25: RHYMES

( TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR)

"Since you wanna know the truth.. Yes she's your daughter,she's is our daughter"Deacon cut her off.

At that moment everyone attention turn to them.

Trista eyes was wide but it was nothing compared to Layla and Connor.

"What're you saying.. I gave birth to Trista and how is Rihanna my daughter?. "She asked.

"It was because I switched them at birth. " Connor replied.

✯✯✯✯✯

✢23 YEARS BACK..MOSCOW HOSPITAL✢

Deacon rushed inside the hospital, he got a call from the hospital that Venessa just put to bed.

He quickly rushed to Venessa ward but she was fast asleep.

He looked at the baby,and carried the baby.

"She's beautiful just like you, Venessa."Deacon kept smiling, as he kept swinging the baby around.

He stopped and looked at the baby.. The baby was sweating.. He kissed her forehead and that was when he noticed that the baby temperature was running high.

The baby body was hot as hell itself.

Deacon quickly rushed outside with the baby.

"Doctor... Doctor.. Doctor." Deacon called, and the doctor halted.

"Her temperature is suddenly running high.. Please doctor do something. "Deacon pleaded.

"There's nothing I can do.. You can't afford the money for her treatment anyways. " The doctor said and made to leave.

"At least tell me what is wrong with her?."Deacon asked.

"This baby here have slow time to live if she doesn't receive treatment, and I'm sorry with this type of your conditions I don't think you can afford the price if I perhaps tell you.. You reeked of proverty anyways. "The doctor,smirked.

"Is there nothing I can do to save this baby.. This baby here's my life.. She can't die.. " Deacon pleaded, tears were now flowing on his eyes.

"And who cares if she dies or not.. Go get the money and we would start the treatment immediately. "The doctor hissed and left.

Deacon then squatted on the floor, he was crying helplessly.

He can't do anything.. Anyways he's not rich.. Where would he find the money the doctor demands for.

"Princess.. Your father is such a miserable man.. I'm so helpless right this moment.. I can't do anything to save you.. Please forgive me. " he kept crying.

His eyes caught some groups of nurse, they were chatting.

🗣️Heard Ms Zhang just gave birth.

🗣️The baby is so beautiful.

🗣️That baby is so lucky to be born into such family.

Deacon look at his baby.. Her temperature kept getting worser by the minutes.

One nurse suddenly walked to him.

"Heard what you told the doctor!!. "The nurse said, and Deacon took his gaze from the baby and looked at her.

"I can help you if you want. " The nurse added, and Deacon wiped his tears.

"But how?.

"A woman just gave birth.. She's a freaking billionaire and if you perhaps switched those baby, trust me your baby would never lack and she can afford the treatment. "The nurse said.

"Are you insane.. You want me to switched my baby with hers?. " Deacon asked.

"I have indeed go insane because I want to help you. Remember if you switched your baby with hers.. She won't die.. But if this baby should stay here with you she's gonna die.. Have your baby die or live..? "The nurse asked.

"But...

"The woman baby is healthy just switched with hers, and if the woman should perhaps found out that her newly born baby is sick she would give her the best treatment... "The nurse muttered.

"Where is her ward..?. " Deacon asked in tears.

He never wanted to do this, but if it worth his baby staying alive he can go any length.

"She's in Ward 100."The nurse replied, and walked away.

While Deacon went in search for the ward she just mentioned.

He got to the ward and turn to leave.. He can't just do this.. Giving his baby to another family.. Was hell for him.

*Would you rather have your baby live or die".he recalled the nurse word.

He wiped his tears and entered Layla ward.. Layla was still sleeping.

He met her baby sleeping by her side and he sigh.

His eyes widened when he saw something in his own baby neck.

Why was he just noticing it now? The birth mark.

He smiled and muttered. "I would use this to find you.. I would come back for you. "

He took his phone and snapped the picture of his own baby.

Before he finally took Layla baby, he then replaced it with his own baby.

✮✯✯✯✯✯

✢END OF FLASHBACK✢

"Trust me Venessa I had no other option.. Our baby was at the point of death I had to switched them. "Deacon cried out but it was replaced by a slapped from Layla.

"You're joking right? Trista can't be my daughter.. I'm the the mother of Rihanna not Trista.. Rihanna is my child and I won't allow anyone separate us. " Layla shouted.

Braxton eyes suddenly caught Rihanna own.. She was about falling down, but he ran to caught her.

Rihanna looked at him and cupped his cheek.

"Braxton.. Tell me what I heard is not the truth.. Venessa can't be my mother.. Deacon can't be my father.. My real parent is Layla and Connor right.. "Rihanna hiccuped.

"Tell me Braxton.. That they're not my real parent." Rihanna shouted.

But he said nothing.

She stood up and move to Connor

"Dad.. You're my real father, right?Deacon can't be my father?. "She asked Connor, but he just stare at her.

"I know you won't reply me.. "Rihanna told him and move to Layla.

"Mom.. You two are my real parent, right.. I don't have any other mom but you.. They're not my parents Right.. I'm your daughter and you're my mother. " Rihanna asked and Layla pulled her into a hug.

"You're my daughter and I'm your mother."Layla said in tears.

"That's why I love you, mom. " Rihanna whimpered and hugged her also.

Deacon move to Rihanna and made to touch her.

"Don't touch me.. Don't you dare try it.. I know your secret, everything you said was all lie.. Tell me that it wasn't the truth.. Tell everyone here that I'm not your real daughter that Trista is your daughter. "Rihanna shouted.

"I'm sorry, but that's the truth. " Deacon stuttered.

"Dad... What the h*ll are you saying! Huh? So your promises to me were all fake.. Your love to me were all fake... You knew that I was not your real daughter, yet you act as though you cared for me? You acted like you were on my side.. You should have told me, then I would have understood.. You should have told me that I wasn't your real daughter then I won't be so heartless and wicked, to the extent of me badmouthing my own father without me even realizing... I hate you... "Trista mouthed and fell flat on the floor.

Rivers of tears already gathered in her eyes.. And with just a blink it started flowing,like a running tap.

She couldn't believe that Connor was her real father.. The same man whom she used to badmouth.. Whom she used to look down on... Was nothing but her father.

Venessa just froze on her spot.. She couldn't believe her ear.

Did he just say Rihanna is her daughter? No wonder she do get this weird feeling anytime she's around Rihanna.

Back then when she went to see Rihanna at school.

She got that weird feeling again .. Thinking Melanie's was Rihanna.. Maybe the reason she got those connections was that Rihanna was close to her.

But she didn't realize it.. Not after seeing those birth mark.

Before anyone could get what was happening, Venessa rushed to Rihanna and hugged her.

"Hope you're not hurt? Are you feeling better now, the doctor said you need rest! Who did all of this in the first place? Who tampered with your car?. " Venessa asked,rushly.

Rihanna heart kept running like a marathon.. Guess the sayings was right blood was indeed thicker than water.

She got to feel her mother own hug.. And it's really nice than Layla own.While hugging Venessa, she felt the words comfort in her arms.. She hasn't feel this way before, never ever before!!!

She doesn't want to give Venessa a reply, but the question she asked made her speak.

"It was Kinsley.. I heard his voice.. And I'm sure that those voices I heard belongs to him."Rihanna stuttered.

"Kinsley!! Who's Kinsley??."Venessa asked.

"My ex!!. "She replied, and Venessa eyes widen.. It was nothing compared to Braxton.. He stood up and wiped his tears, before barging out from the hospital, without a word.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

✢MELANIE'S APARTMENT✢

Braxton barged inside the mansion, immediately Melanie saw him, she smiled.

"Oh Braxton!! You're here. " She asked with a smile.

But he didn't looked her way, his eyes caught Kinsley who was busy munching on a popcorn.

He walked to him and landed a hot slap on his cheek.

"You son of a bitch, how dare you huh? How dare you try to hurt Rihanna?. "Braxton grabbed his collar and landed him a punch on his face.

Melanie eyes widened and quickly rushed to Braxton.

"Hey, what're you doing to my brother?. " Melanie asked.

"So he's your brother, well this brother of yours tampered with Rihanna brake. "Braxton yelled, and she did as if her eyes widened.

"How did you know, coz Rihanna is dead already. " Melanie shouted, and Braxton looked at her.

"How did you know?. "He asked, and leaves Kinsley collar, going for Melanie.

"How did you know that Rihanna is dead? Do you perhaps also have a hand in this?. " Braxton asked, his vein were now popping up.

"It's not what you think Braxton!!. "Melanie said.

"Tell me what I think? Is it the fact that you tried hurting Rihanna your friends or the fact that Kinsley is your brother or is it the fact that you were consumed by jealousy?."Braxton asked.

"What did I ever do wrong..was it my fault that my heart chose you.. Was it my fault that I fell for you?." Melanie asked.

"But I told you that am never going to be able to return your love coz my heart chose someone else. "

"My heart also can't stand seeing you with Rihanna, I hate her, I hate her guts and I'm glad she's dead, coz I don't regret any single thing I did to her. "Melanie spat out, but she was welcomed with a resounding and defeaning slap, which sent her sprawling on the floor.

She was seeing a twinkle twinkle little star, she raised her head up to see who it was.

Braxton also turn to look at the person, it was none other person than Rihanna.

"Rihanna you're here?." Braxton asked, but Rihanna just stare at Melanie with her furry eyes.

Melanie eyes widened, it almost want to plug out from it socket.

Kinsley stare from where he his and he froze, it was like they pour him a cold water.

Wait Rihanna is alive? She didn't die?. "Those were the question running through their mind.