CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 10

LIZZY POV

What did you say? I hear my father's voice, calm yet commanding. There was no time to back down now; I had started a lie, and I had to keep up with it.

"I said I'm pregnant with Ethan's child." I repeated, but this time confidently. I stared at Ethan's face, hoping for a reaction from him, but his face was blank, with no iota of emotion. He stood there like a log of wood struck by lightning.

I averted my gaze back to my father. I watched as he rearranged his seat, relaxing further. For the first time in what felt like forever, my father raised his head to look at me, not with the soft, loving eyes I had wished for but with disappointment. My heart sank in shame. I wonder what must be running through his mind right now. I sighed, waiting for one of them to say something or ask questions at least. It was not like I had an answer prepared; this was all a facade. Something I had blurted out foolishly, the same way I requested that Ethan marry me.

"So, where's the pregnancy result?" Dad asked.

*Crap* I needed to think of something to say fast. "Well, I haven't seen my period in a while and decided to use a kit at home; it turned out with two stripes, signifying that I was pregnant and Ethan was the last person I...I had sex with." I stressed, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

"Uhmm, Ethan, do you have anything to say about this?" Dad turned to face Ethan, who was still motionless and lost in thought.

"Ethannnnn! I asked you a question." Dad's voice rose in fury.

"N..no..no sir!" Ethan managed to utter.

Mr. Douglas cleared his throat and faced me once more before drawing his attention back to Ethan. "This is a serious matter. You both are adults and need to get your shit fixed, but for now, Ethan, I can see you're unfit to resume duty; your promotion has been suspended until this issue is resolved." He declared.

"Yes, sir, and I'm deeply sorry for—"

"You may leave my office." Mr. Douglas raised his hand, dismissing Ethan.

I felt bad watching Ethan struggle to apologize to Dad. It made me rethink my decision. Maybe I shouldn't have begun this whole lie. I stood there stiffened as Ethan walked out of the office with his head in shame.

I turned to take my leave since Dad gave no further instructions.

"Elizabeth," I hear him call out.

"Have your seat." He said, ushering the seat at the front to me.

I obliged to his order, my sitting posture stiff and uncomfortable. It was evident that I was tense.

"Elizabeth." He began slowly, yet with a commanding voice. "I know I haven't been so involved in your growth. I just want to say I'm proud of you and how far you have come."

His words made me well up with emotions. I had always wanted to hear these exact words from him. For him to be proud and happy, for him to look up at me. I managed to control my tears from dripping down my cheeks, hiding them behind little sobs.

"You're an adult now, and I can't decide for you. I also don't know what is going on between you and Ethan, but I hope you handle it right, and i also hope you're not taking my footstep." He paused to take a deep sigh before continuing, "I lost your mother through childbirth, and I wouldn't want the same to happen to you. So whatever decision you make, choose wisely." His tone was emotional as he spoke.

I nodded slowly. The tears were already flowing uncontrollably down my cheeks. I wish I could tell him the truth—that I wasn't expectant and all this was a facade. I wish he had said all these to me while I was growing up. Did I need to be put in a crucial situation to experience fatherly love. I stretched my hands forward to collect the tissue he handed over.

"Thanks, dad," I said.

"You may leave my office now." He replied, noticing I had gained enough composure.

I chuckled as to how he could switch from being soft to professional almost immediately.

I stood up to leave, bowing my head as a sign of appreciation.

"Congratulations Elizabeth. I expect you to maintain professionalism at the office." I heard him say to me while I headed out.

As I stepped out of the office, reality dawned on me. I began a lie I had to continue with. I saw Janet look at me with a sly smile.

"Congratulations ma'am." She said.

I raised my brows, confused about what she must have heard.

"Well, I didn't eavesdrop or anything. Your voices were just...audible," she explained.

"Uhmm, Indeed." I murmured, not buying her cocky story. This gossip, Janet, was part of the reason I was in this mess.

**********

Earlier...

Janet, is my father in there?" I asked, frustrated by my stepsister's recent attitude. Chloe had begun working at the office as requested by Grandma, and she had been a pain in the neck.

Janet looked up from her computer, her expression unreadable. "Yes, he's in there, but he's with Ethan right now."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Chloe's driving me insane. She doesn't know anything about mining, yet she's so adamant about working here. She wants my position. It's clear."

Janet's eyes gleamed with interest. "She does seem quite... determined."

"Determined? She's ass-kissing everyone, painting me as difficult and bad. It's like she's on a mission to turn everyone against me."

Janet leaned back in her chair, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Well, it's not the first time someone's tried to climb the ladder that way."

"But, isn't she your sister?" Janet asked, her eyes beaming with curiousity.

"That's not the point. I need to talk to Dad. I can't deal with this right now." I said, realizing I had been giving gossip to Janet. My frustration was boiling over.

Janet shrugged. "Well, as I said, he's with Ethan. Oh, and did you hear? Ethan's been requesting a transfer."

My heart skipped a beat. "A transfer? When? Why??"

"Just recently. Something that has to do with promotion. It seems he wants to move out of here."

I couldn't lose Ethan, not like this. I was panicking at the thought of him leaving. Without thinking, I marched towards my father's office, bursting the door wide open. I needed to stop Ethan from leaving, and somehow, the first thing that came to mind was claiming I was pregnant.

Back to the present...

I shook my head, trying to focus. I needed to think of my next steps. The door behind me opened, and Ethan stepped out, looking more composed but still troubled.

"Lizzy, can we talk?" His voice was low, almost a whisper.

I nodded, swallowing hard. "Sure, let's go somewhere private."