Chapter 17: Misfortune?

KATE'S POV

I watched Leo's reaction as he came out of the hospital. I'd been sitting out here the whole time, waiting for him to show up with our son so that I could take a photograph of both of them together, and it came out perfect. They were even holding hands.

“What's the meaning of this, Kate? We agreed that you wouldn't come around here." 

I almost laughed, recalling the action that would have best gone with his words, if we weren't in a public place. Lenny came over and took my hand.

“Was he nice?" I asked my son while my eyes rested on his father. He pumped my hand twice. “Good." I held Leo's gaze. “I'm really impressed by your parenting skills, Leo. At least, that's something you haven't blown up for yourself." 

I watched his jaw tense. It seemed like everything to me when his frustrating was right about frothing out of the cup. Who did he think he was anyway that he could do away with me like trash? There's no better way to torture him.

“Aren't you going to say anything, Leo?" I prodded.

"He was a good kid in there. It's just that you've spoiled him with McDonald's. Another area where your brain forgot to tell you the right thing to do.”

My face went hot but I just couldn't let my son see all of that. Leo had never been nice with words since I showed up at his little party. I take it that he's still mad. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Mad that I took only just a little money and eloped so I could take care of the child he put in me?! I managed a smile as I snapped out of the shock he'd sent me into.

"Well… that's a lot." I chuckled nervously and held his gaze again. “I don't think that was necessary, you know. There's a minor here." 

He smirked and cocked his head to one side. This man was really not in the know of what I felt for him. This, and more, is one of the many reasons I'd do anything to get another chance with him. His next statement is really what I wasn't prepared for. He shouldn't just indulge and wash my dirty linen out here. I know I made a lot of silly mistakes.

“Well, I said nothing vulgar; except you've been lying to your son about how smart you are." 

A slap to the face. I had to think of something, and really fast. 

“What about the results of the tests?" I demanded, finally regaining my unbothered disposition. Maybe this would topple his comportment a little, and increase my confidence. “You're supposed to have the results with you." 

“The doctors took another set of samples", he replied without breaking a sweat. I blinked rapidly in response. Whatever did he mean by that? Another set of samples? I instinctively looked at Lenny. He was still looking good.

“And why's that?" 

“He said they had to be sure; so they weren't taking any chances." 

For the first time since the beginning of this issue, I truly began to feel scared. Except his new toy had softened him, Leo had a ruthless rogue inside of him. He'd go any length to prove his point. And I don't see myself ready for a case. All I need is more money for the upkeep of our son. And of course, for the mother of the only heir he has now; legitimacy shouldn't be the question on your mind at the moment.

“It's alright. I'll be waiting then. You can send shots of the documents as testimony to the results." I tagged my son along. “Come on, Lenny." 

As I walked away, a strange fear rested over me. I seemed to be shrouded by darkness. Even my thoughts weren't clear anymore. What if he falsifies the results? No one will believe me. And this could be quite a bad one for me if he insists on a lawsuit. 

I'll lay low.

\~~~~~~~~~~

LEO'S POV 

What, exactly, is wrong with women? Just when I thought I had my life together, Kate appears from nowhere with a child by me. A child I never knew of. The bitch took pictures of me with the child. Shit! All I can think of at the moment is blackmail. That could be her possible best move. I watched her car zoom off. Seems she made a huge name for herself wherever she went to. She appears all self-made now. I scoffed. Self made? With all that money she stole from me? A billion dollars for fifteen years?! I guess her responsibility for the kid cut down some of her ostentation.

I returned to my own car. I decided to come without an entourage today due to the nature of what I had to do. It didn't require extra eyes and ears. Then Lisa crossed my mind. What will she think of me. Our relationship is like walking on broken glass right now. She never got to tell me what actually happened at the family meeting, and I guess it had something to do with her mood since then. Plus, I made an even bigger fool out of myself. I should have let her be. Shit! My screen lit up.

“Boss, we have an emergency. I found your wife almost gagging to death on the floor of her room. She locked herself in and I had to break in." 

I didn't let him go any farther. Nothing seemed to be before me as I sped down the highway. All the cars seemed slow, and I really didn't mind getting multiple tickets as I zoomed. Lisa was on my mind. Did she try to end it all? Did she really want to kill herself? How'd I answer to the media when they twist the story? That I killed my wife, and brought back my ex-lover because she had a son for me and my wife didn't?

Soon, I parked my car in front of the mansion and raced up the steps to the door, which was unlocked. My domestic staff had somehow brought her down to the living room. She was propped up against a pillow while a guard watched her.

“Lisa, baby, why did you do this? Do you hate me that much? Why were you trying to kill yourself?" She wasn't responding but her breathing was shallow. I could barely see her chest rise or fall. “What were you thinking? I would have listened if you wanted to talk." I took her right hand. It was so cold. “Lisa, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for how I mistreated you."  I looked at her tired face. Her lips parted.

"Take me to the hospital”, she croaked.

Seems the gagging really did her voice dirty. Lisa didn't like hospitals but requesting for one means that this is serious, and also a good sign - she didn't try to kill herself. Maybe she's just feeling sick. I did my best to scoop her carefully off the floor where she was seated.

"Alright. I'll get you there. Just don't pass out on me.”

I felt her nod weakly. She felt really light, and I could feel her bones poke against my skin. I just hoped it wasn't anything bad. All I could hear my mind echo to me was cancer. Cancer.

“Get my car ready!" 

My chaffeur pulled up close to the entrance and opened the back door. I gently put Lisa down in the back seat. Her forehead was burning. My heart raced. Could this be because I hit her? Oh, no! I'll be so screwed. What do I tell her dad? I sat at the back, her head resting on my thigh.

This is my second time at the hospital today. The nurses at the emergency unit quickly took her out of my arms and began working on her while a doctor took me aside to ask some questions. I feared that he might want to know if I'd hit her. I did, and there was no denying it but this would be a huge scandal on me.

“Did she have something to eat this morning?" 

Well… that was way too random, and too sudden. How'd I know? She was mad at me and probably didn't step out of her room after the whole drama in the morning.

"I really don't know. I left for work, and she was still in her room.”

"Alright. We're just starting out on basic resuscitation. Then we'll try rehydration. After that, we can begin tests on her to ascertain the diagnosis. It's not going to be anything bad; I hope.”

I heaved a sigh of relief. It seemed everyone working with Dr Lamar was the best in their field. I smiled and extended my hand. He shook it and pat me on the back.

"Thank you, Doctor…." 

“Kenny. Sorry I skipped the basics. It's Dr Kenny. I'm in charge of the emergency unit. Nice to meet you." 

“The pleasure is mine, Dr Kenny." 

He walked back in the direction the nurses had taken Lisa. I was sure that she'd be fine after all. It wasn't cancer. Whatever it was, I'll stick with her.