(BRENDA'S POV)
When I came to my senses, I found myself in a hospital room, with my mother sitting beside me.
"Mom?" I whispered, trying to sit up.
She immediately sat up on her seat, grabbing my hand. "Brenda, oh thank God you're awake."
I rubbed my temples, trying to remember what happened. "What happened? Why am I in the hospital?"
"You passed out and Desmond called me to come take you away from his house. He was really rude."
I winced at the revelation. Desmond hates me now.
My mother's voice cracked, like she was fighting a sob. "You're all over the news, Brenda. The cheating scandal is making headlines. Tell me, is it true?"
I shook my head, trying to sit up again. "No, mom. It's not true. I can explain–"
But before I could continue, the door went open and the doctor walked in. "Food morning, Ma. How are you feeling today?"
"I'm fine, I guess. What's wrong with me?" I asked, cutting to the chase.
The doctor smiled. "How about I check your vitals first, then I'll tell you afterward?"
I nodded, and let him do his job. After he was done, he stepped away. "You passed out due to stress, but don't worry, you're fine now. And congratulations, you're pregnant!"
I was taken aback, the words reverberating in my ears. "Pregnant?"
The doctor nodded and handed me some papers. "Yes, you're six weeks along. Just make sure you take care of yourself and don't stress too much. You don't want to lose the baby."
My hands shook, as I stared at the papers in disbelief. It was then it struck me, I had not seen my monthly flow in a month now. But fear gripped me, was pregnancy a welcomed development at this point? Not with a cheating scandal to my name, and who knows, the attempted murder of my mother in-law too.
"Can she be discharged?" My mother's words cut into my thoughts, and I looked up at the doctor for his response.
"Yes, she can go home if she wants to. But please, see to it that she's well rested."
My mom nodded. "I will."
"Alright. That will be all for now," the doctor said and left.
After the doctor left, my mother turned to me, worried in her eyes. "So, what's your decision? Are you going to stay here and rest or come home with me?"
I shook my head. "No, I want to go back to my husband's house."
My mother frowned. "Brenda, are you sure that's a good idea? You need rest to be able to face your husband and his people."
But my mind was made up. "I have to go home and see my mother in-law, and also clear my name. I can't stay here and do nothing."
My mother sighed in resignation. "You are too stubborn for your own good, child." And then she rose to her feet. "I will go sign the discharge slip."
She returned a few minutes later, and we prepared and left the hospital. When we arrived at the house, I was met with a number of familiar faces –Desmond's family, all glaring at me with hatred.
But despite that, I was happy to see my mother in-law. She was sitting on the couch, and even though she looked sickly, it was a good thing she was alive. But something else caught my attention, at a corner of the sitting room, sat my bags.
Warning alarm went off in my head, as I approached my mother-in-law cautiously. "Don't even think about it, Brenda!"Desmond yelled, rising to block my path. "Do you want to harm her again?"
"Please, just give me a listening ear. I am being framed, I didn't do what I'm being accused of–" I pleaded, hoping that my words will get to Desmond this time.
"Of course you were framed. Anything to prevent accountability for your crimes," Desmond sneered. "I should have listened to my mother, she was right about you. You've brought nothing but misfortune to our family. Our family is losing investors, our shares are plunging...all because of you!"
I tried to protest, but he picked up the remote from the centrepiece and switched on the television, showing me the News headlines. "See for yourself. You're all over the news for the wrong reason. Our family's good name is in the mud because of you."
At this point, I had grown helpless. He was not even giving me the chance to defend myself, but I wouldn't give up. "Please...just listen to me..."
My mother in-law spoke up at this point, her voice weak but it still carried its usual venom. "I don't want you in this family anymore, Brenda. You're a disgrace. Desmond had decided to divorce you to save our family's reputation and the company's too.
I felt chills run down my spines, and beads of sweats formed on my forehead. "Divorce? Please, no–"
But my mother-in-law ignored me and continued. "The divorce papers will be sent to you in a month's time. Your cooperation will determine if we will settle you, or not."
I couldn't believe my ears. "You can't be serious," I said, turning to Desmond. "You're not going to divorce me, are you?"
"Yes, Brenda. That's exactly what I'm going to do. You've pushed me to this point. I don't want to lose my position as CEO."
My heart dipped in my stomach. Oh, no, this can't be happening. I tried to plead with Desmond, but I remembered that that has gotten me nowhere, in fact, it seemed to infuriate him the more.
I racked my brain for what to say or do to change his mind, and in that moment of desperation, I pulled out the papers the doctor gave me. Maybe if I told Desmond I was pregnant, he would have pity on me for the sake of the unborn child and change his mind.
"Desmond, I'm pregnant. We're having a baby," I blurted, thrusting the paper forward.
But he didn't flinch, he merely shrugged his shoulders like I had said something common. "I don't care. I don't even think the baby is mine, so if you think that little news of yours will change my mind, then you had better had a rethink."
"Of course, the baby is yours," I said, trying not to feel broken by his words. "I'm not leaving you, Desmond. We are going to work this out."
But his mother spoke up. "Brenda, you have to make a choice. You can either agree to divorce my son, or you go to jail."
My eyes widened. "Jail?What are you talking about?"
Shae gave me one of her cold smiles before responding. "Yes, jail, for the attempted murder of my person. There's evidence, Brenda. And I will not hesitate to involve the police and have you arrested if you don't cooperate."
My heart was aching now, as I stood, mouth agape. "You can't do that! I didn't try to kill you."
My mother in-law tilted her head, a smug smile creeping into the sides of her mouth. "Oh, didn't you? We'll see about that. The choice is yours. Divorce, or jail?"