“My parents eventually found out.” She shivered involuntarily. He understood that she just recalled the scenario when they found out. His face blanched at the harsh words that must have been spoken to her, mainly by her father.
“They whisked me away to New Brunswick to give birth and hide me from the shame that was bound to befall them from their snobbish social circle.”
That explained a few things.
“I waited and waited for you to come or contact me, but you never did. On the day of the delivery, I was in so much pain, that nothing the doctors gave me seemed to work. I found it hard to push since I was in so much pain, but I eventually did.” She smiled through the tears gushing down her face. “I was very weak when I pushed him out of my body, but I heard the faint sound of his cries until the doctor whisked our son away, saying there’s a complication. I wanted to hold him. I begged and cried to hold him believing that if he were in my arms, he would be fine. But I was so weak because I had lost so much blood, I passed out.” Sniffing, she went on, apparently oblivious that all the color had drained from his face. “I woke up two days later and was told by my mom that I’d lost my son and that Dad had him cremated, believing that if I saw my dead son, I’d never recover.”
Interesting.
“I never got to hold him, never got to tell him how much I loved him. I was depressed for a full year after. I somehow blamed myself; I still do. I felt that if I had loved him enough, he wouldn’t have died. If I had wanted him from the first time I discovered I was pregnant instead of wishing him away, he would still be alive today. I killed our son. I’m so sorry.” Her sobs were louder now, and it broke his heart and not for the first time to understand how truly wicked her father was.
“It took me a long time to come to terms with the death of our son, but till now, I still suffer anxiety attacks, mostly when I’m with babies. Eventually, I picked up the pieces of my life and forged ahead, but his memory has never been far from my thoughts.”
He didn’t know what to make of everything she told him. She seemed genuine enough, but it seemed almost unbelievable. Her story explained the animosity she felt for him. And if everything she told him was true, then she was about to go through a world of hurt when she learned his side of the story.
“Kaiya,” he began gently, struggling to put the words together without calling her a liar, “I’m finding it extremely hard to believe all the things you’ve just said.”
Disbelief flashed in her eyes. “Are you calling me a liar?”
“No, I’m just saying that your story will sound more credible if I see my son’s death certificate.”
Kaiya’s jaw dropped.
***
For the life of her, Kaiya couldn’t believe that after pouring out the ordeal she went through to Tyler, he didn’t believe her. As a matter of fact, he all but called her a liar.
Glaring at him as she itched to slap his face again, she saw her dad walk into the room from the corner of her eye. Dabbing at her eyes with the handkerchief Tyler offered her, she walked up to the man.
Richard eyed her warily. And then his eyes became consumed with fury, and she guessed that Tyler was behind her.
“Dad, I’d like to see my son’s death certificate.”
“What?” All the color drained from his face.
Sniffing, she went on, “I want to show Tyler our son’s death certificate. You…” Her tongue dashed across her lips. “You handled everything, didn’t you?”
Throwing Tyler a death stare, Richard replied, “I did.”
“Then I’d like to see it.” It had been too painful for her at that time to look at it, and over the years, she hadn’t felt the compulsion to. But now, she wanted to look at it. She had no idea what her father had named her son. Too weak to even stay conscious, she hadn’t even thought of a name for her baby.
The recollection of the whole painful incident was threatening to do her in, but she kept strong. Tears had been shed repeatedly for many years, but she wanted more than that now. She needed closure.
“I thought I told you to stay away from him.” Kaiya’s father’s mouth had formed a grim line as he stared behind her with revulsion.
Exasperated, Kaiya’s snapped, “Dad, this has nothing to do with staying away from Tyler or not. It was his son, too. Now, I need you to show him the death certificate because he thinks I’m lying about having a baby.”
Shrugging, he announced in-between clenched teeth, “You don’t owe him anything.”
“Dad, please, I need my son’s death certificate.”
“I can’t do that.”
Caught off guard by his response, she could only blink at him as her lips parted company.
“Er…why?” she finally asked when she could find her voice. Her dad was still staring at Tyler like something he would like to squash underneath his expensive shoe.
“I was on my way to the airport before you stopped me. I’m leaving for a business meeting. When I get back, you’ll get the damned certificate!”
