Chapter 19

RONALD

“Jemma, please take her home. Ronald and I will join you guys soon,” Gabriel said.

“I’m not going back to that house,” Raina said firmly.

“Then Jemma can take you to our place. Please, Raina,” Gabriel pleaded.

Ronald did not want Raina to go, but on the other hand, he knew she needed her space to calm down.

He was glad Gabriel suggested going to his house. He knew she would be safe there with Jemma rather than alone in a hotel.

After Jemma and Raina left, Ronald and Gabriel walked back to Ronald’s office.

“What are you still doing here? Haven’t you caused enough harm already?” Ronald lashed out at Annabelle.

“Oh, please. She was bound to go sooner or later anyway.”

“Just get the hell out of my office, and don’t come near me because I’m getting a restraining order against you.”

“Suit yourself,” she hissed and then left his office.

Ronald ran his fingers roughly through his hair before defeatedly crashing onto a chair.

“I told you to tell Raina about it, and now see what happened,” Gabriel accused.

“I refused to tell her because I didn’t want her to worry,” Ronald said. “She has not been feeling well lately. Her blood pressure has been rising and falling; the doctor said I should make sure I keep worries away from her.

“I didn’t know she would be here today. I swear I did not kiss Anna back. I regret not pulling away from the kiss when she initiated it, but I was shocked.”

“Well, that’s not how Raina sees it,” Gabriel said.

“I know. I want her to calm down before I go over to your place to talk to her. Raina is my life, and my life would be meaningless without her. She must not leave me.

“She said you should cancel everything and tell the staff you are sorry for wasting their time. What was that about?”

“She planned a surprise birthday party for you. She was meant to bring you to the conference room for us to all surprise you. She feels bad about being unable to throw a proper party for you because of her health.”

Ronald picked up his jacket and car keys from his desk. “I’m going to win my wife back. I thought she needed space, but I think the earlier, the better. I’m not ready to lose her.”

RAINA

Jemma placed some pillows behind Raina’s back and took a seat beside her. She took her hands in hers and asked Raina, “What does your heart say?”

“My heart hurts, Jemma. I don’t even know what to think. I guess I’m fat and ugly; that’s why he is no longer interested in me.”

“You’re beautiful, Ray. You’re carrying a life inside you, and that makes you more beautiful.

“I’m not denying what you saw in Ronald’s office, but I’m asking you to hear his side of the story, and whatever you decide after that, I’ll be there for you.

“Ronald has been the happiest since you and Adrie walked into his life. He will be devastated if you leave him.”

“The same applies to me too,” Raina said with tear-filled eyes. “I can’t imagine my life without Ronald, but I can’t stand him cheating on me. That explains why he has been refusing to make love to me.

“Seeing him with Annabelle broke me, Jemma. It made me realize I don’t belong to the same class as Ronald.

“He belongs in the arms of Annabelle and the like and not me. I’m just an ordinary chef who was abused by her ex.”

“Hey, you’re not ~just~ a chef—you’re an amazing chef, you’re a beautiful soul, you’re the most wonderful friend I’ve ever had. Please don’t fill your head with those horrible thoughts. Ronald loves you for who you are.”

Raina wiped her face with the back of her hand, and said, “I want to be alone for a while, Jemma.” She sniffed.

“Promise me you won’t do anything stupid while I’m not here?” she whispered.

“I promise,” Raina assured her.

Jemma gave her hand a light squeeze before walking out of the guest room to give Raina the space she wanted.

About twenty minutes later, Raina heard someone open the door and walk in. She didn’t need to look at the entrance to see who it was; she could feel his presence.

“I thought I told you we were over,” she said to him.

Ronald didn’t respond; instead, he went to where she was and sat by her bedside. “You have every right to be angry with me, Ray, but I’m not going to give up on you.

“You’re my life, and I cannot imagine my existence without you.”

“You should have thought about that before you went ahead and cheated on me,” she lashed out, looking into his eyes.

“I didn’t cheat on you, Raina. She forced herself on me, and I’m stupid for not pulling away when she kissed me.”

“Of course you couldn’t because you were clearly enjoying it.”

“Annabelle had been disturbing me with calls and texts for three weeks now. She claims she’s sorry for abandoning Alexa and me. She wants to be in our lives.

“I knew her intentions were not real, I had Gabriel’s brother investigate her, and the report revealed she was in serious debt.

“I told her I was happily married and I was never going to give her any money, and then she threatened to release a sex tape of us.”

“Of who? You and me or you and her?” Raina asked.

“Of me and you, Raina,” he whispered.

“What? How?” Raina asked in shock.

“I don’t know how she got it. She sent a video of us making out in the elevator during our honeymoon in Dubai. She has information about your past that she wants to use to ruin our reputation.

“And since she’s friends with people that work for different magazines and newspapers, she plans to lie, making it seem as if I took Alexa away from her and you’re only with me for my money.”

“How can she be so cruel?” Raina whispered as a tear rolled down her cheeks.

Her past was something she did not like to talk about, especially the miscarriage. It took a while for her to get comfortable with this pregnancy because she was afraid she might lose this one too.

“You don’t have to worry. My team is working on it. Annabelle is just bitter. She wants to ruin what we have, and she won’t succeed.”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” she asked.

“Because I didn’t want you to worry. I swear what you saw was not what it was. She forced herself on me. I was in shock, which is why I didn’t pull away in time.

“I know I made you a promise not to make you cry except for tears of joy, and I’m sorry for breaking that promise. I’m sorry for keeping Annabelle’s intention a secret from you.

“You complete me, Raina, and I don’t want to lose you. Please forgive me.”

“I thought you were no longer interested in me because of how fat and ugly I am,” Raina said.

“You have no idea how beautiful you are, especially now that you’re carrying our baby boy in you.”

“Then why did you stop making love to me?” she asked with teary eyes. He has failed to make love to her for almost six days now. No matter how much she seduced him, he never gave in.

Ronald playfully scratched the back of his neck. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, confused.

“I thought making love to you now that you’ve clocked seven months would harm you or Jayden. You have no idea how many cold showers I’ve taken.”

“How could you think you would hurt Jayden and me by making love to me?” she asked in disbelief.

“It was a silly reason, and I’m sorry about it,” he said. “I spoke to the doctor yesterday, and she said we could continue as long as you’re comfortable with it.”

“I’m meant to be the one feeling insecure, not you,” she said.

“I’m sorry, Ray, I guess I’ve just been overwhelmed lately, with your health, Annabelle’s threat, having meetings with my team and lawyers on how to deal with her, and work too.

“I’m nothing without you, my love. Please forgive me.”