KATHERINE PIERCE: The Girl You Never Knew

7

The news broke her spirits and she felt sad and betrayed. She cried and thought about the ways she could have realised his true intentions. She felt a stinging sensation in her chest and she fell down by knocking down the table. Her father rushed to her room hearing the noise and found Katerina crying holding her chest.

"Father, I can't breathe. Help me. Please!!!" Her father asked the servants to bring the doctor. He kneeled down beside her and held her hand. "Try to take breaths Katerina, I won't let to lose my daughter again." The doctor came soon and started examining her."She had a severe panic attack. It occurs when something happens that hurts you in an uncontrollable way. You should be aware of your emotions or else it will be bad for your child." "What did you mean by..." Henry didn't need to complete the sentence as he could see the shameful look on his daughter's face.

Henry saw a letter lying near to her daughter and he took it. When he read it, he realised the things happening and he slowly left the room.

Katerina felt ashamed to even go near her father. Ana who heard the incident rushed up to her. "Is it true, are you carrying the heir to the Petrova bloodline." Katerina nodded. Ana let out a gasp and said, "Go meet your father. Don't let him down." Katerina nodded and when she walked to the room, Ana said,"Finally, Oh dear God".

She went to meet her father at the balcony. He looked as if he was concentrating far away. "I am sorry Father. It shouldn't have happened. I feel so ashamed." "Did you feel ashamed when you did this or did you feel ashamed when you decided to conceal from us?" Her father asked her not bothering for a reply. "I thought that Mathew and I could have a happily ever after. I wanted to live with him. But he was just using me and when I realised it, it was very late."

Henry didn't tell anything to console her, instead he left leaving Katerina to evaluate her wrongdoings.

The relation between Henry and Katerina reduced after this. They went back to not even acknowledging each other. Ana would do everything to make sure that the baby would be born healthy. The love and care shown by Ana brought smile to Katerina. Soon, the news of Katerina's illegitimate pregnancy spread. Whenever she stepped outside, she could hear whispers, "She is a slut." "The bitch is going to bring shame to our village. Let's pray that our girls do not copy her." Even at her own house, the servants could be heard whispering, "The Petrova family is going on its ruins after this girl's birth." "An illegitimate child means Petrova bloodline is contaminated. I wish the child shall be killed before anything happens. And the girl should be punished for her affair."

These whispers made her confined to her bedroom. She still felt bad for not confiding in her father, but she also felt a happiness that was never there before. She would cradle her baby bump and sleep while holding her bump. It brought her immense joy. Whenever the baby kicked, she felt immense pleasure and she waited for the day she could hold the baby in her hands. She longed to kiss the baby. At times , whenever she felt alone, she would say, "It's going to be fine. When you are born, I would never let you go out of my sight. I would be there for you forever." But she never knew that the promises she made to her baby were futile.

When it was time for the baby to come, everything was prepared. She gave birth to a beautiful girl. She was exhausted and the pain was immense. But she wanted to hold the baby resting on the hands of Ana. "Mama, can I hold her." Ana went to give her the baby, when her father stomped into the room. "Give me the child." He snatched the baby from Ana's hands and left the room.

"No, please Father, give me my daughter. Please let me hold her." "Mama, please ask Father to give me my beautiful girl, Please..." Ana consoled her, feeling as helplessly as her. Katerina begged all night.

At dawn, she was tired and angry for not being able to do anything. But she still got off the bed and went to see her father, "Father please, give me my child. I would do anything. I would leave this place if you want me to. But please have mercy." "Do that, leave this place forever. The village think that you should be banished from this place, so go to anywhere you want. The child is an illegitimate one and it should never be anywhere near you. I won't let you see her, consider it your punishment."

Her constant pleas were never heard. She was asked to leave the village and she agreed to it. She left the village the next day, she didn't bother to say goodbye to anyone. The only one she wanted was taken away from her. When she reached the outskirts of the village, the one thought in her mind was, "I would find my daughter one day."