Veronica's POV
I had barely reached home and was holding a sleeping Janet, that a sour smell hit my nose instantly.
"Janet?!" I whispered softly, as her small body went limp, and seconds later her head fell back weakly.
Panic shot through me as her eyes rolled back and she collapsed in my arms.
I ran down the stairs.
"TAXI! TAXI!" I shouted desperately into the empty street.
No Taxi would stop, so finally I clutched Janet close to my chest, and began to run towards the hospital. The cold air was burning my lungs as I ran on the empty street. Every second felt like an eternity to me.
Her small head rested against my shoulder, and every shallow breath she took, made my heart tremble a hundred times.
"Janet dear," I called her softly. "Stay awake, please hon."
The streetlights flickered past casting long shadows as I ran along. My legs were giving away, but I didn't stop as stopping would cost me my daughter's life.
"Just a little more hon," I said humping. "We're almost there."
Finally, I could see the white lights of the emergency hall, and a nurse came running over with a stretcher as she saw me holding a pale Janet in my arms,
"Miss Smith." the doctor said. "Your daughter is allergic to mangoes. How did she manage to eat mango?"
My heart skipped a beat. Janet was only three when she was diagnosed with severe mango allergy. Since then, I never let her touch a mango, and made sure she learnt to test before eating to be safe.
"What?" I said, shocked. "That's impossible. Even if I wasn't near her, Janet can smell, so she never eats anything with mang…"
"Mommy," Janet spoke in a feeble voice. "It was Adrian. I told him I can't eat mangoes…"
My hand clenched into a fist. Adrian clearly knew about Janet's allergy. Jonathan himself had told her.
"Adrian?" I held her in my arms. "It's okay baby. Mommy knows everything."
Then I looked towards the doctor. "Doctor, please take care of Janet for me."
I got up and went to the reception.
"Miss Smith!" The nurse said at the counter. "Here's the bill. The doctor said, "Janet needs to stay for a day or two."
"Okay," I said. "It's night. I'll withdraw the money in the morning and clear the bill."
When I was going back to my daughter's room, I got a text message.
Nicky, I've arranged a job for you. Go there tomorrow and begin your work. - Hubby
"A job?" I said. "Jonathan, what are you up to? You never bothered about what I was doing to pay the bills. So, why all of a sudden arrange a job for me?"
As I went inside, Janet was mumbling her father's name in her sleep.
Seeing her, I sighed.
"Janet, I can bear everything for you." I said in my mind, and removed my phone.
Okay, I'll join tomorrow-Veronica
The next day, I got up early and went to the washroom to freshen up. By the time I went back to Janet's room, I saw Sandy was feeding her porridge.
Because of her health, Janet was a frequent patient here, that's why she formed a bond with Sandy as was a nurse here.
"Miss Smith," Sandy said if you have work, you can go. It's my leave today."
"Sandy," I said, smiling. "Actually, I'm joining a new job today and was worried about Janet. You've relieved me of my worries. Okay, then take care and call if needed."
With that, I removed my phone and checked the location Jonathan sent me and headed over.
Harmon Designs Building
The tall rock solid building towered above me like a monument of power, and as cold as Imelda herself. I had seen it countless times on the cover of magazines, and never thought I would come here because of Jonathan.
My phone vibrated so I took to check—Jonathan
"Hello? Nicky?" Jonathan said on the phone. "Why haven't you arrived yet? I'm waiting for you."
"Waiting for me?" I said.
"Yes," he said. "Come over soon."
I took a deep breath as my blood was beginning to boil.
I went in and was instantly told to speak on the phone, so I took the receiver from the receptionist.
"Hello?" I said.
"Bring me a black coffee." Imelda said on the phone. "I know Janet is in the hospital."
Chills ran down my spine when I heard her.
My fingers tightened around the receiver.
Of course she knew, after all, what was there that Imelda Harmon didn't know about me.
"Imelda!"
"Calm down Veronica." Imelda said. "Relax. You're doing it for your daughter. So, stuff your anger down the drain."
I swallowed my pride and went over to the reception.
"Where's the cafe?" I asked the receptionist.
After buying the coffee, I went up to her office and as I entered, I saw Jonathan was giving her a foot massage.
For a moment, I froze at the door.
Those were the same hands that once held mine gently…
Now they were massaging another woman's feet.
"Your coffee." I said as I placed the coffee on the table.
"See," Imelda said. "I told you she'd agree to work. After all, it's all for Janet, isn't it."
Imelda picked a folder and threw it on the floor.
"Oops," she said. "My bad. Sort this and bring it back in an hour."
I glared at them.
"Nicky-"
"Jonathan?" Imelda said. "What's wrong with you? She's my assistant and you're my fiance (Jonathan looked at her with rage in his eyes). Even if her pet name (she uses the word deliberately) you can't call her so intimately…"
"Veronica." Jonathan said, correcting himself. "She didn't mean to throw it. Anyways, get it done."
I picked the folder and looked around asking for my place.
As one employee pointed towards my desk, I stared in shock.
It was beside the trash cans.
The smell of stale coffee and leftovers was drifting from the trash cans.
I was staring at the desk when they both came out.
Jonathan looked at her, as she spoke. "Oh, Veronica, your place was decided last night. So, I didn't have time to make your place. Please adjust."
I glared towards Jonathan, hoping he would speak up, but who was I expecting anything from.
"Veronica," he said. "At home, don't you spend most of your time in the kitchen? Isn't the trash can always in your sight?
Then he stepped forward and whispered. "For Janet, okay. I'll go with you to pick Janet from school, okay?"
"For Janet." I laughed in my mind.
Even Imelda knew she was in the hospital, even if it was to target me.
"Ah, Jonathan." Imelda said. "We have a meeting this afternoon."
"Oh, I totally forgot." Jonathan said, running his hand through his hair. "Okay, I'll come home tonight, okay, now go."
I went over to the table and as I sat on the chair, I could feel the sneers, and remarks from the colleagues around me.
But one thing both were correct about.
It's all for Janet.
On sorting the papers, I was about to go to her office, but they walked out.
"Oh," Imelda said, taking the file from me. "I see, you've done your work."
After going through some of the papers, she threw the file on my face. A sharp sting crossed my face as the file fell on the ground after cutting my cheek.
"Veronica," Imelda said in a loud voice. "I know you're an orphan and must not have attended a decent school. But please use a little brain. I do hope it's not clogged with oil. After all, you've been a housewife for eight years."
"Imelda!" Jonathan spoke up a little.
"Oh, Jonathan," Imelda spoke. "I know you have a soft heart for her, after all her husband served you loyally, but now he's dead, and she has a daughter to raise. But she should know, now her dead husband won't come to wipe her tears…"
"Veronica," he said, taking hold of Imelda's hand. "Do the papers and leave the file in the office. You can take the day off." Then he looked towards Imelda. "Let's go."
As they walked away, I gathered the papers, and went back to my work, unaware of what was going on between them.
I picked up the scattered papers slowly and went back to my desk amidst the whispers and laughter from the colleagues.
Eight years ago, I had given up everything for Jonathan.
My dreams.
My savings.
Even my pride.
But today, he made me sit beside a trash can as Imelda openly called herself his fiance.
That's when I realized something.
Eight years ago, I sacrificed everything for the man I loved. Tonight he had made it clear, none of that mattered anymore.
If that is the case…
Then the time has come for me to disappear from his world. Because if I stayed here any longer, I could lose the only thing that was left dear to me, my daughter.