Loving Celia

STEVE'S POV

"Now that your father has finally decided it's time to retire and hand over the company to you, it's proper that you and Diana give us a grandchild soon so we can be rest assured that the dynasty of the Johnsons doesn't end with you Steve," my mother said for the umpteenth time

Trust my mother to bring up this kind of topic at such a crucial moment, she just couldn't let my wife be, I had wanted to move out after my marriage but it's strictly against the family tradition laid down by PA Godwin Johnson who happens to be my Great Great Grandfather.

The family of the son who would take over the company must reside within the mansion compulsorily. So I was stuck in this place where my mother never missed an opportunity to berate my wife for not having a child. It wasn't like she was at fault, medically we were sound but for 8 years of marriage nothing so far, not even a miscarriage.

"unless she doesn't have what it takes to make children" she added, my wife teared up and ran out of the dining heavy on tears.

"Satisfied?" I asked my mother and glanced around the table at my father, sister, and brother-in-law who said nothing rather they focused on their food as if nothing had just happened, typical of them.

"Excuse me!!" I left the table and started walking upstairs

In the corridor, I heard my mother's voice

"Steve, do not take one more step," she said with authority and I froze, I knew that tone too well and I knew better not to disobey her

"what is it, mother? Haven't you done enough?" I asked turning to face her

"If saving my son is a crime then I am guilty," she said almost in a whisper

"Saving me from what?" I almost shouted

"You wouldn't want your father hearing so I suggest you put your voice down and follow me to my study," she said in a whisper yet again and turned on her heel towards the stairs up

Her study was on the second floor, we could have taken an elevator but my mother being dramatic decided to take the stairs and I followed suit.

As we entered the study, she locked it behind me and walked to her seat, she picked up a document and stretched to me

"What is this" I asked taking the file from her and going through it. I couldn't believe my eyes I looked at my mum who was sitting relaxed in her chair with a smirk

"This is bullshit, you created this," I said

"You can take it to her for verification. Your lovely wife has no womb, she damaged her womb while having an abortion. She knew all along that she was the reason for your condition yet she kept it from you" she said still very much relaxed

"But the doctors certified us," I said almost in a whisper

"Which doctors you should ask? Ones she paid to fake the results? You don't know who you got married to, I warned you not to marry her, I told you something was fishy about her and her mother but the stubbornness you inherited from your father made you not listen now see!" she concluded now standing up

"Does father know?" I asked calmly as anger brewed in my heart

"Do you think he would have retired and left the company to you if he knew?" she asked shaking her head and walking out

I stormed out of the office and headed for my room in full rage with the paper in my hand. As I swung the door open I saw Diana crawl up on the bed in a fetal position shedding crocodile tears, as she saw me enter she lifted her face and I could see her eyes were red

"Care to explain this?" I flung the paper to her which landed on the floor, she stood up and picked it up, and looking at it I saw her eyes widen

"Baby, I can explain," she said cleaning her eyes with the back of her palm

"Explain?" I chuckled " What do you want to say? That you aborted my child all those years ago which led to this complication or that you kept me in the dark? Or where you having an affair behind me?" I screamed

We were occupying the penthouse so literally no one would hear unless within the corridors of the penthouse

"No baby, I never cheated on you. Let me explain" she said

"You have nothing to explain, you disgust me" I walked out of the room banging on the door, I used the elevator down to the hallway, as I passed I glanced at the dining to see everyone still sitting and interacting cheerfully, I felt so pissed and edited the house

I picked up the first car key I spotted at the garage and pressed the open button to see which one it was for and the rear lights of the Porsche blinked, I walked up to the car got in, and drove off to one of the clubs I own downtown

DIANA'S POV

"How did this happen? How did Steve know about the abortion? This has to be Adrianna's doing! Only two people knew about the abortion, My Mother and Laura our family doctor" I thought to myself as Steve left me standing in our room

I picked up my phone and dialed my mum's line, she picked up on the first ring

"Hello baby girl, how are you?" mum asked

"Mummy I am finished!" I said in tears

"Calm down baby girl and tell me what's going on?"

"Mum Steve found out about the abortion"

"What? How?" she asked

"My guess is Adriana"

"How did Adriana find out?"

"Beats me, mum, beats me"

"Did you confess everything to Steve?"

"Not yet mum, he stormed off after accusing me of aborting his baby, he even considered that the child may not have been his hence my decision to abort"

"Good, we can still fix this, you need a believable story that will draw sympathy to you"

"How do you mean mum?"

"You will tell Steve you were raped"

"Mum!!"

"What? Do you want to lose your marriage? Do you want your father to lose face in the next election?"

"No mummy"

"Good, we need that family's support for your father's political ambition to chair the Medical Association, so you need to remain in that family"

"Yes, mum!"

"Remember the robbery that took place at our house that year?"

"Yes Mum"

"You will tell him that you were raped by Armed robbers that day, we did not report it so that your father won't find out and the news wouldn't go viral, you got pregnant as a result and I advised you to abort, so your father doesn't find out and that's where the procedure went south and we had to choose between saving your life or losing you, so we chose to save your life hence the removal of your womb"

"You are a genius mum, what a perfect story, and Steve will believe it because he is a very soft-hearted man"

"Exactly, meanwhile I will find out how Adriana got to know about this and how much she knows"

"Thanks, Mum. What would I have done without you?"

"Nothing my darling," she said chuckling as I smiled to myself

"So wipe your tears your mother got your back, you wouldn't lose your home under my watch. I will put Adriana in her place soon"

"Thanks, mummy, I love you"

"I love you too my baby girl, sleep well"

She hung up, I felt relieved and went to take a shower, I knew Steve would be back by morning and I would replay all I had a rehearsal with my mother that night.