The Billionaire Who Saved Me

“What did you say, Ruben?”

Ariel felt as if a pair of hands were strangling his neck, making it difficult for air to enter his lungs. He was choking. His chest felt tight.

“P-pregnant?” Ariel asked again, his voice shaking. His face looked desperate as he was forced to say that one word. “Elice pregnant? Did you say Elice is pregnant?”

Ruben knew that this was a big risk. Delivering the latest news about the Morales family to Ariel turned out to be a game with his life. But he could not hide it when Ariel pressed Ruben for his report every morning. About all the developments and events that were happening in the big house.

Anxious but steeled, Ruben nodded. Confirming the question Ariel asked him. “Yes, sir. Mrs. Elice is pregnant.”

Ariel felt his life slipping away from his body at that moment. His hands clenched tightly on the table. His face quickly turned red. Beads of sweat covered his brow.

Ariel’s breath sounded ragged. He choked. “It can’t be.”

It felt like a volcano was erupting right before Ariel’s eyes. The news was a catastrophe he had never wished for.

“Elice pregnant?”

Ariel’s body groaned. With a pain he had not expected. Elice’s pregnancy stretched the undeniable reality. It hit him with a fact he had almost denied all this time.

Elice had become Garrett’s. She entrusted everything to this man. Not only herself. But also, her love.

“Sir.”

Ariel closed his eyes. He did not lift his face when Ruben approached him with concern.

“Leave me alone.”

Ruben nodded. “I’ll leave you, sir.”

Ruben left. He left Ariel’s office, giving the boss the time he needed. Although in reality Ariel needed more than that.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Elice. This couldn’t be happening.

What hurt Ariel the most at that moment was the realization that he had once been in Garrett’s position. The one who was now happily with Elice and their unborn child.

Before. He had once been in Garrett’s position. But unfortunately, he denied himself that happiness. And worse, he asked Elice to erase it.

And now? All Ariel felt was regret. If only he had not made that decision then, would today be different?

*

Elice still could not believe that she was pregnant. Last night there had been doubts that had almost kept her from closing her eyes. But now there was no doubt.

When Garrett accompanied her to the ultrasound, everything became clear. The image of a sac on the screen erased all the waiting.

Joy exploded in the Morales family’s large home. Everyone rejoiced at the good news.

The phones rang incessantly. Everyone was busy. Spreading the news to everyone involved. Because it was impossible for the news not to explode when Elice was pregnant with her first child. A child that would be the next successor.

“No wonder you’ve been so pale lately, Elice. Oh my God. You’re pregnant.”

Elice could not contain the happiness on her face. When Norah reached out and gave her a loving hug, she was truly happy. Not only that, but her mother’s arrival at the house a few moments later made it all complete.

When Wilda and Rita heard the news of Elice’s pregnancy, they left immediately. They could not wait to meet their daughter as soon as possible.

When Wilda met Elice, she could not stop expressing her gratitude. Endlessly thanking God. Where once Elice was in despair during her pregnancy, now the opposite was happening.

Whereas before the pregnancy had made Elice suffer from the criticism of those around her, now it was different. Being pregnant made Elice extremely happy. Surrounded by people who were happy and congratulated her all the time. Like two very different events.

“Don’t you feel nauseous? Do you want something to eat? Tell me if there’s anything you want.”

Elice shook her head at Wilda’s question. Apart from feeling weak at times, it could be said that she had not experienced any pregnancy symptoms. Nausea, yes, she had experienced it. But only when Elice was confronted with unpleasant events. Otherwise, no.

“You have to take care of yourself, Elice. Someone is depending on you now. Don’t skip meals and get enough rest. If you feel any discomfort, whatever it may be, tell us immediately,” Daphne said at length. “Do you understand?”

Elice looked at Daphne. There was silence for a moment and then she nodded.

Daphne took a long breath. Then she turned to Garrett, who was sitting next to Elice.

“Take care of Elice, Garrett. Don’t let anything bad happen to her.”

Perhaps it was a common piece of advice that parents often gave to their children who were already married. But Garrett could see another implicit message in Daphne’s words. Even the look in her eyes seemed different as she stroked Elice’s still-slim belly.

“I hope to meet your child.”

Daphne was leaving the family room when Carolus arrived. After congratulating the happy couple, Carolus followed Daphne.

Inside the room, Daphne stood by the window. She looked out. At the bright blue sky, clean and cloudless. A truly beautiful sight.

“Are you still going to Crestdale, madam?”

Daphne blinked once. Without turning to look at Carolus, she confirmed the question.

“If you think Elice’s pregnancy will make me change my mind about going to Crestdale, then you are certainly wrong, Carolus. I still have to go. Even now I have a stronger reason to leave as soon as possible. I have to see Farrah and warn her. This time I won’t give in.”

Carolus took a deep breath. It was clearly none of his family’s business, but Carolus could swear that he was truly relieved to hear Daphne’s determination.

“And take care of them as best you can. I don’t want anything bad to happen to them.”

*