The fill-in wife - Episode 28

 

Derrick :
"Drinking alone when your wife just got discharged from the hospital. Not a good trait." Deana ask severally from behind me and I roll my hurting eyes. I don't have to turn around to know it's her. 
"It's just water." I growl and I hear her sigh before she plop down on the bar stool beside me. 
"This week has been so much to take in. I deserve something stronger." she says as she grab a bottle of whiskey from the bar and a glass. 
"you want some? It looks like you need it." she extend the bottle to my now empty glass but I shake my head and pour myself more water instead. 
"I have a wife and baby to take care of." I grunt out . Deana down her glass of whiskey before looking at me long and hard. 
"why are you down here then?" she asks and I just shrug. 
"she's asleep."
"knowing you brother, you would gladly watch her sleep. Not sit here drinking water with a champagne glass." I guess she knows that much about me. 
"Why are you here Derrick? Is this about Rose? Because if it is, I'm going to smack you in the face."
"That's not it." I defend quickly before she really go through with her threat.
"I mean I'm thinking about her situation too but not because I want to go back to her. It's just

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. Did you see the bruises on her? Nelson was hurting her for God knows how long while I was in the states for a stupid degree. A degree I haven't even collected yet." Deana's hand cover mine on the bar. 
"I get that she's suffered but you have to think about your wife and child now." she beseech 
"You think I don't know that? I am down here with a darn glass of water while my wife and baby are upstairs." I spit out. 
"what's keeping you here then?!" she spit back and my face fall. 
"forget it." I growl 
"no Derrick. I'm not forgetting sh*t! What's keeping you here now? Why aren't you up there with them?! " she yell in my face. 
"Guilt! Goddamned guilt!"  I yell back then grab her bottle of whiskey and down it. The liquid burn right down my throat and my eyes water. Deana's hand squeeze mine and I try not to cry.
"How can I be happy with my sweet girl and baby when everything is built on a lie? Our marriage certificate has a f*cking expiring date."
"What?!" Deana's hand fall off mine as she stare at me with what I can see as disgust or maybe horror. 
"I just wanted to make Nelson and Rose pay.  I just wanted to take what means the world to them. The inheritance." I say more to myself than Deana as I pull on my hair roughly. 
"I thought you loved her Derrick. She's carrying your baby for Christ's sake. What have you done!"
"No. I love her. I want her and my baby more than anything else in this world. Believe me Deana."
"I'm not the one you're supposed to be asking that from Derrick."
"You're right. I should tell her. I should go up there, get on my knees and beg till she forgives me." I  feel propelled to take all necessary actions now as I get off the stool. 
"you mean the world to this woman, Derrick. Plus,  She's pregnant and on bedrest. Don't fuck this up by making her lose the baby from stress." Deana says and I stop in my steps. 
"What I'm saying is do this right, Derrick." she says and I nod. 
  Deana's right. I know just what to do. I just have to tear up the old contract and draft new one.
"You know you are not so bad for a tomboy sister." I tease but Deana can see the sincerity in my eyes. 
"Go meet your family, fool." she says and push me towards the stairs. I chuckle as I hurry up. 
"I love you!" I yell back to her knowing fully well she won't reply that.
  I call my lawyer to draft a real marriage certificate for a life time this time around before I hurry to my room. The door is ajar which is suspicious because I left Maya sleeping just minutes ago. I walk quietly inside just to see Maya in Jordan's arms. Wtf 

Rose:

"Derrick?" My pathetic ass limp into the sitting room in search of Derrick. Just got myself discharged as soon as I heard Derrick left the hospital with that maid. Where is he now? 
"How can I be happy with my sweet girl and baby when everything is built on a lie? Our marriage certificate has a fucking expiring date." Oh my God! I stop in my tracks as I hear the sudden outburst. Derrick? I follow the voice to the doorway of the bar and hide when I see he's with Deana. 
"What?!"I roll my eyes at Deana's outburst. 
"I just wanted to make Nelson and Rose pay.  I just wanted to take what means the world to them. The inheritance." Derrick confirm my thoughts and pure glee saturate my body. I knew it! He was just using the trash. Yes! I press my ears harder against the door. I can't miss a word of this. 
"I thought you loved her Derrick. She's carrying your baby for Christ's sake. What have you done!" Deana yell at Derrick and I feel the urge to slap her big mouth shut. Derrick only loves me of course. 
"No. I---" my phone starts vibrating in my hand and in my panic, I accidentally hit answer at the same time as I hit my hurt arm against the door.

Read " Intoxicated Romance " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. Sh*t! I bite my lips to stop from screaming in pain. 
 "Hello? Hello?"  I reluctantly move away from the doorway to avoid getting caught eavesdropping. 
"who's this?! " I bark at whoever is on the other side of the line. 
"it's your husband's nurse ma'am." I roll my eyes in annoyance. I just missed hearing juicing info because of goddamned Nelson? 
"If he isn't dead. Don't call my f*cking phone!" I spit and go to end the call. 
"no no. Wait."
"what is it?! "
"He said I should tell you something about a recorded confession. Something about poison and listening devices. He's probably delusional but he offered me 10 thousand naira. Couldn't say no. Well I've done my part." She says and end the call. 

  A recorded confession?! Oh my God! A listening device! He's threatening me. From the hospital. What a jerk! With all thoughts of eavesdropping forgotten, I hurry out of the house. I can't go to jail.