Left Without A Choice

They weren't content enough with just controlling her life. Now, they squeeze her dry by trying to sell her to the highest bidder like some scarce antique painting.

Phoebe couldn't take it anymore and excused herself but Melinda stopped her before she could walk away. "Where are you going? Our important visitors will arrive soon and you should be here to welcome them."

"I have to use the toilet, grandma." Phoebe replied, but in truth she just wanted to breathe some fresh air and escape the suffocating atmosphere inside the banquet hall.

Melinda couldn't find an excuse to hold her back and Phoebe was given permission. However before she was allowed to leave, she received another reminder. "Come back here as soon as you finish so I can introduce you to Mr. Lorenzo."

She understood and obediently nodded.

As soon as she could, Phoebe left the room, several prying eyes followed her like a CCTV camera until she disappeared behind the door. She released the breath she wasn't aware she was holding once she's out and leaned against the wall.

Her tired eyes fluttered close. She asked herself how her ordinary life escalated from bad to worse in a small amount of time. Had she led a sinful life in her past life to deserve all this?

She bit her lips and prayed everything would be just an ugly nightmare and once she opened her eyes she would be back to her old and ordinary self, not remain like a heroine with a miserable sob story in some dramatic novel.

But then, the sting combined with the metallic taste of blood from her bottom lip only made it too realistic to be just a dream.

Her eyes fluttered in resignation. She eased the weight off her chest by releasing it in a sigh but it did not work like she hoped. The weight was still there, refusing to leave no matter what she did.

Suddenly, she had the urge to burst into frustrated tears right there and then but when she realized it won't solve her problems, she restrained her wayward emotions and pulled herself together.

She would rather spend her energy sorting her life rather than waste it sulking over spilled milk.

"Can we talk?"

She looked up and found herself staring at a pair of electric blue eyes, the eyes she once thought were the prettiest she had ever seen, but looking at them now reminded her of the ocean's depths: cold, dark, and dangerous.

"Is there a problem Sophie?" She tried faking a smile but failed. It was hard to smile to the woman who tried to destroy her life several times and act like nothing's wrong.

Sophie swept the hallway with her gaze to make sure no one was watching, and then pulled her to a room and closed the door behind them.

"First of all, I want to apologize for what our father said at the dinner table." She began, but Phoebe couldn't feel an ounce of sincerity coming from her. "Mom had been rash too so I would also like to apologize for her action."

"It's not your fault so you don't have to."

"I know but I just felt they said too much and thought to make you feel better by giving an apology on their behalf."

"As I said you don't  have to. I am used to Dad's cold treatment anyway and his words don't hurt one bit." Phoebe lied, deciding to return already before Melinda came thundering at her with lectures for not heeding her orders.

However, before she could reach the knob, a gentle hand on her arm stopped her. "You shouldn't marry Jack Lorenzo!"

Phoebe pulled into a stop.

"Why?" She asked, whirling towards Sophie, and noticing the desperate look in her face.

"He isn't a good man! He is a girlfriend-beater, substance abuser, cheater, and rumored to father three children from different women. On top of that, he's a dirty old man."

The worst scum of the earth. Phoebe thought to herself listening to her step-sister describe the man in the worst way possible. Whoever Jack Lorenzo was like fusing Nick Allistair and Zachary Angelstone into one form and creating a man ten times worse than those two jerks. Thinking about meeting him sends shivers running down her spine.

But then realization hit Phoebe and she began to have doubts.

Why should she believe Sophie, a pathological liar who backstabs even her closest friend?

"I know you still love Nick…" Sophie's grip on her arm tightened. Phoebe realized her step-sister was not going to release her so easily. "You two had a minor fight and I'm sure both of you can talk it out."

So that was what Nick told her step-sister? The scum lied to her then. Perhaps he was too afraid to admit he screwed big time and ruined the plans.

"I will help the two of you run away so you would not end up with a horrible man like Jack Lorenzo."

Sophie had great acting skills and Phoebe almost believed her. Almost.

She completely pulled away from Sophie. "Thank you for being such a caring and kind sister to me. However, I have to solve my problems on my own now without anyone helping me. Don't worry I will never forget what you said tonight."

"I must return now before father gets mad at me again." She left Sophie in the room who just followed her with a disbelieving glance.

On the hallway a servant rushed to meet her with a telephone in hand and informed her a woman named Zoe was on the line.

"Tell her I'm busy." She raised a dismissive hand and continued on her way but she was stopped by the servant. "Er— will your friend be alright? She was in tears."

For their old friendship's sake, Phoebe decided to take the phone, and  prepared herself a bit of drama.

"I'm pregnant." Zoe announced without so much as a warning  just after Phoebe said hello. "I'm pregnant!" She repeated, falling into another hysterical sob.

"Congratulations." Phoebe blandly responded, not the least surprised to hear the news.

"Nick's the father."

"You have my condolences. Good luck raising the child on your own."

"My life's over, Phoebe!" Zoe wailed. "My father just disowned me!"

"You got what you deserve." Phoebe blatantly told her and didn't even bat an eye. "Accept it was partly your fault for not using protection and sort your life together."

"What do I do now I have no money…How am I going to raise this child?"

"Find a job, Zoe and force Nick to pay child support."

"But he refused to take responsibility."

"Then challenge him in court. You'll get more money if you do that." Phoebe released an exasperated sigh and frowned when she realized she sounded like a business consultant.

"Since we broke up, I can't help you now. The only advice I can give you is to grow up since you're going to be a mother."

"I don't want to live anymore Phoebe… My life is over…" She cried in a hoarse whisper. "I can't live like this! I better die with this thing than live in shame!"

"Don't you dare Zoe!"

The call was cut short before Phoebe could speak and when she tried to call Zoe she quit answering. The next thing she knew the phone couldn't be reached anymore.

An ominous thud hit her chest. As someone as immature as Zoe, there was no doubt in her mind she would actually do the unthinkable.