Betrayal is not Defeat

Chapter 3

My heart was still struggling to comprehend the fact that I was pregnant, my breath was shaky.

Doctor Angela saw my reaction, and her voice pulled me back to reality. “Mrs. Carter, are you alright?”

She knew nothing about what had happened between Ethan and I, she did not know that the child I was carrying would be fatherless.

Then, I acted okay as I let out a laugh, a laugh filled with pretends. “Yes… yes doctor, I'm fine.” My voice crackled. “It's just that, I wasn't expecting this news.”

We were still talking when a sharp knock on the door interrupted us. A nurse came in. “Excuse me, Doctor Angela, you have another patient waiting.”

“Alright, I will be coming now.” She then turned to me. “Take your time Mrs. Carter, if you need any help, let me know.”

With that, she left the room, and I was left alone with my thoughts.

After a few minutes, I just sat on the hospital bed, looking lost. Then, something came to my mind and I then reached for my phone in my jacket.

I had to call this number, but I hesitated before dialing it on my phone. This was a number I had not called in years.

Lisa Wood.

The line rang for more than once before a voice that sounded familiar answered. “Hello?”

My face was twisted with regret as the sound of my childhood friend's voice. “Lisa, it's Sophie.” My voice broke.

“Sophie! Oh my goodness! Where have you been? I called your line, it was always unreachable.” Her voice was filled with so much concern.

I had cut every communication with her in the past years because she never supported me when I wanted to forfeit my inheritance as an heiress for Ethan.

All I thought was that she was a bad friend. Now I wished I had listened to her.

“I… I need your help Lisa.”

There was a little pause before Lisa spoke softly. “Okay, I'm going to text you my address now so we can meet and talk.”

“Thank you.”

Immediately after the call, I saw the text of her address. I left the hospital in no time as I was headed to her place.

After several minutes, I got there. Lisa’s house was everything she and I talked about. I could remember her wish for her dream house—spacious, modern, and warm.

Her taste has always been impeccable. She led me inside, handing me a warm cup of tea. I gripped it tightly, seeking comfort in its heat.

“Sophie, you look so exhausted, what really happened?” Lisa asked as she folded her arms, slowly looking up and down at me.

I breathed in and out before responding. “Ethan…he left me.”

“I knew it, that bastard!” Her eyes were looking dark with fury. She was in no doubt, filled with pain.

“He threw me out,” I continued, looking into my cup. "He said everything he had was his alone. He’s with someone else now.”

Lisa’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I warned you, Sophie.”

“I know,” I could not deny the truth. “And I should have listened.”

Lisa sighed. Although she was embittered by what I had just told her, she still felt pity for me. “So, what now?”

I hesitated before speaking, I really needed to move on. The fact I was betrayed does not mean defeat.

“I need a job. I just need to rebuild my life.”

There was no one I could ever wish to ask for a job at that time than Lisa. She was a successful business person and she definitely had some connections.

She had always been happy to assist me when I asked, and I could see it in her face now.

She nodded, with a thoughtful expression on her face. “Alright. Since you were working in your father's fashion company then, would you still like to work for another?”

I couldn't speak, I just nodded.

“There’s an opening at Monreal Company. It’s a growing fashion brand, and I have some connections there. I can help you get an interview.”

“Lisa, are you serious right now?” My eyes were widened, I felt a bit of relief.

I saw the smile on Lisa's face as she responded with a nod. And in my hour of need, once again, she was my rescuer.

***

For the past two weeks, Lisa had taken me into her wings, and she worked tirelessly, helping me to get an interview with Monreal Company.

Finally, one day, I found myself standing in front of Monreal Company’s grand glass doors. The reflection of the sun bounced off the good windows, making the company look stunning from the outside.

I took a deep breath, smoothing down my simple yet elegant dress. That was it. A new beginning.

The receptionist guided her to the conference room where the interview would take place. And as I stepped inside, I froze.

Sitting at the head of the table was a man whose appearance reflected power and authority.

The name on his identity card was Pedro Don.

The General Manager of Monreal Company.

His appearance was hard to understand, but something about him made me fear a little.

“Miss Sophie, have a seat,” he said to me, pointing at a seat.

Pedro Don was always in charge of interviews in the company. He started the interview with me in no time.

“So, Miss Sophie,” he began, flipping through my resume. “I see that you previously worked for Lanchester Enterprise.”

“Yes,” I replied, keeping my voice steady and composed.

Mr. Pedro then sat back in his chair. "Your resume looks okay, but I have a question, why did you leave the company?"

I paused a little. I couldn’t exactly say I left because of Ethan, nor could I have told him how disowning me by my parents led to it.

“I had personal reasons,” I said carefully.

“Personal reasons.” He repeated the words slowly, tapping his fingers against the table. “You expect me to believe someone voluntarily walks away from a company as massive as Lanchester?”

“Mr. Pedro, I assure you, I had my reasons.”

A long silence stretched between us. Then, unexpectedly, he smirked.

“I'm sorry, Miss Sophie.” He closed the folder. “I can not offer you the job. You can leave.”

What? No, this couldn't happen. My heartbeat became faster. This was my opportunity, and it was slipping through my fingers like sand.

At the moment, the company's background was a bit noisy with greetings, but that was none of my business at this point as I was inside the office of a man who was about to push me out without a job.

What do I do now? I have to do something. “Please Mr. Pedro, I really need this job, you—”

“Miss. Sophie, I'm afraid I can't give you the—”

“Mr Don Pedro, give her the job!”

Suddenly, a voice that sounded different interrupted the drama that was about to unfold in the room as we both looked at his direction in shock.

As I looked for whom, I saw a man with Piercing Blue Eyes, Dark, with well-groomed hair, standing behind us.

I tried to look at his Identity card that was pinned to the chest of the left side of his black suit and I saw…

Alexander Monreal—C.E.O!