Hallie held the test result on her hand as she walked out of the hospital. She had gotten the confirmation, she was four weeks pregnant already. She was both relieved and scared for herself and her child. Relieved because she now had access to money but also scared that they might also begin to monitor her since she was pregnant. What if she could not escape even after everything?She spotted the car with Brandon, she deliberately walked slowly because she cherished the little freedom she had. Whenever she was to go to his office, she would be driven there and then returned home by her personal chauffeur. At the ancestral house, she was provided with every necessity so she couldn"t ask for money with the excuse of buying anything. She did nothing but sit at home all today, she would occasionally read a book or make a few sketches when no one was watching.
She got into the car before handing him the result and the debit card. She was reluctant to let go of it but she needed to act like she didn"t need it and was not planning to escape so that they would trust her. "This is for you. I forgot about it previously." He lied, handing her the debit card. "I don"t really need it." She said modestly, handing it back to him. It was all a game, if she could, she would push him out of the car, drive away with his money but that was not an option because they could easily track her down. "No, I insist, you"re the mother of my child." He said, scanning the test result. "I won"t be polite, then." She said, placing the card in her purse. She did not know how much was inside the account, she also knew he would always receive an alert if she were to withdraw any money. Anyway, it was a step forward.
They drove back to the ancestral home in silence. She wasn"t interested in talking to a man who could father her. They had nothing to talk about too. The clocks in Brandon"s head turned, he had eight months to think of ways to avert disaster. Eight months to either kick his wife out or silence her if she found out. Eight months to prepare for the birth of his child.
Arriving at the ancestral home, Hallie was stressed, "what ifs" rang through her mind. She had no one on her side too, she sincerely wished one of the maids would feel sorry for her and decide to help her escape from the house. Even though she wished for this, she wasn"t sure she could trust anyone of them. What if it was a test? What if they were waiting for her to approach one of the maids? She would forever be doomed. "Mother, Hallie is pregnant." Brandon broke the news solemnly. Colleen Blackwood straightway brightened up. Finally what she had been waiting for had arrived. "Really?" She asked while her eyes trailed to Hallie"s flat stomach. Brandon handed her the report, she glanced at it and nodded. "Good, good."
"Child, come sit by my side." She gestured for Hallie to come. Hallie knew that she was dispensable, she knew that even if Colleen Blackwood treated her well now, it doesn"t mean she won"t change in the future. There might even be another her so she did not try to bootlick the old madam or get close to her. "Yes madam," she obediently sat next to the old madam.
The old madam examined her, she was really satisfied with her demeanor, the way she carried herself. Unlike the fowl that paraded herself as her son"s wife. Thinking about Judith, she frowned. She would have done all she could to tear her away from her son but she ignored her existence. She deeply regretted it especially when she recalled the videos online. How could the madam of the Blackwood family act without control in public? It was nauseating to watch. She did not even think about her status before doing that. She shook her head before holding Hallie"s hand.
"This child is too thin." She spoke to no one in particular. She called for the butler to prepare dinner. "You have to eat, remember it"s not just you now, besides how do you hope to deliver the child without strength?" She scolded softly.
"Madam, I will." Hallie replied politely. "You should also start doing some exercises, it will help you when you finally give birth." She advised. "Yes madam, I will do as you say."
Brandon watched as the women conversed. He knew his mother was never close to his wives, she did not like his first wife for reasons best known to her and as for the second, she was an eyesore. She only let her be for her son. But she was pleased with Hallie. The little lady made no demands whatever, she was considerate and obedient. She carried herself like a proper lady should. She did not speak too much or talk out of place or out of point. She was peaceful, she had no bad habits either. She had good qualities, the kind of person worthy to be the madam of the house. Colleen Blackwood was really pleased she picked Hallie for her son. She was not your average greedy and selfish mistress. She was wife material. She had nothing but praises for the young lady, she was even sure their children would be like her unlike Carl.