A pregnant woman is like a rollercoaster. You never know when she is up or down. This had been the experience for Blake over the last few months as Ella’s pregnancy progressed. The first few months had been difficult as Ella could barely keep any food down. She had tried different medication but nothing seemed to be working. Everything had changed in her sixth month as the nausea and morning sickness had ended completely. She had regained her appetite in a big way and she and the baby had thrived. Blake was enjoying all the ups and downs of the pregnancy because Ella depended on him completely. She called him when she was feeling unwell, or when she had cravings and even when she was in a bad mood. Blake was loving the attention and he doted on Ella every chance that he got. Jason had also noticed the changes and he was very gentle with Ella. He had completely begun to address her as mum and Ella had not had the heart to stop him. They still enjoyed the drives back and from school du
The past three days had been long for the Raymond family. As each member of the family nursed their injuries in separate rooms, the family longed for the time when they would go home and be together again. Blake and Ella often visited Jason together and kept him company. They would also visit the baby and sit with her. Ella looked forward to holding her daughter and breastfeeding her. She was in actual pain from the milk filling her breasts, and she had begun to pump out the milk. That was one of the reasons why she was excited when the doctor said that the baby could now be reunited with her mother. Her weight gain had been impressive and she was able to breathe on her own. The paediatric nurse had brought the baby to Ella’s room and Ella had shed some tears when she was able to hold and breastfeed her for the first time. Blake and Jason had both fallen in love with the baby. They had even relocated their visits to Ella’s room. They had meals together and spent as much time as possi
The bright city lights felt like a soothing balm for Jessica as the taxi drove her to her hotel. She had come to the city for a short work seminar that would last one week, and had decided to contact Ella and catch up with her. She was surprised when found out that Ella was now a mother and was currently in hospital nursing a newborn. Ella and Jessica had spent a nice afternoon catching up and Jessica had left feeling like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She was happy to make things right with Ella and this made her feel like she had made up for the harm Kevin had done to her. Ella had supported her financially when she was really desperate and now she was happy that they were both settled and comfortable. Jessica finally arrived at the hotel and was walking to the lobby when she spotted a familiar face. “Eddie,” she said as she walked to the man who was talking to the receptionist. “Yes, Sorry I can’t remember you,” the man said politely.“”I’m Jessica. You helped me at
Blake let out a loud laugh and stared at his parents as though they were aliens. “I saw Samantha when she was pregnant. We lived under the same roof and I saw her get bigger and bigger every month. I took her for every doctor’s appointment and saw every ultrasound in real time. I was even there when my son was born. Nothing you are saying makes sense,” Blake said. “I know it doesn’t but we don’t have the answers you are looking for. Ella is the only one who can unravel this mystery,” Clark said.“Did she put you up to this sick joke?” Blake asked as he pointed at his mother. He really loathed her at this moment. “You can test them all again if you don’t believe me. I have nothing to gain from this,” Aurelia said smugly.“Ella was not even in the country when Jason was born. I’m sure of that. She had left the country months before Jason was even conceived,” Blake continued. “Don’t be so quick to judge your mother son. Do the tests for yourself and then make up your mind. I will con
“Dad, when did you find out all this?” Blake asked as they dragged out Ella. She was still shouting until one of the guards hit her. Blake fought all his instincts and restrained himself from attacking the officer. No matter what he had just heard, he still wanted Ella treated with dignity. “About a week ago but we had to verify everything from the facilities named. We were also following the money trail they left behind,” Clark said. “What is Clara going to do without her mother? And what will I tell Jason when he comes home from school?” Blake asked as he sank into a nearby armchair. He was on the verge of a panic attack. Although he was genuinely worried about his children, he was even more worried for himself. He had weaved Ella into every plan for his future and the future looked uncertain without her.“We will get the best nanny money can buy. She will be her responsibility day and night,” Aurelia said. “Why did you bring those officers here? Why didn’t you give me a chance t
The last day of the seminar had gone well for Jessica as none of her colleagues seemed to have noticed her interaction with the governor and his son. However, she was experiencing mixed reactions about her return to her city. She wanted to help Ella apprehend Kevin so that he could pay for his sins but she also wanted to stay as far away from him as possible so that he couldn’t track her and her children down. Kevin brought out the worst in her and erased any trace of ambition that she had. She would forever regret being with him, and she hoped to divorce him as soon as she could. That evening, Jessica was packing her things in preparation for the return trip on the following day when a knock interrupted her.“Good evening madam. The governor invites you to dinner if you are free,” a man in a black suit said. Jessica had forgotten about the previous request to call him and she had even misplaced the envelope. She did not intend to have any more personal interactions with her boss or h
Ella smiled as she looked up at the sky for the first time in months. The blue sky speckled with clouds felt like a holiday for Ella as she soaked in the warmth from the warm sun rays. This was the first time she was allowed out into the yard to interact with the other inmates. Ella had experienced the worst of this world and she had now learnt to keep her head down. That was the only hope she had as she had long given up on regaining her freedom. Ella looked back on her first day in this prison. It had been worse than any nightmare she could have envisaged her wildest imagination.“Where are we going?” Ella asked after another night sleeping on the floor in the small holding cell. Many prisoners had come and gone but Ella remained here with no one speaking to her.“To your new home,” the fierce looking police detective barked at her.‘New home? I don’t understand.”“You’ll understand soon enough,” the woman said to Ella as she roughly shoved her out the door. “Can I at least take a
Ella felt like she had just fallen asleep when a loud bell woke the women up. It was still dark outside and Ella watched the women as they knelt down in a single file as they had previously. Ella followed suit and waited patiently for the head count to be over. The cold floor was hurting her knees just as the rest of her body was aching from the cold of the night. Once the head count was over, the women began to stack the mattresses and blankets against the wall. Others then headed to the bathroom area where dozens of toilets were lined up opposite taps and showers. Ella watched as the women used the filthy toilets without any privacy while others scrambled for the shower. She used the toilet and then walked back to the sleeping area where several of the women were sweeping the floor. She desperately wanted a shower but she had no soap or change of clothes.“Where can I get some soap?” she aske