CHAPTER 62 - Nice Speech!

The words were barely forming in my throat as my hand shot up, trembling as I pointed toward the door. A scream tore from me, raw and filled with panic. “How did she know?! Who let her in?!”

Jayden bolted upright, his chair screeching against the floor. His face contorted in confusion as he followed the direction of my finger. “Who? Daphne, who are you talking about?”

“Julie!” I cried, my voice shaking. “She’s right there! At the door!” My heart raced, my breaths coming in ragged gasps as I stared at the window, where I had just seen her.

Jayden spun around, striding to the door in two quick steps. He looked out, his head darting left and right, scanning the hallway. “There’s no one here,” he said, his tone both firm and soothing.

“She was there!” I insisted, my voice breaking. “I saw her, Jayden. I know I did!” My entire body felt frozen, every nerve on edge as if she might reappear at any moment.

Jayden didn’t question me further. Instead, he stepped out into the hallway, looking down both ends with sharp, deliberate movements. Nurses bustled about, and a doctor passed by, but there was no sign of her. He approached the nearest nurse, his voice low but commanding.

“Excuse me, but has anyone been by this room in the last few minutes? A woman?”

The nurse frowned, shaking her head. “No, sir. No one unusual has been near here.”

Jayden came back to me, his jaw clenched. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” he said as he patted my shoulders.

I barely registered his words as my eyes remained glued to the door, half-expecting her to reappear.

“Jayden please don't leave me here all alone." The words escaped my lips in a whisper.My breaths were shallow, the panic still bubbling beneath the surface as I held onto his hands not wanting to let go.

“Daph," he said in the most soothing voice ever.

“She won't hurt you anymore, okay? And for that to happen you have to let me go out to enforce that." He said.

It did make sense but you can't blame me, I am scared, this is the woman that made me give birth before time, endangering my life and that of my little baby girl.

I nodded reluctantly letting go of his hands.

Minutes felt like hours before Jayden returned, his expression hard and determined. He walked straight to my bedside and took my hand. “I didn’t see her,” he said, “but I’m not taking any chances. I’ve spoken to the hospital staff, they’ve been instructed not to let anyone near you or Jade without notifying me first.”

“She knows we’re here,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “How does she know, Jayden? What does she want?”

His face darkened, his grip on my hand tightening. “It doesn’t matter how she knows. She’s not getting anywhere near you or Jade again. I promise you that.”

Jayden moved with a sense of urgency, making calls and giving instructions as I sat there, still trembling. Within the hour, we were moved to another room on a different floor, one that was more private and harder to access. A security team was stationed outside the door, and Jayden made it clear that no one, not even hospital staff, was to enter without his permission.

“Why is she doing this?” I asked when he finally returned to my side.

Jayden’s jaw tightened, his expression unreadable. “Because Julie doesn’t know how to let go. She’s dangerous, Daphne, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you and Jade safe.”

He didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t press him further. I was too exhausted to dig into the past right now, too focused on the present and the lingering fear that Julie might try something again.

That witch caused me to fall on my belly and hurt my child and now she's lurking around. Why won't I be scared. My little angel was fighting for her life and I couldn't risk losing her. She was the only thing that made my life meaningful, my only source of hope amd I'm as much as I didn't want to accept it, the only reason except the contract that bound I and Jayden together. 

The next day, Jayden took things a step further. He contacted the police, filing a report against Julie and requesting a restraining order. Requesting for a restraining order was something that took weeks or days, there were forms to fill out, statements to give, but Jayden didn’t hesitate for a second.

After an intense talk on the phone, Jayden  turned to me, “Good news,” he said, pulling up a chair beside me. “The restraining order was approved. Julie won’t be able to come near us without facing legal consequences.”

I looked at him, skepticism etched on my face. You know that ‘how’s-that-possible’ look.

“She’s not coming near us again,” he added firmly. Hesitantly, he took my hand. I could see that he was nervous, probably thinking that I would pull away.

Relief washed over me, though it was tempered by the knowledge that a piece of paper wouldn’t necessarily stop someone like Julie. Still, it was something, a small layer of protection that we hadn’t had before.

Over the next few days, I tried to focus solely on Jade’s recovery, willing myself not to spiral into paranoia over Julie. The doctors were cautiously optimistic, and though Jade was still fragile, her condition was improving steadily. Every waking moment was spent by her side, her tiny fingers curled around mine, her chest rising and falling in steady rhythm.

“You’re so strong, my little angel,” I whispered to her one day as the afternoon sun filtered through the hospital blinds. “Stronger than I ever thought possible. You’re going to be okay, aren’t you?” My voice trembled, and I blinked back tears.

“She will be,” Jayden said softly from behind me, his voice reassuring but tired. I turned to see him leaning against the doorframe, the faint shadow of exhaustion etched into his face. He crossed the room and gently placed a hand on my shoulder. “We’re all going to be okay.”

I was too occupied with watching over my daughter that I didn't notice when he came in. I looked up at him, wanting to believe him, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, I just nodded, my gaze dropping back to Jade.

Jayden barely left the hospital. He divided his time between caring for me, checking on Jade, and ensuring that the security measures around us were airtight. I’d wake up in the middle of the night to find him sitting by Jade’s crib, his head resting against the back of the chair, his eyes closed but his brow furrowed as though even in sleep he couldn’t fully relax.

Even though I was still mad at him, I wasn't entirely heartless not to see how tired and exhausted he was. I could feel he was sorry but I am scared that it's just a sham to win his grandfather's favor. Or he was only doing all these because he didn't want anything to happen to Jade- the key to getting his grandfather's company.

The thought of it caused my heart to ache and each night when I wake up to see him beside our daughter I'd try to ignore him, forcing myself to believe that he deserved every bit of it.

“Jayden,” I murmured one night, my voice breaking the stillness of the hospital room. He stirred, blinking as he looked at me. “Go home…” the words slipped out of my mouth, causing him to sit up properly and look at me, I swear I could see his eyes well up.

“Daphne,” he said, stretching out his hand to reach mine but I pulled away.

“Jayden you should get some rest, I won't runaway with your key to getting the company.” I said coldly, trying to contend the sadness and anger boiling in me.

I could tell that my words cut him deep and I swear I saw him wipe a drop of tear from his face.

“Daphne I'm sorry, I know I've hurt you and I'll carry that guilt for as long as you need me to. But please believe me when I say that I'm done chasing the company. None of it mattere anymore- not without you. I've never stopped loving you. I know this marriage was a sham at first but eventually I fell for you. All the times I've told you I love you, I truly meant them. I know you don't believe me, I'll spend the rest of my life proving it if I have to.” he said in a rush and broke into tears, kneeling before me.

His words tugged at something deep inside me—gratitude, guilt, and an emotion I wasn’t ready to name. 

“Nice speech." I said and walked back to the hospital bed. My heart throbbing in pain.