"What? You are pregnant?" It was Keagan Morgan's roaring voice.
Cassie followed what Rona suggested, and now, she was inside her father's office. She didn't bother to go back to his mansion. She doesn't want to see his new wife and her half-sister. When she called him last night, she told him they needed to talk.
And as expected, this will be his reaction. He's in a rage. She can feel it. The atmosphere inside is so thick that she can't even breathe. Even Rona's grip on her arm tightened.
Her father stood up from his seat and glared at her. "You knew that you were engaged. What a wh*re are you? You let another man touch you? You don't even attend every dinner meeting with your fiancé. You're a shame!"
She bit her lower lip as she bowed her head.
"Who the f*ck is the father?"
"I… I don't know—"
"Bullsh*t! You had s*x with someone you don't know? Stupid!"
She clenched her fist and lifted her head to face him. "I can't marry Drake, Dad. I am pregnant—"
"No! You will marry him! And with your pregnancy, you will give birth to your child, but I will handle the rest. I will send the baby away. Maybe in an orphanage—"
"Y-You can't do that, Dad. This is my baby. I will raise—" She didn't finish her words when he slammed his desk.
"You listen to me! You gave me enough headaches because of your stubbornness. You're disobeying me now? I am doing my best for you and your future. I am doing everything for your own good and Mira's."
She scoffed. "You can't hold my life and give every decision, Dad. I am old enough to think about what is best for me. I respected you all my life. You're once my hero, but forcing me to do this, I see you as the villain."
"Bullsh*t! Is that what you get by mingling with your so-called friends?"
She gritted her teeth. "Don't mention my friends. They even love me more than you do."
Her father laughed as if she had let out a good joke. "Love you? I am the only one who—"
"Stop it, Dad. I will raise this child. And if you think this really affects your agreement with the Carters, why don't you let Mira marry Drake instead of me?"
He didn't respond in a minute, and she seized that opportunity to drag Rona outside her father's office.
As soon as they got out, Rona slapped her slightly on her shoulder. "See. You're brave," she asserted, seemingly proud of what she did.
She was happy she didn't cry out loud and beg her father this time. She felt a light of relief. So, this is the feeling of defending her rights?
"You can't let your father control your life, Cici. Don't feel guilty about stating what is right. You did it for you and your baby. However, you still have to be careful."
She nodded her head as she let out a smile at Rona. "Thank you."
THE NEXT DAY, Cassie was busy reading the files of her in-patient and out-patient when the door of her office banged open. She dropped the pen and frowned.
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, well, well. Look at the ugly, fat woman in a white coat, living a life as if she's not a shame—"
"If you're here to ruin my day, just leave, Mira."
Mira showed a fake hurtful face and strode near Cassie's desk. "Look, sister, Dad decided I would take your place just to cover up your shameless action."
She smirked. "Good for me."
Mira arched her brow and slammed the table. "And I am here to warn you. Never ever get near my fiancé."
She scoffed. "Sure. My pleasure."
Mira stood up straight and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Are you mocking me?"
"Mock you?" she laughed sarcastically. "I should be thanking you. You save me. And this is the first time that you visit me, sister."
"You're such a b*tch. Your sweet voice gives me chills. You're fake."
She leaned on the backrest of her swivel chair and stared at her. "Fake? Am I?"
"Your face is as thick as your belly fat! Yuck! Gross! Drake will never like you. And you know what, we're getting married next year, January," Mira said proudly.
Cassie nodded and smiled. "Congratulations. However, why don't you get married tomorrow?"
Mira flipped her hair and sat on the chair. "Dad said he needs your signature first to withdraw the first agreement."
She frowned. "He can just tear the papers and make a new one."
Mira glared at her. "Do you think it's easy? The agreement is legal and has the power of attorney. And you knew the Carters—"
"Why? Dad is afraid of them? Isn't he powerful?"
Mira let out a villainous laugh. "Until now, you're a stupid bitch. Dad's company has been robbed, and we need the Carters. And I am here to warn you also to hide your pregnancy because once the Carters find out, we're doomed."
'What? I don't get them. Why did Dad's company get robbed? How did that happen?'
"You guys are complicated—"
"And this is your fault, you whore!" Mira exclaimed as she stood up.
Cassie was in the blank space after Mira left. She was wondering how her father got robbed. However, she doesn't want to get involved. Mira, as Drake's new fiancé, gives her a tint of relief. This means she was free.
'Am I?'
She sighed and grabbed her phone from the side, and called Rona.
"What's up?"
"I need your help."
The other line went silent for a minute. "About what?"
"Help me escape."
"What?" she grimaced when she raised her voice.
"I don't know, but I need to leave."
"Wait for me. I'm coming," Rona said after she dropped her call.
Minutes later, the door opened. "What do you mean by leaving?"
"I have a bad feeling. I don't know, but my instinct told me that Theo has something to do with the robbery of my father's company."
Rona walked closer to her. "What are you talking about? Why would Theo go after your father's company? Are you insane?"
She bit her lower lip. She shook her head. "I don't know what to think anymore. How did someone rob the company? Dad is very strict when it comes to money. He knew every transaction in and out of the company. Mira came here earlier, and she warned me. I think it's best to leave this place."
She knew Rona was confused. She can see it on her face. "I can't swallow the information. Say your instincts are true, then it's not safe anymore. And what does Theo need from you?"
She shook her head. "I don't know."
Rona pinched the bridge of her nose to calm herself. She knows she's overthinking too.
"We must think of a place where no one knows and follows you."
She nodded.
"Until when do you plan to hide?"
"Two years or more."
"This is not just about Theo, right?"
"Yes."
"Fine. I'll help you. I have a vacation house. It will be great for you and your unborn child. But it's far."
Cassie smiled. "It's fine. For my baby's safety—"
"You're just being paranoid, Cici. But I will not stop you with your decision. If you knew it was best for you and the baby, then I am willing to help."
"Thank you so much, Ro."
"But still… I can't get it," Rona shook her head.
"Maybe Theo's after me because of what I witnessed that night."