That was the end of that discussion. Between him and her. And David was visibly upset at Venus. He even left the next morning without his hours long bantering at the breakfast. That bothered Venus. More than she'd like to admit.

They haven't yet announced their pregnancy formally. It was not a small thing, and it deserved a celebration. David intended to organise a dinner next week after he'd be back from his scheduled business trip of Argentina. Erica had a small inkling but she knew always how to stay quiet to let people have their moment.

Before their wedding, the rocky phase of their relationship, she has accused David, quite a many times. Sometimes she was right, sometimes she wasn't. When she was wrong, David would still come forward and hug her. He'd say, "See! I know you may have doubts over me. That's my karma biting back. But just know it, despite all my mistakes, I love you."

He didn't say anything, and he didn't protect any girl like he did for Hope. Was it only because she was his bestfriend?

Venus couldn't stay still, and so, by the lunch time, she went to the office, with a freshly cooked meal for him. For the world outside, there love may look strange. There was a visible lack of trust between them, something they were both working on. David was trying to become the loyal guy she wanted him to. And she was trying to trust him each day. They were midway, trying to find a middle ground for the both of them. It was love which was holding them together, and more than anything, it was the undeniable need to stay close to each other.

When she reached the office, his secretary informed him that David has gone for a site visit. And that she can wait for him in his cabin by the time he comes back. She went to the cabin and kept his lunch there.

When she came out, she went in the direction of Eric's cabin.
There was Antonio, the busy guy, looking busy in his tablet, seemingly organising something important.

"Uh... Antonio?"

Antonio looked up surprised, "Mrs. Wellington? What can I do for you?"

She sighed, a little disturbed by everything, "Can I meet Eric?"

He hesitated a little bit nodded nonetheless, "You can wait for him in the cabin. I'll inform him. He's in the conference room."

She went inside the cabin, and waited. She loved David, but if there was anyone who cared for him more than she will ever do was Eric. So, it is impossible that Eric doesn't know anything substantial. Atleast something to ease the disturbance in her.

If Hope was a threat to her home, she trusted Eric to not support her like David did. But she was proven right when Eric did the same.

When Eric heard Venus is there to meet him, he was puzzled. He wasn't close to Venus. Not much. They only had David in common. And as long as David was happy, he would make things feasible for Venus too. He considered that his responsibility.

"Venus? You here?", he asked as he went inside his cabin and took a seat on his chair, in front of her.

She nodded, "Sorry if I disturbed your working. But I wanted to ask something."

He nodded absent mindedly, "Ask away. Your husband is about to come back. He wouldn't let it remain serious anymore."

She smiled tightly, that made him notice her unease.

Gathering a little courage, she finally asked, "I wanted to ask about Hope."

His face remained stoic but he froze for a moment. Was this the predicament that scared him? He's been dreading this since Hope made a comeback in their lives, a year and a half ago. But not once had he believed Hope held any mal-intent.

"What about her?", he asked, carefully.

"Was their something between Hope and David?", she reiterated her question from the night before, a vicious guilt surrounding her. She did not believe David. She knew it. He knew it too. Probably that was the reason of his upset heart today, not that he would ever admit. He thought he was cool, casual and understanding, and he very well understood her lack of trust in them. But deep down, it hurt him. And now, her sitting here, to verify the thing already said to her, she was going to hurt him more. She knew there was no way Eric wouldn't tell David she came to ask about Hope.

Eric sighed, "Don't you think you should discuss this with your husband?"

"I did. But I am not convinced. Hope is..."

"It's neither mine, nor David's fault that you are not convinced. You and me both know he has genuinely put his everything in this relationship, something he has never done before. So you should not question his loyalty everytime a girl comes."

He was harsh. He has always been. But for David, he'd probably fight with his own wife. Something he won't do for anyone in this world. Atleast not yet.

Some unshed tears glistened in her eyes. This wasn't as easy for her as it seemed. She wasn't just doubting and expressing it. She was feeling a doom of certain kind. Somehow she couldn't imagine the life that she would have with her child. And that tore her apart. What do we do when we can't vision our lives ahead? Everytime she tried to think of herself, David and their child, a black would surround her. Somehow, it looked like a foreshadowing of some kind and that has unsettled her.

The look on her face, the pain in her eyes, it made Eric take a step back. He can't hurt this woman. She was David's love.

"Listen Venus! Whatever David told you, it's true. There was nothing between them."

She looked up at him, unconvinced, "Even from Hope's side?
Eric! David has seen me getting insecure before and I have seen him cutting everyone out who made me feel so. I don't want him to do the same with Hope, but his defending her, it is an unknown territory for me. I don't see any villainy in Hope, and I see their friendship is purely platonic. David thinks I only care about that aspect. But I have also seen her stealing glances at him. That look! You give that look to someone you love beyond life. And I have already had some argument with David the night before when he assured me there is nothing from his side. He's even upset because I wasn't trusting him. But I am not sure about Hope. And that is worrying me more than I'd like to admit."

That made him look away. Women knew better than men would ever do. 

"That is just your insecurity speaking Venus."

"Don't you think I don't know that!"

"I am in no place to say something.", He said.

"You are. That is why I have come to you. Because I know you know more than you let out."

He sighed, "I seriously don't want to do this."

"Even when I tell you I am pregnant and this is bothering me more than it should."

His eyes widened at that.

Pregnant? Venus?

"Does David know?", he must have told him if he did.

"I took a pregnancy test. He has an inkling, but he has scheduled a doctor's appointment for me. I'll tell him the confirmed news when he comes back from Argentina. This project is very important and I don't want him to get distracted at a crucial moment."

He sighed. The thought of David being a father unsettled him. More than that, he felt a strange protectiveness over the living being who he hasn't seen or even thought of much about. David's child. Would it be a girl or a boy? If it's a boy, it is going to be a disaster.

"Eric..", his attention is drawn towards Venus when he sees her distressed face. A concern rises in his heart. She's family after all.

He took a seat in front of her, and leaned forward, "Okay. I'll tell you everything. But only because you know Hope is harmless, and that this is the last time you are even thinking about this."

She nodded frantically. She needed clarity. She wanted to understand what it was in Hope, that scared her so much. Even when she knew her relationship with David was strong. She wanted to know if Hope loved him like she did. Or even more than that? Was there a comparison?

"Hope, David and me,...", He began, "..were friends back in the school. She was a quiet girl, and very out of place. A topper in maths. And well, someone real in that honeycomb like school. Our friendship started from us saving her from bullies to her saving David from failing. Two years down the lane, and she grew close to us. Well, much more to David. But while for David, she was just a friend. For her, David became her world. She knew how to handle him. I liked it about her. She was patient with him and tolerated him without complaints. What I failed to realise was that she fell for him real hard. I had never seen something as genuine as her love for him. And being the dumb David is, he didn't realize what he was doing to her. She admitted it to me. And I was happy for David. I offered her my help if that meant happiness for David. But that very day, the day of her birthday, the day she planned to ask him out, keeping everything aside, David proposed you."

He sighed, "I stopped her. Stopped her because I had no idea David was this serious about you. I gave her a vague hope that may be you are a phase, but when David himself admitted before us, too happy to notice her breaking at his declaration that he really liked you, she left. Without a single word. And never came back until now and that too because Austin insisted."

Venus heard Eric. A part of her felt jealous of how can Hope love him that much. Love him enough to leave him. Another part of her held respect for Hope, that she respected David's choice. And another content, that David made yet another person fall deep for him. If she was at Hope's place, she would have fought, hell and back, to claim the results of her love. But Hope didn't. And by Eric's words, it was clear she didn't regret it.

"I know Venus this is alot to take in. But about Hope? You have my word. She will never intrude in your life. If she wanted, she would have done by now." The conviction in his words relieved her. She realised Hope is not the problem. Their circumstances were. And somehow, if Hope still loves David, that is because she didn't find someone or may be never looked at anyone.

Venus nodded still dazed.

"What if I was not in the picture? Do you think they would have ended up together?"

The picture that she created in her mind, it didn't offend her as much. She knew one thing, David needed someone who loved him beyong everything. He has missed alot. And so he needs a lot of love to compensate for that.

Eric looked at her carefully, "Most probably yes. I would have made sure of it. David would not get such people in his life frequently."

She nodded smiling tight lipped. She knew Eric too. This guy would turn the world upside down for David. If she trusted anyone with David, then it was him- Eric. Even more than herself.

"...but Venus...why I didn't do that? Or why I never told David about Hope? It was because you too loved him just as much. I don't know what good deeds the fucker did to have two women love him so dearly."

She chuckled. The situation, finally becoming lighter. She sighed. The storm in her finally settling. Her chaotic issues with Hope's presence waning in thin air.

"He has this charm. I have no problems with Hope, just so you know. I appreciate her love for him. And if not me, then I would definitely wish David to end up with someone who genuinely loves him."

*

THREE MONTHS LATER

It was the fifth month of her pregnancy, and she was having the best and worst time of her life. David was being over the top, uncontrollable husband. And she was looking ways to skip that strict diet and schedule.

Today, at Wellington's mansion, she felt a little discomfort in the lower region of her womb. But she knew that if she went to David, he would probably start making calls to doctors outside Italy. Did she want that? No. She didn't want to make a big deal out of her pregnancy. She wanted a normal delivery, with her normal baby. But her husband, he was hell bent on making it a national affair. She guessed that even his business partners of different continents knew he was going to become a dad.

She wanted to have a son, but he didn't like the idea of it. He predicts his son would be a playboy, like he was anything less. Somehow, her instincts told her she was going to have a boy.

The driver stopped the car before the hospital and she quietly came out of the cab after paying him. Somedays, most days, she likes to skip that rich billionaire protocols. She was born as an orphan. And she liked her life to remain simple.

Once in the doctor's cabin, she informed doctor of her discomfort. The doctor frowned at the information and demanded for some tests to be run. The name of different tests rose some nervousness in her but she remained silent and calm.

She hoped Erica was here, but unfortunately, both Eric and Erica are gone to Newzealand for attending a business event. David was invited too, but he refused for the sake of his pregnant wife. He's been hounding her since the last two days. And she wanted to let him stay busy in the office than fuss over how many grams protein she took today.

"Mrs. Wellington. I need to have a word with you.", the doctor finally spoke up after an hour of examining her reports.

"Yes doctor?"

"Don't mind my question. But what kind of medical history is associated with your side of family? Or Mr. Wellington for that matter?"

Her heart beat fastened a bit, "Doctor, as far as I know, David was a completely healthy baby. Infact, my mother in law had a normal delivery in her tenth month. And the pregnancy was pretty normal."

Jessica told her so many things about Diana's pregnancy when David was born.

"...but... doctor, I was an orphan and i don't remember anything of my own mother. However, I do have a step brother. May be he knows something?"

The doctor nodded, "That's alright Mrs. Wellington. You can talk to him later. However, I'd like to tell you- that your uterus is very weak. The walls, they are very thin. And as the baby is growing in size, it is stretching more and more that is causing you discomfort."

Her heart dropped at that. Her uterus was weak.

"I..how... doctor.."

"I think this is some generational issue. Some people have these issues by virtue of their genetics. That was why I asked your family's medical history. You can confirm it with your brother. But I am sorry to say Mrs. Wellington, you should terminate your pregnancy if you want to live. Your uterus is extremely weak, and it became apparent when it stretched a little due to the size of your baby."

Her face had lost all the colour. Not even in her worst dreams did she imagine something of that sort happening. Her child. Most probably her son! The doctor easily asked her to terminate the pregnancy. How can she do that!? She has already planned so much. She has brought several onesies for the child, as many toys as possible. She was planning to create a beautiful nursery for her baby in the grand Wellington mansion.

But now, everything looked like a lie. A farce.

Her child! She wrapped a protective arm around her belly. There's no way she will kill her child. What would happen to David?

"Mrs. Wellington...these days, some woman are experiencing these problems that render them unable to give birth. But it's all biology. It's fine. Motherhood is not an entitlement. Your life matters."

She shook her head, frantically.

"I am not killing my son, doctor!"

The doctor looked taken aback at her declaration and tried to convince her, "Mrs. Wellington. Sometimes weak uterus cause severe internal bleeding. It's highly risky. We cannot let you embrace death. This is a hospital. We work to make people healthy."

"What about my baby? Doctor! He already has a heartbeat. You felt it last week. He's breathing! He's moving! He has a life too. How can I let him embrace death??"

The doctor sighed, "Okay Mrs. Wellington. I think you should discuss this with your husband. Together, you both can find a better conclusion to this. I cannot let your emotions guide your decision. It's unfortunate, I know but it is the truth and you'd have to think practically."

Thinking for sometime, she looked at the doctor, "I have one request doctor. Whatever you told me, you are not going to tell it to anybody. Not even a single soul. Not my husband. Not my sister in law." These two were the only ones who accompanied her for her routine checkups. Eric often drove them, but he stayed out, complaining that crying babies unsettled him.

And so, one of the most heart wrenching decisions was taken in the white sterile corridors of that hospital, that were likely to witness pain in the coming days.

*

She went to meet Aurelio, desperate and unsure.

Her phone had texts from him, 'You had your lunch? I can conveniently cancel this meeting to take care of my baby and his mamma.'

Her heart dropped at that. He looks so complete and satisfied. He has imagined so much for his baby. He always admitted a baby boy scared him, but he'd love him nonetheless.

Aurelio looked at his step sister, suspicious.

"Is everything alright with you? Why are you asking about your mother today?"

Aurelio was her step brother. Her mother, she had married a kind man after leaving her first abusive husband. She didn't know the details, but she knew that her mother died during childbirth. Her birth. And soon after, her stepfather, Aurelio's father died due to a car accident.

Lack of fortune, and economic distress had them gone to their  nearest relatives, Aurelio's Aunt, who was the only family Venus knew about. She wasn't Venus' aunt by blood but loved her nonetheless.

"My medical reports...they are not good."

A dark thought surrounded Aurelio. Venus wasn't very dear to him- but she was the only person on earth he could call his. Also, she has supported him since as long as he can remember.

"Your mother, she had some issues during childbirth. But back then, the technology was not that developed where they could detect it before hand. Dad said, she used to have cramps during her pregnancy. Also, she told stories about vulnerable pregnancies back in her own family. I don't know much...only what dad said in his drunken state...he was grieving your mother. But he was glad, he atleast had you."

Her heart felt heavier if it was possible. The image painted before her, consisted of her father, her dead mother, and then herself as a baby. And unknowingly, the face of her father morphed into David's. And her mother's to her own.

She abruptly stood up, and left, not before asking Aurelio, not to utter a single word about it to anyone. Aurelio, ever the non chalant one, didn't care as long as his days were comfortable. She passed to him a wad of cash, and wrote a check, "I can't keep financing your failed businesses Aurelio. It's David's money. I hate taking it from him."

"David's money is your money too."

And just like that, the topic that was of great concern, lost attention of his mind. And Venus was left alone to deal with the problem.

*

It was true when they say that the trauma of your life, it never really leaves you. She had a huge problem before her, but she didn't know how to share it with anybody. Or how to open up about it. She thought nobody would care for her child as much as she did. But, it was because they cared about her. That fear, for her child, made her do the unthinkable. Walk into the mouth of death.

She had visited Eric two days before her delivery, or death.

She told him that if she wasn't there, he had her full permission to unite Hope and David. Eric was exasperated because he thought she was still not over that topic. Unknown to him, she was preparing him for the future. She even made him promise to ensure David would be taken care of. Because if there was anyone who would take care of David more than her, it was Eric.

Eric promised, only to get rid of her cryptic talks, but he realised what actually went down when he stood beside her grave a few days later. He was shattered - seeing David, and his little newborn. But the weight of responsibility, it was huge. And he knew he had to fulfill it. No matter what.

*