Chapter 89: Let Me Be The Father

Chapter 89: Let Me Be The Father
Cattleya’s POV

"Catt, please... I know you hate me, and I understand why." 

"Stop it! You betrayed me!" I yelled at her. 

And she replied, "But I didn't have a choice. They threatened my life, and I was terrified. I tried to warn you about them, but it was too late. They found you before I could do anything!" 

I stared at her, pity in my eyes. I understood her fear, her desperation. We're all just human, trying to survive, to protect ourselves. Who could blame her for choosing life over death?

"I was desperate, so I begged Vlad to help you. He's the only one who could save you, and it turned out I was right, you're here... alive..." Tears welled up in her eyes as she recalled the horror of that day. "I'm sorry, Catt. I was scared...." 

I was speechless. I understood her, but I couldn't trust anyone anymore. I looked away from her; maybe shutting her out of my life would be better. 

"I'm sorry, and I hope someday you can forgive me," she said, her voice filled with regret. Then she lowered her head and left.

Vlad closed the door behind her. He appeared lost; his eyes served with gloom. He wanted to comfort me but held back, afraid of saying the wrong thing. "The doctor will be here soon," he said, his voice distant.

"What do you want from me in return, Vlad? You said that if you help someone, it's because you can benefit from it," I asked, my voice laced with bitterness.

He sighed, lost in thought. "Right now, I just want you to be okay. I don't have an answer to your question yet. But if I do, I hope you'll return the favor," he said, then left the room.

I took a deep breath and tried to get up to look out the window. It was autumn, leaves fell from the trees, and a cool breeze filled the air. It felt good to be alive again. But then, the reality of my situation hit me. What about my family? Did they think I was truly gone? Were they still grieving my loss?

As I thought about Jaxon, my heart was heavy again. What had happened to him? 

The door creaked open, and a doctor entered, checking my pulse and vital signs. "You're going to have healthy twins," he announced with a smile on his face.

I was stunned. "Twins?" I echoed, my mind reeling.

He nodded, "Yes, it's a miracle you survived. You nearly drowned, but Vlad saved your life. He worked tirelessly to revive you."

"Vlad was a doctor?" I asked, my jaw dropping.

"Yes, he was," the doctor confirmed. "I'm Doctor Salazar. Nice to meet you, Miss Cattleya. In three weeks, you'll be giving birth to twins. It's a miracle you survived. Vlad didn't know you were having twins. Perhaps you should be the one to tell him."

I hesitated. I wanted to tell him that Vlad wasn't the father of my children, but I decided against it. The truth could only lead to more confusion. I simply smiled at the doctor and thanked him, and then he left.

And when the door opened again, it was Vlad, bearing a tray of food. "Eat first, then we talk," he said, setting the tray on the table.

I sat down and began to eat. The food tasted like heaven. After five months of nothingness, I was finally experiencing the simple pleasure of eating. Vlad watched me intently, a soft smile playing on his lips.

I coughed slightly as I reached for the water, and he gently took the glass from the tray and handed it to me. He stroked my back soothingly. "Slow down," he said. "You're not in a race."

I smiled at him gratefully. "Thank you," I murmured.

"I need to tell you something," I began, gathering my courage. 

"Me too. You want to know about Jaxon, right?" he asked.

"Yeah, what happened to him? Is he alive?" I asked, my heart aching with anticipation and dread.

"He lost everything. He lost you, and he lost himself. He's a shell of the man he once was, a ruthless, cold-hearted killer. He doesn't remember you, Cattleya. You're a ghost, a forgotten memory. Elise erased you from his life, replacing you with a false love. He believes Elise was the woman he fell in love with and not you." 

I put my hand over my mouth and gulped in fear, "Oh my god...." 

"So, what is it you want to tell me?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

I stood up, my legs weak. The news had hit me like a ton of bricks. I was overwhelmed with shock and sadness.

"I'm having twins... a boy and a girl," I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes. The joy of this news should have filled me with happiness, but instead, it brought a wave of fear. What future awaited my children in a world where their father was a dangerous man who didn't even remember them?

"If Jaxon finds out about them, he might see them as a threat, a reminder of the past he's trying to forget. He might even harm them," I thought, a chill running down my spine.

But you know how to seduce the devil, Cattleya. You've done it before, and you can do it again," Vlad said, a knowing glint in his eyes. I was shocked. He'd been investigating my past.

I rolled my eyes. "But this is different. I have lives to protect now. I can't risk everything like I did before. I have to be cautious, especially now that I've brought danger into my life."

"Well, no one knows about my plan. As long as I'm alive, you're safe here," he assured me.

His gaze fell upon my big baby bump, and a soft smile graced his lips. "I know they're the offspring of the man I hate, but I can't hate them. They're innocent. I've always wanted another child. If you'll allow me, I'd like to take care of you and them."

I stepped back, still confused about why he kept helping me. I had no choice but to accept his help, as I had no one else to trust. Jaxon had forgotten me, and my family believed I was dead.

"Let me be the father of your twins," he said, his words sending a jolt through my heart.

"Yeah, on one condition," I said, my voice firm.

"What is it?" he asked, intrigued.

"I want them to pay for what they did to me," I replied with determination and added, "Help me."

“You want revenge?”