Claiming her babies

Monica’s POV

“Monica?” The woman said, her voice calm yet trembling.

“Mum” I muttered, finally remembering where I knew this figure from. I could barely recognize her because she had changed a lot.

“Monica,” she said, tears gathering in her eyes as she looked at me “My baby” she added.

“Your baby?” Mia asked, confusion written all over her face. “Mum, why are you crying?” Mia asked, holding Clara’s hands.

“Mum?” I asked, realization suddenly dawning on me “Mia is your daughter” I said, staring at the woman who left my father just because he couldn’t cater to her needs.

“Monica my child. How have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I’ve missed you. Please let’s look for somewhere to talk” she said, taking her hands off Mia’s grip and gently holding my hands in her but I instantly pulled my hands away.

“I’m not here for that and I’m not your child. There’s no connection between us” I spat out vehemently.

Looking at her eyes only brought up the unforgivable memories I had buried in my heart. Clara was my mother but that was before she decided to leave my father and me. She couldn’t even consider the fact that she had a child that she had to cater for but instead, she left us and went after another man.

“Mum say something” mia sharp voice echoed in the reception and everyone’s eyes turned to stare at us.

“Excuse me,” I said as I walked out of the hospital and walked to the car

“Monica” I heard my name and I paused in my tracks but I refused to turn around “Monica please let’s talk” my mother’s voice begged as she walked to where I stood.

“Talk? Let’s talk. Talk about what? The fact that you left Dad and I alone and went to get married to another man. Is that what we should talk about?” I said, tears gathering in my eyes as they threatened to crawl down my cheeks.

“It wasn’t my fault. Your father couldn’t provide for me. Yes, he tried but his effort wasn’t enough. I couldn’t bear the suffering and shame Monica. I tried to stay but I just couldn’t” she said, tears already spilling down her face.

“Can you hear yourself? Dad did everything he could to provide for us. Yes, we were poor but he loved us, Mom. He loved you but you never loved him” I said, staring at her in disgust.

“I loved your dad Monica but I just couldn’t bear the suffering”

“Then that’s not love Mom. You loved money and you left. If you had loved Dad, you wouldn’t have left. If you had loved me, you wouldn’t have left. You left me. You left me to cater for myself. I was just six years old Mom but you didn’t even for once think about me. You never for once showed up to see me” I said, memories of the past filling my head as more tears spilled down my flushed cheeks.

“I didn’t leave you to Carter for yourself honey. Your dad was there. I left you with him”

I laughed loudly, letting out a bitter laugh as I stared at the woman whom I once called Mom “You left me alone Mom”

“Where’s your father?” She asked, pain flashing through her eyes “I would love to see him. How is he doing?”

“My father? You mean the man you left behind? He is six feet under the ground you stand on” I replied coldly

“What do you mean? What are you saying?” Mom asked, her voice trembling as she cried crocodile tears.

“He heard from the news that you were getting married to Mr Johnson and he decided to see if he could come and see you. He wanted to beg you for forgiveness. He said maybe you could have a change of heart and come back to us and I agreed with him that it was a good idea. I even suggested that I should follow him but he refused and said it would be better he go alone” I paused as memories of that day began to resurface.

Tears spilled down my cheeks and I sobbed. “Ma’am, are you okay?” Collins asked, worry etched on his face as he looked at me and mia interchangeably

“I’m fine Collins,” I said, sniffing my nose as I turned my head to look at the car packed behind me “Take the kids to Aunt Ella’s and tell her I will be with her shortly” I ordered Collins who seemed to hesitate to leave

“Are you sure you’re okay ma’am?

“Just do as I say, Collins,” I said and he bowed his head slightly and respectfully before leaving.

I turned to face my mother I wore a sad and bitter smile on my lips “Do you know the worst day of my life?” I asked, staring at my mother who seemed frozen “It’s the day that Dad died. I secretly followed him to where you were but even the security men didn’t let him enter the building. Even when he called out your name multiple times, you didn’t show up. Then it started to rain and he entered the road without watching where he was going and got hit by a red car”

“What!” My mother exclaimed as more tears streamed down her face, ruining the pencil liner she had on.

“Yes, mom. Dad is dead and it’s all because of you. He was rushed to the hospital but he didn’t make it. The doctor said he was brought in dead and there was nothing that could be done” I added.

“I’m sorry about everything. I didn’t know. I’m sorry” she said, he voice shaky.

“You missed a lot in my life Mom and there’s nothing to be sorry about. He is dead and a part of me died with Dad. Seeing you again just brought up the memories that I’ve buried deep in my heart”

“So does this mean that Monica and are step sisters?” Mia asked, staring at Mom for an answer “Say something, Mum”

“Yes,” my mother yelled.

“No, we are not step sisters. I refuse to be related to someone as worthless and wicked as you” I spat out vehemently.

“How is life mom? How is your new life? Is Mr Johnson treating you well?” I asked, pain evident in my eyes.

Mr Johnson was the man my mother got married to. She left and Dad became of Mr Johnson and Mia is a product of their affair. Staring at Mia and my mom, I could finally see a resemblance between them.

“Honey please forgive me” My mom went to her knees and she bowed her head in shame.

“I will never forgive you” I replied angrily