Chapter One–Hundred Twenty–Five

Chapter One–Hundred Twenty–Five
Valerie's POV

I'd avoided eye contact with Jake throughout my stay in his room. I was scared that if he looked into my eyes, it might reignite a feeling I preferred was left buried.

He made his decision, and I chose to live with that.

I stepped into the bathroom for a bubble bath so I could calm my nerves. I didn't want to think about Jake. Or Damian. Or my crumbled relationship with my family. All that mattered right now was my baby. He was the only light I was holding onto in my dark world.

Instinctively, my hands wrapped around my baby bump. I felt tears sting in my eyes. "Oh, my Jayden," I whispered softly, "I will give you the best life full of love, and I can't wait to be your mummy."

I quickly finished up and stepped out of the bathtub. After applying body lotion and sealing it with oil, I slipped into a free-flowing long dress.

My phone vibrated, and a reminder flashed across my screen. It was time to take lunch to Jake and give him his meds.

I sighed deeply. I really can't wait for him to recover fully so all this "caring" can be done and over with.

Antonio had already prepared lunch, so all I had to do was take it up to Jake.

The same routine continued for three days, and Jake was slowly coming back to himself. Thank goodness his medication was finishing today, and I wouldn't have any reason to enter his room anymore.

I sat on a couch by the door, scrolling through Instagram while I waited for Jake to finish eating dinner so I could confirm he took the last dosage of his medication.

The atmosphere was charged with heavy silence until a call came through my phone, the loud ring echoing through the room.

I lifted my head to find Jake quietly watching me. Our eyes held briefly, but I looked away.

Why was Gina calling me? What more does she want?

I terminated the call without thinking twice, but she kept calling, so I resolved to put my phone on Do Not Disturb.

By now, Jake's plate was empty. I poured him a glass of water and handed him the meds, which he swallowed in one gulp. "Thank you," he muttered quietly.

I didn't acknowledge his gratitude. Instead, I retrieved the tray from the bedside drawer and stood to leave. However, I decided it was best to let him in on my decision moving forward. I cleared my throat. "Since you've completed your medications, I don't have any business being here anymore."

Jake's face flickered with surprise mixed with confusion. "You don't have to stop coming—unless it's what you want."

His statement sent irritation spreading through my chest.

For the first time since his sickness, I held his eyes longer than a second. "Trust me. I'd rather be anywhere but here," I said, letting an evil smile curve on my lips. "Don't confuse this with anything else."

With that, I stormed out of the room.

Jake is so unbelievable! Who the fuck does he think he is?! How dare he attempt to have "casual" conversation with me like he didn't remember how he "casually" tossed me aside and put an end to our short-lived relationship. He didn't even have the decency to break up with me properly. Ugh! Good riddance!

I didn't sleep right away. Several thoughts spiraled in my head as I lay on the bed.

Do I go ahead and insist Jake and I carry out another DNA test in a different hospital to prove that the baby in my womb is his? Or do I just leave things the way they are? To be honest, a part of me wanted the former—but the scars from the mental torture I've been through these past weeks were still fresh.

I didn't know when a tear slipped from my eye. Immediately, my hand wiped it off.

"No more crying because of Jake," I muttered under my breath.

Soft rays of morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on my bed.

My eyes fluttered open, and I let out a loud yawn. I did a few stretches before freshening up. I discovered that I was running short on some of my favorite skincare products, and I refused to wait until I had empty bottles before I restocked.

I had a quick breakfast and headed out, wearing a maxi dress paired with flats and large sunglasses. Something simple that wouldn't draw attention.

I drove to the mall by myself. However, instead of heading directly to the skincare section, I decided to do some window-shopping.

I was navigating through the clothing and accessories section, admiring and running my hands through pretty dresses when I overheard whispers.

"I'm sure she is the one," the first female voice insisted.

"What a slut!" the second voice spat. "That poor man must be going through a lot."

I felt a sharp pain in my chest as my eyes traced to where the voices came from.

The ladies must have sensed I was now watching as they abandoned the clothes they were examining and scurried away.

My breathing increased as I felt my eyes water. I pushed my sunglasses up my nose.

People just go about spewing rubbish without knowing the truth. How I wished I had confronted them and put them in their place.

I rushed to grab the skincare items that initially brought me to the mall and headed out.

I was walking towards my car when I sighted a familiar face from afar.

Alex.

Gosh! Maybe if I'd just breezed in and breezed out, we wouldn't have bumped into each other.

He was now closer, and I plastered a smile I hoped was warm enough across my face. "Hello, Alex."

"Hey, Val," he greeted and leaned in for a brief side hug before stepping back. "You look...pregnant."

Instinctively, a hand rested on my bump. "Was that supposed to be a compliment?" My voice came out colder than I expected.

He scratched his head. "Not really. You know what—never mind," he paused a bit as if calculating his next words. "I saw the news."

My eyes shot up. "I am not interested in having that conversation with you," I said defensively.

Alex dipped his hands into his pockets and stepped forward. "I'm not here to judge you, Val. Far from it," his tone softened. "If anything, I want you to know that I'm still VERY much interested in becoming your man."

I gasped, my heart thudding faster than the normal rate. "Do you know what that means?"

He nodded firmly. "Just give me a yes."