NOT JUST A GIFT

chapter 5

                    BROKEN SHELL

Charles's eyes narrowed as he watched Vera and Ariel interact. The resemblance was uncanny - same nose, same hair color, same allergies. Too hard to not notice, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.

"Vera, can I ask you something?" He said, keeping calm.

Vera's eyes flickered back to his, a hint of wariness in their Dept. "what is it?"

Charles hesitated, unsure how to phrase his question. "It's just ..... Ariel's resemblance to you is striking. And... You both are allergic to peanut butter and pineapple..... it's quite a coincidence, right? Isn't it?"

Vera's face went white, fears flashing through her eyes  "What.. are you insinuating?"  She whispered.

Charles held onto his fist tightly, his heart racing. "Yet to insinuate anything. I just..... I hope it's not what I'm thinking, Vera. Please is there anything I should know?"

Vera's eyes searched for his face, her expression softening. "Charles, I... I, no nothing," she whispered. " Please, just drop it."

Charles's heart sank, his mind filled with possibilities. What was Vera hiding? And why was she so desperate to keep it a secret?

Charles's mind raced with doubts and questions. Who was Ariel's real mother? He couldn't shake the feeling that Vera was hiding something. Determined to uncover the truth, he concocted a plan. One day, while preparing breakfast, he surreptitiously added a laxative to Vera's coffee.

As they sat down to eat, Vera unsuspectingly took a sip, unaware of the added ingredient. Charles feigned concern as she suddenly clutched her stomach, complaining of cramps. "We need to get you to the hospital, now!" he exclaimed, ushering her and Ariel into the car.

At the hospital, Charles insisted on maternity tests for both Vera and Ariel, under the guise of routine checkups. The tension was palpable as they waited for the results. Finally, the doctor emerged, looking somber. "The tests confirm it," he said gently.

The room fell silent. Charles's eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling with the implications. Vera's face contorted in a mix of emotions - guilt, relief, and fear.

Little and innocent Ariel slept already as they drove home,

Charles felt betrayed and angry. He knew he had to confront Vera, demanding answers. Why had she kept this away from him? Why had she lied to him for so long?

Charles's mind raced as he tried to process the revelation. He had always thought of Vera as an amazing person and a caring nanny, but now he realized the only reason she could be this good to Ariel. He felt confused as to why Vera had kept this secret from him even when she knew he had fallen for her.

He confronted Vera, his voice shaking with emotions. " How could you, Vera? How could you keep such a secret from me and let me fall for you?"

Vera looked at him, tears running down her cheeks. "I was scared, I'm still scared, Charles. I don't know what to expect from your reaction. I want a better life for Ariel. "

Charles scoffed. "You, you want a better life for Ariel or just greed? You have been lying to me all along. You're the one who's been deceiving me."

Vera took a step forward, her hands outstretched." Please, Charles. Try to understand. I was desperate. I had nowhere to go, nobody to turn to. I had to protect Ariel."

Charles shook his head, his anger boiling over. "Protect Ariel? You call this protecting her? Lying to me, deceiving me, keeping secrets from me? That's not protection, vera. That's betrayal."

Vera flinched, her eyes filled with tears. "I know, Charles. I'm sorry. I was wrong to keep this secret from you. But please, don't punish Ariel for my mistakes. She's innocent in all of this."

Charles's heart slightly softened at the mention of Ariel. He knew that Ariel was innocent, and he wouldn't want to punish her for Vera's sins. But he couldn't stand Vera's deception neither could he forgive her.

With a heavy heart, Charles ended things with Vera and fired her. He knew it was the right thing to do, but it still hurt. He had loved Vera, and he had trusted her. But now, he realized that he had been blinded to her secrets.

As Vera prepared to leave the house, Charles felt a bit of pain and relief. He knew that he had made the right decision, but he also knew that he had a long journey ahead of him. He had to find a new nanny for Ariel, someone he could trust. And he had to come to terms with the fact that Vera had betrayed him.

Charles's eyes narrowed as he watched Vera package her bags. He couldn't believe it had gotten that far. He had trusted her with his daughter, with his heart, and she had betrayed him least possibly.

"Vera," he said, his voice cold. "How could you do this time me? To Ariel?

Vera turned to him, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you or Ariel. I was desperate, and I made a mistake."

Charles shook his head. " A mistake? You call this a mistake? Lying to me for months keeping secrets from me and deceiving me? No, Vera. That's not a mistake, that's a choice. And it's a choice you choose that has consequences.

Vera nodded, her eyes filled with regret. "I know, Charles.

Charles sighed and rubbed his temples. He had a headache from the emotional rollercoaster of the past few hours. He looked around the room, trying to think of what to do next. His eyes landed on Ariel, who was playing with her toys, already, oblivious to the drama that had unfolded.

He walked over to her and scooped her up in his arms,  holding her close. "Hey there, little one,"  he whispered. "Daddy's got you. Don't worry, everything is going to be fine."

Ariel giggled and hugged him back, and Charles left a surge of love and protectiveness towards her. He knew that he would do anything to keep her safe and happy.

As he held Ariel, Charles's mind began unboxing with the thought of the future. He knew that he had to find a new nanny, someone he could trust to take care of Ariel, shouldn't be a stay-in nanny this time. He knew quite well that he couldn't just let go of the thought of Vera and the secret she kept away from him.

He decided to take a few dates to focus on Ariel and himself and try to process everything that had happened. He would start looking for a new nanny soon, but for now, he just wanted to be with his daughter and try to move on.

As he rocks Ariel side by side, Charles feels a sense of peace over him. He knew that everything was going to be fine.