Claire’s anxiety grew as she paced around the living room, while Andrew pulled into the driveway and hurriedly made his way inside.
Spotting Claire’s restlessness, he approached her with concern. Claire noticed him and rushed towards him. “I couldn’t hear you clearly. What were you saying on the phone?” he asked, noticing the tears welling up in Claire’s eyes. She gazed into Andrew’s eyes and replied, “Chantel is gone, but don’t worry. I’ve asked the bodyguards to search for her and bring her back.” Andrew’s worry intensified, as he couldn’t bear the thought of losing his children. “Why would she want to run away from the house?” he inquired, his gaze fixed on Claire. “I don’t know, baby, but I think she may have realized that we are only interested in her children,” Claire responded. Andrew’s frustration boiled over, and he exclaimed, “Noooooo… I can’t let her take my kids away. I will find a way to locate her, and this time, when she gives birth, we will have to put an end to her disruptions, since she refuses to seek peace.” Claire wondered what he meant by “putting an end” to Chantel. “What do you mean? Are you suggesting that we should kill her after she gives birth?” she asked, seeking clarification.
Andrew nodded solemnly. “Yes, baby,” he replied. However, Claire disagreed with his drastic proposal. “I don’t want to have anyone’s blood on my hands, baby. We can simply offer her money and send her away, or even threaten her never to return. I’m certain she wouldn’t dare, considering her poverty and lack of support,” she suggested. Meanwhile, the bodyguards returned, but Claire and Andrew failed to notice their arrival with Chantel. “What happened? Where is Chantel? Why didn’t you come back with her?” he inquired, prompting Claire to raise her voice and demand an explanation. “We apologize, sir, but we lost track of her,” he responded, causing Andrew to shout in disbelief. “What!? How could you lose track of her? You know what, I want you to find her and bring her back to the house as soon as possible,” he commanded, angrily dismissing them from his sight. They left, leaving Claire to collapse onto the couch, sobbing uncontrollably.
Andrew approached her, offering comfort and solace. “I thought we were going to start a family, but Chantel ruined that opportunity. She wants to make me unable to have children, to humiliate me in front of the world,” she lamented. Andrew held her hand, assuring her. “I will never allow that to happen, my love.
I will ensure she faces the consequences for making you shed tears. We will find her, no matter the cost. I promise you,” he vowed, embracing Claire tightly. Just then, her cellphone rang, and she retrieved it from her pocket. Glancing at the caller ID, she saw that it was her mother calling. “Hello, Mum,” she greeted, her voice filled with emotion.
Her mother immediately sensed her distress. “Darling, are you alright?” her mother inquired, recognizing the sound of her tears. “Not at all, Mum. I just need you by my side to console me right now,” she confessed, leaving her mother concerned. She wondered what could be the problem, or if Claire had indeed lost her pregnancy as she had previously lied to her mother. “Alright, dear. I will book a flight to California immediately,” her mother assured her, already worried. “Are you sure you can still make it to California? Mom, I don’t want to bother you too much because I know you must be stressed after work and I understand how stressful the traffic in Washington can be,” she says. “Don’t worry, dear. I’ll be on my way,” her mom reassures her before ending the call and ordering a ticket to California. “My mom will be coming today. I told her to stay, but she insisted on coming today,” she tells Andrew, who looks on. Henry drives them to his grand mansion, and they both step out of the car and walk into the living room. Henry drops his briefcase. “Welcome to my house,” he says, and Chantel looks around, impressed. “You have a beautiful house,” she compliments, and Henry smiles. “Thank you,” he responds, then calls for his maid. He introduces Chantel to the maid and instructs them to show her to her room. Chantel follows the maid, while Henry is helped with his briefcase. He walks upstairs to Chantel’s room and knocks on the door. “Can I come in?” he asks, and Chantel answers, “Yes.” He opens the door and enters. “Why would you ask for my permission before entering the room? This is your house,” she questions, and Henry walks closer, holding her hand. “I want you to feel comfortable. Just because I’ve given you shelter doesn’t mean I can barge into your room whenever I like. So, I’ll always knock before entering,” he explains, and Chantel smiles. “Alright, you want to treat me as your guest,” she says, laughing. “No, I’m treating you as a friend I used to know a long time ago,” he clarifies, and Chantel looks into his eyes, feeling regretful that she’s already pregnant and fearing that Henry may never be interested in her again. “What are you thinking about?” he asks, and Chantel removes her hand from his and walks to the other side of the room, closer to the window. “Nothing, I’m fine,” she says, but tears start to well up in her eyes. “I am aware of your thoughts,” he declares as Chante gazes at him, drawing nearer. “I know you are contemplating the invisible man who impregnated you, but I promise you this. I will always safeguard you and stand by your side.
I will ensure justice is served, and I will take care of you and your unborn children,” he assures, causing Chantel to become emotional and embrace him tightly. “Thank you,” she whispers, struggling to contain her emotions. As the evening progresses and the clock strikes 9pm, a car arrives at the Smith residence.
Claire peeks out of the window and spots the driver unloading a suitcase from the car’s trunk. She recognizes her mother stepping out of the vehicle and rushes outside to embrace her. “Mum! I’ve missed you so much,” she exclaims, holding her mother tightly. “I’ve missed you too, dear,” her mother replies, leading her into the living room. The maids take care of her mother’s suitcase and place it in the guest room. Her mother notices that Claire is not pregnant. “I had a feeling when you sounded emotional on the phone,” she remarks, leaving Claire puzzled. “What do you mean, Mum?” she asks, and her mother points at her belly. Claire lowers her head, remembering that she had lied to her mother about being pregnant. “I sensed your emotions over the phone. It means you lost the pregnancy, but don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll conceive again,” her mother reassures her. Andrew enters the living room, greeting Claire’s mother with a warm embrace. “How are you, Andrew?” she inquires, and Andrew responds with a smile, saying he is fine. “I’m sorry for the loss of your baby,” Claire’s mother expresses, causing Andrew and Claire to exchange glances. “Um… it’s alright, but I think I’ll leave you both to talk. I’ll be upstairs in the room,” he says, kissing Claire on the forehead before departing. “My dear, listen to me. You don’t need to worry too much because you will be fine. This is not the end of the world,” her mother consoles, and tears well up in Claire’s eyes. “Mum! I need to tell you something,” she says, catching her mother’s attention. They both make their way to the couch and take a seat. “What is it that you want to confess?” Her mum asks, holding her hand. “I lied to you, Mum. I told you I was pregnant, but the truth is, I was never pregnant,” she admits, causing her mum to let go of her hand. “What do you mean?” Her mum asks, puzzled. Claire avoids looking her mum in the eyes. “A few months ago, the doctor told Andrew and me that I am unable to have children. I was so angry and frustrated, so Andrew and I decided to drug our maid, Chantel, so that he could have sex with her without her knowing. Weeks later, they confirmed that she was pregnant, and I was overjoyed at the thought of becoming a mother. Then, they discovered she was having twins, and Andrew and I were ecstatic.
But now, she’s disappeared, and it seems like she wants to expose my secret to the world. She wants everyone to know that I’m barren, even though Andrew and I have stable jobs and a home. She’s an orphan with no one, and she wants to ruin my life,” she confesses, tears streaming down her face. “You did all of this without involving me? If you had told me, I could have found someone else for you who wouldn’t let you down. Now, she doesn’t even know who the father of her children is. Poor girl,” her mum says, anger evident in her voice. “What’s your plan now? What are you going to do?” Her mum asks, concerned. Claire thinks about how her stepsister, Chantel, could have been helpful if she hadn’t been chased away. “If only you hadn’t driven Chantel away, she could have been of use to me. She wouldn’t have run away like my maid did,” she says, frustrated. “I did it for your own good, Claire.
I had to make her leave so that she wouldn’t have a share in your father’s properties. I was scared because when I sent you to Canada to study, your dad was showing her a lot of love. I was afraid she might win your dad’s heart.
That’s why I decided to move to Washington with our dad, so that she would never know where we were,” her mom explained. Then, she remembered that Claire’s maid was also named Chantel. “What is your maid’s name again?” her mom asked. “I know what you’re thinking, mom. She’s not the same Chantel we know. Why wouldn’t I recognize my own stepsister, even though I hate her?” Claire replied. “You went to Canada when you were ten, and it’s possible you don’t recognize her anymore because it’s been a very long time,” her mom reasoned.
Claire thought about it as well. “You said she’s an orphan?” her mom inquired, and Claire nodded. “Yes, mom,” she replied. “Do you have a clear picture of her?” her mom asked, and Claire remembered that she had kept a selfie they took together when they found out she was pregnant. “Yes, mom, I have a picture of her. Give me a few minutes,” she said, searching for the picture on her cellphone. She found it and showed it to her mom. “Take a look, mom,” she said, and her mom recognized her immediately. She stood up and stared at her. “It’s Chantel, your stepsister,” her mom said, leaving Claire shocked. “What? What have I done? This could cause me to lose my husband,” she exclaimed. Her mom told her to take a seat, and they both sat down. “What do you mean?” her mom asked. Andrew desires these children greatly and he will never release them. If he were to discover that Chantel is my stepsister, I cannot fathom the consequences. I cannot bear to lose Andrew, just as I lost Henry to her years ago. I am relieved that she will never have the opportunity to lay her eyes on Henry again,” she expresses with anger. “Forget about Henry and focus on Andrew. Remember, you are married and Andrew is powerful and wealthy. Henry is now in your past. I heard that Henry has returned to the country and is searching for us, but I informed him that Chantel has left the house and that I am now in Washington,” her mother advises, attempting to divert Claire’s attention. “Do you have Henry’s contact information, Mum? Why didn’t you inform me about all of this?” she inquires. “I do not have his contact information, and I knew that if I had told you, it would distract you from the marriage you have been building,” her mother explains.
“Henry and I are just childhood friends, and it wouldn’t be a terrible idea to see him once more,” she suggests. “It is a bad idea because if you were to meet him, something might happen between the two of you since you still have feelings for him,” her mother warns. “It’s unacceptable for you to behave that way, especially since you’re married. You need to show respect for your husband and your home. I don’t want you to lose him to your stepsister, I thought you loved him,” her mother scolds. “I love my husband, I could never lose him to that foolish Chantel,” she insists. “Then figure out a way to locate her and eliminate her so that those children can be yours. Remember, you and Chantel share the same blood, so it wouldn’t be wrong for you to claim her children as your own,” her mother suggests, and Claire, though taken aback, smiles. “You’re right, mom, but I have no clue where she is,” she admits. “Don’t worry, that’s why I’m here with you. I’ll make sure we find her. She must still be in California, unable to fend for herself, let alone her children. I always find a way to get things done. I promise you, Claire, I will locate her. I’ll do anything to make you happy,” her mother reassures, and Claire embraces her. “Thank you, mom,” she expresses her gratitude. “Don’t mention it, dear. You’re my daughter, and I’ll do whatever it takes for you,” her mother replies. “How’s dad?” she inquires. “He’s been busy with work, but he’s doing well,” her mother responds, as Claire begins to strategize on how to track down Chantel’s whereabouts.