CHAPTER 7

Daniella 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 similar 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?” She lashed 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 uncomfortably. Daniella'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.

Daniella 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 was completely unexpected.

Daniella 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 the lady 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.”

“Daniella?” Paloma burst out laughing 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 Daniella'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 Daniella could not be pregnant.

When he observed Dani had recovered consciousness and stirred, he approached her and inquired. "Are you okay, Dani?"

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

"Ella, what is he referring to when he says you're pregnant?" Paloma inquired and awaited Daniella's response.

Daniella 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 are compelled to marry the bastard who conceived you." Paloma announced, glaring at Marcus Madrigal.

Marcus did not flinch in the face of Paloma's gaze, but he was taken aback by Daniella's laughter. "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 elder lady slammed 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 both ladies cursed at him.

The prospect of marriage was startling, but when Marcus proposed abortion, she nearly sprung from her seat and attacked him. Daniella 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 sitting comfortably in their sofa. She was enraged when the bastard recommended aborting Daniella'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? Ella, are you insane? Once he walks out the door, he will never return, and you will be permanently damaged!" Paloma objected to Daniella's easy departure of the bastard. Certainly not!

"Please, Ma, leave us alone." Daniella pleaded with Paloma to leave them alone, as she desired to speak quietly with Marcus.

Paloma walked away from the hostile pair, her mind occupied 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." Daniella 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.

Daniella 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!" She lashed 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.”