Ch.108

Ch.108
Ayanna Pov 

A memory clicked in my mind. "Wait... you're Travis Sinclair-the adopted son of Mr. Sinclair?"

Henry's lips curled into a sinister smile. He clapped mockingly. "Wow. Good guess."

So that was why Henry was angry at Travis.

"But he didn't leave you in the fire on purpose. He also lost consciousness, and his face got burnt. It's not as if he was in a position to help you and refused," I tried to defend my husband.

"You're so fast, Ayanna. Why don't you hold on and let me finish my story?"

"I'm sorry. Go ahead," I said, not wanting to make him angrier than he already seemed.

"Thank you!" Henry said before continuing.

"While I lay there unconscious for some time, I eventually woke up-still dizzy-and saw that the intensity of the fire had increased. I tried to reach out to Travis, but the fire had created a barrier between us. I couldn't get to him, so I just lay there, struggling.

"Not long after, the firefighters arrived and tried to control the damage. But I was trapped under debris, and they could only carry Travis out because he was closer to the door.

"I heard his mother's voice. She forced her way inside the building despite the firefighters trying to stop her. When they asked if her son was the only one inside, do you know what she said?"

I didn't answer. Henry suddenly shouted, startling me.

"I don't," I stammered.

"She looked at me, saw that I was struggling, trapped under debris, and yet she told them no one else was inside-only her son."

I was speechless.

"My aunt came after everyone had left. I had told her I was going to the appartment, and when she heard about the fire, she came looking for me. She was the one who rescued me and got me treated. Only then did I find out that Travis had undergone facial surgery-to look like me.

"Look at me!" Henry demanded. "Why didn't he choose a different face? I had to change mine because half of my face was damaged. But I didn't want the face that Travis had stolen, so I went back to the name I was known by in the orphanage. My aunt adopted me, and I took her husband's last name-Holt."

His voice turned cold. "So you tell me, Ayanna, doesn't he deserve everything I do to him?"

With that, Henry left the room, tears in his eyes. I just sat on the floor, feeling dejected. I couldn't begin to imagine what he had gone through. What baffled me the most was that Travis's mother had forced him to change his face, and he had obeyed-just like he always did.

Now, that blind respect had turned into Henry's rage. I couldn't blame him, but involving himself in crimes wasn't going to help.

Alison crept closer as if to console me. Just as she was about to touch me, I pushed her away.

"What do you want? Don't touch me," I snapped.

She sat beside me and started speaking.

"Three years ago, I lost my brother and mother to an illness. I was left alone, with no income to survive. I went to a restaurant in town to look for a job, but they turned me away because of my shabby clothes. I begged them, but no one listened.

"I struggled without food because I had spent all my mother's income on their treatment. I was in college but had to drop out. The library where I worked part-time let me go. I had nowhere else to turn.

"When I couldn't afford rent anymore, my landlady threw me out. I wandered the streets at night and found a hidden spot to sleep. I was almost drifting off when I heard footsteps. Looking up, I saw three men approaching. I tried to run, but one of them caught me and pinned me to the ground.

"I struggled, but they were stronger. I pleaded with them, but one of them tore my clothes and ripped off my pants. I screamed for help, but no one came. The first man forced himself on me. Before the second could take his turn, Henry happened to pass by.

"I don't know if it was luck or fate, but he saved me. He got those men arrested, took me to a hospital, and later took me into his home, registering me as his sister. Because of him, I was able to finish my education. I had a place to sleep, food to eat.

"One day, I saw him getting angry while watching a news broadcast about you and Travis. I gathered the courage to ask what was wrong, and he told me everything. I saw how much pain he was in, and I couldn't bring myself to talk him out of revenge.

"So when he told me to become your surrogate, I saw it as a chance to do something for him. And I took it.

"You liked me at first, and I liked you too. I know you won't believe me, but I still want to say it-Ayanna, I know you're a good person. I'm sorry for lying to you, for coming into your home under false pretenses. I just hope you can forgive me."

She took my hand and placed it on her belly.

"This baby of yours-I will do everything to ensure he or she arrives safely in this world."

I looked at her, not knowing what to say. But one thing made me happy-if Alison truly meant what she said, my child would be safe.

"What was Henry's initial plan for the baby?" I couldn't help but ask.

"After the birth, he was supposed to arrange with a nurse to take the baby and hand it over to him," she admitted.

"Alison, if you are truly sorry, please help me. Go to my house and stay with Travis. Give birth to my baby there. If this place becomes a warzone, he might use you as leverage to escape. That would mean I'd be separated from my child. Please, help me," I pleaded.

Alison looked at me. "I can leave this place freely, tomorrow. I'll go."

"If this is the only way for you to believe me and forgive me, I will gladly do it."

"Thank you, Alison. Thank you."

She smiled faintly. "I better go get some sleep now. And please, Ayanna, don't make Henry angrier. I doubt he'll spare you if he truly decides to hurt you this time."