Billionaire's Lover

Chapter 3

As the day went by, Sofia began to feel something strange within herself. She was constantly hungry and often felt drowsy, as if all the energy had been drained from her life.

Just like now, she wanted to eat, but she didn’t know what she craved. It was as if her taste buds were searching for something sweet, yet she also wanted something sour.

She had been pacing back and forth in their kitchen for a while, but still couldn’t find anything she wanted to eat. She was already feeling irritated with herself because of it.

"Manang, could you please cook some sinigang sa bayabas with pork ribs, and could you add three tablespoons of sugar?" she requested.

My stomach rumbled suddenly. I know I’m going to eat a lot of this. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.

When I didn’t hear a response from Manang, I turned to face her, and she seemed shocked. What was so surprising about my request? Sinigang is delicious!

"Manang?" I called her attention.

"Oh, yes, of course, dear. But please don’t take this the wrong way, I just wanted to ask..."

"What is it?" I was getting nervous. Why the suspense?

"Are you... pregnant, dear?"

Suddenly, memories of a heated night flashed through her mind. She tried to recall if they had used protection, but she couldn’t remember.

"Dear?"

"M-Manang, I don’t even have a boyfriend, so how could I be pregnant?" I said, scratching my head nervously. But inside, I wanted to pull my hair out and force myself to remember everything.

"I just really wanted to try it, Manang. I saw it on f*******:," I lied.

"Oh, alright then. I’ll cook it for you. I’ll call you when it’s ready."

"Thank you," I said, quickly leaving the kitchen and heading to my room to think.

Once she reached her room, her thoughts became even more chaotic. What if Manang was right? What if she really was pregnant?

Could she handle it? She was certain that her parents would never accept it. They would disown her.

She wasn’t worried for herself, but for her child if she was truly pregnant. She needed to start planning now, just to be sure. Plan after plan. She couldn't just think of one plan—she needed several.

She knew her parents. They would ruin her life, and her child would be dragged into it as well.

She placed her hand on her stomach. "Don’t worry, my child. Even if everyone turns their back on us, I will never leave you."

She was already on the verge of tears, knowing that an innocent child would feel the cruelty of the world, even from their own family. A family that was supposed to love and treat them right, but she knew the opposite would happen.

Their anger at her would be directed at her child. She was ready to face it all, even willing to take a bullet for her baby.

"It’s you and me, baby, against the world."

"What’s your plan now?" her friend Kee asked, with their other friend Gem also looking at her, concern visible in their eyes.

After taking a pregnancy test, she immediately found out that she was indeed pregnant. I’m pregnant.

She quickly told her friends, as they were the only ones who truly cared for and loved her. She never kept secrets from them.

Especially now that she knew she would need their help. Now that it was confirmed that she was pregnant, she needed to be careful.

"I’m sorry, we should have looked out for you better. If only we. . ." Kee, ever sentimental, began.

" I’m going to have a niece or nephew! " Gem cut in excitedly.

" But what’s your plan? I know your parents. They’re ruthless, especially your so-called father , " Gem added.

" Gem’s right. Sofi , we need to come up with a plan. We can’t risk anything happening to my future niece or nephew . "

" I’m leaving. I’m taking my child far away from here . "

Kee and Gem exchanged glances. " Tell us your plan. We’ll help you escape . "

Two months had passed , and her baby was now eight weeks old. Her belly had grown a bit , so she had to wear oversized shirts to hide her baby bump.

Over the past months , she had begun executing her plan. Freedom was slowly embracing her. She could finally sleep peacefully at night , without fearing for her baby’s safety.

That evening, she sat with her parents at the dinner table , but she didn’t let on that she was pregnant. Even though the smell of fried fish made her want to throw up , she managed to keep it in , despite her stomach churning.

" I’m introducing you to the son of my friend. Don’t embarrass me , " her stepfather ordered.

" Honey, I thought you were going to introduce Sofia to Mr. Santillias’ son? " her mother asked, though Sofia wasn’t fooled into thinking her mother would defend her. She never had.

" My friend is richer than the Santillias family . " Her stepfather was always about money.

I remained silent, not paying them any attention. I didn’twant to give them any reason to hurt me. Not anymore , especially since I was carrying a child. As long as I could, I would not give them any reason to punish me.

Let’s play the part of a good servant for now, baby. We’ll be okay.

After dinner , she quietly retrieved an envelope containing her fake documents—false name, fake age, and a new identity , which meant freedom. If she used her real papers, they would find her right away , and that was the last thing she wanted.

She timed her departure perfectly. Her parents were out , and they had given the household staff the day off. Manang didn’t want to leave her alone , but her parents didn’t care, so Manang had no choice but to go.

She went to the surveillance room to disable the CCTV cameras so she could leave without being noticed. After that , she quietly made her way out.

Her friends were waiting for her outside, ready to help her escape from the house she had never truly felt at home in.

Gem greeted her with a hug. " Everything is ready. Your suitcase is in the car . "

Kee took her hand and gently pulled her toward the car. " Let’s go, before anyone sees us . "

The drive was quiet, and the tension in the air was palpable. Kee was focused on driving , while Sofia’s heart weighed heavy. She didn’t want to leave them, but she had no choice. They had their lives here, but she had her baby’s life to protect.

When they arrived at the airport, Kee and Gem helped her load her suitcase onto a cart , though she only had one.

Kee suddenly burst into tears, while Gem’s eyes were also filled with unshed tears. Sofia would miss them so much.

" The trio will never be the same without you, Sof , " Kee sobbed. That was what they called themselves—The Trio.

" But our love will remain , " Gem added, her voice cracking with emotion.

" Long live the trio , " they all said in unison, their words hanging in the air as Sofia turned her back on her friends and the country she had grown up in.

Because of greedy, cruel people, she was forced to leave.

I’ll protect you, baby. One day, I’ll tell you how your two aunts helped us escape from those who wanted to hurt us.