leaving him in the hands of Kingston's evil family all alone.
“You're the worst person I've ever met, do you know that? Fine. I agree to your request. I will act as your wife. Happy? Now get out. Leave.” I say harshly before turning my gaze on him.