Chapter 3 03
Vanessa's POV
My eyes almost popped out of their sockets. How did she get to know my mom? I had really underestimated her.
"What the hell are you doing here, Bernice?"
A mischievous smrik played on her lips. "Nothing much. Just came to say hi to my parents."
It took a moment for her words to sink in.
"Mom, what the hell is she on about?" Hysteria had my words almost incoherent.
"It's as she said. Bernice is our daughter." My dad's voice sounded behind me, casual and flat.
I turned to face him, scoffing incredulously.
"Are you saying that this backstabbing cunt is my sister?"
"Sister?" He shook his head as he went to take a seat beside mom.
"Stop being delusional, Vanessa! Did you really believe that we were your biological parents? We only adopted you when you were very wrong. We trained you like our own daughter while our biological daughter suffered in some orphanage shelter."
"You got a job at Hayes Holding thanks to us, all we asked in return was for you to marry Elliot. But you had to guts to ask for divorce from him!"
The absurdity in their words hit me speechless and my body shuddered with panic.
They adopted me?
No! This couldn't be true!
"Mom? Dad? Why are you guys doing this to me? None of this is true, right?" My voice choked out.
She just shrugged. "Quit acting like you are innocent! If you had just stayed put without causing trouble, none of this would have happened!"
"But you had to tell Elliot that we were blackmailing his family! You even had the audacity to delete the video from our flashdrive!"
Their accusations ignited rage in me and angry tears streamed down my face.
"Did you really blackmail the Hayes?" I all but screamed. "Even if I wasn't your biological daughter, how could you use me this way?"
"Oh, please. Enough with the crocodile tears." My mom remarked.
Raw contempt filled my heart at her words. No! They were too shameless and they didn't deserve my tears.
I wiped my tears and glared at them with equal disdain.
"Yes, you raised me well, but that doesn't excuse this evil act." I said calmly. "But remember today's date because I will return to three of you every bit of what you did to me!"
Without waiting for their reactions, I yank the door open and bolted out. But Bernice followed me.
"You thought I didn't know you were pregnant?" She called after me.
I ignored her, crossing the intersection quickly and praying I would see a taxi. Unfortunately, there was none.
She soon caught up with me, wicked amusement flickering in her gaze.
I glared at her. "What do you want?"
Before I could see through her next move, she grabbed a handful of my hair.
"You think I will let you tell Elliot that you carry his child?" Her voice shook with venom..
I struggled to get free from her grip but she was stronger.
"Your nude pictures are in my possession. And I'll release it on the internet if you try any funny moves. It wouldn't matter if it's fake or not. It will damge your reputation."
As much as I would hate to admit, terror gripped me. Seeing what she did today alone, I knew she was capable of what she said.
I was about to say something when she suddenly laughed. "Or, maybe I should just make you legally disappear!"
A truck blared its horn in the distance and the meaning of her words became clearer.
"Let go of me!" I yelled but her grip tightened.
"Let her go immediately!" A cold voice sounded behind us.
Asher?
Oh! Thank Goodness!
He pushed Bernice to the ground and whisked me off my feet as though I weighed nothing. He didn't put me down until we reached his Rolls Royce.
"Thank you so much." I muttered quietly.
He nodded as he opened his car. "Where are you headed? I could drop you off."
At this rate, he could as well turn to my personal driver. But I needed his help badly.
"The airport." My voice shook. "The nearest one, please."
He flicked me a confused gaze but he said nothing as he motioned for me to get into the car.
"So, how did you know I was here?" I asked as we drove on.
"You forgot your scarf, so, I wanted to return it and I—" he hesitated.
"Well, I heard about the divorce, so I figured you'd be with your parents."
He gave me the handkerchief and I muttered something along the lines of "thank you" or maybe not.
I just didn't want to remember the divorce now.
His car soon pulled into the parking lot at the airport and I alighted, avoiding his gaze.
"Thanks for the lift." I told him, immediately turning to go.
I couldn't explain how he moved so fast but he was soon blocking my path, concern etched deep on his face.
"I'm sorry about the divorce." His voice was unexpectedly soothing. "This is my card, if you need anything at all. Even if it's just to talk, you can give me a call."
With that, he turned around, got into his car and drove off, leaving me to stare at the retreating Rolls Royce.
When I turned back, a gasp escaped my lips. A man with too many scars on his face was in front of me.
I took two steps backwards only to slam into another person.
"Don't scream, just follow us quietly or things could get real ugly." The scarfaced one warned.
But I didn't listen. I screamed and dashed towards the rear. This was definitely Bernice's work. Maybe I should have told Asher I was feeling unsafe.
Darting into the convenience area, I entered one of the stalls and locked myself. Without wasting time, I dialed the digits on the contact card Asher gave me.
The line rang but he wasn't picking. My whole body trembled with panicbas I tried again. It was still ringing when I heard the door of the convenience creaking open.
Footsteps followed.
"I know you're there. Just come out as we don't have to hurt you."
I recognized the voice of the scarfaced man.
My pulse quickened as I held my breath. Then suddenly, my phone rang out loud. Before I could turn it off, the door to the stall yanked open.
Using all my strength, I pushed past the man but the other one swung at me and I doubled to the ground.
All my bones felt numb but I managed to ask, "who sent you bastards?"
"You don't need to know. Just know that this is the price you have to pay for daring to carry the CEO's baby without telling him so that you can stab him in the back in the future."
I gasped. Did Elliot find out already? Was he the one who sent them not Bernice?
I didn't enough time to even think further before the scarfaced man brought out a syringe and stabbed it at my neck.
But in that second, the door flew open and a collosus of a man barged in and took the two men down in one fell swoop.
That was the last thing I saw before my blood boiled too hot and I was plunged into darkness.
When I came to again, I was in a richly decorated room.
From the vanity mirror to the expensive Persian rugs that sat on the hardwood floors, the room screamed of pure luxury.
My confused gaze darted around the room until it fell on an elderly man dressed in an expensive three piece suit.
"My princess!" He exclaimed, smiling warmly. "You're finally awake!"
I furrowed my brows. "Who are you?"
