THE BILLIONAIRE’S PERFECT MATE

Life without granny was just as Ellie had expected. After granny’s burial, Ellie was discharged from the hospital and so also, Carla. Although she was not in her right state of mind due to granny’s death, she was so happy to know that Carla could see again.

Kevin had lied to her that the fund for Carla’s surgery was paid by granny before her death. Ellie wondered at first, how granny could have gotten such a large amount of money, but she later concluded that, it was the money gotten from the sale of her late

son’s apartment.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Both Carla and Kevin moved on with their daily life activity, while Ellie kept herself locked up in the house, still finding it difficult that her family was truly gone. She became a shadow of herself, and she could barely smile. Carla and Kevin tried to gear

her up and encouraged her to move on, but all their efforts seemed to prove abortive. She wouldn’t eat and was forced countless of times to. She became so lean and looked wretched. She didn’t even had time to think of her assault, as her mind felt blank, and

it seemed like she was on the brink of breaking down. She felt like her world had just collapsed, right in front of her. These continued for weeks, until one fateful day.

Kevin and Carla had left home very early that day, with Carla headed to school and Kevin headed to work. Ellie was still in isolation and wouldn’t talk to anyone. Before they both left that day, they tried to lighten up her mood, which they failed to do. Still

getting the same response from her, they left home that day, dejectedly, hoping her mood would have gotten better before they came back. On getting back home that night, Ellie was nowhere to be found. At first, they had thought she had strolled out, but after

waiting for a while for her to come back and she was still nowhere to be found, Kevin and Carla decided to go in search of her. They searched around the house and upon getting to the backyard, they had met her lying lifeless on the floor. She was quickly rushed

to the hospital and after conducting series of tests on her, the doctor broke the least expected news to them.

“Are you her guardian?”, the doctor asked, with his stethoscope, hanging around his neck.

“Yes, I am”, Kevin replied, calmly.

“Are you her husband?”, the doctor asked, wanting to know Kevin’s relationship with his patient.

“No, I am her brother”, Kevin responded.

“Is there like an elderly person who is related to you, that I can talk to?”, the doctor asked.

“No, there isn’t. You can go ahead and tell me anything. Is anything the problem?”, Kevin asked, sensing that something was going on.

“Well, she is two months gone”, the doctor announced.

“Gone? Gone where?”, he asked, looking confused and baffled.

“What I mean is, she is pregnant. She needs to start her antenatal soon. I will also advise you to stop her from doing any strenuous work, as it may affect hers and the baby’s health. Everything seems normal for now and we will keep a close tab on her and the

baby, once she begins her antenatal. If you will excuse me”, the doctor said, taking his leave, leaving Kevin looking shocked and astonished. He stood there, not knowing whether to be happy or sad. He knew that wasn’t what Ellie needed at that moment and he

didn’t know how she would react, knowing that she was carrying the child of the man who raped her in her womb. Guilt began to eat him up, as he knew that he was partially responsible for what she was going through. He was so immersed in his thoughts that,

he was only brought back to reality by the touch of his sister, Carla, who was watching as he and the doctor spoke.

“Kevin, are you fine?”, Carla said, tapping her brother, who seemed to be oblivious of her presence.

“Yes, I am”, Kevin lied, not wanting Carla to be aware of the situation at hand.

“What did the doctor say?”, she further probed.

“Nothing special. He just said she fainted due to stress. She will be fine after getting some rest”, Kevin said.

“Ok, that’s fine. Can we get to see her now?”, Carla asked, longing to see Ellie.

“She is asleep now. Let’s wait until she wakes up, so as not to disturb her sleep”, Kevin advised and in which Carla, reasoned with him. After waiting for some hours, Ellie finally woke up. Kevin and Carla headed to her ward after being informed by the doctor.

“Ellie, are you fine now?”, Carla rushed to meet her where she was sitting on her bed, upon entering her ward.

“Yes, I am. Did I get you worked up?”, Ellie asked, showing her concern.

“No, not at all. I am glad you are fine now”, Carla said, holding her hands, which looked frail and weak. Ellie smiled at her, in appreciation for her care.

“What did the doctor say is the problem?”, Ellie asked, facing Kevin, who was standing by her bedside.

“Nothing that severe. He said you fainted due to stress, and you will be fine after getting some rest. You will be fine”, Kevin said, patting Ellie’s shoulder.

“Thank you for your support so far. I don’t know how I would have survived after granny’s death, without you both in my life. Thank you once again”, Ellie said smiling. Kevin watched as she smiled, and the smile seemed sincere and heartfelt. It was the first

sincere smile she had put on since after granny’s death. He felt like she was gradually accepting reality but with the latest development, he wasn’t sure if the smile would last forever. Not long after, the doctor came in to check on her and it was at that

moment the secret Kevin was trying to keep away from Ellie, although he knew he wouldn’t be able to do that forever, became known.

“Her vitals seem stable now. She is recuperating really fast, but I will advise she starts her antenatal soon, for the safety of her child”, the doctor said, after checking her pulse and heartbeat. The words “antenatal” and “child”, caught Ellie’s attention,

which prompted her to probe the doctor.

“Excuse me, doctor. What baby are you talking about?”, Ellie asked, lost.

“Are you not aware? You are pregnant, Miss. You have a baby growing in your belly”, the doctor revealed, a revelation which got Ellie shocked and distraught.