68

68
Chapter 68

Derek Woods

My fingers clutched tightly around the fork as I stared at mom blankly.

"It's three weeks, darling. I only found out about it some days ago, and I couldn't wait to tell you about it." She squealed excitedly.

"Wo...wow!" I muttered, not knowing what to say.
Happy? That was the least of the things I felt at the moment. She wasn't supposed to be pregnant. Not for that bastard.

"Congratulations, mom." I forced a smile.

"Why do you look like that? Aren't you happy about it?" Her eyes narrowed as they bored into mine, and I chuckled dryly.

"Of course, mom. I mean... I'm happy for you." I replied to her, biting into my lip.

"Ronnie... does he know about the baby yet?" I asked.

"Hmm. I told him about it. He promised to celebrate the baby as soon as he gets back from his business trip." She nodded with a smile, and I felt a sting in my heart.

He knew about her pregnancy and still went ahead to cheat on her? While my mom was here, struggling alone, he was in the arms of another woman, enjoying himself?

"Congratulations, mom." I muttered.

We didn't talk much as we continued eating, but I could barely feel the taste of the banana bread as everything had messed up my taste bud, but even then, I tried not to make it obvious. I didn't want mom to question me.

Once we were done eating, I helped clear the table.

"Mom, I need to leave now." I told her once we returned to the living room. I picked up my jacket.

Her face flashed with sadness as she said. "You are not spending the night here?"

"Uhm... mom-"

"Darling, can you spend the night here with me, please? I was scared all night when I slept alone yesterday. I can't imagine myself sleeping all alone again today." She held my hands and pleaded.
How heartless can that bastard be?

"Alright, mom."

Her face brightened up with a smile. "You will really sleep here?"

I nodded, and she threw her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly like she never wanted to let go.

"I will go arrange the room you will sleep in."

"No, mom. Just show me to the room, and I will take care of it. You need to get some rest."

Mom led me upstairs to the guest room. The room was quite spacious with a wide bed that had the bedspread rumpled. There wasn't anything much in the room.

"Don't mind me, darling. I haven't been able to make the bed." She chuckled nervously. Now that I thought of it, only one question echoed in my mind at that moment. They don't have a maid, does she do everything in the house? Does that bastard overwork her?

"I got this." I gently took the bedspread from her and smiled before setting the bed.

"The bathroom is over there. There are new pyjamas in the closet. Help yourself with one. Call me if you need anything." She rubbed my arm before turning to leave.

"I was wondering about something, mom..."
She paused and turned to me.

"Yes, darling?"

"I noticed that you don't have a maid in the house... so, I was wondering if you do everything in the house." I looked straight into her eyes.

She smiled. "Ronnie doesn't like the presence of another woman around him aside from me. That is why we agreed not to hire a maid."

I scoffed silently. "Doesn't like the presence of another woman around him indeed."

"Did you say something?" Mom asked, but I quickly shook my head.

"No, I didn't. What about the stress?" I further asked, and she shrugged.

"I get that you are concerned about me, sweetheart, but you don't have to worry. Ronnie is doing his best to help out in the house, and the chores are manageable." She smiled, but I could see the stress behind that smile.

"You are pregnant, mom. You should be getting enough rest. More than enough rest. You are not supposed to be doing anything at the moment." I reminded her.

"Go to bed, sweetheart. You must be tired." She rubbed my arm and smiled before leaving the room.

I exhaled, plunging into the bed and running my fingers through my hair. I felt my heart pounding hard in my chest, my throat burning down to my twisting stomach. I had only one wish. That I could see that bastard at that moment and make him regret hurting my mom.

Brushing all my thoughts away, I stood up and headed out of the room, finding my way to mom's room. It was easy finding my way to the master's bedroom.

I stood in front of the door, pressing my ear against the door. Was just trying to be sure that mom was fine.

"Why are you doing this, Ronnie? You do know that I'm carrying your child, right? Why are you treating me this way?" My eyebrows creased the moment I heard mom's voice from inside.

"No, Ronnie. I told you that I wasn't going to get rid of the baby. Can you please stop?" Her voice was teary this time.

"Can you come home, please? You've been away for days already. I don't even know where you are now. I'm losing my mind."
It was then I realised that mom had lied to cover up for him. Has he been messing with her?

I tried to hold back, but I was so burning inside that I couldn't hold back. I pushed the door open and barged inside.

Mom was sitting on the bed, so she rose to her feet as soon as I barged inside. Her teary eyes flashed with shock as she turned to face me.

"I'm hanging up." She spoke on the phone before dropping her hand beside her. My fingers clenched tightly around her phone as she stared at me.

"Sweetheart... why aren't you sleeping yet?" She quickly wiped her tears with the back of her palm as she smiled at me, trying to hide her pain.

"Don't mind mommy, sweetie... I...I... I was just uhm-"

"Did you know he was cheating on you?" I cut her off, and her jaw dropped...