Chapter 37

As soon as I opened my eyes, my mind went back to the last thing I remembered happening. What the hell is going on? Is my mother still alive, and Dan knew that this whole time, and he never thought of telling me?. I sat up on the bed and noticed that I was changed from the gown to Dan's shorts and a tank top. I must've really passed out because he changed my clothing without me waking up. Dan must've brought me here after he found me passed out on the floor in his office; he probably knows that I know about the letter now, that's why he's not here. My mind immediately thought of Stephany, and I immediately rushed downstairs to check if she was still there. I found the basement door wide open and no one inside. My mind raced over ideas about where they could have taken her, if he killed her, or if I see any reports of a missing person, I'm turning him and his goons in to the police.

I looked around the whole mansion looking for Dan and couldn’t find him. I eventually settled on just sitting outside and waiting for him. And soon enough, his car drove into the big driveway, he slowly got out of the car, and approached me. “You have a lot of explaining to do,” I said as I stood up from the chair. He looked up to me and nodded.

“I know, and I need you to know that I am very sorry for everything that I did. I took Stephany out of the basement, but she is safe.” I nodded, taking his word for it. “Thank you, but I don’t need apologies; I need an explanation.”

“Can we go inside so I can explain?” I nodded and followed him inside. We took a seat at the kitchen table, and he sighed, which made me nervous because whatever it is that he has done sounds terrible. “Okay, what questions do you have for me?”

“My mother was Mandy Peterson, and she died when I was ten years old of cancer. Who is the person sending me money?” I asked, I have no other relatives other than my parents, who I have buried. “She claims she’s your mother, and she sent money, but that was the first and last transaction.” He said, looking at me with a sad face, I wanted to hold his hand and tell him I’m not upset, but I am upset.

“Why would you hide that from me? You know my mother died, and someone tells you that they are my dead mother, you decide to keep it to yourself?” I questioned my voice, raising a bit; I really need to work on my communication skills. “I wanted to try and find out more information about her, but I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you sooner, though.”

“You keep saying you’re sorry, but I’m not hearing the rest of the story.” He looked at me with a bit of an annoyed look, but quickly faltered. “Why did you keep the money for yourself?” I asked him, feeling a bit insecure about the question, ever since my father died, along with his things, and left me poor, so much so that I had to marry for money. I don’t like talking about money issues. “You might not believe this, but the business has been facing some challenges, and I’ve even had to lay off some employees. Besides, I thought you would leave me.” He said a bit softer at the end, and my heart melted at the sight of his vulnerability.

“I appreciate you telling me the truth, but you need to stop hiding secrets and tell me everything that you have been hiding from me,” I said, looking at him with a sharp look, trying to tell from his actions if he had any other secrets. “No, I’m not hiding anything else.” I sighed and looked at him, my mind going back to what he said about the money. “Dan, I’m pretty sure we both like each other, so you don’t walk away from someone you love because of money. And besides I signed a contract binding me to you.” He chuckled, and I smiled, feeling a bit better since he had explained everything.

“I do need to show you one thing, though…”  I rolled my eyes at him, and he chuckled softly, he stood and took my hand, motioning for me to follow him, and I did. We walked to the basement. Inside the basement, there was a hidden door masked by a mirror. He softly pressed the mirror in the middle part and the door slightly opened. I internally applauded whoever came up with the plan. We walked into a small room with a pool table in the middle, and on top of the pool table were about fifty bags full of money.

I looked at Dan, my mouth hung open in shock, he looked back at me and laughed entertained by my shock. “Why are you showing me this?” I asked, feeling a bit nervous about how he managed to make this amount of money. I hope he's not selling any drugs. “I just wanted to show you that I have more money than anyone can offer you, so don’t get tempted.” We both laughed at his joke, but it did hit home though. He walked to the table and pulled out a big bag dropping it on the floor, a mesmerising sound came from it, colliding with the floor.

I slightly crouched and opened the zipper, my eyes widening in shock as diamonds stared back at him, shining and calling my name. “I suppose this is enough for you to plan a proper wedding for us?” I looked up as he said that. “Another wedding?” I asked in disbelief, and he nodded. I squealed in happiness and hugged him. I felt so happy that I wanted to jump up and down or do a backflip. But I couldn’t, damn pregnancy. “I would be happy to plan our wedding.” Our real wedding, with real feelings. I can already see it, it will be a wedding of the decade.

We spent a few hours sitting outside on the grass and just chatting, and I enjoyed each and every moment of it. “Let’s go inside so I can cook something for you, you haven’t eaten anything proper today,” he said, brushing my bump looking concerned, I scoffed at him. “I did eat strawberries when you were out running away from your problems,” I said jokingly. We walked inside the house and honestly, all the sunbathing made me a bit tired and sleepy.

“What will you make? Will it take a few hours?” I asked feeling like lying down on the bed and taking a nap. “An hour I think.” I nodded pecking his lips. “I need to take a nap please wake me up when you are done.” I walked away and I thought of Tyson. I went through the worst things ever because he made me feel like Dan was coming after me. Why would he go through so much trouble to lie to me?

I got under my sheets, even though the time was like three o’clock in the afternoon I can’t sleep without some sort of blanket over me. I immediately dozed off to sleep thinking that I easily than I have ever done during this pregnancy.

Sadly, I woke up unintentionally. A sound woke me coming from the right side of my room. I jolted awake but realised I can’t move, I looked at the bed and realised I’m cuffed both hands on each side. I looked up the room was empty, but someone came wearing the clothing that doctors and nurses wear at the hospital.

My heart started pulsing when another came in, they had tools in their hands, placed them on a shining table at the corner of the bedroom. “Who are you, and why am I tied to the bed?” I asked them, trying to get their attention, but my questions fell on deaf ears they didn’t even look up to acknowledge me.

“I’m talking to you...” I said raising my voice, my heart was going crazy. Panick started settling in, what is going on? What are they doing in my bedroom? “Dan!” I shouted my voice cracking a bit. The moment he walked his whole demeanor he had earlier on was gone, he had this dark scary look in his eyes. Judging by the look and the whole atmosphere, I’m in trouble. He opened his mouth and spoke, “You have been hiding the truth from me, I will find it for myself.”

You need to come clean, I gave you the chance but you acted confused that stops today.” I stared at him confused by his words but Tyson slowly walked inside and at that moment tears burned my eyes but I fought them back. I have been strong this whole time, I can’t break down now.

“We need to know the truth about that child,” I immediately looked away as Dan said that, too embarrassed to look at him. I’m still feeling guilty and disgusted by the night I had with Tyson but it doesn’t change that what they are doing now is wrong. “What are you going to do to me?” I asked turning to look at them with a glare. “That’s your fear right?” Tyson asked annoyingly, This doesn’t even concern him, I think. “What are you even doing here?”

“I deserve to know the truth too,” I stared in shock at these two, this should be illegal. “What do you mean how are you going to know the truth? I also don’t know the truth.” I said trying to reason with them. “We will do a DNA test.”