~BLAIR~Is this a blessing or a curse? My fingers trembled with the pregnancy test strip as I stared at the two red lines through my vision blurred with tears. What have I done?How could I let this happen? My marriage with Raymond is only based on a contract. How is he gonna react to this? I wiped my tears, holding in a deep breath to control my heartbeat. My memory flashed to that night a few weeks ago, of Raymond suddenly barging into my room, drunk and haggard.I doubt if he even remembers. He never spoke about it.I don't even know how he feels about it!Running all fingers through my hair, I sniffed back my tears as all negative emotions flooded my mind.What will Raymond's reaction be like? Will he be angry?Will he accept it?But, what if he actually likes this baby? What if he'll be willing to accept it? Standing up, I touched my tummy, a mix of anxiousness and fear compounding my chest. Well, Raymond should know about it.Maybe… Just maybe, he'll accept our baby. And
I gasped. His words are like bombshells and I actually pinched myself to make sure I'm not dreaming.D- Divorce? “B- But…” I stammered, suddenly losing the ability to speak. I don't understand his words.Maybe I do, but I can't bring myself to digest them.“I know, our contract is supposed to end in three months,” Raymond continued, his tone dry. It's as if he couldn't wait to tell me this. As if he has come right here after waking up to lift this load off his shoulder.Did I do something wrong? Did I fail in pleasing him? Why does he want a divorce all of a sudden?As I grappled with confusion, Raymond reached out and patted my hair. It's as if he can read my mind. “You've done a good job. In fact, I'll double your pay. Get ready. We'll meet Grandpa later. Remember our initial plan.”Our plan is to divorce after the contract ends. I'll tell his grandfather that I can no longer be with him, and Raymond will happily release me.No- I can't. I grabbed his hands, almost instinc
Is this one of Cassie's pranks? She's definitely pulling my legs. She'll never-“What better way to make you fall into my trap easily?” Cassie shrugged. “You needed the money and the contract came in handy.”“No! You didn't!” Anger surged through my veins.I shot forward and grabbed her. “Cassie, why!?”I can't help the tears that burst out, thinking back to those days full of horror and fear. I'd literally begged her for money. I knelt in front of her family's home all night, but neither Cassie nor her father were willing to offer a penny for help. Imagine my happiness when Raymond stepped in instead and offered the contract. I've always regarded him as my father's savior. Was he part of this plan? I lost control of my emotions and shook her. “You're a crazy maniac! I can't believe Mum is your real mother.”Our mother was so kind and compassionate.No way she would have given birth to this monster!What if my Dad had died that day? All because of her stupid revenge plan, she'd
…~RAYMOND~Damnit! Did I mess up?I wiped my face in frustration as I chugged down my final glass of beer. Blair confessed that she loves me. I can't believe it. I haven't been myself ever since she said those words, ‘I love you.’She doesn’t mean them, does she?What am I even doing here when I should be searching for her? It has been three days and she hasn't returned.Ever since she left that morning, she never showed up again. I can't reach her on the phone because she left it at home.Maybe I shouldn't have said those words.But seeing what she did to Cassie, I completely lost it. Cassie has suffered a lot. Blair has always made her life difficult, yet, she does her best to please her. I can't fathom how a sibling will hate the other so much. “Dude, you haven't answered my question.” Daryl snapped his fingers, breaking me out of my thoughts. “What's beating you up? Damn, you look out of it.”Music boomed from the ground floor, dimming some of his words.I've come to the
…~BLAIR~I shouldn't have.This is probably a mistake I'll regret forever.I shouldn't have told him my true feelings. I should have known that they're all the same.Cassie, Raymond, and everyone else in their circle. Maybe Raymond is well aware of Cassie's plan. Cassie is the mastermind and he has helped her play it out perfectly.“Stop looking at those. It sucks to see you sulking over a man,” Jeff scoffed. “You won't let this dinner go to waste, will you?”I sighed.Do I even have the appetite? Maybe Cassie is right. Maybe this heartbreak will kill me. “What's the progress? Have they found the evidence?” I changed the topic, putting the photos aside. I know it's Cassie's doing. She won't leave me alone and keeps sending me photos of her and Raymond.Jeff shook his head. “You're sure Cassie's the one behind it? Maybe she was only bluffing.”I know my sister.Cassie was so serious when she revealed that she caused my father's accident. She meant the things she said.“I need to
The man's expression shifted from disbelief to hate. He looked as if he would murder me on the spot.“What's with the gloomy face?” His Grandfather butted in, staring at him with a frown. “Isn't that what you came to tell me?”Raymond’s dark expression transformed into normal. It was obviously difficult for him to pretend to be happy as he constantly sent secret glares in my direction. He sat down beside the old man as well and murmured, “Blair and I haven't thought it over yet. We'll discuss and-”“If you haven't thought it over, why come to me?” Grandpa George cut him off, giving him an incredulous look. “Or is it that you're here for something else?”His Grandfather probably has guessed what brought us.It must be why the old man looked wary when we came in. He didn't allow Raymond to speak further. Turning to me, he took my hands. “That's very thoughtful of you, Dear. You see, I've been lonely for so long. It's better you move in here and give birth to my great-grandkids while
I stiffened up, my hand hanging mid-air as it reached out to touch the school uniform. Hearing Raymond's words and his accusation, my fingers slowly curled into fists. Planning?“If anyone was planning something, it's you and Cassie.” I turned around, staring at him with the same intensity of hate.Just because I've kept my anger in doesn't mean I don't desire to let it out. It still puzzles me that he'd have the heart to play Cassie's games. “You are nothing but an ingrate!” Raymond scoffed. “If I had a little sister like you, I would have long disowned you. But Cassie never minded, and now, you're trying to destroy her happiness.”I smiled despite the bitterness caused by his words.I'm not the one to back down from an argument easily.He thinks he can gaslight me. He thinks he can make me go back on my revenge plan.“For your information, Mr. Reece.” I stepped forward, craning my neck to get a proper view of his face so that our eyes met. “I'm as shameless as you guys are when
After Raymond left, the whole place sank into silence before the snickers continued. “Typical poor girl latching onto a rich man.”“It seems the Young Master isn't in love with her.”“What a pity. She thinks she'll become the future matriarch.”“Matriarch my foot. She must work hard first to keep her position as Mrs. Reece.”I glared in the ladies’ direction, but it didn't stop them from gossiping.Grandpa George watched Raymond's back with a look of displeasure flashing in his eyes. He then turned to me. “Don't mind him. He's mad because Grandpa scolded him for you last night.” That, I thought.Well, Raymond isn't only mad because of Grandpa George scolding him.He hates me, and I know. Staring at my food blankly, I suddenly lost the appetite to eat. The sight of the boiled crab alone had my stomach churning, causing me to lose balance. I sprang to my feet, my eyes darting around for the nearest washroom.“Ha! Can't bear the humiliation, Mrs. Matriarch?”“I bet she's gone to be
“Mr. Raymond, you can't leave now, the next batch of the shareholders are in the hall waiting for you to start the meeting."Crap!I didn't even remember I divided them into two sections so we could have a friendly meeting. I wanted to give the flower to Blair by myself and then express my feelings for her. The meeting would last for more than an hour; I can't keep the flower till I go home; it will weaken. “Here, take this."I handed it to the P.A., “Take this to my house and ask for Blair. Make sure you don't give it to anyone except Blair. Understand?"“Yes, Mr. Raymond."As soon as he left, I returned to my office, getting ready to go to the hall. An hour later, I returned to the office after the meeting was over.Surprisingly, the basket is sitting on my desk and the roses are all weakened. What is the meaning of this?Didn't he take it to Blair as I instructed?How dare he!This is so expensive and custom-made too. “Mr. Raymond?"“Why is this still here?"“Oh, I did as yo
RAYMOND'S POVIt has been thirty minutes since I left home, but it feels like I've left for more than ten hours. I missed Blair, and I missed being around her. Should I just go home?This meeting is so important, I can't leave now. “Mr. Raymond, you didn't say anything."I was so lost in thought, thinking about Blair that I forgot I was in the middle of a meeting. “Can we reschedule the meeting, Mr. Raymond? You look exhausted."Exhausted? Me?That's not true.I love my work so much, and there is no way I will reschedule this meeting. It is so important. However, if I decide to cancel it now, I'll have to leave Blair at home again to attend this same meeting. “Mr. Raymond? It's here."Just what I have been waiting for. “Take it to my office, I'll be right there."This time, I tried to concentrate on the meeting fully so I won't miss any details being discussed. And yes, it worked. As soon as the meeting was over, I didn't wait to exchange pleasantries with any of them, I qui
Oh great!This meeting won't end well, either.Look at their faces, none of them are even happy to see me. And look, they are all above thirty." And who is this?” One of them asked as soon as we entered the hall. I glanced at the P.A., Panicking more than Alicia."She is the new president…"“Come again?" They all burst into laughter at the same time. I feel so embarrassed right now, and I wish the ground could swallow me. What sort of a thing is this?“She's too young?"This nonsense again!I hate it when they say I am too young. How could they?I may be young, but I can do what some of them can't even do. “Also, she made us all come here yesterday without showing up. Who does that? I hate working with amateurs."I've had enough of this, it's time to step up and show them I am the president and not them. Maybe a little threat could work. “Am I too young? Funny."They all went silent. The hall became so quiet as if no one was present there. Seeing how they were all staring
Today, Ray left the house so early, saying he had an important meeting to attend to in the company. He wasn't so happy that he was going to leave the house today; he wanted to stay with me the whole day, just like yesterday. If only he knew what was in my mind, maybe he would have canceled the meeting. My prayers have been answered, I can now leave the house to my own company in peace. I just wish Raymond could understand for once, and allow me to go to the company just as he goes to his without any worries. But no, his reason is still the same. “Ma'am? He has arrived."That's my P. A., I told him to come pick me up because I won't leave the house with any of the cars. Maybe Raymond would decide to come home when I'm gone, and if he finds any of the cars missing, he'll know I left the house. But if none of the cars are missing, then he would think I am in Grandpa George's apartment, or just taking a stroll around the house. “Where is he? Hope he didn't drive inside the house?
Raymond was pacing in front of the apartment when I stepped inside the gate. I quietly tiptoed and hid behind some flowers since he wasn't looking at the gate. What on earth is he doing here now?Has Alicia burst the bubble and he's pacing around, waiting for me to return?Oh, come on!That wasn't what I told Alicia to do.She might have made a mistake because of her nervousness, and then Raymond found out it wasn't me who was lying on the bed. How could she do this to me?Now, I won't be the one in trouble, Jeff is. Raymond will haunt Jeff down and throw him in jail. What can I do to stop him?Absolutely nothing. He won't even listen to me because he had warned me before.Still trying to figure out what to do, a maid from Grandpa George's apartment came to Raymond and they hurried away together. I watched him enter Grandpa's apartment and sighed in relief. Now I can go inside the apartment without him seeing me. As fast as I could, I went inside the apartment, hurried up the
Kill who?Isn't that Cassie's voice I am hearing?What is she doing in Jeff's place?Was she the one that made Jeff call me to come see him so they'll do whatever they want to do with me?No, Jeff can't do that, can he?Should I even be surprised if Jeff is a bad person too?My own sister wants me dead, so I won't be surprised if Jeff wants that, too. I wanted to turn away and run from there, but I heard Jeff's voice.“I can't do that, Blair hasn't done anything to me." Great, Jeff isn't like her. “She is a good person, Cassie. Do not let the hatred you have for Blair to blind you. You will regret this later if you don't stop doing this stuff."“Who cares?" She let out a loud laugh. “You know what? I think you should leave now!"“Are you sending me out of your house?" “Yes, Cassie, you aren't welcome here; you are evil." When I heard footsteps approaching the door, I hid behind the flowers, waiting for Cassie to leave. “If you don't do as I told you, you are going to lose Blai
BLAIR'S POVOh, Jeff, come on, there's no way I can leave this house right now without Raymond seeing me. What should I do?I can't make Jeff feel like I betrayed him. He saved my life, and the least I could do was go see him to make him happy. Raymond is controlling my life, and I don't like it.When he hasn't found out I was pregnant, I leave the house whenever I want and he doesn't stop me. “Alicia?"I went to Alicia's room to plan with her because she's the only one I trust, and the only maid closer to me in the apartment. “Ma'am?"She stood up from her bed, adjusting her gown. “I need your help, Alicia. Jeff wants to see me."“Jeff? The guy Mr. Raymond warned you never to go see?" Her eyes widened in shock. “Ma'am please don't go. Mr. Raymond won't be happy with you. You know how much he cares about your security."Ahh, I know. But he can't keep controlling my life because I am carrying his baby. “I didn't come here for you to remind me of that, so do not talk me out of
RAYMOND'S POVBlair is lying to me right now which is weird.She has never lied to me before, why now?Something is really fishy. Where did she go without telling me?There's no way someone could spend more than four hours in the shopping mall, let alone the hospital. Even if she went to those places yesterday, she wouldn't have spent more than four hours in both. She must have gone somewhere and she doesn't want to tell me. What is Blair planning?I'm stopping her from leaving the house alone because of her own good.Someone is after her life even though I haven't been able to find out who it is. She can't be careless while carrying my baby. She needs to be careful wherever she wants to go. “Why didn't you care to tell me? You know how much I want to see you and the baby healthy." Blair sighed, lowering her head. “I know. I just didn't want to pressure you."Pressure me?If it was really the hospital, she would have told me right before going. To burst the bubble, the docto
BLAIR'S POVHow dare Cassie kiss Raymond in front of me.Coming to the house to confirm I am still alive isn't enough?She went ahead to do what would trigger my heart.I don't like this at all, and I am so angry that Raymond didn't do anything about it. Instead of stopping her from doing whatever she wanted to do, he stood there, rooted in a spot like a tree. He wanted that, I know.If not, he wouldn't have allowed her to do it. I think it's time to tell him who the kidnapper was. That way, he would stay away from Cassie. I don't want her to be arrested and put behind bars, I just want him to be far away from her.It hurts my feelings whenever Cassie is all intimate with him.“Ma'am?"“Not now, I'm not in a good mood." Alicia bowed her head and left the room. I won't go to that company today, I have to confront Raymond first.He has to know the kind of a person my sister is. Why do I even keep calling her my sister? A part of me hates her. “Blair, that wasn't proper."Not p