Chapter 2
1692 Words
Mia's heart raced as she read the message. She didn't know who this person was, but the threats were getting more and more serious. She knew that she had to find out who was behind it and put a stop to it.
The next day, she arrived at the café on Fifth and Main, feeling anxious and scared. She didn't know what to expect, but she knew that she had to be careful.
As she walked towards the table where she was supposed to meet the anonymous person, she saw a woman sitting at a corner table. The woman had her back to her, but Mia could sense that something was off. She hesitated for a moment before walking towards her.
"Excuse me, are you the one who had requested to see me?" Mia asked, trying to sound confident.
The woman turned around, and Mia was surprised to see that it was a very popular model, Isabella. However, still unsure whether this was a mix-up, she waited for Isabella to speak.
"Oh! You must be the little wrench that wants to have a taste of a life that's not meant for you." Isabella said with a disgusting look.
"What do you want?" Mia asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Well. I don't need to introduce myself but I'll do that so we're on clear terms. I am Liam's fiancee." Mia's heart sank as she realised the implications of Isabella's presence.
Isabella's eyes narrowed as she spoke. "I know what you're up to, Mia. You think you can trap Liam with this fake pregnancy and take his money. Well, I won't let that happen."
Mia was taken aback by Isabella's words. She was surprised that Liam's fiancée had found out about her pregnancy.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Mia said, trying to sound innocent.
"Don't play dumb with me, Mia," Isabella said, her voice rising. "I have evidence that you're not even pregnant, and that this is all just a scheme to take Liam's money. But if you agree to end this, whatever game it is you are playing, and leave Liam alone, I won't expose you."
Mia was shocked by Isabella's words. She had never even considered the possibility of not being pregnant. But the fact that Isabella had evidence against her made her feel vulnerable and scared.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Mia repeated, her voice trembling.
"Fine," Isabella said, standing up. "If you don't want to cooperate, I'll make sure that Liam knows the truth. And trust me, he would destroy you when he finds out that he is being played by a gold digger."
With that, Isabella left the café, leaving Mia feeling shaken and helpless. She knew that Isabella was a formidable opponent, and she had to find a way to protect herself and her unborn child from her wrath.
A few days later, Mia received another threatening message from Isabella.
"I know everything, Mia. I know where you live, I know about your past, and I know that you're just after Liam's money. You need to get rid of that baby and get your hands off Liam before it's too late. Otherwise, you're not going to like the consequences."
Mia felt a chill run down her spine as she read the message. She knew that Isabella was dangerous, and she was afraid of what she might do.
She tried to ignore the message and go about her day, but she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her stomach.
Later that day, as she was leaving her apartment, she saw Isabella waiting for her outside.
"I've been waiting for you," Isabella said, a cold smile on her face.
"What do you want?" Mia asked, feeling a knot of fear in her chest.
"I want you to stay away from Liam," Isabella said. "He's mine, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep him."
"I'm not after Liam's money," Mia said, her voice shaking. "I just want what's best for my baby."
Isabella laughed cruelly. "Don't try to fool me, Mia. I know all about you. I know where you come from, I know your history. And I know that you're just a golddigger trying to get your hands on Liam's fortune."
Mia felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She knew that Isabella was right about her past, but she was trying to change and make a better life for herself and her child.
"You need to leave me alone," Mia said, her voice shaking. "I don't want any trouble."
"It's too late for that," Isabella said. "I'm going to expose you to the public, and you'll never be able to show your face again. You'll regret ever crossing me."
Mia watched as Isabella walked away, feeling more scared and alone than ever. She knew that she had to find a way to protect herself and her unborn child, but she didn't know how.
A few hours after her encounter with Isabella, Mia's phone rang. It was from the McHenry's Corporation, requesting that she come to the family's estate as soon as possible. Apparently, Liam's father, Charles McHenry, wanted to speak with her personally.
She was devastated. She had hoped to keep her pregnancy a secret until after the paternity test, but now the entire family knew, and they were not pleased.
She hung up the phone and collapsed on the couch, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't believe that Isabella had gone to such lengths to ruin her life.
Mia's mind raced with all kinds of thoughts as she hastily made her way to the estate. What could Liam's father want to discuss with her? Was he going to be angry with her for getting pregnant with his son's child?
As she arrived at the estate, she was ushered into a spacious living room, where Liam's father was already waiting for her. He was an imposing figure, with sharp features and piercing eyes that seemed to look right through her.
"Mia, please have a seat," he said, motioning to a nearby sofa. Mia complied, feeling nervous and apprehensive.
"Firstly, let me apologise for my son's behaviour," Charles began, his voice stern but not unkind. "He's always been a bit of a wild card, but I never imagined he would be so reckless as to father a child out of wedlock."
Mia bowed her head, feeling ashamed and embarrassed. She knew that what she had done had gone against the family's values and traditions.
"But, that being said," Liam's father continued, "we cannot ignore the fact that there is a child on the way, and it is our duty to ensure that the child is taken care of properly."
Mia looked up, surprised. She had expected anger and reproach, not concern and compassion.
"But I must warn you, Mia. If this is some kind of scheme to take advantage of my son and this family, we will not hesitate to take legal action against you." He said with a warning look.
Mia nodded, feeling both relieved and intimidated. She knew that Liam's family had a lot of power and influence, and she didn't want to be on their bad side.
"But if you are sincere in your intentions and truly want what's best for this child, then we will do everything in our power to support you and ensure that the child is provided for," Liam's father said, his eyes softening.
"You may not be a part of our family by blood, but you are still connected to us through this child. And that means something."
Mia felt a lump form in her throat as she listened to Liam's father's words. She hadn't expected him to be so understanding and empathetic. It gave her hope that maybe, just maybe, things could work out for her and her child after all.
As she sat there basking in her new feeling of hope, she was taken aback when Liam's stepmother, Victoria McHenry, entered the room. She had heard about Victoria's reputation for being cold and ruthless, but seeing her in person was something else entirely.
Victoria glared at Mia with disgust. "That child can never be a part of this family," she spat. "You need to get rid of it and leave the city."
Mia was stunned. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "I'm not getting rid of my child," she said firmly.
Victoria scoffed. "Don't be foolish. You're just a waitress. You have no idea what kind of life you would be giving that child. I am offering to pay for you to leave and start a new life somewhere else. You'll have more money than you could ever dream of, and you'll never have to worry about anything again."
Mia shook her head. "I'm not doing it. I won't give up my child just because it's inconvenient for you and your family."
Victoria continued, "We cannot allow this pregnancy to ruin everything we've worked so hard for. Liam's engagement to Isabella has been crucial in securing the deal with her family's business, and we cannot risk it all just because of a mistake he made in Vegas."
Liam's father nodded in agreement, "I understand your concerns, but we can't just ignore our responsibility towards the child. We need to find a way to handle this situation in a way that doesn't harm anyone involved."
Mia interjected, "I don't want your money. I can take care of my child on my own. All I want is for Liam to acknowledge his responsibility as the father and support us."
Liam's stepmother scoffed, "Support? You mean to say you want a share of our wealth? Don't think for a second that we'll let you leech off our family's fortune."
Mia felt tears welling up in her eyes as Liam's father tried to calm his wife down. "Now, now, let's not be too hasty. We need to find a solution that works for everyone."
"I already came up with a solution, didn't I?" Victoria replied. "Pay her off and let her disappear from our lives with that bastard child."
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