Chapter 70 Being self righteous
The nurse was scared. His behaviour could worsen the patient's condition and the nurse feared being at the receiving end of his anger therefore, she veered to Dr Jeff's office. He would know what to do.
He couldn't protect her. He couldn't protect her. He failed. How would she perceive him when she woke up? Regret and confusion washed him as he continued to sob. Paul was trying to understand everything but nothing seemed to make sense to him. Whichever way, he tried to console Loney.
"She will be fine. You just have to be there for her."
"She will hate me," Loney's tone was bitter. Her sister kidnapped her because of-"
"Loney, your surrogate has been inquiring of you. What are you doing here?" Dr Jeff's voice broke through Loney's last words. The nurse had come to inform him that Loney was going nuts because of the accident patient in the emergency ward, which got him startled. He wondered what the patient did to get him so hysterical.
Nonetheless, Dr Jeff's words began to sink in just as Loney moved closer to the woman lying on the bed. Her stomach was flat. He cursed himself severally for not noticing it before. Relief flung him just as hate harnessed him. He loathed her so much.
"You should have told me she was also here." He said in a pained expression, his gaze glued on Daniella's sleeping form on the bed.
"Who?" Dr Jeff didn't hide his confusion. He stared intently at Daniella. Then it made sense to him. The sleeping woman on the bed looked identical to Loney's surrogate but it wasn't her. "Who is she?" He asked nobody in particular. "Is she a twin to-" He realized he didn't have to ask. It was an obvious fact. "Well, I didn't know. I'm an Obstetrician-Gynaecologist. I don't handle accident cases," he finally gave Loney's question a suitable answer.
Loney's heart was heavy. So heavy, his whole being thirsted revenge. "Can you do me a favour?" His voice was almost a whisper but Dr Jeff heard him.
"Anything for you Loney," he affirmed in a positive tone.
"Can you make sure she doesn't get out of here alive?" Loney's expression was deadpanned and Dr Jeff knew that he meant every word. But how could he want the sister of his surrogate dead? Dr Jeff couldn't understand anything.
"Loney, that's against medical standards, and I'm not a murderer," he countered in a firm whisper.
"You said you would do anything for me," Loney repeated.
Dr Jeff was helpless. Why didn't he listen before speaking? "I never thought you would make such an unfeeling request."
"You don't know who she is. She doesn't deserve to live." Oh, if looks could kill, Loney's gaze would have sent daggers straight to Daniella's heart and squeezed the life out of her.
"Loney, I think you should see your woman first." Paul interrupted. He wanted to distract Loney because even he knew that Loney was serious and would act on it immediately if not talked out of it.
"Where is Danica?" Loney finally blinked, his eyes leaving Daniella's form. There was so much on his mind and he would act on each one of them before having his peace.
"In the labour ward, on the left after you reach the corridor." Dr Jeff directed him. Loney took off with the speed of lighting but before making the turn, his eyes caught a familiar frame. He swirled his neck to the right, his gaze landing on Jones. Suspicion pinched him as his voice turned cold,
"What are you doing here?"
Jones was speechless. He wasn't expecting to see Loney here. If Loney found out he was here because of Daniella, it would create suspicion and Loney would not rest until he calls a search on him and if he says it's because of Danica, then he might just lose his head because Loney would think he still had feelings for Danica. But he wasn't one to lie. Both women meant a great deal to him.
"I don't think you have the time to listen but the truth is, I'm here to see Daniella." Loney stiffened. "I can explain everything but you don't have the time do you?" Jones rhetorically asked. Somehow, he hoped Loney wouldn't have time for him now. All he wanted at the moment was to speak with Daniella.
"This conversation is not over." Loney's tone wove suspicion and Jones had to prepare himself.
"I will be waiting for you," he nodded lightly.
Loney hastened from the corridor of the emergency ward without a second glance. However, his heart was still heavy. He felt Danica would never be safe for as long as Daniella remained alive therefore, even if Jeff wouldn't do it, he would get someone. Daniella must not live to see the light of day. He would worry about what to tell Danica after.
Loney dashed to the labour ward and halted at the door. Paul almost run him over due to the abrupt halt. Great despair, blended with relief brushed Loney but then, he saw a middle-aged man with Danica and Herty. His face contoured into a frown. Before he asked who he was, a gentle breathy voice masked with pain let out,
"You came," excitement flung her even as she experienced another contraction. She was holding on so much to his words that he would be with her.
Loney's gaze softened, his lips thinned into a smile, as he took in the form of the woman on the bed. She was in so much pain yet, she forced a smile. It touched Loney so much that his presence was very important to her. He wished he could take all her pain and bear it himself.
He hastened his steps towards her, lowered himself and kissed her sweaty forehead, and hugged her tightly. A squeeze on his back made him understand that she was in much more pain than he had imagined. Instantly, he felt saddened and useless that he couldn't help her. "I will never miss it for anything," he whispered into her ear, his hand instantly rubbing on her bump.
"I will excuse you, Danica," the middle-aged man said.
"Thank you, pastor Lawson," she forced a smile, just as another contraction tore through her. When Paul called Herty to come to the hospital, Herty was at church praying for Danica and luckily, Pastor Lawson was there. Therefore, Herty confessed everything to him thereby making him insist on coming to see Danica as well. Who would have known that something like this went on and they didn't seek help from the church? Anyway, that was a closed chapter.
Dr Jeff walked in with Dina and requested privacy since Danica's time was close. Her contractions were getting closer and more painful. However, before Herty stepped out, Paul pulled her to a corner. "So, what are your plans for tomorrow, except going to church?"
"I have already taken leave from work so I will still be here. Why? Do you want to come with me to church?" Herty hopefully asked.
Paul's eyes blanked, "never."
Herty lowered her gaze in dismay. "What is it with you and church?"
"I will tell you if you go on a date with me. Just once please," Paul's eyes lit up.
Herty shook her head. "I'm sorry Paul, I can't. My days are all busy."
"But you always create time for Danica. What is so wrong with getting to know each other?" Paul was losing his patience. He felt attracted to Herty from day one but she seems distant.
"Everything Paul, you don't believe in my faith and I don't want to be unequally yoked," she let out. She wanted a Christian and Paul wasn't therefore she wasn't going to give him a chance because she's scared of falling from her faith because of her attraction to him.
Unexpectedly, Paul understood her words perfectly. He too had once been a staunch Christian but circumstances drew him from it. Therefore, even though he might pretend not to know, he rather knew so much. "So that is what you think about me? A bad influence? An evil person?" He sounded embittered and Herty felt remorseful.
"No, I just -"
"Enough, Herty. I get it. I'm not as righteous as you." Paul walked out instantly, embracing the cold night. He needed fresh air.
Jones had heard everything. Daniella had not woken up and he was just pacing here and there when he saw Paul pull Herty to a corner. He thought Paul would hurt her or something so he stalked them and was met with displeasure.
He approached the dismayed Herty. "Let's talk outside."
Herty was dazed seeing him. "What are you doing here?"
"I will tell you later but now, let's talk about you," his expression was forbearing, Herty couldn't argue.
"There's nothing to talk about," she muttered, shy about speaking to Jones about Paul but Jones was persistent.
"I heard everything."
Herty bit her lip. "So you should be happy that I won't leave my faith because of a man."
"I'm rather disappointed," he countered to her amazement.
"What?" Even you? Why?" She didn't expect this from Jones. He, of all people, should know best. However, his next statement rendered her speechless.
"Because you are so self-righteous. I'm sure your garment is white and unstained right?"
"Well, I'm not saying that I'm perfect."
"Well, that's what your words to him scream."
"Jones, I can't believe you are talking like this. What happened to righteousness and holiness?"
Jones shook his head in displeasure. "If God wanted only the righteous and holy, he wouldn't have sent Jesus to die right? Or Jesus should have stayed in the temple to preach, instead of going to the street and even befriending tax collectors. Or perhaps, he wouldn't have even spoken to the Samaritan woman at the well. What I mean is, you can't reach him by inviting him to church. You can only reach him by showing how much you care about him. Have you forgotten what Pastor Lawson always said? People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
"Are you saying that I should-"
Jones cut her off. "I'm saying that you should be as wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. I have to go now. Daniella should regain consciousness by now."
Herty's eyes widened like a clock. "Daniella? What happened to her?"
"I think you should see for yourself."
Herty didn't realize it but her heart broke seeing Daniella in that state. "What happened?"
"She will tell us when she wakes up."
Suddenly, Jones feared for Daniella. At first, he wanted to sneak her out and fly her out of the country but he also knew not to mess with Loney. Daniella had bitten more than she could chew and even if God gave her a second chance, Jones couldn't be sure that she would live long enough to enjoy it now that Loney knew the truth. He so desperately wanted to help her but he lacked the expertise. How could he plead with Loney?