Chapter 13

I didn't realize I had dozed off due to the exhaustion I was feeling at that moment. My body still feels weak and I'm having trouble moving properly.

The next morning, I woke up to see my mother setting food on the table. She looked at me with a smile and approached me, holding a bowl of porridge.

"Have some food first to regain your strength. It's delicious, my child," she said warmly.

I smiled, feeling grateful for having such a caring mother. However, my mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of Ransom. I kept waiting for his return, but there was no sign of him.

"When will they be coming here?" my mother inquired.

"Probably later, Mom. I'm sure they'll head straight here after work," I reassured her with a smile.

"They better!" she replied firmly.

I couldn't help but feel anxious, unsure of when they would return. Perhaps not until I was discharged from the hospital. The uncertainty made it challenging to conceal my true situation from my husband. I longed for his return, hoping for a change in him, for the sake of our child.

"Mom, trust me. He'll be here after work," I insisted.

"I believe you, Mila. I might have misjudged him due to my past experiences with your father. You know that," she responded.

"I understand, Mom," I replied softly.

"I still can't forgive my father for leaving us," I confessed.

Her sigh indicated that she still struggled to come to terms with my father's abandonment. Forgiveness seemed like a distant possibility, even for me.

I endure and sacrifice to shield my child from the pain I endured. I'd rather suffer myself than subject my child to the same hardships.

"I vow to myself that I won't let history repeat itself.

I didn't realize that I had fallen asleep due to the exhaustion I felt at that time. My body still feels weak and I am unable to move properly.

The following day, I woke up to find my mother preparing food on the table. She looked at me with a smile and approached me, holding a bowl of porridge.

"Have some food first to regain your strength. It's delicious, my child," she said with a smile.

I smiled back and realized how fortunate I was to have my mother. I could feel her care and concern during those moments. However, I couldn't help but anxiously wait for Ransom. I still hoped for his return, but I couldn't even catch a glimpse of him.

"When will they come here?" my mother asked.

"Maybe later, Mom. I'm sure they'll come straight here after work," I replied with a smile.

"They better!" Mother responded firmly.

I couldn't help but feel nervous as I wasn't sure when they would return. Perhaps it would be after I leave the hospital. I didn't know, so I couldn't determine how long I could hide my true situation from my husband. I couldn't wait for him and I prayed for his arrival. I still believed that there was hope for him to change, especially for the sake of our child.

"Mom, trust me. He will come later after work," I reassured her.

"I believe you, Mila. I may have misjudged your husband because of my own experiences with your father. You know about it," she replied.

"I understand, mom," I said softly.

"Even now, I still can't forgive my father for leaving us," I added.

I heard her sigh at my words. I knew that she still hadn't moved on from my father leaving us. It wasn't easy to forget, and I wasn't even sure if I could forgive him.

That's why I endure and sacrifice, because I don't want my child to go through what I experienced before. I would rather bear the pain myself than hurt my child, who doesn't even have the strength to fight.

"I promise myself that I won't let what happened to me happen to my child

He was taken aback by my question and looked at his mother for guidance. He politely declined, saying he wasn't sure how to hold a baby.

"It's fine, I'll just watch over her," he replied.

"I'm not really sure how to carry a baby either," he added.

I smiled and encouraged him to come closer for a better look at our daughter.

Shortly after, her parents arrived with a box of cakes and a basket of fruit. I greeted them warmly, and they were delighted to see their granddaughter.

"Such a precious granddaughter," her mother exclaimed with a smile.

"She's your legacy, son. She has your eyelashes, eyes, and nose," his mother said, beaming at him.

He smiled faintly at his mother's words. I couldn't help but smile too, knowing that what she said was true. He truly passed on those features to our son, confirming that he is indeed the father.

"You can't deny that you're the father of this beautiful child," his mother added.

He remained silent. I couldn't tell if he was pleased or upset by his mother's words. But how could he be anything but happy to see our lovely daughter?

I hoped that he found joy in seeing our daughter. I hoped that she would inspire him to change for the better. I had already given him the answer to his doubts, so I hoped that this time he would believe that he was the one and only.

He was the only man I entrusted with my heart. The only man I shared my bed with for two or five years.

For 25 years, I safeguarded my most precious gift until that one night when I gave it to a stranger. But they say everything happens for a reason, so I trust that there's a greater purpose behind it all. I still have faith that God has a better plan in store for me.

Suddenly, his phone rang, and he announced that he had to leave. I felt a pang of sadness, but I didn't let our parents see it.

"I just need to step out for a bit, I'll be back soon, mom, dad," he bid farewell.

"Auntie? I'll take my leave," he said goodbye to my mother, bowing slightly before exiting the room.