After Divorce, Billionaire Ex Found Me Pregnant
Chapter 67 A Call From The Devil.

Chapter 67: Chapter 67 A Call From The Devil.

The entire of three days had passed before Ashley had been discharged from the hospital. Having the strings and wires upon wires detached from his arms and bandages unwrapped from his forehead felt like a whole new level of bliss and freedom combined.

"Alright, that should wrap it up." Doctor Bailey concluded, dropping the last of Ashley’s used bandage into the awaiting tray of his assistant nurse.

Ashley nearly squeaked with joy, nearly. But he didn’t. Holding himself back, he jumped off his hospital bed, landing on his feet and charging at his parents the very next second. Leonica happily caught him, swooping him up into her arms.

"Mommy, I’m free!"

Chuckling at his excitement, Leonica kissed his forehead. "That’s right. Congratulations."

"Congrats Champ." Gabriel gently patted the child’s head from where he stood on the side.

Ashley giggled happily at the gesture and moment overall. Having both his mother and father with him was one of the best wishes he could ask for. And he got it.

Doctor Bailey, who had watched the scene for a few minutes, stepped forward, clearing his throat in a bid to remind the family of three that he was still present. When all eyes turned to him as he wanted, he spoke up. “The last series of tests has proven that Ashley is medically stable to be discharged from the hospital, however,”

Leonica and Gabriel softly groaned at the one word they dreaded. Seeing their expressions and knowing where it stemmed from, Doctor Bailey chuckled quietly before continuing. “Ashley is still required to do weekly check ins. Nothing serious, just to ensure that his health is kept at the utmost top.”

Leonica nodded. “I understand.”

“Good. That’s all, you can take your leave now.”

With that, Ashley, along with the two adults quietly strolled out of the hospital. Once they were in front of the building, Gabriel spoke. “Come on, Ashley, my car’s right there,” He pointed towards a sophisticated convertible that made Ashley’s eyes pop. “How about I take you home.”

Hearing his words, Leonica scoffed. He was eager to offer to take her son away from her.

“Ashley isn’t going anywhere with you,” She voiced, gently pulling the boy to her side. Said confused child glanced at his mother and then his father, only now just paying attention to the adult’s words. “He’s staying with me, at my parent’s place.”

“Says who?” Gabriel boldly challenged, taking a step forward. “Ashley’s as much as my son as he is your son, so tell me, what gives you the right to decide where he goes and where he stays?”

What gave her the right? Oh, she had every right to decide where her son went and where he stayed. See, unlike Gabriel, she had taken care of Ashley for four years and carried him in her stomach for an additional nine months, while he, went off playing house with that witchy mistress of his. If anyone had a say in where he would stay, then it was sure as hell going to be her.

Parting her lips with the sole intention of putting Gabriel in his right place, However, Gabriel beat her to whatever she was about to say. “Ah, or how about we let Ashley decide where he wants to stay.” He said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

His outrageous behavior had her turning red with anger in seconds. “You freak-” The rest of her words were drowned in the sound of rushing footsteps and camera flashes.

“There he is!” A sudden voice called out, followed by many other murmurs and approaching footsteps. Before Leonica and Gabriel knew it, they were surrounded by reporters with cameras and microphones. “Mr. Bryce, I’m Bella from news 12. Please tell us, is the article concerning Ms. Fernandez pregnancy for you true?” a reporter asked, shoving her microphone into Gabriel’s face.

“Mr. Bryce, please inform us, is Ms. Fernandez pregnant for you?”

“Mr. Bryce is the article concerning you and Ms. Fernandez true? Is she expecting your child? Are you about to become a father? If so, do you plan on making a public announcement soon?” Yet another reporter questioned, totally ignorant of the fear their questioning and crowding was causing Ashley.

Being a child, and a little one at that, Ashley was quickly scared by the constant flashing lights and bigger figures trying to get to his father. His face quickly showed the emotion he was feeling, but the reporters were too busy, trying to get their next story to notice.

Leonica however, noticed this and was quick to swoop the little boy up, burying his face in her chest as she attempted to walk, or rather, squeeze her way through the sea of reporters. However, she hadn’t taken more than a few steps forward when Gabriel’s hand reached out and grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

“We’re not done talking.” Gabriel said in a disapproving manner towards the fact that she had decided to take his son and walk off while he was busy.

Glancing all around at the reporters who had begun murmuring underneath their breaths, questioning the relationship between Leonica and Gabriel and soon, the relationship between Ashley, Leonica and Gabriel- some even jolting things down and recording the moment- the white-Ette forcefully yanked her hand free, wrapping it around her sons back instead.

“Oh, I think we are.”

“Leon-”

“Before trying to pry into other people’s business, you should first learn how to take care of your own. And If I must say,” She looked around the reporters who had clearly sensed the smoke in the air and clicked her tongue. “You’re doing a poor job at it right now.” With that, she turned around and walked off.

Gabriel, who had watched her disappear with his son, turned to give the press a harsh glare. Some of them shrank back, but few still had the balls to try and approach. Without giving them the light of day, Gabriel pushed his way through them, walking towards his car.

“Mr. Bryce, Mr. Bryce please answer my earlier question.”

“Mr. BRYCE PLEASE GIVE A STATEMEMNT.”

“Mr. Bryce, please say something. Mr.-”

Entering his car, the rest of the reporter’s words died off. From the other end, the press banged on his window demanding answers to their questions. That didn’t bother Gabriel as much as their gazes on Ashley and Leonica had. He knew what that meant.

They were the press, and the press never missed a chance to stir up a good story when given an opportunity. And an opportunity they had been given.

Gabriel was more than a hundred percent sure that they would go after the duo, Ashley especially. And then once they found out that Ashley was his son, they’d spin one useless scandalous story around him, Angelina, Leonica and the poor innocent child. And as juicy and seat warming as that sounded to readers and viewers alike, it was equally traumatic and problematic to Ashley who is only but a child.

And as his father, Gabriel would be damned to sit back and allow that to happen. Thankfully he knew just who could help him prevent that.

Pulling out his phone, he quickly found Lloyd’s phone number and dialed it. A heartbeat later and the king of the media organization picked.

“Fancy to catch you calling at this time of the day. So, tell me, what is it this time around? Who broke your heart?” Lloyd joked about the first chance he got.

Gabriel as usual played his jokes off and chose to remain serious, the right emotion this kind of situation demanded for.

“Now’s not the time to joke, Lloyd.” The stern tone of his voice educated Lloyd enough about the type of situation he was facing.

Although he did not know the exact details, he knew it was serious. Serious enough to get his full attention. Siting up, he asked in a rare serious tone. “What is it?”

Having his friend’s full attention gave Gabriel the courage to continue. “I need you to do something. It concerns your expertise.” He informed.

“Alright, I’m listening.”

*~*

Meanwhile, Leonica had just returned home with Ashley. Her house and car keys jiggled together as she tossed them into the silver plate placed at the door. Handing her coat and Ashley’s to the housekeeper that welcomed them, she sighed out in exhaustion.

What a heck of a day. Who would have expected them to get swarmed right in front of the hospital with all sorts of reporters?

Leonica clicked her tongue in disinterest as she sank down onto the couch. Beside her, Ashley took his seat and glanced at her once she sensed that she wasn’t in the best mood.

And so far, only one thing could make his mother’s mood fall so far. Swallowing the reluctance that had been eating inside since the ride home, Ashley asked. “Mommy, are you mad at Daddy?”

From the corner of her eyes, Leonica glanced at her son, but she did not answer his question. Ashley was far too young to under the emotions in her heart.

As his mother’ silence dragged on, Ashley dared to speak more. “Don’t worry mommy, I’ll make daddy apologize to you,” Climbing onto her lap, he held both her cheeks in between his palms. “Daddy angered you, didn’t he? I’ll make him apologize. Ah, how about he buys us ice cream. Tons and Tons of Ice cream as an apology. Would you stop being angry at him then?”

Seeing the sparks in her son’s eyes as he spoke of Gabriel, Leonica could no longer remain silent and asked. “Why do you...like your daddy that much?”

Ashley grinned and his answer was very unexpected. “Because daddy loves Me and mummy just as much!”

“What?” Leonica was stunned into a speechless state.

Taking this opportunity, Ashley crawled off her lap and grabbed the television remote, tuning into his favorite carton station.

Leonica remained speechless for a few seconds more and just as she was about to question Ashley about what he meant; her phone began to ring. Pausing briefly, she looked at her phone and her expression completely soured when she saw who was calling.

Nonetheless, she reached for the phone, standing up and making sure she had walked a well distance away from her son before she answered the call.

“What do you want, Angelina?”

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds before the voice belonging to the questioned woman spoke. “Pleasant hearing from you too, Leonica. I’ll only say this once, so you’d better listen and not make me repeat myself. At Grand Mayer restaurants, you and I, tomorrow, let’s have a simple and friendly talk, shall we?”