Chapter 4: Abandoned

Mandy’s POV

“Lucas?” I called out in surprise.

“Are you done packing?” He asked with a harsh tone in his voice,

“Have you forgotten your flight leaves in 5 hours?”

“I know. I’m sorry. It’s just that I feel a bit sick. I think I’m coming down with a fever,”

I said and he scoffed in response.

“And you expect me to believe that? I know the only reason you are pretending to be sick is because not only are you lazy you do not want to leave,” he said arrogantly.

I tried to speak again but he cut me short.

“You are leaving this afternoon. I’ll personally drive you to the airport.” he said.

I smiled bitterly at his last words, surprised that he offered to drive me to the airport by himself. Maybe he…

Then I met his glare again.

“Fine. Don’t fool yourself, Mandy Vanderbilt. He is not doing it out of care but to ensure you really leave the country for good,” I said to myself.

Immediately he left, I dragged my tired body back to my box and continued packing.

But the more I packed, the wearier I became. The nap I had last night seemed pointless.

Maybe I really had a fever, I thought.

Just as I was about to throw some medication into my mouth, I paused for a while to think.

Is it okay to take this medication while I’m pregnant? I asked myself.

I couldn’t take any chances for the baby’s health.

Just as I was about to pull out my phone to g****e it, a wave of nausea overwhelmed me.

I rushed into the bathroom and vomited.

After almost puking out my guts, I slumped on the bathroom floor, trying to catch my breath.

As I was about to walk out of the bathroom, I heard my room door open and Lucas’s angry voice yelled, asking why I wasn’t done packing yet.

I was too exhausted to respond to his questions.

My silence provoked him further.

He began to randomly shove items into my suitcase and closed it up.

“We have to leave now. There’s no time,” he said.

He grabbed my hand and dragged me down where a car was waiting.

He didn't even give me a chance to say goodbye to Grandma Claire.

He forced me into the car but I couldn't complain.

As the car drove away, dizziness overwhelmed me.

A mix of sadness and fear swirled inside me as I gazed outside the car window.

Should I tell Lucas about our baby? I wondered.

If he doesn't want me, he'll reject our child too.

Finally, I decided.

I'd keep the baby a secret from him.

I won't have an abortion and I'm going to find a way to take care of myself and my unborn child.

We arrived at the airport.

I stepped out of the car but Lucas didn’t bulge. He sat back as if he hadn’t noticed we had arrived at our destination.

Joel, his assistant, helped me retrieve my luggage from the back of the car.

“Let’s go, ma’am,” he said to me and began to walk towards the building.

I took one last glance at Lucas who wasn’t even throwing a glance at me.

This is goodbye, I said to myself, fighting back my tears.

With that, I followed Joel into the airport.

He escorted me to the security check.

“Mrs. Mandy, Mrs. Vanderbilt told me to inform you that she would send some money for you into your account to help you survive while you’re abroad.

She also hopes that you’ll let her know when you arrive at your destination,” he said.

Learning that Grandma Claire would send me financial support brought a wave of relief upon me.

“Thank you, Mr. Joel,” I said to him with a smile.

“You’re welcome, Ma’am. Have a safe trip,” he said before turning around and walking away.

ONE MONTH LATER

I sat on my bed, waiting patiently for my roommate, Aria, to be done with her phone call.

As she hung up, I took a deep breath.

“Aria?” I called.

But she ignored me.

I knew she heard me because I saw her roll her eyes.

I sighed then called her name again.

Slowly and carefully this time.

“What?” She barked at me.

“Can…can we talk?” I started.

“Aren't we talking already?” She asked.

“I know, I'm sorry.

“It's just that I was wondering if you could help me with this month's rent. I'm in a tough spot,” I said.

Aria rolled her eyes again.

“Are you really asking me this again? Don't you remember I already covered last month's rent?” she said.

“I know and I'm sorry to be doing this. I would have paid if I had the money, but I'm almost broke right now and I have a baby too-” I said but was cut in half way.

“You're always broke. If you can't afford to be here, then leave.

Clearly, Dance school is beyond your means. Just go back to whatever hole you crawled out of,” she snapped, rising up.

Then, she walked out of the room.

I sighed hopelessly, wondering what's next.

And it hurted.

I like dancing. I really do.

I pulled out my phone to check my bank app again - still no transfer.

With a frozen account, I was left struggling.

But how did my account get frozen in the first place?

I couldn't tell.

Survival for the past few weeks has been tough.

I barely made enough money from my part-time jobs and selling of valuable items

If things don't improve, I'll have to quit studying.

Worried, I scrolled through my contact list.

Grandma Claire's number still wasn't going through.

Frustration and fear knotted my stomach.

Had she abandoned me too? I wondered.

Frustrated, I rubbed my baby bump, thinking about next week's checkup with no money.

I told myself I had to try for the baby’s sake.

Desperate, I dialed Lukas’s number.

My hands trembled as hesitated, unsure if I should call.

But the thought of my unborn child gave me courage.

I held my breath as it rang.

To my surprise, he picked up immediately.

“ Hello,” Lucas Vanderbilt speaking.

I almost cried at the sound of the voice of the man I’d loved for years, but I controlled myself.

“Hi Lucas. It’s me, Mandy,” I said.

“Mandy? Well, what do you want?” He asked, harshly.

“Sorry to disturb you, did Grandma Claire change her number?

I haven’t been able to reach her for a while,” I said.

He sneered before replying,

“I asked grandma to change her number so you would stop disturbing her with calls.”

“Why? Why would you ask her to do that?” I asked him in shock.

“Well, a wise person gave me that wise advice,” he said.

“Let me guess, Mary?” I asked, rolling my eyes.

“Bingo,” he replied.

Before I could say anything else, Lucas spoke again,

“Anyways, why did you call?”