"Please, Jackie, you should understand. I'm sorry, Omega… I can't. I can't leave my husband," she said.
"Give me the phone," Henderson said coldly. Omega quickly handed the phone to him. She overheard everything.
"Come to the palace right now," he said firmly.
"I can't…" Jackie replied. They had been friends for two years now. She was the only doctor he trusted.
"Listen, Jackie. It's urgent," the king said.
"You know it's late. How do you expect me to come over at this time?" she replied.
"I understand. Okay. I'll send the palace guards to come get you," the king said.
"What the heck?" she muttered.
"Tell me, what have you done this time? Did you shift her womb again?" she muttered sarcastically.
"I didn't… do that," he said sharply.
"So, what happened?" she asked.
"Actually, I didn't know something happened. Last night, I wasn't around, and Saanvi punched her in the stomach… and… and I had sex with her," he stuttered.
"So now you want me to come? I thought you said you had reduced her punishment. You—" Jackie began.
"Listen, Jackie, I pay you every month. And if you're not in the palace in the next twenty minutes, I'll shut down the hospital," Henderson snapped.
"Are you threatening me?" she asked.
"Nah. Just come, please. The guards are already on their way to your house," the king said.
"Alright, I'll be there," she said. She packed her bag, kissed her husband goodbye, and left as the guards arrived at her house.
Fifteen minutes later, she arrived at the palace. She went straight to Amelia's room, opened the door, and walked in. Amelia was surprised to see her. She had only seen her once, but she recognized her.
"Hi…" Jackie greeted with a smile.
"Hey! What are you doing here?" Amelia asked, trying to sit up, but Jackie stopped her.
"Please, lay down," she said gently.
"What are you doing?" Amelia asked, confused.
"His Royal Highness asked me to come," Jackie replied with a smile.
"There's nothing wrong with me," Amelia said.
"Of course… Don't worry, sweetie. We'll find out soon enough," Jackie said. As Amelia lay on the bed, Jackie moved to her lower abdomen and pressed it gently.
"Ouch! What are you… I'm okay. Please stop," Amelia said, feeling the pain. Jackie pressed it again, this time more gently. Amelia winced.
"Please… let her do her job," Henderson said, cutting in. Amelia reluctantly let Jackie continue.
"You have to take off your shirt," Jackie said. Amelia looked at her and then at the king. Just then, her maid walked in.
"You mean my robe…" Amelia stammered, blinking rapidly.
"Yes," Jackie replied with a smile, then glanced at Henderson. He looked away. Maya helped Amelia remove her robe. Henderson sat on the couch and watched as Jackie treated her. A few minutes later, she was done. She handed Amelia a painkiller.
"You'll be fine," Jackie said.
"Thanks," Amelia replied.
"You're welcome," Jackie muttered with a soft smile. She left the room with the king.
"I can't believe you did that to her," Jackie said sternly.
"I didn't know she was in pain down there," Henderson said, guilt clouding his voice.
"Anyway, she'll be fine. And please, I'm begging you—let her rest. And take care," Jackie said with a kind smile before leaving with the palace guards.
Henderson returned to Amelia's room. She and Maya were arguing.
"No, I can't take these…" she paused and bit her lower lip as Henderson walked in.
"Please leave us," Henderson said calmly to Amelia's maid. When Maya left, he pulled out a chair and sat beside Amelia.
"Why didn't you tell me about this?" he asked.
"It wasn't necessary," she replied quietly.
"You think so?" he questioned.
"Yeah. I need to rest," she muttered, playing with her fingers. He stared at her. Gently, he touched her face. But the moment she looked away, he stood up.
He placed his hand on the bed and leaned closer. His eyes fixed on her. He touched her face again, softly, and let his lips brush hers. Her breath quickened. Her heart raced. It wasn't the first time he'd touched her, but it felt different. She kept glancing at the door, silently praying no one—especially her maid—would walk in.
He noticed.
He smiled slightly. "Good night," he said and left.
She sighed. "Thank goodness," she whispered to herself.
Meanwhile…
Saanvi sat on his bed, waiting patiently for the king. He opened the door and saw her. She looked up as he walked in but didn't come toward her.
"What do you want?" Henderson asked.
"I came here for you," Saanvi replied with a smile. She walked toward him and placed her hand on his chest.
"You should be in your room right now. It's late, you know," he said, stepping away from her.
"I couldn't sleep. I guess you're the reason," she said seductively.
"I'm really tired right now. Let's talk about this tomorrow," he said.
"Seriously? You've been acting like this ever since that bitch came into the palace."
"Saanvi, don't you dare raise your voice at me. I owe you no explanation. She's my property, and I will do whatever I want with her," he said angrily.
"Get out," he added coldly.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty… I don't know what came over me," she said tearfully.
"Leave," he mumbled. She walked out of his room in tears.
He lay on his king-sized mattress, staring at the ceiling, sleep evading him. Suddenly, he got up and walked to the window, gazing out at the night. As if that wasn't enough, he grabbed a bottle of whiskey and a glass, and made his way to the garden. He sat down with a heavy sigh, poured a drink, and took a slow sip.
"Mom, Dad… I've taken revenge on him. I have his kingdom, his company, and his daughter," he said softly.
"But I don't know why my heart keeps playing tricks on me. Something's not right," he added, sipping his drink again.
"Maya, you shouldn't risk your night for me. Please go to your room," Amelia said.
"I can't leave you like this. I just want to make sure you're okay before I go," Maya replied.
Amelia chuckled softly. "Come on. The doctor said I'll be fine. Thank goodness it wasn't the day of my menstruation… I wonder what would've happened if it had been the second day."
"I hate that Saanvi girl. She's too proud. And she has nothing," Maya said angrily.
"Don't forget she's the king's mistress," Amelia said, laughing. Maya joined in.
"Mistress, indeed! What would've happened if she were a princess or queen? She'd kill people just to get what she wants," Maya scoffed.
"Maya! Enough! You shouldn't speak ill of another woman," Amelia said gently.
"I'm not. I'm just saying the truth… and what my eyes have seen," Maya muttered.
"I know. She has a right to fight… Let's forget about this. You should go to bed," Amelia said.
"Okay. But I'm staying here tonight… please…" Maya pleaded with a smile.
"Okay. Who am I to say no to you?" Amelia replied warmly.
"You're the princess. You can say no if you want," Maya teased with a grin.
"Of course. But I can't say no to you," Amelia said. She made space on the bed for Maya. It was a large bed, anyway.
Henderson lay awake, thinking about his life. He regretted yelling at Saanvi. He hadn't meant to hurt her.
Omega found him on a wooden bench, whiskey bottle in hand. He thought the king was drunk and tried to help him up.
"Omega, I'm fine. I'm not drunk. Please, let me stay out here for a while. I want to feel the fresh air. It's been a while," Henderson said.
Omega nodded and stood beside him.
"You should be in your room," Henderson said.
"How can I sleep when the king is awake?" Omega replied. Henderson looked at him and chuckled softly.
"Please, go to your room. I'll be fine," he said. Omega wanted to insist, but he obeyed.
Next Morning
The king went to Amelia's room to check on her. He hadn't slept all night.
"Good morning, Your Majesty," Maya greeted, bowing her head.
"Good morning. How is she doing?" he asked, his eyes on Amelia.
"She's fine, Your Majesty," she replied.
"Tell her to come to my room when she wakes up," the king said and left. He returned to his room, where Omega was already waiting.
"It should be your day off," the king said.
"Your Highness… you need rest. I appreciate your effort," Henderson said, cutting him off.
"Thank you. Your Majesty, please don't be offended, but I'd like to take two days off," Omega said.
Henderson smiled. "Two? That's too little. Just take two weeks. I won't complain. You've been a great person—and a friend."
"Your Highness, two days will be fine," Omega said with a smile.
"Okay. Whatever you say," Henderson replied warmly.