Chapter 87: Chapter 87
PS: This is a short story about Andrea's foster mother and how she obtained Andrea. ( more of a backstory)
"Christina, are you just going to have an abortion? This is an innocent life we are talking about."Tessa snapped angrily at her sister, who wasn't paying any attention to what she was saying.
She let out a loud snort. "What do you expect me to do? Have this child and go ahead and ruin my life and career. I can't!” She retorted, shooting her with an angry glare.
Tessa released a sigh of frustration, realising her younger sister Christina never listens to anyone and does whatever she wants.
After the abortion was done, Christina felt no single bit of remorse. In fact, she felt more relaxed and fulfilled knowing she wouldn't have to live a stressful life as a teen mother at the age of 17. As she walked out of the hospital, she overheard the nurse's conversation, and her steps came to a halt.
”Guess what? Did you hear Dwayne Graham will be handing over all of his properties to his second son, Lachlan Graham, as long as he gives him a grandchild?
Her jaw clenched, looking down at her stomach and realising it was all too late. She was dating Lachlan Graham for his money in the first place, and he got her pregnant. Realising her aborted child would have been her turning point in life made her wish she could go back in time.
She stomped off from the hospital in deep thought until she finally arrived home. She didn't dare tell her elder sister Tessa the truth; she knew the only thing she'd get was her never-ending scolding.
Unlike her, Tessa had a great life and an amazing and supportive partner who went all out to take care of her and sort out her bills. He wasn't from a wealthy family like her own boyfriend, Lachlan, but rather from an average family, but she couldn't help but feel jealous of her.
As the days went by, the more she felt regrets slowly eating her up. She picked up her phone and composed a text informing him that she was pregnant with their child.
Months went by, and Lachlan truly believed Christina.was carrying his baby and promised her marriage as soon as the baby was born so he could take over his old man's properties.
Thanks to her fake bump, which helped her deceive everyone, even Tessa believed she was carrying a baby until she caught her fixing her fake bump in the bedroom.
Tessa had wanted to tell Lachlan, but Christina went on her knees and pleaded with her sister to keep her secrets.
10 months after
At a small clinic in a suburb area, Tessa came all the way here to meet up with Christina, who had called her earlier, saying she had something important to tell her.
"You don't seem to be in trouble, so what are you up to now?” Tessa asked with her arms wrapped around her chest.
Christina softly bit her lip and slowly released it as she contemplated how to inform Tessa of the reason for her visit.
"Actually, you know, it's been ten months now that I have been faking my pregnancy, right? I met this nurse through a friend who's involved in dirty business; she promised to get me an infant I could claim as mine.
Tessa's eyes ran wide in shock; a scream almost escaped her throat, but Christina placed her palm over her mouth to calm her down.
She threw her hand from her mouth, gasping for breath. "Christina, have you lost it or what? Why do you keep getting yourself into a mess and expect me to clean them up for you?
"I'm not asking you to do anything for me; the only reason I called and told you was because I don't want you to be shocked when you see me with an infant, at least for the time being, before I move into the mansion with my future husband."
Tessa gritted her teeth tightly and angrily spat out her words, "Christina, get this straight. I refuse to be a party to this."
A smirk of satisfaction formed on Christina's lips. "Like you even have a choice, sis. You see, the moment you came here with me, I had already taken a picture of you. Once I give this to the police, you will get arrested."
"And why will I get arrested all because of a picture? Are you doing drugs now, Christina?" Tessa yelled at her.
Her gaze flickered dangerously. "Of course not. I used your phone earlier to communicate with the nurse, and I secretly took a picture of you with that nurse in the background. Guess what? She is a wanted criminal who has been abducting babies for two years now".
"Jesus Christ! You are insane, Christina. Stop this now and let's leave from here and pretend none of this ever happened,” Tessa ordered sternly, only for Christina to scoff while walking into the clinic.
Tessa had no choice but to go after her to see what she was up to this time. She kept trailing behind Christina, who was on a call, and her steps came to a halt outside the doorsteps of a ward.
Her steps also came to a stop. Standing right beside Christina, the door of the room was slightly left open, and Tessa could see a pale-looking, slender lady lying on the bed wearing an oxygen mask.
Beside the small hospital bed, a young boy was seated on a stool, watching a baby that had been placed on the cot. The boy would look at his sick mother on the bed with a worried look every minute, with teary eyes, while trying to pay attention to his baby sister.
Tessa's heart melted at this sight. The little gentleman was still young yet protective of his baby sister and mother. Just as she was snuck up in her fantasy, she noticed a nurse from earlier coming into the room and whispering something into the little boy's ear and making him vacate the room.
The little boy trembled with excitement and dashed past them without sparing them a glance. Tessa followed every one of his movements, but not until he was out of sight did realisation dawn on her.
"Oh no!” Swiftly, she turned around, and as she had just thought, she found the nurse coming out of the ward with the baby.
She stylishly winked at Christina, and just then she tugged on Tessa's arm, saying they needed to leave. Tessa stood there in disbelief, her feet rooted to the spot, and shivers ran down her spine. She couldn't believe her little sister could go all this way just to achieve money and power.
"Let's go! Or do you want us to get caught?” She snapped, and began to pull her out.
Tessa cast a last glance at the poor lady lying on the bed, oblivious that her newborn had been stolen and sold out. She pondered over the condition the woman would be in upon discovering the truth and how the little boy would feel upon realizing he couldn't adequately supervise his sister.
She wept profusely during the entire journey back to their residence. She cast a glance at the helpless infant sleeping in Christina's arms.
"What do you suggest? Should I present her to Lachlan right away?" She questioned, her hazel eyes twinkling in anticipation, only to meet awkward silence.
She rolled her eyes and cast a side glance at Tessa, who was looking out the window. "I know I must be sounding foolish, " she smacked her forehead. "How can I claim to have given birth today and then bring the baby to him straightaway?" she chuckled softly at this.
Tessa felt her throat run dry, and she proceeded to ask the question that had been bothering her: "What if Lachlan doesn't want this child again?"
Her eyes flickered with rage. "You are such an idiot! Always looking for every slightest opportunity to irritate me.” Christina spat furiously.
Weeks went by, and Tessa was the one taking care of the infant. Christina never bothered to bathe, feed, or care for the little baby, always emphasising that the baby should stay alive so she could achieve her aim.
It was all over the news that an infant had been stolen, and reward money would be given to whoever could find the baby or the culprit.
Christina would have been considered a suspect in the crime had it been for the fact that the entire neighbourhood witnessed her fake pregnancy and dropped Ill comments about it.
Christina gazed at herself in the full-length mirror, examining her figure and admiring her new dress purchased from the mall a few days prior.
Today was finally the day she was going to appear right before her boyfriend with their baby, and she could never have been this happy knowing all of her hard work and sacrifices had paid off greatly.