(BRENDA'S POV)
I hastened my step as I walked through the dark and almost deserted streets. My destination was Desmond's hours, and I won't leave until I have my daughter. I can't let them take my children from me.
I don't know how long I walked, but I soon arrived at the mansion's gate. I pressed the button by the gate to alert the security guard, and when I did not get a response, I began to bang on the gate.
"Open this gate! I want to see my daughter!" I shouted.
The gate opened, and the security guard stepped out. "I'm sorry, ma'am. You can't come in."
"Where's my husband?" I demanded, ignoring his information.
"He's not around," the guard replied.
"And his mother?"
"She's inside. Look, Ma, you have to leave –"
"I'm not leaving here until I take my daughter with me," I said in a determined tone.
"Ma–"
I ignored him and resumed banging on the gate, this time louder. "I want to see my daughter, Ma. Please, give her to me. You can't keep her from me," I yelled, and this time, my request was targeted at my mother in-law.
The guard tried to stop me, but I wouldn't budge. And then he gave up, and went back into the compound.
I didn't relent, and kept ramming my fists on the gate. A few minutes later, the gate went open again, and this time it was my mother-in-law.
"You're a stubborn woman, aren't you? I heard you collapsed in the rain, aren't you supposed to be resting? Yet here you're, disturbing the entire neighborhood," she said, an irritated look on her face.
"I want my child–" I said simply.
"You can't have her, and you know it. We're going to run a test, and if she turns out to be Desmond's child, do you think I will let her grow up in a wretched home like yours? Your family can't afford to train her."
"That's not true!" I challenged. "I can take care of my child. "
"I don't have the time and strength to argue with you, Brenda. As you can see, I'm still recovering from the danger you put my life in," my mother in-law said. And then she turned to the guard who was standing behind her, "I'm going inside. If she doesn't leave, and tries to constitute any more nuisance, call the cops on her."
"Fine, call them!" I dared her. "Give me my child and I'll leave," I begged, but she ignored me and walked inside.
I tried to go after her, but the guard blocked my path with his bulky frame. "Please, leave. You're not welcome here."
I didn't bother struggling with him because I knew I didn't stand a chance against a man as large as him. And so I bit my lips in pain as my mother in-law retreated into the compound.
It was then I made up my mind. I was wasting my time if I stayed here begging, because my child would not be released to me. Instead, I have to think of another alternative.
And then I remembered Kenneth, the only person who knew what happened that night, and who could help clear my name. And then afterward, I would think of a way to prove I didn't kill Desmond's mother. I had to find Kenneth, I decided.
"Fine," I said to the guard, backing away. "I'll leave, but this isn't over." And then I turned and walked away.
I walked away from the mansion, heartbroken that I didn't get my daughter, but determined to find Kenneth. As I continued walking, I realized I was thinking too much and needed a distraction, something to take my mind off things.
And that's when I spotted a bar nearby. I decided to drop by and grab a drink. I walked in and took a seat on the stool by the bar. "One of your strongest, please," I said to the bartender.
He nodded and got to work. As I waited for the drink, I tapped my fingers impatiently on the table. My eyes began to wander around the bar, taking in my surroundings. And that was when I spotted them–Desmond and Skyline. They were seated at the far end of the bar, drinking.
My heart skipped a beat as I watched them, wondering why Desmond was at a bar, and worse of all, why was he with Skyline? I stood up, with the intention of confronting them, but something made me stop. I wanted to see what was going on.
From my position, I had a vantage view of them. Desmond looked sad and miserable, while Skyline seemed to be consoling him.
"Here's your drink, Ma," the bartender announced, and tore my gaze from the two.
"Thank you," I mumbled and took the drink from him. But I couldn't drink it, so I returned my gaze to Desmond and Skyline.
But the scene I witnessed shattered me. Skyline leaned in, and kissed Desmond. I gasped, unable to believe my eyes. I was further heartbroken when Desmond didn't pull away, but reciprocated the kiss.
I couldn't stand it anymore. My eyes watered as I stood from the stool and rushed towards them. I got to their table and forcefully pried them apart.
"How could you, Desmond?" I shouted, drawing attention to us. "You accuse me of cheating, and here you're kissing another woman in a bar!"
"Brenda–"
But I didn't let him finish, before striking him across the face. And with that, I turned away and ran out of the bar.
I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, tests streaming down my face. I couldn't believe what I had just seen. Desmond and Skyline? Desmond night be anything, but a cheat is not one of them. But still, the sight I witnessed was not imagined, it was real. Desmond kissed Skyline.
I kept running until I was far from the bar, my breath now coming out in short pants. I slowed down, but just as I did, I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen. I screamed clutching my belly, as the pain was surprisingly excruciating.
I tried to walk further, but my legs wouldn't cooperate. I fell to the ground, screaming in pain. "Help! Someone help me!" I shouted, losing breath rapidly.
With every sound I tried to make, the pain doubled, and my vision blurred. And slowly, I gave in to darkness.