Undefiled Queen

Stephen’s pov

“Yes, I will confess but please grant me an easy death.” He requested me once again with tears in his eyes.

My happiness was unsurpassed. Getting Max on his knees and pleading with me, gave me immense pleasure. I was now one point above him.

If I show this to Merlyn, I can get her back. Just having the thought of her back in my arms brought goosebumps in my skin.

Like a beggar getting a hearty meal after a long time, Max took the phone from my hands and confessed all his wrong doings and his mistreatment towards Merlyn.

Listening to his savagery upon my wife, my blood boiled with rage but what is there to be done for an already dying man?

****

Dying is easier than living every moment pleading the Almighty for death. After removing all his limbs attached to the body I allowed him to live but probably God was more merciful to him than to me. He probably wanted to end his troubles before me. Three days later after I left him in that state I got a call from one of my men early in the morning that Max left the world.

Max finished his time on earth and passed away. But what about my liberation? I was living everyday like a dying man.

I sent the audio message of Max to Merlyn. I thought she would rush back to me again soon after listening to the tape. But to my utter dismay, I got no response from her even after a week. My flowering heart of hope withered again. When I made inquiries, I came to know Merlyn had left the city long ago. The feeling felt like somebody stabbed me from behind.

In normal cases I would have got my men to follow her everywhere she went and report to me. I did the same the previous time she left me and won her back. But how many times can I chase her? This time she specifically told me not to follow her. She needed space from me. I understood I cannot force her to love me back. Love should happen on its own.

*****

My parents have hidden everything from my grandfather. A year later my business almost went into a state of bankruptcy because 24/7 I was drunk living in the sweet memories of Merlyn, hardly looking after my businesses. Even though the age has taken over, the old man was much stronger than any of us.

As if I was a little boy who would come to his lap, he took me into his custody, kept me under his supervision day and night and turned me rock solid in and out with the help of regular psychiatric counseling sessions and medication.

Though removing Merlyn from my heart was impossible for me during this birth, I learnt to live without her and took over my business again.

A year later my business gained its former glory. But were my challenges in my life over? Not yet. I met with a dangerous accident which changed everything in my life. My spinal cord got damaged, my hands felt numb and I went paralyzed from my waist to my feet going bedridden.

My parents were heart broken, my mother suffered a stroke. She had already lost one son and she feared losing the second. She was uncontrollable and nobody could ease her discomfort. Because of her weak heart doctors started giving her morphine injections.

But maybe it was because of her prayers, I slowly began to heal. The medicines and expert care of doctors who were hired from all over the world to treat me started giving its fruits.

Six months after the accident the numbness in my hands reduced and slowly I could move my fingers and arms though still not able to move my legs. But since I was able to move my hands, I got out of the bed and gradually started inspecting things regarding my business again.

Using a wheelchair I commuted in the office and at home and as days passed by I could hear the hopeful words I so wanted to hear from my doctors that one day with regular physiotherapy sessions, I could heal and be able to walk normally.

Merlyn’s POV

I left him. He pleaded for me to stay back …. that he could prove his innocence but I turned a deaf ear to him though a part of me wanted to get back to him. My conscience screamed to me to give him the benefit of doubt. Somehow I felt, I saw the truth in his eyes but another part told me he was not a person to be trusted. He has no humanity and no morals and he is very dark from inside.

I thought shifting to a different city would get me out of his thoughts. Nevertheless, the change of venue didn’t help with my concentration, because my independent mind kept wandering off to thoughts of Stephen. And with each thought, a part of me hurt. It made no sense to fight the truth that I still loved him, wanted him, needed what we once had. The separation was killing me.

I wanted him back. I wanted him to come after me again so I could tell him I forgave him. I was ready to forgive him. But I knew he wouldn’t come after me again. I’d felt the finality in his voice that day when he told me, if I left his house, I wouldn’t be able to get back again. It was the end for him.

I wasn’t the type to beg and chase after people, but for once I wanted to push my pride aside and grovel for Stephen to come back. The crazy love my mind thought it had forgotten, was right there, living, breathing inside my heart. It’d never left. He had left. The memories hadn’t. The crazy stupid love hadn’t. But was it too late now?

A whoosh of nausea suddenly hit me with force. I gulped heavily but the feeling didn’t stop. It was right back again, almost forcing me to puke. “Are you okay?” My brother asked innocently while having his breakfast.

We had shifted to California. My uncle told me if New York reminds me of Stephen, we can always shift to another place. My family is very cooperative. They always understand me and I am glad God gave me a second chance of having such loving parents.

I raced to the sink and emptied the contents. This has never been the case. Smell of certain foodstuffs began to irritate me and I felt the intensity to vomit. I started spending very less time in the kitchen and often opted for other work in the house like cleaning and gardening instead of cooking.

My cribs and cries regarding food increased and my aunt of late started giving me suspicious looks. “Were you on a pill or any other family planning methods while you were with Stephen?”

I nodded negatively. “Stephen used condoms. But aunt Hana, when did I get my periods regularly? You know I have a problem with polycystic ovaries and people with this condition do not get pregnant so easily.”

“You should still get checked. Polycystic ovaries don’t mean you can never get pregnant. Though the condition may cause delay in pregnancy.” Aunt Hana replied thoughtfully.

The next day my aunt accompanied me to the hospital. All through the journey I was praying for the result to turn negative. Deleting Stephen from my heart feels very difficult and if this is pregnancy, it is going to turn impossible. For, the child will always remind me of him.

The doctor ran a series of tests and my aunt was concerned enough for me to take leave from her office and be with me during the crucial day.

Finally the results arrived and the thing that I feared and wished should not happen had happened. I was three months pregnant with Stephen’s child.

Aborting the child was not an option for me. When we cannot give life, we have no right to take it. I decided to keep the child though it would be very difficult to bring it up in the present circumstances of my house. I was not only looking after myself but funding my brother’s education too. Now I have to do 2-3 jobs a day to keep the funds flow.

****

Flashback

“I promise I will not chase you. But keep this with you. If you want more, you can always ask. I am always here if you need anything. ” Stephen handed me a fifty million check.

My eyes popped out of their sockets glancing at the number of zeroes beside the five. I have never seen such a huge amount in my life. “We are not divorced. You are still my responsibility.” He said when I continued to stare at the figure in a trance.

Throughout my life I could enjoy the riches without licking the shoes of anyone for employment if I took that amount. The figure lured me for a second. But I was a very prideful woman. I controlled my instincts. Even when my father was dying I did not take anything from him. Now there was not even a necessity. I could very easily take care of myself and my brother by finding a job somewhere.

I denied his offer though he requested me twice. Today I repent my actions.

What should I be doing now? Should I inform him that he is soon going to be a father. If I say so, will he accept the child? He may call me incredulous for carrying another man’s child. Or he may accept me back and give me a tough time for the silent war treatment I had been giving him for the last three months.

Either of the options were not okay for me. I cannot stand if he would call me a cheat, disloyal or a whore. Thankfully he stopped pursuing me and I never informed him about the pregnancy.

Two years later, I will silently apply for a divorce without a third eye coming to know about it and he would never come to know about this child.

But looking at the other side of the coin his child always has the right to enjoy his love and care, use his money. Nevertheless, was I ready to take the risk of bringing back Stephen into my life? “I am sorry. You should adjust with whatever I could give you though you are a billionaire’s baby.” I said running my hands on my belly.

****

Man proposes and God disposes. Was fate going to accept everything Merlyn thought for herself and her child? Six months later she delivered a healthy bony baby girl who looked like the female version of Stephen. The more she wanted to run away from him the greater was the life pulling her towards him.

Merlyn refused to accept anything from Stephen but the game of destiny sounds different.

Six months later her uncle was diagnosed with lung cancer. Merlyn earned working as an accountant in a small firm and her aunt has a small job nearby. Her brother was still doing his graduation. They were a middle class family struggling to make both ends meet and with this calamity every little they had fell apart. Now they are head to toe immersed with debt.

The doctors told the family that the only way Peter can live is through lung transplant. The cost of the surgery including organ donation would cost them 10 millions.

Merlyn repents, had she taken the amount Stephen offered her that day, she would have easily taken care of her uncle’s treatment today. But she went prideful and refused to pay heed to Stephen’s words.

But maybe this time God was with her. Just two days later, she saw a paper advertisement. A paralyzed billionaire businessman urgently requires a bride. Applications with the best fertility charts will be preferred the most.

Though she was a patient of Polycystic ovaries, she has been getting periods regularly since the birth of the child. Two years had passed since the birth of Abigail.

Maybe she could help this billionaire, by being his bride and also help herself in the matter.

But what about Stephen? They were not divorced yet.

She has no idea how many applications the billionaire would have. Moreover she is now in the wrong side of twenties. Since he is a very rich man, he could float any girl with money. Her chances for winning this deal were meager. But there was nothing wrong in trying.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

In case she gets selected in the many applications, she could send Stephen a divorce notice since the two years of contract she signed was over last month. Hopefully he would not create a problem.

Thus, she sent an application to the address mentioned below in the advertisement.

Little did Merlyn know, her responding to the advertisement was the beginning of a new Chapter in her life which she would not have imagined in her wildest dreams.

Dear Friends

The flashback Chapters are over with this Chapter. The next Chapter would be the present.