CHAPTER 1: THE CONSPIRACY
1189 Words
Miss Laura, I need your signature on this agreement form for the in vitro fertilization surgery, said the lawyer as he displayed the document to Laura Evans.
Laura held the pen tight, her hands shaking as she looked at the agreement form.
The surgery was scheduled for tomorrow, and last week was her wedding. The donor of the sperm was no one else but Edward Harrison, the eldest son of the affluent Harrison family and also her groom.
But destiny had been cruel; Edward had been in a ghastly accident a month earlier and was still in a coma, uncertain to ever recuperate. His life was teetering on the brink, and it was uncertain how long he would remain in that state.
The Harrison family, known for their obsession with continuing their lineage and leaving a lasting heritage, was desperate to ensure Edward's offspring would continue.
So his father, Ryan Harrison, took it upon himself to get his eldest son a wife. The sperm was gotten from Edward's testicles, using a gentle electrical current to stimulate the nerves in the genital area, causing ejaculation, and it will be fecundated into the bride's womb.
As Laura stared at the agreement form in front of her, her face became pale and her eyes expressed a glimmer of anxiety.
Please, can you give me some time to clear my head and think about it? I need to read it carefully,she said to the lawyer, her voice quivering with passion.
After a hushed pause, the lawyer nodded and left the room.
The lawyer's exit left the room in a haunting state. Laura hurriedly placed the agreement form on the table.
She had no choice but to call Ethan Harrison, her secret lover, for help.
As luck would have it, Ethan, Edward's halfbrother, was the architect behind this wedding.
Laura's life had been thrown into chaos by the sudden demise of her father and the callousness of her stepmother, Caroline Evans.
Laura was left with nothing, not even her deceased mother's belongings, which were also plundered.
Just when Laura felt cheated, Ethan came to her with an offer: she would pretend to marry Edward, and they would find a way to disrupt the surgery.
After Edward's death, Ethan would become the only heir of the Harrison family, and in exchange, he promised to marry Laura and help her reclaim her mother's properties.
Laura, desperate to reclaim her mother's properties, agreed to the plan without hesitating. On the contrary, as the wedding grew closer, she discovered she couldn't bring herself to do it.
Frantically seeking Ethan's reassurance, Laura tried calling him, but to no avail.
Gripped with fear, she sneaked out of the room to look for him. She took off her slippers, held them in her hands to avoid making a sound, and walked down the hall, her heart racing with anxiety and anticipation.
Laura's footsteps came to an abrupt stop as she came closer to the second room at the beginning of the hall.
A soft murmur could be heard coming from the barely open door; it was the sound of familiar chuckles.
Through the crack, she heard a familiar voice. "Keep me company for a little while, Ethan." Laura doesn't have the chance to look for you now; she is with the lawyer."
She felt a pang in her heart, and she crept closer to the door, glimpsing inside through the small opening.
She saw Claire Evans, her half-sister, and Ethan on the couch. Ethan spoke anxiously as he gently nudged Claire aside. I need to keep an eye on her. I am afraid she will be anxious and have a second thought about the wedding.
But Claire tossed it aside without a thought, got close to him, and said, Stop ruminating about her. She always obeys you; aside from that, we have her mother's belongings with us.
She wouldn't dare try anything funny other than to listen to us. Ethan exhaled a sigh of relief. You are right. I will eliminate her once we accomplish this mission and get married to you. You are smarter and better than her.
Laura was in shock as they discussed their conspiracy against her. The harsh reality dawned on her, and she was left devastated, struggling to keep balance as she reeled backward.
The tragedy was too much for Laura to endure, her heart broken into a million pieces as tears gushed down her cheeks.
Resentment seethed in her veins, and she constricted her fists into fierce intensity. She eavesdropped with a fusion of repugnance and outrage.
But Laura was not intimidated; she had to act fast and come up with a plan. She will never allow Ethan and Claim to get away with their mischievous scheme.
With rekindled determination, she wiped her tears, put on her slippers, and paced back to the room. Without a flash of doubt, she signed the agreement form, determined to be the true daughter-in-law of the Harrison family, and she would make sure she dealt with Ethan and Claire for their mischievous scheme and made them pay for it.
At night, in the Harrison residence, Laura was accompanied to Edward's room by the housekeeper, a week after the wedding.
This was the first time she had met her groom. According to Ethan, Edward was a man with a hot temper, a ruthless character, and a cruel personality. He was even cold to his family; Ethan describes him as a devil incarnate.
Laura believed everything Ethan said and was determined to face her husband, who was anything but suave, ruggedly handsome, elegant, and good-looking.
But when she saw Edward for the first time, even though he was ill, she couldn't help but notice his built-in elegance and his remarkably good-looking appearance.
Laura stood frozen beside the bed, doting on Edward's striking appearance, and began to doubt everything Ethan told her.
Right at that second, Ethan opened the door and walked into the room, shouting without regard to Edward's predicament.
I am sorry, Laura. I was occupied today and am sorry for not answering your calls. Ethan expressed this, displaying insincere contrition.
Laura had to play along with Ethan's schemes; she replied, It's fine; don't worry about me. Ethan's grin grew wider. I know you can't get mad at me; you love me so much, he said boldly.
Laura tightened her fists, containing anger. It's late now, and Edward needs to rest. We will talk tomorrow. Ethan locked the door, shrouding the space, and moved closer to her. Laura moved back nervously, questioning him about what he wanted from her.
With a sinister smirk, Ethan sprung on her, saying, We wouldn't have to go through all this. If you carry my child, he will be the sole heir of the Harrison family.
Ethan didn't even think of Edward; how on earth could he do that right in front of his brother?.
Laura fought back as she pushed him away, and as Ethan jolted to a halt, she saw his expression change from terror to frozen shock, as if he had seen a malevolent spirit. In a quivering voice, Ethan mumbled, "Edward
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