Claire paced nervously in the living room, her mind racing. Just then, Andrew pulled into the driveway, his car engine roaring before silence enveloped the house. He jumped out, rushing through the front door, his expression a mix of concern and urgency.
"Claire! What's wrong? I couldn't hear you clearly on the phone," he said, his eyes searching hers for answers.
Claire's eyes brimmed with tears as she met his gaze. "Chantel is gone. But don't worry—I've asked the bodyguards to search for her and bring her back."
Andrew's face twisted in worry. "Why would she want to run away? We can't afford to lose the kids, Claire!" His voice was strained, as if the weight of their situation threatened to crush him.
"I don't know, baby. Maybe she noticed we're only interested in her children," Claire replied, her voice trembling.
Andrew's frustration boiled over. "No! I can't let her take my kids away. I'll find a way to get her back. When she has the baby, we'll have to silence her once and for all. She doesn't want peace," he declared fiercely.
Claire's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean by 'silencing' her? Are you suggesting we should kill her after she gives birth?"
Andrew nodded grimly. "Yes."
Claire recoiled, shaking her head. "I don't want anyone's blood on my hands! We can just give her money and send her away. Threaten her never to come back. She's poor and has no one; she wouldn't dare try it."
Just then, the bodyguards returned, their faces grim. Claire and Andrew rushed to meet them. "What happened? Where's Chantel? Why didn't you bring her back?" Andrew barked, his frustration spilling over.
"We're sorry, sir, but we lost track of her," one of the guards stammered.
Andrew exploded. "What?! How could you lose track of her? I want you to find her and bring her back—now! Get out of my sight!" He waved them away, and they scurried off, heads down.
Claire sank onto the couch, tears spilling down her cheeks. Andrew approached her, wrapping his arms around her. "I thought we were going to have children together. Chantel has ruined everything! She wants the world to laugh at me."
"I won't let that happen," Andrew vowed, squeezing her hand. "I'll make sure she pays for making you shed tears. We'll find her. She has nowhere to go; I promise you that."
Claire's phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking the moment. She pulled it out and saw her mother's name flashing on the screen. "Hello, Mum!" she said, her voice thick with emotion.
"Claire! Are you alright?" Her mother's voice dripped with concern.
"Not really, Mum. I need you here with me right now," Claire admitted, her heart aching.
"I'll board a flight to California right away," her mother replied, worry evident in her tone.
"Are you sure you can make it? I don't want to stress you out after your long day at work. The traffic is terrible," Claire said, guilt creeping in.
"Don't worry about me, dear. I'll be there," her mother reassured her before hanging up. Claire turned to Andrew, who was watching her intently.
"My mum is coming today," she said, a mixture of relief and anxiety in her voice. "I told her to stay, but she insisted."
Meanwhile, across town, Henry pulled into his sprawling mansion. Chantel followed him, her eyes wide as she took in her new surroundings.
"Welcome to my home," he said, setting his briefcase down.
"It's beautiful!" Chantel exclaimed, admiration shining in her eyes.
"Thanks," Henry replied with a smile. He called for his maid, introducing her to Chantel and instructing her to show Chantel to her room. The maid helped Henry with his briefcase, and he walked upstairs to check on Chantel.
"Can I come in?" he knocked gently at her door.
"Yes," Chantel answered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Henry entered and found her standing by the window, deep in thought. "Why do you ask permission to enter your own room?" he said, walking closer.
Chantel smiled faintly. "Because you're treating me as a guest."
"I'm treating you like a friend I once knew," he said, watching her carefully.
"What's on your mind?" he asked when she turned away from him, looking lost in her thoughts.
"Nothing. I'm fine," she replied, but her tears betrayed her.
"I know you're thinking about the guy who got you pregnant," Henry said gently. Chantel turned back to face him, her emotions bubbling to the surface.
"I just…" she started, choking back tears. "Thank you for being here."
"It's my promise to you," he said firmly. "I'll protect you and your unborn children. You won't be alone."
Back at Claire's house, the clock ticked ominously toward 9 PM. Claire peeked through the window as she saw a car pull into the driveway. Her heart raced as she recognized her mother stepping out.
"Mum!" Claire cried, rushing outside to embrace her.
"I've missed you so much!" her mother said, hugging her tightly.
"I missed you too," Claire replied, leading her mother inside as the maids took her suitcase to the guest room. Her mother glanced at Claire's belly, noticing its flatness.
"I figured something was wrong when you got emotional on the phone," she said, a knowing look in her eyes.
"What do you mean?" Claire asked, confusion washing over her.
Her mother gestured to Claire's stomach. "You're not pregnant, are you?"
Claire's gaze dropped. "I… I lied to you, Mum. I was never pregnant."
"What do you mean?" her mother asked, eyes widening in disbelief.
"Months ago, the doctor told Andrew and me I can't have children. I was devastated, so we decided to drug our maid, Chantel, so Andrew could sleep with her without her knowing. Weeks later, she turned up pregnant, and we were ecstatic. But now, she's gone, and I feel like the world is laughing at me," Claire confessed, her voice breaking.
Her mother's expression shifted from concern to disappointment. "You did all this and didn't tell me? If you had, I could have helped you find someone who wouldn't betray you. Poor girl, she doesn't even know who the father of her children is."
"What's your plan now?" her mother asked.
Claire sighed. "If only you hadn't chased Chantel away. She could have helped me."
"I did it for your own good, Claire! I was afraid she'd come between you and your father's inheritance. I sent you to Canada so she wouldn't get close to your father," her mother explained.
"Wait, what was your maid's name again?" she asked suddenly.
"Chantel," Claire replied, her heart racing.
"Chantel is your stepsister!" her mother gasped.
"What?" Claire was stunned. "What have I done? This could ruin everything!"
Her mother sat down, urging her to do the same. "What do you mean?"
"If Andrew finds out Chantel is my stepsister, I don't know what might happen. I can't lose him like I lost Henry," Claire said, anger bubbling inside her.
"Forget Henry. Focus on your marriage. Andrew is powerful and wealthy; he's your future," her mother insisted.
Claire shook her head. "But what if Henry comes back? I can't have Chantel near him!"
"I heard Henry returned to the country looking for us, but I told him you were in Washington and Chantel had left," her mother said, concern etched on her face.
"Do you have Henry's number?" Claire asked, desperation creeping in.
"I don't have it. I didn't want you distracted from your marriage," her mother replied.
"It's just a meeting! What if I want to see him again?" Claire pressed.
"It's not a good idea. You still have feelings for him," her mother warned.
"I just want to know how it feels to be with him one last time," Claire countered, determination in her eyes.
Her mother slapped her. "I didn't raise you this way! You're married; respect your vows! Don't lose Andrew to Chantel!"
"I won't! I'll do anything to keep him," Claire swore.
"Then find Chantel and make sure those children are yours," her mother advised.
Claire's mind raced. "I don't know where she is."
"Don't worry. I'm here to help you. She's still in California, and I have my ways," her mother said confidently.
"Thank you, Mum," Claire said, tears in her eyes.
"Don't mention it. I'll do anything for you," her mother replied, hugging her tightly.
"How's Dad?" Claire asked, changing the subject.
"He's busy with work, but he's fine," her mother said, her eyes glinting with affection for her husband.
Claire took a deep breath, ready to face whatever lay ahead. She would find Chantel and protect her future. She couldn't let anyone ruin her chances of becoming a mother, especially not her own stepsister.