Hello. Are you Isabella? Isabella nodded weakly. Yes.
Who are you? I saw your daughter crying on the road, Kelvin said softly. I couldn’t leave her. She said you were sick.
Isabella turned to Vera. You followed someone? Vera. No.
Mommy. He helped me. He’s nice.
He told his driver to buy your medicine. Isabella tried to speak but coughed instead. Kelvin quickly rushed to her and helped her sit up.
Don’t talk. Just rest. My driver is coming with the drugs.
Isabella looked at him strangely. His face, it felt familiar. But her head was spinning.
Kelvin gently placed a pillow behind her back and passed her a cup of water. You’ll be fine. Okay, he said softly.
Isabella nodded, still confused about who he was. Few minutes later, the driver returned with a small black bag filled with drugs. Kelvin collected it and gave the drugs to Isabella, helping her take them with water.
Vera sat by her mother’s side, hugging her tightly. Isabella was weak but thankful. Thank you, sir.
I don’t know who you are, but thank you so much. Kelvin gave a small smile. You don’t have to thank me.
I couldn’t walk past your daughter like that. He stood up, looked around the small room and his eyes returned to Vera. He smiled.
What a strong girl you have. She reminds me of someone. Isabella smiled faintly.
She’s all I have. Kelvin nodded slowly, his heart feeling heavy again. He glanced one last time at the necklace hanging around Vera’s neck but still didn’t remember the night he lost it.
He didn’t know the woman lying before him was the same one from that blurry night five years ago. He didn’t know this child might be the answer to the emptiness in his soul. But fate had brought him one step closer and the truth was now sitting in the same room.
Isabella was feeling a bit better now. The medicine Kelvin brought had started working. She sat up with Vera resting gently beside her.
Isabella looked at Kelvin and said softly Thank you, sir. Thank you for helping me and my daughter. You didn’t have to, but you did.
Kelvin gave a small smile then cleared his throat. Something had been on his mind since he walked into that room. Please don’t be offended, he said carefully, his voice low, but can I ask you something personal? Isabella blinked, surprised.
Yes, so? He looked at Vera again then pointed gently. The necklace, the one your daughter is wearing, where did you get it from? She told me it’s her daddy’s necklace. She didn’t even let me touch it.
Isabella looked at her daughter then at the necklace. Yes, it belonged to her father, she said slowly. Kelvin’s heart pounded.
Can you, can you tell me how you got it? Isabella took a deep breath. Her hands were shaking as she placed them on her lap. It all started about five years ago, she began, her voice shaky but clear.
I had just gotten a new job. My best friend Esther was so happy for me. She said we should go to the club and celebrate.
I didn’t want to go, but she convinced me. Isabella paused and looked down at her fingers. That night, I was feeling dizzy.
I had a headache and someone gave me something to drink. I don’t even know what it was, but it made me more dizzy. So I went upstairs in the hotel, entered a room and just fell asleep on the bed.
Tez slowly filled her eyes as she remembered. When I woke up the next morning, the man was gone. I didn’t see his face.
I didn’t know who he was, but I saw that necklace, this necklace, lying on the bed beside me. She looked up at Kelvin, pain in her eyes. I kept it, because I didn’t know anything else.
A month later, I found out I was pregnant. Isabella’s voice broke. So, why are you asking about the necklace? Do you know it? Kelvin was silent for a long moment.
His eyes were fixed on the necklace. His face looked like he had seen a ghost. Then, in a soft voice, he replied, That necklace is mine.
Isabella gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth. What? I’m so sorry, Kelvin continued.
I never knew. I didn’t even remember that night until now. Isabella’s eyes widened.
You, you were the man? You, Vera’s? Kelvin nodded slowly, his heart heavy. Yes, I lost that necklace five years ago. I went to Vortex Club…
