Chapter 4

All eyes turned to Regina, including Jonathan, although he wasn't so surprised with the news because Regina had hinted it weeks ago which had also promoted his decision to marry up Regina before he would have to watch her slip through his fingers. He felt hurt that his wife just revealed a news that was considered great news but he couldn't reach out to hug her or tell her he was delighted that she was going to be the mother of his child. 

Regina’s mother's face was twisted with fury, while her father looked ready to explode. 

“You can't be serious.” Her father yelled.

Regina flinched back and Jonathan didn't waste time, taking advantage of Regina's mother being distracted and crossed over to grab Regina, pulling her to his side. 

“Don't touch my daughter, you filthy piece of trash,” Regina's mother yelled, pulling her away from Jonathan.

“Be gentle with her, please,” Jonathan grumbled as his hand slipped off Regina's wrist and he watched her get pushed behind her mother, who stood like a dragon protecting her treasure. 

Regina's mother flared, “Don't you ever tell me what to do with my daughter, just because I haven't called the cops on you means you should keep running your mouth.”

Regina sniffed loudly, “Mum please, just let it slide. Please, I'm begging you.”

Regina's father stepped forward to get a better view of his daughter, eyeing her angrily, “Shut up your mouth, Regina. You have a lot of explaining to do, don't think because you are spewing lies that you are off the hook.”

Regina had stopped crying by now, but her eyes were wide and red from all the tears, and her whole face was red and puffy. “But I'm not lying.”

Regina's mother scowled and suddenly grabbed Regina's hand, shoving her aggressively. “We are going to the hospital right this instant, and you_,” she pointed at Jonathan, wiggling her finger at him, “Go get the car ready, you are driving us there.” 

Regina's mother does not wait for a reply and storms out dragging hopeless Regina with her aggressively, Regina's father hisses loudly and immediately goes after his wife. Jonathan hurried after them, his mind racing with anxiety, when he finally reached outside he saw that the family was already seated in Regina's father's car. Jonathan does not feel like he is in the right state of mind to drive but then what choice did he have? He opened the car door to get in behind the wheel, he glanced at the back seat to look at Regina who was currently sandwiched between both her parents looking defeated and ready to cry once again. The moment he settled into the driver’s seat and then slammed the door shut, he put the car in motion with his face scrunched up into a frown, his jaw set with determination as he considered ideas on how to save his Regina.The silence in the car suffocating as Jonathan drove.

….

This will only take a few minutes,” the nurse said gently then walked away.

Regina sat with her head bowed, her hands trembling in her lap where she sat in the hospital awaiting the result of the test they carried out. She glanced at Jonathan, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination, she wished he could reach over and hold her hands, tell her everything would be fine as she sank into his embrace but it was impossible with her seated between her parents, who were both giving Jonathan dagger looks. Regina could feel the anger simmering from her mother just below the surface.

Finally, the nurse returned, holding a piece of paper with the test results which Regina’s mother was quick to snatch. From the way her face turned ashen as she read the letter told everyone what the result was.

Regina’s mother’s expression darkened, and turned to Jonathan, “You careless idiot,  you’ve ruined my daughter’s life!”

Jonathan stepped forward quickly, “I will take responsibility, I'll make it work.”

Regina’s mother’s hand shot out, slapping Jonathan. 

“Who cares about responsibility? That baby must go,” Regina's father ordered.

Regina rose to face her father. “This is my life.”

Her mother’s face twisted with contempt.  “You have no idea what you’ve done. If that business deal falls through, we’ll lose everything.”

“This Is about the deal, isn't it? I promise to find a way, you won't lose the contract,” Jonathan blurted out. Regina gasped but he continued, “And in return you let us keep the baby and leave us be.”

Regina’s mother's eyes met with her husband and back at Jonathan, “You have 48 hours.”

Jonathan’s heart sank, “Seven weeks please.”

Regina's mother scoffed, “Deal or no deal, Jonathan.”

There was a moment of silence before he finally responded with, “Deal.”