Pregnancy is the most wonderful aspect of a woman's life as people would say, pregnancy completes a marriage, a child brings more joyful experience.

Every husband would do anything to take care of his wife during this stage but...my husband is nowhere to be found, I'm sure he is taking care of my pregnant sister.

For nine months, I tolerated the torture that came with the pregnancy without any complaints just to see my beautiful creation.

Pregnancy really affected me greatly but Mr and Mrs Smith took care of me properly, they even requested for me to call them Pa and Ma since they had no child to call their own.

1 month of being pregnant:
During my first month of pregnancy, I had a lot of mood swings and a lot of tears due to old memories.

Mom, Dad and I got to know several things about my pregnancy according to the instructions the gynecologist had given on the day of the appointment.

After my visit to the doctor, Diana, my mum made sure I took my eating habits well and my medications properly.

She saved me the stress of doing household chores, she made sure I went early to bed and also prevented me from taking caffeine since it is not good for the baby.

Every time I wake up she is always beside me with a tray of healthy food, she will always stay by me because I normally cry at night.

"Good morning dear" she spoke while patting my head.
I rose up to sitting position and replied "Good morning mum"
"Hope you had a good night rest," she asked
"Yes mum" I lied, I was far from having a good night rest.
"Harriet stop lying I can see through your lies"
"I don't know mum, I can't sleep because I always remember you know who... mum," I said while a single tear escaped my eyes.
"Baby just take it easy, everything is in the past, forget everything and think about your baby and your future.

6 months of being pregnant:
In the middle of the night, I felt a hand patting my head and wiping my tears with her thumb, I knew it was Diana who was patting my head because I tend to remember old memories and I start crying.

I rose up to sitting position and saw my mum seated on the bed while looking at me... she looked sad and pained.
"Mum I'm sorry, but mum the tears keep pouring and my mood swings just make it worse, "I said while rubbing my eyes which was filled with tears.
"Baby go take a quick warm bath, it will relieve you of your stress" she suggested.

Hopping out of the bed was not easy, since I was heavily pregnant, I went straight to the bathroom to take a warm bath.

Three years later:
"Benjamin!" I yelled the name of my 3 years old son as I opened all the door to the mansion in where we live.

Where is he? I hope nothing is wrong with him?

I ran down the stairs as quickly as my leg could take me. I head towards the balcony to find a small figure seated on the floor playing with his car toy.

"O my God, Benjamin" I stretched my arms in front of him, instantly he came to me.
"Ben, you made mummy scared," I said while patting his back gently.

Anytime I look or stare at his dark blue eyes, he normally makes me remember Dave. His dark-brown hair is also a feature of Dave, a single glance at him you would know he is Dave's son, nevertheless, he is the forceful creation of me and Dave.

"Flashback"
I was sleeping when I felt a huge weight on my body, I woke up to see Dave on top of me.
"Dave what is going on and why are you on me?"
"Harriet shush can't I lay on top of you, you are my lawfully wedded wife"
"Dave you are drunk, let me go," I told him while struggling from his hold since he had me pinned down on the bed.
"Harriet don't fucking tell me what to do I'm the husband, not you. I am your husband and I can do whatever my heart pleases with you "he said angrily.
"Dave you are hurting me just let me go, "I said since I was pinned on the bed. He tore my clothes viciously and angrily, I was left half-naked in my underclothes.
"Dave please don't do this to me, I will obey all your instructions, do whatever you want but please don't do this" he was not even bothered about my pleas he was checking me out his face with lust.

How could my own husband feel lust instead of love for me, do I look like a slut to him?

"Dave please___" before I could even complete my sentence I felt his hands go back to the strap of my bra.
"Dave please don't do this to me"
End of flashback.

Ben is my bundle of joy, I don't really care if it was forceful sex that led to him being born.
"Baby it is time for breakfast" I spoke to him but his full attention was on his remote car toy.
"Boys and their toys" I chuckled in my head.
"Rwide, mummy shee," he said in his cute baby voice while showing me his car.
"Mummy see" he pointed to the chairs in the car"the first one is for daddy, the second one (which was the front seat) is for you mummy and the last one is for me. I nodded my head to show him that my full concentration was on him.
"Mummy" he called.
"Yes"
"Where is daddy," he asked with a hint of curiosity laced in his voice.

Various thoughts ran through my head... How should I answer that one massive question?

How can I explain to my son that his father forcefully had sex with me, he insulted me, cheated on me and he even expected me to be a nanny to his unborn child from my own sister?

He doesn't even know you exist, nobody thought I could ever give birth but thanks to Molara's prescription and God's mercy on my life I gave birth to this bundle of joy in my hands.

I've made myself a promise to be both a mother and a father figure to my son.

"Your daddy" I tried to look for a good reply before I could... I heard a sound from the kitchen which meant the food in the microwave is ready.
"Son it is time for breakfast," I said while I tilted his head towards the kitchen
"Yay breakfast," he said while dropping his hands happily.

I carried him towards the kitchen, we sat in the dining area having breakfast, I took my time to feed him properly.

Once we were done eating, I picked him up from his seat and carried him towards our room. I need to take a bath and I also need to take my bath and he also needs to take his bath too.

Harriet Pov;
Years later,
"Woman enough of your pleas, let me do what you are here for, you just like shedding tears over petty things" he shouted.

"Woman please who do you think you are calling me mother am not a childless woman's mother. If you can't give me a grandchild don't even bother calling me mother ....foolish woman. Do you think I'm here to actually come to eat ? Do I look like a beggar to you or someone that is malnourished to you?"

"Harriet don't even bother stressing yourself out because you can never be a mother you are just an empty woman. Ok, so you think I will start having sex with you because of what my mum said "he said while chuckling with no care in his word.
 

I jolt awake from my terrible nightmare, I'm not surprised because it has been occurring ever since I left his house. The dreams always find a way to strike pain in my heart.

I have coped with the dreams since there is nothing I could...mum advised me to go for therapy sessions to me, I feel it is a waste of money and precious time.

I turn to check my alarm which was placed at the bedside table which read"6:10 am "it is almost time for my alarm to start ringing.

I rose up to sitting position, pushed my body backwards and rested my back with the aid of the pillow.

Beep beep...
My alarm goes off at exactly 6:40 am, I get up from my queen-sized bed, to begin with, my morning routine which was heading to the bathroom, brushing my teeth and taking a warm bath.

After I was done with my morning routine I went straight to the closet to pick a business outfit since I need to report to the office at exactly 8:am since I was the CEO of Smith's Company.

I live in the mansion with my 16years old son Benjamin and my parents Diana Smith and Bruce Smith.

My son Benjamin is an exact carbon copy of his dad, most of his features are from his dad but I never wish he should ever be like his dad. He doesn't know the truth about his dad but I will explain it to him when the time is right.

His father Dave is this main reason for all my sufferings and nightmares, I remember all the pain, slaps, humiliation, insults I had to face all because of him and his mother.
He was the main reason I left my birth town, I had to run away from my friends and family...but he is also the reason for Benjamin even though it was due to force.

I grabbed my phone from the bed and marched down the stairs to go make breakfast for everybody.

When I arrived downstairs I saw my mum flipping her special pancakes...her pancakes taste heavenly I love it so much.
"Good morning mum" I walked to where she was and wrapped my hands around her waist.
"Harriet good morning, how was your night? and dear where is Benjamin" she asked.
"Mum I slept like a baby, Benjamin might still be cuddling his bed ...that boy just loves sleeping, "I said while chuckling gently.
"Dear it is 7:30 am shouldn't be on your way to the office and besides I made no pancakes," she said obviously teasing me
"Mum I'm not leaving home without having your delicious pancakes, you know I love them so much"
"Yes baby I know you do, just do me a favour and call Ben down here, you know how he loves sleeping"
"Sure mum" I walked away from the kitchen and made my way to the sitting room, I walked straight to the stairs and climbed one and yelled"BENJAMIN" I shouted the first time there was no reply.

"Benjamin" I yelled again I was about making my way up to his room when I heard his voice"Yes mum, I heard you, quit yelling".
"Just be fast and come downstairs, breakfast is ready"

Several minutes of waiting for Benjamin,
"Mum make sure Benjamin eats his breakfast" I glanced at my watch 7:53 am, it is almost late, I must get to the office before 8:00 I don't want my employees to think because I'm coming late they should.

"Harriet, take it easy at least create enough bonding time with your son"She advised.
"Mum if I don't work how we will survive, "I said while trying to reason with her, I know I don't spend quality time with my son but it is for his own good.
"Mum when I get back we will discuss it"

As soon as I was done with the discussion, I grabbed my phone and stepped out of the house. I sight Jake my driver standing by my car and as soon as he spots me, he opens the back seat door, bows slightly and mutters "Good morning ma'am".
I answer him by nodding and got into the car. He quickly closes the door, entered the driver seat and drove towards"Smith Company"

Much love ❤️
leumasT 🤞