Chapter 57

Avery

We were sitting in the emergency room at the hospital. Jake was beside me holding my hand. I didn't expect him to throw himself In Front of us to stop her. My hands were shaking. Jake just held me. It's been three hours now and he was still in surgery. Resa was here but she didn't come close to us. She kept at a distance.

I saw James heading our way.
“ You good Kiddo?”.

“ Yes, Just shocked”.

“ Renee didn't make it. One less problem. He's really regretting it now. If he survives this Just go easy on him okay “.

“ Okay”.

I saw the doctor and I stood up.

“ Mr Anderson's Family?”.

“ I'm His daughter,that is my cousin”. I said looking at Resa. I saw the relief that entered her eyes.

“ He's okay. He's out of surgery. “.

Jake

I didn't say anything. After all he was her father and he was the only family she had. I wasn't angry or disappointed that she cared for him, it just proved to me that she had a big heart. After she spoke to the doctor she called the cousin over. She had been here since we came here ,but she didn't make any attempt to speak to Avery or make herself known. She sat quietly.

I guess people can change. “ You can go see him. I need to head home. I'll take care of the hospital bills”.

“ No, I'll do it. I didn't mean to sound ungrateful but Mom asked me to do it”.

“ Okay. I'll visit him as soon as I can. If he needs anything contact Irene and she'll let me know”.

“ Okay. I'll go see him now”.

“ Okay “.

I stood behind her. She reached her hands back and pinched me. “ Baby girl that hurts”.

“ I know. I'm just making sure you're here and not somewhere in your mind “.

“ Nowhere better than here with you, Come on baby, let's go home. I have something to show you”.

“ No , you have to go to the office. I'm going home “.

“ Baby please, just two hours" .I rested my head on her shoulder, and nuzzled her neck. I heard the shutter. Landon and Teo came towards us.

“ We've got company ”.

“ Babe Let's go. I have an Appointment at two. The doctor. You need to go to work. You can show me whatever it is tonight. Jake?.”

“ Yes Love”.

“ Umm. Can I?”.

She was hesitant to ask. I stood up straight and wrapped my arms around her and led her out of the hospital.

“ Whatever you want?”.

“ Can I go shopping?. I saw something online and I would like to buy it?”.

“ Baby girl, you can go shopping if you want. Hell I'll be happy just seeing you spending my money “.

“ No. Not like that Jake,it isn't expensive. It's ughhh. I don't think I can buy it either because people will see me “.

I helped her into the car and got in. What did she want to buy that she couldn't?. Whatever it was she'll figure it out.

“ Go and take security with you. Or order it and have Sherry pick it up or have it delivered in sherry or Irene's name”.

“ Okay. Will you be joining me for the doctor's visit?”.

“ I will. Landon will take you and I'll meet you There. Avery , You can go anywhere you want, you can do anything you want. You can buy anything you want as long as Landon and the rest if the security is with you then that's all and as long as you are happy".

“ Thank you Jake “.

Avery

After we dropped him off at the company. We headed home. Once home I went online searching for it. I knew what I was looking for. I placed the order in Sherry's name,she would pick it up for me. I ate a late lunch and got dressed. I explained To sherry what she was doing for me. And under no circumstances was she to let Jake see it. She laughed at me but assured me she would pick it up.

When I got to the doctors office. He was already waiting for me. It was empty. He simply said he didn't want anyone seeing us or that'll start the rumours again. I was three months pregnant and doing well. The baby was fine. Jake went back to work and I headed home.

Later that week I went to visit my father in the hospital. When I got there Resa was there. She just said Hello and left. I told her I wasn't going to bite her. She just said she knows but it can never go back to the way it was. After she left I sat in the chair and looked at him.

“ How are you feeling?”.

“ I'm fine. There's nothing to worry about”.

“ Why ?, Why did you hate me?”. I asked. He let out. A sigh.

“ Renee was basically forced onto me by Janice. I was young so I didn't really care because I knew I wouldn't Marry her. The Day I saw Nadine. She was absolutely beautiful and so elegant. There was a kindness to her that I never saw in anyone else except you. I fell in love with her instantly and was ready to marry her.”

“ Renee wouldn't give up on me ,and Janice helped her. When it became too much I caved and told Nadine about Renee only thing was I didn't tell her her name “.

“ She knew about the Affair?”.

“ It wasn't an affair per say. I slept with Renee Once. When she told me about The pregnancy, I told her to abort it ,that I didn't want an illegitimate child. She said she would. I stopped visiting her and she told Janice. I don't know what lies she told Janice but she became so angry at me and basically forced me to be with Renee with the threat of hurting Nadine. Nadine told me to do it. It was Only after I visited her that I knew she lied,she didn't terminate the pregnancy .She was six months pregnant “.

“ Nadine didn't know Renee was pregnant. I didn't either. I moved her to a bigger apartment and Gave her money every single month. I began staying away from her. When Nadine told me she was pregnant ,I was so happy. I never saw Alexis until she was almost eleven years old. She wanted me to divorce Nadine but I couldn't. I loved Nadine and Nadine knew I loved her . I was always honest with her, the only thing she didn't know was about Alexis ”.

He had that look in his eyes everytime,he said her name.

“ When Nadine became sick, I took her to every single doctor I could think of. I wanted to take care of her. I had sent Irene and Esther away , because Tyson handled the company for me. The day she died. I was at home with her. You were at school. We were sitting out back when Tyson called and said he needed me at the office. I didn't want to go but she Told me she would be fine. She'd go lie in the living room and wait until I returned. She said she wanted to have dinner at Marriott that evening so I said I'd make the reservations and when you got home we'd have something light and go to dinner “.

“ If I had known I would have lost her ,I wouldn't have left and left her alone. didn't know that when I came back home, she would no longer be with me. After her funeral, Renee became insistent that I Marry her but I didn't want to. I told her I needed time and I needed to speak to you but Renee had other ideas”.

“ The main reason for me hurting you is because Janice gave me no choice. Either I did it or I would lose the business. Before Nadine died after she became so sick she told me if anything should happen to her. The house and all the money would go to you. I agreed. After her passing I didn't have much money and Janice was the one that helped me and one of the conditions was I hurt you. I'm sorry “.

“ The first time I didn't do what she asked me to do. The business began tanking. I'm sorry Avery. I truly am”.

“ It's okay. I forgive you. I just need time to understand everything”.

“ That is okay. Thank you “.

I went back home. When Jake returned from work, he found me in bed crying. I told him everything. He comforted me and let me cry. Thank God I found Jake. Maybe this was my mother's way of letting me know that their can be happiness in life,there could be unconditionally Love and there could be family.