Addicted To Greed

by Catherine Putsche

  Chapter 4 Felicity’s cunning plan began working, Wilhelm petitioned for divorce from Jeannie reluctantly, much to Felicities relief and pleasure, it meant before the baby would be born they would be married, providing Jeannie didn’t cause any complications in the divorce process. Felicity longed to be the wife of Wilhelm’s, so their child wouldn’t be born a bastard as she had, she didn’t want a big wedding ceremony as she had no family and very few friends, insisting the Madame come over and attend the wedding, Monika, Richard and Monika’s parents would be attending and a few work colleagues of hers and Wilhelm’s. She booked a chapel as she wished to wear white and wanted to her union to be blessed by the church.

  Wilhelm had been given the contract by Smith & Brothers to design the coliseums, with vast amounts of money adding to his already wealthy status.

  Felicity became more convinced that she had made the right choice in Wilhelm, he could offer her a great life full of dreams and more money than she originally anticipated, she persuaded Wilhelm to design a house very much like the Hamilton’s Tuscan inspired villa, only bigger and better so she could eventually host the greatest dinner parties to her few friends and Wilhelm’s business associates in sheer luxury.

  Wilhelm threw himself into his work delighted he had got the Smith & Brother contract, his office becoming his sanctuary away from Felicity. He couldn’t forgive her for her deceit and blackmail, he felt horrible about having to divorce Jeannie but he didn’t want his wife and children to pick up a newspaper one day with his naked body engaging in sexual intercourse, he couldn’t bring shame on his family in this way and himself, his reputation could have been destroyed in an instance. He reluctantly agreed to Felicity’s demands providing the photographs would be destroyed after their marriage, this was his only request otherwise there would be no wedding. Felicity agreed by promising him that he could witness them been destroyed and all the negatives from the photographer would be posted to Wilhelm’s offices.

  Wilhelm confided in his closest friend Antony Wallace to prepare legal documents that Felicity must sign with regard to the photographs and negatives along with the Madame’s contact at the New York Times, that must also sign stating that the photographs would never to go into publication and all copies would be destroyed, so that in the worst case scenario the photographer would be sued and in breach of his contractual agreement.

  “Wil helm, let me suggest something else if I may?” “Of course, I am listening.”

  “Whilst I am preparing these documents for Felicity to sign, I thought it would be in your best interests my friend if I prepare one final document, it’s called a pre nuptial agreement, which in the event of your death Felicity is only entitled to a minimal amount of your wealth shall we say the most seven percent?”

  “Okay , but perhaps we could not make her aware of what she is signing, informing her it is something else, she would become suspicious if you were to mention it was a legal money document, so how about we make up something else, so she signs automatically and doesn’t suspect anything.”

  “L eave it to me my friend, the last thing I want this woman doing is spoiling your children’s inheritance, in the event of your unforeseen death.”

  “Thank you Anthony, you don’t know how much I appreciate this and how important it is she is left with only a tiny proportion of my wealth. She doesn’t deserve anything; however I shall see that our baby that is due anytime will be left equal to Ella, Destiny, and Chase.”

  “You’re a very fair man my friend and you know I’ll always help you in any way I can. I am due to arrive at New York by ten in the morning; I shall be in my offices by eleven if you care to drop in with Madame Felicity.”

  “I wouldn’t miss this part for anything in the world.” Wilhelm pressed the button to end his call satisfied that he could still salvage most of his wealth to go to his dear children whom he loved and missed very much. He had previously offered Jeannie the sum of five million in the divorce settlement; she refused just wanting what she had been receiving the whole time they were married to be put in an account each month for the children. As Wilhelm had paid off the mortgage on the house in England over two years ago; it was agreed that Jeannie would keep the house for her and the children as they didn’t want to move from their childhood home. He was surprised how amicable Jeannie had become about their divorce, however any contact he had with her was done over the telephone he wasn’t there to witness her heartbroken expression and was pleased he wasn’t, he couldn’t face her any longer knowing what he had done to his once beloved family, torn apart for his stupid betrayal, not sure if he could ever forgive himself for his actions.

  Wallace managed to keep Felicity momentarily distracted, whilst Wilhelm got her to sign all the documents, with his charm, showering her with compliments regarding her radiant glow and trim figure. Wilhelm winked over to his close friend indicating that she had signed the pre nuptial agreement, he then went on to sign all the documents himself, handing them over to Wallace to stamp and verify. Wallace invited them both to lunch delighted with the outcome.

  Madame Clemenceau was the first guest to arrive at the chapel, she had brought Bessie and Monsieur Fredrik, arriving late last night, and she booked them into the Ritz Carlton where she insisted upon the premier park view suite for herself and two deluxe rooms for her hired helpers. She spared no cost in her extravagant luxury only the best quality was expected from the Madame, often travelling to new York on vacations, or just to shop in the wonderful boutiques for a couple of days. The Madame was very well known to the hotel and had a great reputation for generously tipping staff, she was always given the royal treatment much to her satisfaction. She sat patiently waiting in her chauffeur driven limousine, giving Monsieur Fredrik a day off from his duties. She had taken much pride in her appearance today as she wanted to look her best for her adopted daughter, she choose a Donna Karan cream draped silk dress that just managed to cover her delicately thin ankles, teaming the dress up with her favorite Donna Karan pointed cream leather and gold buckle toe caps with matching gold buckle ankle straps. She covered up from winter chills with a full length cream and brown coyote fur coat, wearing her white shoulder length hair up in a Brigitte Bardot style high french twist, her black thick eye makeup was flawlessly applied along with a crimson red lipstick that framed her perfectly straight white veneers. Waiting impatiently to meet the man who had stole Felicities heart.

  The guests arrived in small groups and were directed into their seats by a young man dressed in a black and white candle bearing uniform.

  ♣

  Wilhelm arrived with his dearest friend Antony Wallace both wearing luxury wool black Biltmore suits. Wilhelm’s suit was in pinstripe with a three quarter length jacket, if the Madame hadn’t seen the ill tasted glossaries of Wilhelm beforehand she would have guessed the groom was indeed Antony Wallace as these two gentlemen were dressed in similar attire. She couldn’t take her eyes off Wilhelm, he was indeed more hansom in the flesh and somewhat taller than she expected.

  Wilhelm glanced over to the Madame taking a few moments to register who she was, he gave her a light practiced smile acknowledging her for the very first time, and she returned his smile nodding in approval.

  Felicity arrived a few moments later in a traditional chauffer driven black Rolls-Royce wedding car. She had already instructed the driver to wait a few minutes before escorting her out so she could take in the beautiful sight of the chapel knowing she would exit the building Mrs Felicity Pearson, no longer bearing her mother’s maiden name of Jameson. She felt a little sad as though she was letting go of her beloved mother and childhood name and hoped her mother was watching down from heaven and she could witness her daughter’s happiness. This was indeed the most important day of Felicity’s life, the planning, the blackmail, the conspiring with the Madame had all been worth it, and she was going to be Wilhelm’s long awaited wife.

  Dressed in a long alabaster silver vintage Justin Alexander wedding dress, Felicity ent
ered through the chapel doors alone waiting for Monsieur Fredrik to accompany her down the alter as he was to play the father role of giving her away. The guests all stood turning their heads to witness the bride’s entrance and the traditional piano began to play. Wilhelm waited with the minister at the top of the alter.

  The Madame took one look of her adopted daughter and tears began forming in her eyes, she looked exceptionally beautiful just as her mother had all those years ago, Adrianna, would be so proud if she could have been here to witness her daughters marriage.

  Felicity held on tightly on to her huge array of cherry blossoms bouquet, carefully putting it in front of her swollen stomach to hide the pregnancy as she didn’t want the photographer and his assistants to catch glimpse whilst Monsieur Fredrik escorted her arm in arm down the aisle.

  After exchanging their vows and signing the marriage certificate, the guests went back to the Hamilton’s who’d arranged an extravagant five course meal, with a live orchestra for the newlyweds, much to Felicity’s surprise, she really didn’t want a fuss made as she was over eight months pregnant and the baby could come at any given time. They had postponed their honeymoon to Tunisia until a few months after the baby was born; they were taking no risks with the babies or Felicity’s health.

  The Madame presented Wilhelm and Felicity with a set of new sparkling silver keys and an envelope containing pictures of their very own newly built Parisian Villa holiday home.

  “Oh Madame , this is absolutely delightful, what a complete surprise we didn’t expect anything as extravagant as this did we Wilhelm?”

  Wilhelm coughed acknowledging Felicity and the Madame in disbelief. “Well my dearly newly wedded couple it gives me great pleasure to reward you both with a beautiful holiday home, as least then you will come and visit me more often! Welcome to the family Wilhelm.”

  The Madame held her hand out firmly for Wilhelm to shake and she gripped his hand with such force and ferocity Wilhelm almost lost balance and fell to her feet, luckily he didn’t make such a spectacle of himself as he was aware there were a number of photographers from various up market magazines, keeping a close eye on his every move. He just wanted this charade over with it, it was all fake.

  Benjamin Thomas Pearson came into the world in the early hours of Christmas Eve after a long and excruciating twelve hour labor; Felicity was exhausted and had to be given sedatives for her to sleep, complications with his breach position led to a caesarian birth. Wilhelm was delighted and cradled Benjamin for hours talking and singing to him waiting for Felicity to wake up.

  Felicity eventually woke from her drug induced sleep and Wilhelm introduced her to their new bundle of joy.

  “May I present you with our beautiful new son; he hasn’t cried the whole time you’ve been sleeping.” Felicity sat up and held her arms out to embrace this wonderfully small bundle hardly believing that he had been residing in her stomach for nine months and now at long last he was finally here. She began to stroke and kiss his tiny face examining every inch of him, touching his perfectly miniature hands unwrapping the blanket that he was covered in to him to examine his feet which to her surprise she noticed an unusual large gap between the big toe and the second toe, looking into his small eyes she noticed that they both slanted upwards and outwards and there seemed to be an extra layer of skin on his eye lids, she expressed her concern to Wilhelm.

  “He looks different, look at his toes and tell me if you see anything unusual?” Wilhelm began to look and noticed the gap dismissing it as though it was nothing

  “Oh c’mon Felicity there’s nothing unusual about that, yes admittedly the gap is bigger than I have seen before but I think that is just normal, let’s ask the doctors what they think.”

  “But Wil helm look at his eyes, they look so different.” Before Wilhelm could look Benjamin started crying. “He must be hungry, he needs milk!”

  Felicity made several unsuccessful attempts to put Benjamin onto her breast whilst the nurse entered helping her to guide Benjamin correctly, eventually Benjamin began to feed and the crying stopped much to Felicity’s relief.

  “I must speak with Dr Reed nurse can you call him for me, I need to see him right away.” The nurse sensed Felicity’s impatience asked if there was anything she could help with, Felicity assured her there wasn’t so the nurse quietly excused herself to go back to the nurses’ station where she would contact the doctor.

  Benjamin had fallen to sleep and Felicity placed him in the crib next to her bed not taking her eyes off him for a moment but she was feeling a mixture of strange emotions not sure where they were leading.

  Wilhelm stayed at her bedside just looking in sheer delight at his new born baby boy; he remembered the birth of all his children, none of which were as complicated as this one, he began to silently weep, tears of joy and happiness he couldn’t believe he was a father for the fourth consecutive time, he held Felicity’s hand whilst they waited for the doctor to arrive.

  After Doctor Reed examined Benjamin he became aware that these were some of the symptoms of Down syndrome, treading carefully not to alarm Felicity he asked if she had an amniocentesis test during her pregnancy.

  “I don’t think so doctor, what type of test is that?”

  “It’s a particular unpleasant test to see if your unborn baby is likely to have Down syndrome.” “No , doctor, why would need a test like that? I can assure you nobody in my family has such a condition, which is absurd as far as I was made aware it was recommended for ladies that are much older than me. May I remind you that I am only nineteen years of age?”

  “Yes , it’s often recommended to ladies reaching their forties or over as they have an increased risk of the syndrome affecting their unborn child. I’d like to run a blood test on Benjamin if you wouldn’t mind it’s a chromosome analysis test that will show if Benjamin has the extra chromosome 21 material which in affect causes Down syndrome.”

  “What the hell are you trying to say doctor that you suspect that my baby has this syndrome, or are you only speculating on trying to find out what’s wrong with my baby?”

  Felicity became hysterical. Wilhelm tried to calm her down but it was no use, the doctor tried to explain that Benjamin was showing signs of the syndrome, however he couldn’t be sure until the test was completed and the results got back to him.

  Felicity and Wilhelm reluctantly agreed assuring the doctor if they were not satisfied with his findings that they would pursue a second opinion.

  Felicity felt like her perfectly modified world had come crashing down on her and her dreams of the dream baby she had imagined for nine months or more was not there anymore. She slipped into a major depression and found it hard to bond with Benjamin who now needed her more than ever. Luckily Wilhelm stepped in to feed the baby with formula milk as Felicity refused to give Benjamin her breast complaining that it was just too painful.

  Felicity and Wilhelm waited patiently for the results of the blood test; they were informed that it could take up to a week or so before the results came back from the laboratory. Felicity stayed in the private wing of the maternity ward after she caught an infection on her wound from the cesarean. Wilhelm did all he could to reassure her that if Benjamin did have the syndrome that they would receive all the help and support they needed to take care of him. Felicity couldn’t bear the thought that her new born baby had the syndrome and went into a state of denial. A friendly nurse came to talk with them with regards to the syndrome answering every question they had with care and precision, informing them of the help they could get if Benjamin was diagnosed with Down syndrome. Wilhelm was becoming more and more concerned with Felicity’s mental health, as she would sit with her arms cradling her body rocking back and forth talking to herself in some form of chanting language her had never heard before and couldn’t understand. He noticed that she wouldn’t have any contact with Benjamin in the process and this worried him even more, he expressed his concerns on a number of occasions to the nurses and doctors and they
became aware that Felicity’s mental health was deteriorating for the worst, they offered anti depressants, counseling and a number of opportunities for Felicity to meet with the some of the new mothers on the ward, but she refused everything they offered saying she would be fine when the results got back from the lab, dismissing her behavior as nervous tension.

  They encouraged her to embrace Benjamin and focus on his needs as he was just like any other baby and he needed her the most, but she refused to pick him up and kept him at arm’s length often calling for the nurses to come and tend to him in Wilhelm’s absence. The blood test confirmed her worst fear that Benjamin did indeed have the extra chromosome that led to Down syndrome; she became once again hysterical and had to be sedated by the doctor. When Wilhelm arrived ten minutes later and heard the news he broke down and cried, his beautiful little boy had Down syndrome and he couldn’t do anything about it, he felt guilty and automatically started to blame himself. Felicity and Wilhelm both cried together hand in hand staring at their new bundle whilst he was sleeping trying to imagine his future but scared of not knowing what lay in store for him, would there be numerous health complications? What quality of life would he have? Would he be ridiculed as he would grow up with different needs to children who didn’t have the syndrome? So many questions were going through their heads and not enough answers, both experiencing different emotional responses, all Wilhelm wanted for his son was to be healthy and lead a happy life and he would support him anyway he could. Felicity felt the opposite, she didn’t want to have anything to do with him and was considering adoption, she felt ashamed that she had created a less than perfect baby and couldn’t bear the thought of looking at him a moment longer, she became constantly hysterical and the doctors knew that they had to do more than just sedate her, she needed long term psychiatric evaluation, so they referred her to a psychiatric hospital for further evaluation. Felicity went willingly, she knew she wasn’t feeling well and she needed help. Meanwhile, Wilhelm received all the support and help he could and took Benjamin home taking six months leave from his work to dedicate to his beautiful son in the hope that Felicity would finally come round and get better sooner rather than later. He was no stranger to nursing babies; he had nursed Chad his beloved dead twin son for just over one and a half years before he died, if anything he felt empowered by his son, here he was just a few weeks old and he had struck a remarkable bond that would never break.