[4]

BEATRICE:

My family’s surprised expression was making me dizzy. My vision spun for a moment, and I had to close my eyes for a bit. Maybe this was the result of having a divorce. I wondered was these the same feelings that the others had experienced when they broke the announcement to their family.

“Open your eyes, woman, and tell us what you said again,” Mom demanded.

I opened my eyes and I felt suddenly sick.

“Mom, let's take it easy first. I think Big Sister is not feeling well,” Lyndon said. 

“A-Are you okay, Bea?” Angelica asked. “You look pale.”

“Bea, don’t act like this after you dropped the bomb, who said you’re allowed to divorce your husband? All of you are aware of what will happen to you!” Mom explained. “You will lose your inheritance! We will disown you!? All of us. You're the eldest. You should set an example for your siblings. But what are you doing? You were the first one to divorce!”

“Mom! Let’s not get to that, shall we? No one will disown Big Sister,” Lyndon said. “Why don’t we calm ourselves?” he suggested. “Everyone will not decide anything or will not say anything unless Beatrice will explain herself.”

Mom touched her forehead. “What is happening in this family? First, it was Everette marrying the woman I didn’t want him to marry. Now, you divorced your husband?”

She tended to forget that she was the one who picked Christina first, but when she ran away, her treatment of her turned sour. 

Mom could be complicated sometimes. 

“It's my ex-husband right now, Mom. Drake and I agreed to this.”

I cheated on him. That was what he said. But God knows I haven't. If only I could trace that bastard, I would haunt him, but what would I get in return? I would only look desperate to get Drake back. 

“What ground?” she asked. “Is it because you cannot give him a child? It’s your fault, to begin with.”

“Clara. It's wrong to blame our daughter. It has something to do with Drake, too.”

“Dad is right, Mom,” Lyndon agreed. “This divorce should not separate us. I don’t want to disown Beatrice as my sister. She will remain as my big sister.”

Mom suddenly slapped the table hard. “Nonsense! A rule is a rule! Forget her as your sister from now on. If any of you won’t be following my orders, consider yourself no longer a Watson!” Mom screamed and stormed away, leaving us.

“Babe!” Dad called.

My stomach felt as if all the food was trying to come out. What was wrong with me?

I closed my eyes for a moment. The smell of the spices became extra strong.

I felt someone squeeze my hands. Opening my eyes, I found out it was Dad. “Beatrice, I will try to talk to your Mom about this.”

“T-Thanks, Dad.”

When it was only the two of us, Hope, the rebel, asked, “Would you like to explain yourself, Big Sister?”

“Yeah. “You need to explain yourself, Bea,” Penelope said.

Someone cleared her throat. Angelica.  “Would you please stop?” she said softly. “B-Big Sis is not looking good.”

“It’s because she doesn’t want to explain herself!” Hope exclaimed and stood, pacing back and forth. “You know Mom would turn into a war freak if any of us disobeyed her. Especially when it comes to that fucking divorce.”

Penelope covered Jacob’s ears. “Mind your language, Hope. My son is listening.” 

“Why don’t you call his babysitter so that we can talk this out? This is a freaking serious matter. Where the heck is Everette when we need him?”

“Leave him be. He also has his fair share of problems,” I stated and groaned.

Penelope called the nanny and asked her to take care of Jacob while we had a family meeting.

I wished I could just disappear right now rather than answer their questions.

“He is part of the family! Did he know?” Hope exclaimed. 

“He knows Drake is going to divorce me.”

“Fuck and he did not try to stop that asshole?”

Angelica stepped back as if she did not want to listen anymore. She was not the type who was good at confrontations. She would rather stay in her room until the problem is solved.

“Angelica, if you want to go back to your room, you can.”

As if that was her go signal, Angelica stood, but Hope stopped her. “You’re not going anywhere until we fix this.” Looking back at the phone, she asked Lyndon, “What’s your plan? Any suggestions on how we could save our sister?”

Lyndon shook his head. “I bet Big Sister already signed the divorce paper. Mom knows and it’s up to Dad if he can change Mom’s decision. You know how Mom would react.”

“Why do you have to announce it during the family dinner?” Hope inquired, her eyes in disbelief. “Like really? I never knew you could also be like Angelica who aced in spoiling fun.”

Felicity glared at Hope. “Stop ganging on Angelica. She did nothing wrong. Why don’t you respect her personality?”

“Does staying silent solve anything? It does not.” Hope glowered at Angelica. “You better start talking now, Angelica.”

“W-What would I say?” she asked, stammering. Seeing all eyes were on her, she lowered her gaze. “I’I-m sorry.”

“You should be sorry.”

“That’s enough, Hope. I already announced my divorce to all of you. If Mom will disown me and ask you to do the same, I will understand it.”

“Stop that bullshit, Big Sister. You don’t even know how to cook on your own. You keep on relying on your maids.”

“I know how to cook now.”

“But you always burnt them.”

Lyndon chuckled and received a glare from his sisters. Clearing his throat, he asked, “What did your husband say?”

“Really? Are we going to talk about that bastard?”

I stood. “I’m going home. I won’t take it against you if you won’t treat me like your big sister anymore.” I took a couple of steps and the world spun until darkness swallowed me whole.

----------------

 

"Thank God she's awake now. Big Sis? Do you hear me?" The sound of that voice was so far away.

My eyes fluttered open and the white ceiling welcomed me. Scanning the surroundings, I saw my sister hovering around me, concern evident in their eyes.

"You want me to die of a heart attack?" Hope asked. She was always the loudest one and the most vocal among my siblings. "How could you faint like that? Why did you not tell us that you're not feeling well?"

I tried to sit up, and they automatically helped me.

"Where am I?"

"Of course, you're still in the house."

"I want to go home."

"In that condition? No way. You will stay here until you give birth."

I froze and stared at my siblings. "Who's going to give birth?"

"You, of course," Hope retorted in a duh tone. "How could you not tell us that you're pregnant?"

"Pregnant? Why would I be pregnant?"

"When was the last time you had your pregnancy test?" Penelope inquired and sat down beside me. 

Brow furrowing, I answered, "Maybe three months ago?" I stopped taking one when it was always negative. Already given up trying to bear a child. “W- Who said I am pregnant?"

"The doctor. We called a doctor right away and he said you're pregnant. Big Sis. Do you know what you've done? You will become a single mother like me. It's not too late. You can still call it Big Brother. Tell him that you're pregnant."

I'm pregnant? 

My hands went to my stomach. The reason why I was not feeling well was because I was pregnant. A life was growing inside of me?

Yes, but consider too that you're alone from now on. 

"What for?" I asked. 'Why would I inform him about my pregnancy if I am indeed pregnant? He left me, remember? He did not want to be with me. So, my child and I won't be forcing ourselves into his life. I will take care of my child alone. And please...don't tell Mom about my pregnancy."