Love & Revenge: The Heiress Returns

Tested and Pregnant

Joyce

"There is something I've been keeping from you both. I was scared and didn't know how to share it. I got drunk and had a reckless one-night stand with a complete stranger." My voice was faint as I clapped my hands over my mouth, tears spilling down my cheeks.

They gasp.

"I... didn't mean for this to happen."

"What have you done?? We just lost our parents, and you went to fornicate. Have you forgotten you and Cooper are in an arranged marriage to foster our family legacy? What about the promises we both made to our parents? My sister bashes.

Her words resonate with the voice of guilt in my head. My heart aches as my hands squeeze on it.

"What??? How could you have hidden something so important and held it all in?" Sophia scolds.

"You've soiled our parents' name," my sister shrills.

"That's enough, Aurelia. We can't dwell on negativity, but finding a solution will be better," Sophia chirps.

"Don't give me that, and that means what she's done is acceptable. "I won't stand for that," she rasps.

"We're not sure of anything yet. "So we will not escalate what's not proven," Sophia deadpanned.

The both of them glare at each other. I know Aurelia thinks I've failed our parents, and Sophia is concerned. We are supposed to be united, not divided, right now, but the cause of this is me.

“Both of you, I know you are disappointed, and you've all right to yell and scold me; I will take it."

"That won't solve anything, though." Sophia rolled her eyes.

"I'm glad you think so too," my sister seconds.

"For the time being, I will go get a pregnancy test kit for you at the pharmacy. "You both can wait back at Joyce's room for me," Sophia said and left.

I move to touch my sister, but she moves back, walking to the direction of my room instead. My head lowered as I trailed behind her.

We sat in silence as she refused to speak to me till Sophia arrived.

"Here it is. Go into the restroom and do the test." Sophia breathes, her hands sweaty, mirroring my trembling hands.

"You've got this." She nods as I finally head to the restroom, looking back one last time to see my sister rising from her seat with a concerned gaze.

Inside, I close the door behind me, sucking in harsh breaths; my heart pounds heavily.

What if…. Different thoughts flowing

Was I ready to be a mother? Am I worthy to be one? What about the company and Cooper? What will people say?

I summon the courage, breathing in. Using the vial for my urine, I dip the kit in. My hands won't stop trembling and eyes smolder.

I took the kit out, staring…

Then turn towards the door, opening it to behold the both of them standing in anticipation.

My sister snatches the kit from my hands and gasps, "It's positive. You're actually pregnant??"

My brain is empty; words refuse to pour out to justify myself. It's there so glaringly: I got pregnant after a reckless night with a stranger.

"Everyone be calm," Sophia murmurs, assuring herself it seems. She fixed her attention on my lower body, instinct telling me she can't believe it.

"We really have a problem now," she blasts.

"I think we need to sit and think of what is at stake now." Her tone is making me dread the consequences of my actions.

"I can't believe you would be so careless. Joyce. What were you thinking? I lost our parents too and had to grieve." Aurelia cries.

"I was stupid," I mumble.

"The company needs stability after the decease of your parents, and this is not giving it that. The Mercer family is strict and wealthy, and the marriage alliance is scared. "You're the heiress and can't be found wanting," Sophia lists.

"Good, just go on about it for her to realize." My sister's sharp-edged voice agrees.

"Then we have to stop the company from being affected. Protect my family's reputation and legacy. Be responsible for the Mercer marriage alliance, but not in haste; after all, they would understand if we demand time." I exalted

"You're finally seeing things from a different perspective." Sophia mentions

"And how are we supposed to achieve all that? My sister inquires.

"We will need to cover Joyce up and not let any of this get out to the public and the Mercer family." Sophia suggests

"Anything for her, I'm in. My sister's voice softens.

My head lower in shame, losing my dignity, hopes of ever building a loving family, and almost dashing my parents' earned work over the years.

Do I even deserve to build a loving family with the chaos I've ignited? My parents, who shower me with love till their death. How did I pay them back now?

A cry tore out of my lips, breaking down completely. Tears blurred my vision as I choked out, "I'm sorry...." I'm sorry I let our parents down. I'm sorry I didn't consider the situation before acting reckless. Disregarding the fact that we both are grieving, I'm sorry for bringing shame to our family name and getting pregnant, destroying the good plans our parents have made.

"You know our parents would never have let this happen, and they won't want you to blame yourself either." My sister moves closer to hug me with Sophia patting my shoulder.

"This moves me to ask this question. Are you keeping the baby? Sophia asks.

The little hope in me to build a loving family wants to desperately keep it. But can I be so ungrateful with both of them figuring out how to calm the chaos?

I….

"Of course," my sister and Sophia snap.

Startled, I watch their face beaming even with how things turn out. The enthusiasm in their eyes made me emotional.

"Can I? I ask helplessly, hoping for a positive reply.

"Sure. We would be there with you." They both nod, and we hug.

We disentangle back to thinking of the possible choice of solution that goes with the consequences we've decided to cover up.

"I think the best would be Aurelia taking charge of the company till you can return back to your position and putting the Mercer family at ease that time is needed for you to grieve given the situation," Sophia blunts.

"Really?" My sister beams.

Sophia clears her throat, and I chuckle at her expression.

"I mean, will that be okay? I don't know much of how the company works." My sister adjusts herself on her seat.

"Well, I'm here to help." Sophia murmurs.

We both look at each other one last time. My sister chirps. "So we're really doing this.

"I agree to everything you guys suggest," nodding to her question.

"Then there's one more thing." My sister's voice softens.

"What's that? Sophia and I chorus

"You will have to make me be in charge of the company in case vital decisions need to be made and we won't want to disturb you." My sister breathes.

"That's true," Sophia agrees.

"Fine, I will have my pa draft it," I replied.

"No, that's exactly what I'm saying, but I will handle it my way. Which also means Sophia is now my pa." My sister shrugs.

"Didn't you say you don't know how these things were done? Sophia raised a brow.

"Just pulling your legs. My parents own the company, after all." My sister snickers.

Sophia kept mute.

"If that's what you want, just do it." My eyes linger on my lower body, marveling at the thought of something growing there.

"Are you really sure about that, babes?" Sophia inquires.

"Yeah, she's just excited; let her have her way."

"I will be back shortly with it." My sister walks away.

A few minutes passed, and Aurelia sassily walked back in with a printout and a pen.

"Here, you can read it before proceeding, but I assure you, you don't have to. Just the requirements to make it credible

"How fast! Sophia counters.

"Yeah, I guess I'm good at this but never thought of it." My sister smiles at me.

I pick up the pen and proceed to sign without bothering to read it over since she made a remark.

Placing the pen down and feeling heavy at heart but assuring her "it's done."

"Really? Let me see." She picks it up, and her eyes carefully scan through, lingering on where I signed.

Sophia ignores my sister and stares at me. "With that done, I'm sure we've successfully been able to curb any future disaster."

“I'm hoping so."

What else could possibly go wrong??