AMANDA
I have never liked mornings, but for the last three months, they have become absolutely unbearable. Getting myself out of bed is a whole quest. But there’s no time to "just lie down," because today we need to finalize the last revisions to our project on "
"ADAM GROUP" and send it to them.
And then wait for the construction to begin.
- Come on, Ami, time is tight. - I reach the bathroom, take a shower, and put on a jumpsuit. Instead of coffee, I now drink tea, as it’s the only thing that can take away my morning nausea.
I arrive at the office already exhausted.
- When will this all end? - this state annoys me greatly. I feel so helpless that it makes me want to howl at the moon.
- Ms. Amanda, you have a visitor. - I say to let them in, and I sit down at the table myself.
A few minutes later, a woman enters the office, looking about forty years old. She is dressed in a black suit, with her hair pulled up in a high bun.
- Good afternoon, Ms. Korneyev. - my eyes widen in surprise and confusion.
- It's not Korneyev, it's Valente. - the woman's face shows no emotion as she sits opposite me.
- As you say. My name is Victoria, and I am your father's lawyer. - while I understand who she is talking about, it causes a dissonance in my mind.
- My father passed away three months ago, and I know his lawyer well. - Victoria raises one eyebrow, and that's the only emotion I manage to notice on her face.
- I am the lawyer for Mr. Korneyev. - and when I nod, the woman continues. - Unfortunately, your father... hmm... Mr. Korneyev passed away last night.
I did not expect such a turn of events. Not that it somehow concerns me, but I start to feel an uneasy sensation in my stomach.
- What happened to him? - it doesn’t matter, but for some reason, I need to hear the reason.
- Cancer. The doctors were powerless. - I swallow hard, and she continues. - And since you are the only heir to Mr. Korneyev, all his business and assets go to you.
- Me? What about his son? Nazar? - it doesn’t add up in my head. How could Korneyev leave everything to a daughter he found seven years ago and never spoke to, instead of his son whom he raised?
- Mr. Nazar is not your father's biological son. - those words make me feel unwell, so I reach for water. - Moreover, he is under investigation for attempted rape. - so Korneyev wasn’t lying when he said that Nazar would pay for his actions.
- The only catch is that in order to receive all rights, you will have to travel with me to the US and personally sign the papers. - oh no, this is definitely not happening. Not now, not in this state, perhaps in another life. The very thought of returning to where I experienced so much just three months ago, which could be the plot of a mystery thriller, frightens me.
- Ms. Amanda, are you ready to leave this evening? - I am not ready, neither this evening, nor tomorrow, nor in a year... I want to scream at Victoria to leave. That I need nothing and don’t want anything to do with him. But I understand - it's hormones and nerves. I don’t know the exact extent of Korneyev’s capital, but I understand it is huge. And let me be mercenary rather than a fool who turned down such opportunities.
- Is my presence mandatory? - my last hope to find a way not to return.
- Yes. Mr. Korneyev wanted you to personally receive all the documents. - Victoria is silent for a moment. - Besides, I think you would like to say goodbye to your father. The funeral is tomorrow at 4:00 PM. You will just have time. - she leaves her business card and heads for the exit.
And I just watch her go, realizing that I will have to confront my past again. But this time I am not alone.
- We will manage, right, sunshine? - I place my hand on my belly and remember the moment I learned that a part of Adam lives inside me.
A month ago....
A month has passed since I decided to forget the past forever and never return there.
From the assistant, I know that Adam has returned to work, so his health is not in danger. He is not trying to find me, for which I am infinitely grateful. How many times life has separated us, perhaps we just need to accept the fact that we cannot be together.
I am heading to my suburban house. I need to take a break from people. On the way, I picked up my favorite coffee, but as soon as I take a sip, I feel intense nausea. I stop the car and vomit right from the vehicle.
- What is this? - for several days now, I have been experiencing morning sickness. At first, I was sure it was the result of stress, but...
I pull out my phone and check the calendar. A delay of almost two weeks. I mentally return to that night with Adam, and it hits me: the pills were left on the table.
- Damn it, Ami.... - I groan, then vomit again. Just what I was missing for complete happiness, a child. I try not to panic, call my doctor, and ask for an appointment in half an hour.
- Amanda, I can congratulate you, you are pregnant. - until the last moment, I hoped it was just food poisoning or stress.
- Are you sure? - I sit across from the doctor.
- Yes. - he looks at me intently, then adds: - Will we keep the pregnancy or not?