CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

The next day, Iver opened his eyes and saw the sleeping beauty in his arms. He smiles and stare at her, she was sleeping so peacefully like an angel, her innocent beautiful face and her hands as she uses it to grab his cloth gently.

He was staring at her until she change her position, burying her face in his chest. He smiled, enjoying this and he pat her long black hair gently. Then he heard the unusual breath, then the next thing he knew was her jerking away.

" What are you doing here!" She shouted after getting off the bed then Iver looked at her strangely, then she looked down

" Oh, I..." She was saying as if she have remembered who invited him to her room and Iver smiled

Just as he predicted, it was a mood swing, now it's gone, he stood up and walked toward the door then stopped

" Get ready, you have an appointment with the doctor today," He said and Rhida nodded. Then he moved closer to her and she quickly shift back. She immediately regret this, she wanted to shower him with all the love he lacked but why did she...

" You shouldn't get into fights, see how you injured your lips!" He snapped and she look away, feeling guilty. Now, he seems like a father scolding his little daughter

" And... Don't believe everything you saw online, most of it is fake rumors!" He said again and turned for the door, then turned to her again and then turned toward the door and left

Rhida smiled, she don't believe this side of him existed. She pounded into the bathroom.

She went downstairs when she finished dressing up, she saw Iver at the dining table and she walked up to him. The food aroma seems different yet so familiar

" Dig in and take your time, you still have an hour till the appointment," Iver said pouring soup for her and she looked around, searching for Janette and Lincon but there were no traces of them

" I told them not to come since I'm off from work today," He said and Rhida nodded, she couldn't stop her eagerness to eat his food. She won't lie, she missed his delicious food.

She smiled as she sat down at the dining table. She was thrilled to hear he was off for work today, the thought of spending the day with him alone was making her heart beat in anticipation.

She ate one spoon out of the food and she closed her eyes, feeling on top of the world, she missed this taste, she won't lie to herself. She ate slowly, devouring the taste and taking her time as Iver said

She entered the car and they drove away. Despite being with him and she has a bad feeling that something bad will happen today. She sighed and shook her head, nothing will happen as long as she is with him, she believes she is safe.

As they were about to enter the hospital, Rhida crossed him and he gave her a questioning look. She brings out a nose cover and uses it to cover his nose and mouth. He smiled and use it to cover it very well then they entered the hospital

They entered the doctor's office

" You are here?" The young doctor smiles and Iver nodded

" Let's go for the ultrasound," The doctor said and they both left. Rhida touched her tummy eager to see her baby

As they entered the ultrasound room, Rhida felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The doctor instructed her to lie down on the examination table and carefully applied the gel on Rhida's abdomen before placing the ultrasound wand on her tummy. The machine hummed to life, and a screen displayed the images of their unborn baby.

Rhida's eyes widened with awe as she saw the tiny figure on the screen, the outline of a little human being growing inside her. The doctor pointed out different features and measurements, explaining each detail as Rhida and Iver watched in amazement.

They could see the baby's head, with a tiny nose and little ears forming. The doctor moved the wand slightly, and Rhida's heart skipped a beat as they could make out the fluttering of a heartbeat. Tears welled up in her eyes, overwhelmed by the incredible sight before her.

They soon left the ultrasound room and the doctor led them to a small, cozy room where they would be able to hear the baby's heartbeat. As they entered the room, they notice a comfortable chair situated next to a small table holding a device called a Doppler. The room was dimly lit, creating a calming ambiance for this special moment.

They eagerly took their seats, their hearts pounding with anticipation. The doctor smiled warmly at them, understanding the excitement that filled the room. She gently placed a small amount of gel on Rhida's belly and picked up the Doppler device.

With a careful touch, he began to move the Doppler around the Rhida's abdomen, searching for the elusive sound of their baby's heartbeat. Time seemed to stand still as they held their breath, eager to hear the heartbeat

And then, like a sweet melody filling the room, they heard it— a steady, rhythmic thump-thump-thump. Tears welled up in Rhida's eyes and Iver held her hand. Rhida smiled, so this was the sound of their baby's heartbeat. It was both awe-inspiring and deeply comforting, a tangible reminder of the life growing within.

The doctor watched their expressions, recognizing the profound impact that hearing the heartbeat could have on parents-to-be.

After a few moments, the doctor gently removed the Doppler from Rhida's belly, allowing the couple to take in the moment a little longer. He gave them a knowing smile and quietly left the room, understanding that this was a sacred moment meant for them alone.

They both sat there, basking in the beauty of their baby's heartbeat

After some while, they drove away.

Iver stopped at an ice cream van and bought some cup of ice cream for Rhida and she smiled, collecting it, it was as if he read her mind.

He received a call and excuse himself. Rhida stare into the distance, curious about what he was saying, his face grew cold and she became more curious, and sooner he ended the call and walked back to her,

" I'm sorry, I have somewhere to be, I'm afraid I have to drive you back home"

" Where?" She asked, she wondered why she have to ask that out

"We have a gathering today, a family meeting today," He said and Rhida nodded and then looked up at him immediately, she remembered what Janette told her about his family

" Can't I come along?" She asked and Iver was taken aback by the question

He kept quiet for some minutes before looking back at her

" Alright, wait for me at home, one of my men will drive you home. I will call you in about an hour, Donald will pick you up" He said and she nodded, smiling.

" Don't worry, I have some stuff to do outside, so tell him to come a bit later" Rhida said and Iver smiled.

He left when Donald arrives.

Rhida walked slowly on the road as the air blew her hair back, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming flowers. It was a peaceful morning, she touch her tummy, Today was one of the happiest days of her life, seeing her baby and hearing its heartbeat. She smiled and her phone vibrates; it was Anna, she quickly pick up

" Hey, you free? It's my off day today and I have made a reservation, want to come along? It's one of the best restaurants" Anna said and Rhida went silent for some while, she wanted to buy a ticket for the upcoming concert of her idol

" Okay, I'm in," She said. Well, she still has some days to go.

Anna told her the location and Rhida took a taxi and head there

Rhida stare at the mouthwatering food in front of her and she took a bite, a burst of flavors exploded in her mouth. The crispy texture of the outer shell, followed by the soft and juicy interior, left her taste buds tingling with delight. The rich and complex combination of spices danced on her tongue, each ingredient complementing the others perfectly. She closed her eyes, enjoying the food forgetting there was someone in front of her.

" What did you think? Outstanding right?" Anna said and Rhida opened her eyes and nodded

" Thanks for the treat," She said and Anna smiled

" It's nothing," Anna said and moved closer to her

" gist me about the father of your child, what is he like?"

" Can you allow me to skip all questions related to that?" Rhida said and Anna nodded

" It's okay if you don't want to talk about it," Anna says and Rhida smiled and continues eating

They head out after eating

" I will soon be going home, I need to be somewhere, I should spend my off day wisely, shouldn't I?" Anna said and Rhida smiled nodding then she touches her stomach, feeling a pain

" Are you okay?" Anna asked and Rhida groaned in pain

" Yeah! You are scaring me!" She shouted and Rhida fainted. She quickly grabbed her

Donald rushed to Iver

" She is calling you," Donald said and Iver smiled

" She is one impatient woman" Iver smiled and pick it

" It's not an hour yet," He said

" Please is this Miss Rhida Summer's guardian" Iver heard the unfamiliar voice from the other end and his eyes lit up

" Yes, what's wrong," He asked, his voice changed

" She suddenly collapsed and was rushed to our hospital, we will need you to fill out a form before we run a test for her"

" Run the test for her now!" he said authoritatively and the nurse was silent for son while

" But..." Then Iver cuts. He turned for the car immediately

" Boss" Donald shouted after him but he already left.

He stare at the house and sighed. He wondered what excuse he will give the chairman when he ask of him. He didn't even have any idea if what was up and what is wrong

Iver entered the hospital and went to the receptionist

" I want to see the doctor in charge of Rhida Summer!"

" We are sorry but the doctor is a bit busy...

" Tell him, Iver Collins wants to see him"

" Huh? Iver Collins... " The nurse quickly took her phone and search for the name and it was exactly the person in front of her

" This way sir," She said immediately and lead him to the doctor's office

" You are here sir, what brings you here sir? " The doctor said and grinned. Iver stares at him coldly and he stopped grinning

" is the test out? " Iver asked with a cold tone and the doctor stood up

" We are sorry sir but... "

" Did you want to get sued? " Iver asked and the doctor's heart hammered in his chest

" It will soon be ready sir," He said and left with the nurse.

Iver watched as they pull Rhida to a room for the test

The doctor stood in front of Iver,

" The results are out and... She... "

" Get to the point," Iver said coldly and the words echoed in his ears

"Quinolones and sulfonamides were found in the food she ate earlier, she... The.. So... She lost the baby"