Chapter 18: Chapter 18

He felt like being interrogated. From the moment his parents stepped into the villa, they've only been talking about Pamela.

They could find something else to say. They didn't even ask him about his health. Is he back to the Louis he was before the accident or was still having some minor pains or injury yet to be completely healed.

But no, it's all about Pamela, Pamela, Pamela. What's the issue with her? They should be more concerned about him than that poor tramp.

"I don't want to talk about anything or anyone else. I am here to see my dear Pamela. Now, you will answer my questions and tell me exactly what you went to the hospital to do with her?"Leah was uttering each word with a cold, intimidating aura.

Louis sighed softly and said "ok, fine. I told you she lied to me. What she lied about was the pregnancy. She was actually pregnant and told me she wasn't, in fact, she said the insemination failed.

But unfortunately the hospital called where she went for an ultrasound. And I answered the phone. That was when I knew she was pregnant.

I Forced her to have an abortion. She was furious and refused to return home with…" Louis was not done when Leah asked in fear "An abortion?"

That was the last word Leah uttered before she slumped. "Mum!!!" Louis Hayden yelled and held his mother before she reached the floor.

Ellis quickly held her hand "Leah, my love…" he knew she would not be able to take it if anything happens to those foetuses in Pamela's belly.

Louis took his mother to his room and an hour later, the doctor was done attending to her. Louis was standing by one side and Ellis by the other side of the bed where Pamela laid.

She had recovered, opened her eyes and sat with her back supported by a pillow. She had been sobbing from the moment she opened her eyes.

She knew she fainted. The doctor gave her some medication and set a drip for her. She was not saying anything but just sobbing.

She thought this was going to be her chance to give Ellis more children through Louis. She was the one who initiated the idea of surrogacy and Ellis keyed into it.

She was the one who felt it would be better to get a woman Married to Louis and then ask her to be the mother of Louis' children.

She was the first person to accept Greg's suggestion and she was excited when Pamela agreed. She had followed up by being Pamela's side since the very day the insemination was done.

She was the one who told her to hide it from Louis. He had threatened to get her an abortion if she dared to be pregnant. And now, he termed it that she lied to him.

Louis forced a woman to have an abortion? Not just any woman, the woman who was carrying his own child? This is cruelty and inhumane.

Four foetuses with the Hayden's bloodline just perished. Their existence was terminated by their own father. He hated them to the extent he couldn't bear to see them born.

She kept sobbing. Poor Pamela. What had she done to deserve this unfairness from everyone around her. Why did she have to see pain in every turn she makes?

First, those mean people she called a family and then, the cheating from her supposed fiance. Then a forced arranged marriage and now, the pain of losing her babies.

The pain of motherhood made Leah sob more. This is not something any woman can take lightly. She is a mother and any woman who has carried a baby in her belly can endure the pains of losing their child.

But Louis took her right away from her. He forced her to do his desires. He knew Pamela would plead and possibly ask him to give her this chance to be a mother, but her adamant son would not listen.

"Are you alright my love?" Ellis asked. This was too much for him to bear. He also feels pain and evilness his son had demonstrated towards the poor woman.

But much more than that, he would never get to see those babies he was looking forward to.

Leah Hayden didn't find the voice to answer her husband. She's so disappointed that she doesn't want to say anything.

She was sobbing already and tears were running down her cheeks. Opening her mouth to say anything else, means she will end up sobbing aloud.

"I'm sorry mum" Louis apologised.

Emma and Lucas arrived home. The latter was furious but was trying to get calm. He had tried talking to Emma to quit her bad habit.

They had barely been married for a month and they had visited the hospital twice already. This time, she narrowly escaped having a miscarriage.

She drinks and smokes more than some men do. She drinks anything alcoholic. She has no preference for any. Anyone goes and she's a terrible addict to alcoholism and smoking.

This is a habit he didn't know she had. It was when he got married to Emma that he realised that she has some more terrible habits that he already knows.

"I hope this will teach you a lesson. You should be pious enough to avoid alcohol until you put to bed. But if you can't, you should reduce it to the barest minimum" Lucas declared and walked away.

"Are you a fool? How can you even say that? I'm pregnant and everyone knows pregnancy hormones make one crave for things they wouldn't if they aren't pregnant" Emma yelled.

Lucas didn't spare her a glance. She will always find an excuse for her shortcomings. He wondered what kind of mother she's going to be to their child.

Lucas hadn't spent two minutes after he left Emma when he hurriedly came out and asked Emma "There is news about Pamela" he said looking worried.

Emma shrugged. What about it? Hadn't her husband come out of coma and she's now the rich madam of the Hayden's family, going anywhere and everywhere with Leah Hayden, her mother in-law.

What news can there be except that she's bought or started a business. Or better still, managing her husband's businesses.

"Did you hear what I said, Pamela is missing!" Lucas' voice was shaking. He was practically fidgeting.

"Alright" Emma answered and stood up, walking to the bedroom. What the heck, if Pamela is missing, how does that have to do with her?

Lucas followed her. "Why do you hate Pamela so much? That woman has never been bad to you. She loved and treated you like a little sister. For once, show some concern. She might be in some danger…"

"Are you a fool? How can you expect me to show concern to someone who is not seeing me or knows what I am feeling for her.

If Pamela is missing, my concern is not the searchlight the police needed to save her. Why do you bother me with things that make no sense?

Besides I do not hate her, I just can't stand her around me nor tolerate her name being called where I am. Is that what you term as hate?"Emma replied nonchalantly.

"Pamela is many times better than you. She's lovely and a better person to be with" Lucas provoked her.

Emma chuckled aloud. She glanced at her husband with mockery "She's better than me, right? Did she fuck you better than I do?

Didn't you say she never let you touch her? I was generous and came to your aid. I gave you full access to my paradise and since then, you are always lost in it.

If you think she's better than me, then go to her and let your sexual cravings be satisfied. Let's see if her pussy would be accessible to you.."she laughed, annoying Lucas deliberately.

Lucas was angry. Such shameless words from a woman. She can utter any vulgar words without being pious at all.

What has sex gotten to do with what is on ground? Pamela is missing and Hayden's family have set up different search teams to go and find her.

He changed into another cloth and got his car keys. He needed to find out what happened and why she went missing. Where was she spotted last.

He drove until he arrived at Grayson's house. Freddie was seated, his head bowed and seemed to be engrossed with his phone.

"Mr Freddie" Lucas called when he stepped in. He had gotten into the sitting room for some seconds and the older man seemed not to notice his presence.

"If you know or have an idea about my daughter's whereabouts, please let me know. I want my daughter back.." Freddie declared, his voice shaking like a sickly person.

"I rushed here immediately when I heard about it. Did you hear anything, what did the police say?" Lucas asked, coming closer and sitting next to Freddie.

"I don't know. If I do, I won't remain here sitting helplessly while my daughter is missing. I would have gone to search for her myself.

As for the police, nothing positive from them. She was seen two days ago at the hospital and after that, no one has seen or heard about her,"Freddie explained.

"Did you try calling her cell phone number?" Lucas asked. He felt that question was inappropriate. He also has her cell phone number, he could try reaching her himself.

"If the number of times I've dialled her cell phone number is equal to a penny, I probably would have become a billionaire now" Freddie replied.

Lucas felt bad. Why is the worst happening to her? He knew he had hurt her very much and wished he could see her again and apologise to her.

"Pamela is my daughter. I couldn't see her through the eyes of an adopted child. I hid the truth from her all these years despite Freya's persistent trouble to expose it.

She lived a hard life in this house. She was trampled upon and abused. Bullied and insulted. And a time it was physical assault.

She endured it and never asked us if we were her parents. I protected her from Freya as many times as I could. But I can't always be around her to shield her.

And she never complained to me about anything. She struggled hard and finished her University degree. Then the marriage.

I wanted to refute it. But then, I felt it was time for her to be free. To stay away from Freya and her daughter Emma. And the best opportunity was to support Freya's insistence that she got married.

I couldn't retort because you also have betrayed her. You were sleeping with Emma, her foster sister. You took her love for granted and cheated her.

You don't deserve her hence I supported the idea of the marriage. But I wish to explain to her, I meant her no harm or do I join hands with those who betrayed her to hurt her.

But I still haven't gotten the chance before things fell apart on her last visit. Since that day, I haven't set my eyes on her.

Only for Louis Hayden's assistant to come here and ask me if I know anywhere where Pamela might likely be. How am I supposed to know?

Till now, I still don't know where she might be. This life is unfair to my child. And we both have failed her, betrayed her and made her lose trust in those she loved…"Freddie explained.

Lucas couldn't find words to express how he felt. He stood up and got into his car. He drove until he arrived at the crest waterfall, where he and Pamela often visited when they were still dating.

He sat down on the bare floor and felt a lone tear fall off his eyes. He failed her. Yes, he did. Why would he leave such a woman like Pamela and go for Emma?

When he had sex with Emma for the first time in her room, he knew he had entangled himself. He had come to meet Pamela when he discovered she was sent an errand.

Emma seduced him and he ended up having an affair with her. That was the beginning of his separation from Pamela and inclination to Emma.

As the sound of water falling and splashing gave off noise, he felt the noise coming from his heart was louder in his heart than the one he was hearing with his ears.

His heart was in turmoil. He loves Pamela, he really loves her. His heart still belonged to her. He said those words to her that day, to cause hatred.

He wants to shut himself away from her heart. And the best way was to say words that hurt her, making her sever her relationship and love for him from her heart.

And at the same time, he was burning the bridge of their love. There was no way he could ever return to her even if he wanted to. It was over, completely over between them that day.

Forgive me Pamela. Please forgive me. Wherever you are at this moment, all that I desire is that you forgive me…