Chapter 112

Chapter 112
"Susan, oh, I'm very sorry you had to give birth to your son prematurely because of me," Martina said as she sat in a wheelchair in front of Susan's hospital bed.
"Hey, hey, as you can see, I'm fine. Thankfully, my son was not at risk, so he will be in the incubator for just a day. It wasn't your fault; you are also a victim like me," Susan explained with a smile.
"Thank you. Is the pain bearable?" Martina asked,
"Yes, I almost feel like my old self," Susan replied.
"I'm glad. I was hoping to attend your baby shower, though." Martina said, and Susan responded with humor, 
"It's fine. To be frank with you, I was getting bored of the nine months’ journey," Susan said, and they both laughed.
"I'm glad I met you, Susan. You became the closest figure to a sister I never had." Martina expressed emotionally,
"Same here, Martina, I'm very glad I met you," Susan replied.
After spending a few minutes talking about unimportant but happy topics, the doctor, accompanied by two nurses, came and helped Susan walk a few minutes around, and Martina took that opportunity to return to her own ward.
\~~~
When Martina arrived at her ward, she spotted Trey sitting by himself inside. However, he didn't acknowledge her presence as she was wheeled in.
‘Was he still upset with her?’ she wondered, staring at him as the nurse guided her to her bed.
Even when they reached the bed and she stood up to sit on the bed, he didn't offer to assist her!
"Thank you," Martina expressed her gratitude to the nurse. "I'll call for you if I need anything."
"Alright, madam," the nurse responded before exiting the ward, leaving them alone.
Martina struggled to contain the words bubbling inside her; she wanted to tell him she was sorry for her behavior earlier, but she held back, waiting for Trey to break the silence first; he was the man.
Tension filled the air, so thick it felt as though it could be sliced with a knife.
Martina's anxiety grew with each passing moment, but her pride was so strong that it kept her from speaking first, ready to face Trey's silent treatment head-on. 
As time passed, Trey still remained silent, and Martina eventually drifted off to sleep, not knowing when it had happened.
Trey smiled when he noticed Martina's peaceful slumber, her chest rising and falling rhythmically.
He had felt her piercing gaze on him but had decided to not give her the satisfaction.
Quietly, he rose from his seat and approached her bedside. He gazed down at her, his heart swelling with love. Tenderly he brushed the back of his knuckles against her soft cheek.
"I'm sorry, my Jade," he whispered, "I could see the exhaustion etched upon your face when you walked in. I didn't want to add to your burden by engaging in a conversation. Mom informed me that we are having twins again. I was so happy, and I knew once I started speaking, I wouldn't be able to stop. My precious Jade, a gift I didn't deserve but have been blessed with. I will forever love you, my love."
Leaning in, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and murmured, "I love you, my Jade."
\~~~
Three hours later,
After sleeping for what felt like an eternity, Martina awoke to find herself alone in her spacious private hospital ward.
As she prepared to leave her bed, a familiar voice caught her attention from outside the door.
Walking over, she was surprised to see her aunt and uncle engaged in a conversation with the stern-faced bodyguards stationed at the entrance, who seemed reluctant to grant them access to her room.
Taking matters into her own hands, she swung the door open and instructed,
"Let them in."
The bodyguard blocking the entrance promptly relented, allowing them to enter. 
Seating herself on the armchair, she gestured toward the couch, indicating her “visitors” to sit.
Martina watched as her aunt and uncle hesitantly took their places on the couch across from her. 
As they settled in, she wasted no time cutting straight to the point.
"Why are you here?"
"Lisa, we just received an urn about an hour ago. On it was inscribed 'Valerie's ashes,' and there was a note attached that said, 'We will get answers from you. What happened to my daughter?” Mrs. Lynn asked, tears streaming down her face.
Martina gazed at her aunt with an indifferent expression, unaffected by her grief.
"Valerie is dead. She tried to harm me again, and my husband and I made the decision to give her a peaceful end," Martina explained calmly.
"How could you do such a thing to her? She's your cousin! I know we haven't treated you well, but that doesn't justify your actions!" Mrs. Lynn exclaimed, her voice tinged with anger.
Martina raised an eyebrow at her aunt's question. And did her aunt just raise her voice at her?’ she thought as her anger erupted.
"You don't come here and raise your damn voice at me! Cousin, you say? Did your crazy daughter see me as her cousin when she tried to kill me countless times?" Martina snapped, pointing her finger at her aunt and adding in a condemning voice.
"You and your husband being alive and not being in an urn like your daughter's ashes, you should be singing my praise. I fucking convinced my mother-in-law to spare your dirty asses."
"I would prefer you killed me then," Mrs. Lynn said, her tone filled with anger.
"Fine, I will grant you your wish then. Guards!" Martina called out.
The bodyguards entered immediately, and with a commanding tone, she said, "Take her to the base. You know what to do with her."
Mr. Lynn protectively seized his wife's arm as he pleaded with Martina.
"Please, Lisa, forgive her. She's overwhelmed after learning about her daughter's death. We only reunited with her this morning after a three-month absence, and then she received this tragic news. Please, find it in your heart to forgive her, including me and Valerie. My wife's emotions got the best of her, and it was painful for all of us. We're fortunate to have her ashes, and we're making arrangements for her burial at the central cemetery. I sincerely hope you can forgive us and join us for the funeral."
"I can't guarantee I'll attend," Martina responded coldly.
Mrs. Lynn, in a complete turnaround of her earlier behavior, added,
"Please, Lisa, your presence would mean forgiveness to us."
Martina couldn't help but roll her eyes at how Mrs. Lynn's character took a 360 turn.
But before she could respond, the door swung open and Trey stormed in, his anger evident in his eyes as he demanded.
"What are you doing here?"
Sensing the tension in the air, Martina walked to his side as a way of calming him down and hurriedly replied,
"They were just leaving."
Without waiting, they strode out of the room, the imposing bodyguards trailing closely behind.
The moment the door clicked shut, Martina turned to face Trey. Tiptoeing, she circled her arms around his neck, locking eyes with his captivating, piercing ocean-blue eyes that always made her feel butterflies in her stomach, and said,
“Trey, I am sorry. I should never have trusted Valerie's words. I'm sorry for making you feel hurt. I love you so much. Please, forgive me," she pleaded.
Trey gazed at the woman whom he could not get mad at no matter the circumstance, even if she dug his heart out of his chest.
He adored her, and no matter what, his love for her prevailed, unwavering.
“I love you, my Jade; never doubt my love for you. You are my life, the very air I breathe,” Trey said as he lowered his head and kissed her passionately, a kiss that was full of love, adoration, and respect.
After they broke away, Trey went down on one knee, held Martina's tiny waist, placed a kiss on her flat stomach, and said,
“My babies, Mommy and Daddy love you so much, and I'm going to take good care of your mommy, so you both will grow and come out strongly when the time comes.” He stood up, and they both shared a bone-crushing embrace.
\~~~
The following day, after the funeral services for Valerie, as the last of the family friends and employees from Mr. Lynn's construction company who came to mourn with them departed, Mr. and Mrs. Lynn went to Valerie's tombstone to bid their daughter a final goodbye.
When they rose to leave, they were startled to find Martina standing behind them.
Martina wore a striking black three-piece skirt suit, the skirt ending just below her thigh, black transparent stockings, black shining high heels, black leather gloves, and a black hat with a black net obscuring her beautiful brown eyes.
In her arms, she held a bouquet of white lilies, and behind her stood four imposing bodyguards with their eyes on alert.
Mrs. Lynn couldn't contain her tears at the sight of Martina, and she voiced her disbelief, gratitude, and regret by saying,
"Martina, I'm so glad you could make it. I thought you wouldn't come. I'm deeply sorry for everything I did to you. Please forgive me. Let me become the aunt that I never had the chance to be."
Martina didn't say anything after her aunt's speech and walked past them.
She bent over, gently placing the flowers on the tombstone, and spoke softly.
"I pray that in your next life, our paths never cross. But I also wish you to be a good person, and may you find the love and happiness you deserve, Valerie."
With those words, Martina stood up, approached her uncle and aunt, and announced,
“My wedding will take place in two weeks. I will need my uncle and aunt to bear witness, and also for my uncle to escort me down the aisle.”
“Oh, Lisa,” both Mr. and Mrs. Lynn said together. Overcome with emotion at Martina's words, they both pulled her into a tight embrace, expressing their heartfelt gratitude, "Thank you, thank you so much.”