CHAPTER 7


    Danie was not ecstatic about her pregnancy. She had not yet taken a pregnancy test, but she was


    aware of her body and the signals. Her nose had grown hypersensitive to odours, and she felt the


    want to vomit the next morning. Her appetite had shifted as well, and she was no longer interested


    in eating her favourites. Recently, she has preferred foods that are oil-free, such as vegetable soups


    with a higher proportion of leafy greens.


    She was repulsed by the odours of meat, seafood, and fragrances. What was frightening was that


    she looked forward to seeing Paloma''s face each day. Could humans undergo dramatic changes?


    They were simr to a mouse and a cat a few weeks earlier. Indeed, she grabbed a picture frame


    from Paloma and transported it to her room.


    If she was aware that pregnancy was not easy, she should have avoided attempting to retain what


    was hers and instead let Paloma triumph. She was rash, and she got exactly what she deserved.


    She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she was surprised by Patty''s words. "What?" Sheshed


    out at Patty.


    "Someone was searching for you, but your mother is refusing to allow him in. She stated that his


    identification needed to be verified by you," Patty responded.


    "What''s his name?" She was not expecting anyone to pay her a visit.


    "Your mother pressed me for time, and as a result, I neglected to take his name," she said


    ufortably. Danie''s face conveyed her displeasure at her intrusion. "However, he appeared to


    be a foreigner; his eyes were blue, and he was very tall." Patty persisted.


    When Patty mentioned his blue eyes, only one person immediately sprang to mind. However, that


    could not be him. Perhaps a lost tourist? She thanked Patty and examined her reflection in the


    mirror. Given the humidity outdoors, she chose a cotton and flowery summer dress.


    Danie pulled her long hair back into a ponytail, powdered her face, and of course, applied lip


    colour to conceal her pallor. Paloma approached the man as he was conversing.


    "Who is looking for?" She enquired.


    "Hello, Dani," Marcus said as he extended his hand to meet her, and what followed waspletely


    unexpected.


    Danie lost unconscious, and he was forced to bring her inside, followed by the woman who


    introduced herself as Paloma. Marcus considered the possibility that she was acting once more.


    However, Paloma worried and immediately directed thedy she dubbed Patty to get a doctor.


    "There is no reason for a doctor," he said, preventing Patty from leaving.


    "Who are you to make such a statement?" Paloma scolded Marcus for interfering with their family


    business.


    "My name is Marcus Madrigal, Ma''am, and I''m worried that your daughter is pregnant with my


    child."


    "Danie?" Paloma burst outughing at the most amusing joke she had ever heard in her entire


    life. "You''re joking," she said.


    "Let''s wait and see whether she believes me," Marcus challenged Paloma, who continued to deny


    Danie''s pregnancy.


    "However, that is impossible! Who would have the audacity to do such a thing to her? She had not


    had a boyfriend since she was born!" Paloma maintained that Danie could not be pregnant.


    When he observed Dani had recovered consciousness and stirred, he approached her and


    inquired. "Are you okay, Dani?"


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Danie remained silent and pretended infirmity, but Paloma was quick to respond to the man''s


    inquiry.


    "E, what is he referring to when he says you''re pregnant?" Paloma inquired and awaited


    Danie''s response.


    Danie closed her eyes and refused to speak about it, but her stepmother persisted in her


    inquiries. "What difference does it make if I am?" Paloma''s eyes widened in amazement as she


    answered with a question.


    "If you are, you arepelled to marry the bastard who conceived you." Paloma announced,


    ring at Marcus Madrigal.


    Marcus did not flinch in the face of Paloma''s gaze, but he was taken aback by Danie''sughter.


    "Is there anything amusing?"


    "Don''t you think Paloma is being amusing? Are you marrying me because I''m pregnant? Incredible!"


    She reasoned with Paloma, but the elderdy mmed the table in rage.


    "Right. Marriage is not the sole option. We can just terminate the pregnancy," Marcus proposed,


    and he came dangerously close to losing his hearing as bothdies cursed at him.


    The prospect of marriage was startling, but when Marcus proposed abortion, she nearly sprung


    from her seat and attacked him. Danie found Paloma''s response amusing, considering her


    stepmother, who usually appeared royal and appropriate, had cursed Marcus.


    "You have the audacity to say that!" Paloma yelled at the man who was sittingfortably in their


    sofa. She was enraged when the bastard rmended aborting Danie''s pregnancy instead of


    declining her marriage proposal.


    "I''m not ready," he admitted.


    "Marcus, my child will be fine without you. Simply leave now or my mother will shoot you with her


    shotgun," she said, but the guy remained seated and unafraid to look them in the eyes.


    "Are you going to let him go? E, are you insane? Once he walks out the door, he will never return,


    and you will be permanently damaged!" Paloma objected to Danie''s easy departure of the


    bastard. Certainly not!


    "Please, Ma, leave us alone." Danie pleaded with Paloma to leave them alone, as she desired to


    speak quietly with Marcus.


    Paloma walked away from the hostile pair, her mind upied with devising a strategy for rescuing


    Greg''s daughter from shame. She knew she would do the right thing as her mother, and she was


    certain Gregory would agree if he was still alive.


    "All right, great, but please make a choice, sweetheart." Danie regarded her as a mother for the


    first time, which was gratifying.


    "I understand why you were anxious to conceive, Dani." Marcus stated immediately upon their


    arrival alone in the living room. "Are you serious about this?"


    "I am not quite as callous as you, Marcus. You are correct; I am no longer required to have children,


    but how can you expect me to murder her even before she is not yet born? Please go now or I will


    call the cops," she said. How could he possibly be so inconsiderate toward their unborn child?


    Whatever her motive for being pregnant, she would never terminate the child.


    "I will not leave until you agree to my idea!" As with you, I am entitled to do anything I choose with


    your pregnancy! Now, I''m admonishing you to abort!" He urged her to terminate the pregnancy.


    Danie was astounded by his obstinacy. "I''m telling you for the nth time that abortion is not an


    option. Now, either leave or go to HELL!" Sheshed out at him. Her tolerance has worn thin as a


    result of his refusal to listen.


    "Please, Dani..." he pleaded.


    She was emotionally spent from her battle for her unborn child''s right to life and sight. "Please....just


    leave."