My mind and body were restless like a truck had run me over—sores and pain all over. I couldn't think deeply, let alone bring back memories of the past. I lay flat on the bed, glaring at Harley in her prime.
I stretched my body and reached for the water next to me while Jayden was dozing off.
"What should I say? How can I face Richardson in the court of law?" I sank into melancholy and disbelief, thinking of how a beautiful journey of eight years ended in just a minute.
"How's your health and condition? Harley is more concerned," Jayden raised a brow.
I took a deep breath and exhaled heavily. "I am perfectly fine now."
"You are not, Mommy. What about Daddy? I miss him. I need to see him..."
I shunned Harley. "He is not your daddy anymore. You are now fatherless." I drew my emotions closer, as much as I was also wounded. Tears stung her eyes and she began to cry. I used my small piece of handkerchief to wipe off her tears.
"It's okay, Harley. Everything will be fine." Jayden buried her face in his stomach, consoling her.
"I still feel a need to apologize to the little one inside." My thighs were stung, as if something was hooked between them.
"Which little one? Did you mean your unborn child?" He laid his hands on my stomach.
"Yes, my son. It's a boy."
"I'm sorry to say, you had a miscarriage. In fact, there were several complications that could have led to your death. Thanks to the proper medical care."
At first, I was dumbfounded and speechless. I was glad the little one inside was gone. It equaled freedom. I was free from suffering. Harley is the only child I have to cater for. No longer expecting any child.
"I thought of aborting the child. Now a miscarriage took place." I caressed my tummy.
Zzzz Zzzz
Jayden's phone rang twice before he picked it.
"Richardson, are you that worse?" he said out of annoyance. I knew a conflict was about to happen, so I instructed the nurse to send Harley out of the room.
"Heartless? How? What did I do wrong?" He sounded rude over the phone. "I disowned Harley all because she's a bastard and divorced her mother? Or I replaced her with Delilah? No, just answer me."
Jayden was stunned. He was belittled before himself. "Are you that mean? Your wife's life is at stake, and all you could do is flex with another woman?" He tightened his grip, clenching his teeth.
"I have clearly stated it—I don't want Harley and Theresa in my life anymore. I am getting married to Delilah as soon as I divorce Theresa. I have wasted eight years of my life raising Harley, not knowing she's a bastard." He sounded so cold that I realized all affection had faded.
I tried my best to keep Harley from being traumatized. My ears oozed fear from the insults he threw.
"Enough!" I shouted over the phone as Richard was about to say something else, which I knew would be an insult. "Enough, Richardson! I overheard the whole conversation. I had a miscarriage. The little one is no longer inside me, and I'm glad about it. No record of my traumatic past."
He chuckled for just a second. "Wow, young lady, so you're glad you had a miscarriage? Who's going to claim Harley and act like her father?"
"I won't allow you to insult my Harley and Theresa like that. I will take care of everything. Don't be too relaxed or happy," Jayden said in a strong voice.
"So, you are secretly dating Jayden. I can see through your conversation."
Jayden could no longer hide his annoyance in his expression. "And so what if she is—or we are? At least she's no longer your wife." Those were the last words he said before hanging up.
"I am prepared for the divorce. We have to go." I wore my flip-flops.
"I'll arrange everything and get Harley ready. At least she's six years and above—she can decide which custody to stay with," he assured me.
Jayden is more like a friend; he has been with me through thick and thin. He showered me with love and care more than usual and stood for me. Hours after my rest and recovery, the clock struck 12:00 PM.
My worst nightmare came to reality. Before Delilah and Richard, I stood with the papers he handed to me.
"Once I sign this, it's over. We are in the final stage. Besides, Harley is no longer your child." I snapped the pen from him and signed the documents without hesitating.
"Mrs. Babylon can't stay here for long. Please be fast." He was trying to say something.
"We don't care. Just leave my Theresa and her angelic Harley to me," Jayden said nonchalantly.
In a twinkle of an eye, Harley occupied the witness box, challenged with an unthinkable demand.
"Who are you following? Your mom or your dad?" the judge said loudly.
Harley blinked a few times, looking at Jayden and me. "But I still love my father and my mother too. Suddenly, their union collapsed."
Jayden had earlier told her, "He's no longer your dad. He will marry another lady, and you will have your stepmother or father's wife train you till adulthood. It's better you follow your mom and leave your father. He no longer cherishes you." I was present. Harley was too young for all this. The most memorable day of my life—the day my sweet husband was separated from me. Not that he died, but he divorced me due to trust issues.
After everything was over, I came to my senses. All years of my life—almost a decade—wasted on the wrong person. Deep down, it hurts, but I have to soldier on. Jayden's mother, whom I took as my own, took me as hers. She gave me motherly advice I took unserious.
It's not too late. I can still start all over again. I am just 32. I can still start another life and get out of the trenches. Who Harley belongs to is not the subject of the matter. I want to get married to another man and live a sweet marital life. I will give an answer to my daughter when necessary in the future. I can't imagine seeing Harley growing up hating me, so I kept the divorce and other necessary records for future purpose.