Chapter 27
977 Words
Caroline's POV
“Caro, you can’t just walk away from this,” Peter had said firmly in the hospital corridor, his hand catching my wrist as I tried to leave.
His eyes were stormy, that possessive intensity back in full force. “We’re going home to fix this shit.... Together whether you like it or not.”
I had pulled free, heart pounding. “Watch me.” My eyes were blazing with anger and unshed tears.
But Peter’s phone had rung then... He stared at Cerene then at me with a firm look on his face. Then he had glanced at the screen, jaw tight, and muttered, “Stay here. I’ll be back in an hour.”
With one last warning look, he had strode off toward the private elevator, Marcus trailing behind him like a little puppy.
I didn’t waste time....I slipped out of the hospital and checked into a quiet hotel on the outskirts of the city, ignoring the dozens of missed calls that followed. The silence in the room felt like a fragile shield. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my phone, wondering if I could actually make the lawsuit stick.
That’s when it buzzed with an unknown number. I answered cautiously.
“Caroline? It’s Cerene.” Her voice was soft, almost broken. “Please… don’t do this. I’ve lost everything. I need help.”
Before I could respond, the line clicked and another voice joined...,my mother’s. Cerene had clearly conference-called them in.
“Darling, Cerene reached out to us in tears,” my mother said smoothly, as if this were a normal family chat. “She’s devastated. We’re coming to get her stabilized. You need to stop this nonsense before it ruins us all.”
I gripped the phone tighter, my pulse racing. *Of course. She’s already rallying them...They would do anything for their favourite daughter.* “You’re helping her? After what she did?”
Cerene’s sniffles came through the line. “I told them the truth, Caroline. I was scared. I made a mistake by being sick and facing a miscarriage.....Our parents understand.”
“You are so twisted. .... Is that all you gat?“ I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I clutched the phone tightly in my hand.
My father’s voice joined next, gruff and authoritative. “Enough drama. Come to the house, Caroline. We’ll sort this as a family. Peter doesn’t need to be burdened with every little detail right now.”
The call ended with my mother’s parting words: “We expect you within the hour...no exceptions.”
I stared at the phone, a bitter taste rising in my throat.... but another part....the one still clinging to some foolish part wanted to see how far they would go to support her..and so....i drove myself there. I needed to see it all.
The Thompson family home loomed as imposing as ever when I arrived. A maid let me in quietly. I walked into the living room to find Cerene already seated comfortably between my parents on the sofa, a fresh blanket over her legs and a cup of tea in her hands.
“Caroline, you will drop this ridiculous lawsuit immediately,” my mother said the second I entered, her tone brooking no argument.
I stopped short, arms crossed. “Why should I? She staged everything. You know it. I know it.”
My father leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “This isn’t about truth, Caroline. It’s about protecting the family name. Cerene has suffered enough after losing the baby.”
*Family name.* The words burned. I paced slowly, my mind churning with memories of the drugged tea, the inheritance papers, and Cerene’s triumphant little smile in that very room days ago. Peter was temporarily out of the picture, handling his empire, while my parents enabled Cerene’s games in the shadows. How convenient for her.
Cerene dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, voice trembling perfectly. “I never meant for any of this, Caroline. The pills… I was in so much pain. Confused. Your threats scared me into panic.”
“Confused?” I laughed bitterly, stopping to glare at her. *She’s rehearsed this.* “You announced they were abortion pills and blamed me right there in the ward. Now you’ve dragged these two into covering for you while Peter’s not around?”
My mother rose gracefully, smoothing her skirt. “We’ve already spoken to contacts at Lockwood Memorial. The reports can be clarified. No need for a messy public suit. You’ve always been the jealous one, dear. Peter doesn’t need more stress on top of his responsibilities.”
The label stung as it always did. I felt the familiar weight of their disappointment crushing me, but this time it only fueled my resolve.
*They’re choosing her again. Supporting every devious move because it keeps control in their hands.
“You’re supporting her schemes,” I said, voice low but steady. “Drugging your own daughter, forcing signatures, and now shielding her lies. Does he know how deep you’re in this with her?”
My father’s expression remained stone-cold. “Peter knows what he needs to. Drop the suit, or we’ll make sure he hears a very different story......one where you’re the manipulator harassing a grieving woman. We have influence too, Caroline.”
Cerene reached out a trembling hand, eyes wide and pleading. “Please… let’s end this pain. For the family’s sake.”
I met her gaze, seeing the calculation beneath the tears. My fists clenched. The betrayal from my own blood ran deeper than Peter’s control ever could.
“No,” I replied firmly, turning toward the door. “I won’t drop anything. This ends when you stop pretending to be the victim, Cerene.”
My mother’s sharp voice followed me. “Then don’t say we didn’t warn you, Caro.”
- Writer
