Chapter 61
Flowers and competition
Veronica’s POV
I was seriously sick. Throwing up with mad headaches and dizziness. It felt like the symptoms had taken a few days off to prepare for me.
Which explained why it came back stronger than last time. I could barely even keep my eyes open. My head was pounding and all I wanted to do was sleep it over but even that was difficult with how nauseous I felt and the constant throwing up.
I couldn’t go to the office so I took the day off to sleep in. I thought I would get better but it only got worse and by evening, I was down with a high fever and lost my appetite.
My father had the doctor’s check on me but all they said was that it was normal with pregnancy.
The next two days were even worse and eventually, Orthon came over to check on me. He didn’t even know I was sick and he hadn’t called to check on me for two days straight.
“Vee!” He exclaimed, rushing to my bedside. “What happened?”
“Where… where have you been?” I asked weakly.
“I’m so sorry, Vee. I have been very busy and I keep saying I’d check on you but somehow it just skips my mind,” he said.
I said nothing to him. He had his own life. It would be selfish but get upset with him for that, but I was upset nonetheless.
Chapter 61
“You couldn’t even call me!” I mumbled, turning away from him.
“Vee, please don’t get mad. I swear I would have called, you know I always do,” he pleaded but I simply huffed. “The thing is my old friend came to town and I went to pick her up. Turns out she’s got a kid and was given a maternity leave from her job at the military camp. I just had to see her. It’s been so long…”
I think I would have felt better if he just lied to me about working overtime at the office but a friend? A female one at that? It didn’t exactly
excite me.
“I see…”
“Come on, Vee. Don’t be grumpy,” he kissed my cheek but I scoffed and he turned me around, peppering my face with kisses.
d, finally giving in.
Tell me, why is my princess in bed, burning up?” He asked.
“Pregnancy symptoms. They hit with full force,” I answered. “You would have known if you were here.”
“Come on, Vee! Don’t be like that. I am very certain you and Arie will get along. She will absolutely love you,” he said and I nodded skeptically. I couldn’t shake off what happened with Meghan. I didn’t want a repeat of that.
“So… do you like her?” I asked him, though I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear the answer to that.
“Really Veronica? I just told you she came back with a baby.”
“You didn’t mention anything about the father though,” I mumbled.
“Well, he was a massive asshole but he was killed during the war. He was
a soldier,” he told me.
I nodded, but I couldn’t shake the uneasiness creeping into my thoughts. Orthon had always been good at making me feel secure even though I was yet to give him a chance, but the mention of another woman, even one. with a child and a tragic backstory, left a sour taste in my mouth.
“Alright,” I said, trying to push the topic aside. “But I hope you’ll make more of an effort to be here. I need you, Orthon. Especially now.”
It was a selfish request but I couldn’t stop myself. I needed him, it wasn’t a lic.
His expression softened, and he cupped my face gently. “I promise, Vee. I won’t let anything take me away from you again. You’re my priority, and I’ll prove it to you. I’ll do better, for you and the baby.”
I wanted to believe him, and for the moment, I let myself lean into his warmth.
The next morning, I woke up feeling slightly better, though still weak. As I was sipping some tea, trying to keep my nausea at bay, a knock at the door startled me.
“Who could that be this early?” I muttered to myself.
I struggled to get up, but before I could reach the door, one of the maids answered it. Moments later, she walked in carrying an enormous bouquet of roses, white and red, with a sprinkling of baby’s breath.
“These just arrived for you, ma’am,” the maid said, setting them on the table beside me.
I stared at the flowers, my heart sinking as I noticed the note tucked between the blooms. I already had a guess who sent them.
With trembling fingers, I pulled the card out and opened it.
Veronica,
I know I don’t deserve another chance, but I want to show you I can be the man you need. Let me start by apologizing and proving I can be better for
you.
Yours always,
Carter.
I closed the card, my emotions were a mix of anger and exhaustion. How could he think flowers would fix everything? Why couldn’t he just stay the hell away from me? What was this obsession?
Before I could process my feelings, Orthon walked in with a smile but it quickly faded, his eyes darkening as he saw the bouquet.
to sent them?” he asked, his voice low.
Carter,” I replied simply.
Orthon’s
‘s jaw clenched, and his hands balled into fists. “I told you to stay away from him. He has no right to be anywhere near you, Vee.”
“I know,” I said softly. “I didn’t ask for this.”
“Well, it stops now,” he growled, grabbing the flowers and heading.
toward the trash.
“Orthon, wait…” I started, but he had already dumped the bouquet, slamming the lid shut.
“You deserve better than this, Veronica,” he said, turning back to me. “I won’t let him manipulate you again. If he sends so much as a text, I’ll deal with him myself. He can’t just treat you like thrash and come crawling back when he feels like it!”
I didn’t doubt his sincerity, but something about Carter’s persistence made me uneasy. I had no intention of letting him back into my life, but his determination was becoming a problem I couldn’t ignore.
Maybe I should get that restraining order.
