Chapter 2

The room was filled with laughter and joy, like countless needles piercing my ears. My fingers clenched the phone so tightly that my nails dug into my flesh.

George was holding the report and walked up to me. “Felicia, look how adorable he is. From now on, he’ll be our child.”

My father hastened to add, “But Felicia, even though the child is registered under your name, he’ll still call Helena ‘Mom’.”

They remained as sure as ever that I would agree to every demand they made, just like how, on the seventh day after my mother’s funeral, my father brought home a step-sister, who was only half a year younger than me.

They said she was the daughter of an old friend, yet her face bore a ninety-nine percent resemblance to my father’s.

Just like how, after George mentioned wanting a child, I tried countless folk remedies.

Even though I’d told him before our marriage that my health was not good and it would be difficult for me to have children, I couldn’t continue with injections and medication.

It was all because seven years ago, at my mother’s deathbed, I made a solemn vow.

To support my weak father in upholding the Fogolla Family, to pave a bright path for George, who started with nothing.

For my mother, the Fogolla Family represented love, while the Gervase Family embodied gratitude.

It was her final, unyielding obsession. But for me, it was merely a promise.

Now that seven years have passed, I see nothing left to linger over here. I turned away, locking the room full of family happiness behind the door.

Stepping onto the empty balcony, I dialed the number of the lawyer my mother had designated before her passing.

“Mr. Chastan, seven years have passed.”

A moment of silence followed on the other end, then a sigh.

Jacob Chastan, as my mother’s attorney, replied, “Ms. Fogolla, everything is prepared. At your command, all funds injected into Fogolla and Gervase families will begin withdrawal within twenty-four hours and are expected to be completely withdrawn within six days.”

“Let’s begin.”

Hanging up, I felt the rope that had bound me for seven years finally loosen.

George had approached unnoticed, frowning at me. “Who were you talking to so mysteriously?”

He continued, “Felicia, I’m warning you to not take the family money to make reckless investments outside. Raising a child will cost money everywhere. You better save up and be frugal.”

He lectured me as if it were his right, completely forgetting that I was the one who helped him earn his money. I ignored him and walked straight to the dining room.

The long table was laden with dishes, all of them Helena’s favorites. George carefully picked fish bones out of her food, completely oblivious to the fact that I hadn’t even touched my cutlery.

My father, his face flushed from drinking, was beaming. “Felicia, transfer your shares in Fogolla Corp to the child in Helena’s womb. Just think of it as a welcome gift from being an aunt to the baby.”

I lifted my head, staring at his face etched with calculation and nodded once. “Alright.”

My decisiveness surprised them all. George was the first to react, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

“I always knew you were the most understanding, Felicia.”

He immediately made the decision. “Please transfer the shares in my company under your name too. For our child’s sake, you’ll surely agree.”

Helena nestled into George’s embrace, feigning concern as she tugged at his sleeve. “George, don’t do this. My sister will be upset.”

My father scoffed dismissively. “How could that be? She’s very happy! Right, Felicia? Come, raise a toast to Helena and say a few words of blessings.”

George picked up a glass of red wine and handed it to me.

“I can’t drink,” I said.

His expression darkened instantly. “Can’t drink? When you drank until your stomach bled over that South City project, why didn’t you say you couldn’t drink then?”