From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea )

Debra looked at Lacy with a mix of frustration and concern, "Silly boy! Do you really think I'm the kind of person who'd turn my back on my own family?"

"Mom, what do you mean?" Lacy blinked in confusion.

Debra continued, "That little hussy is using her pregnancy to threaten me, just because she's scared you won't go through with the wedding. Son, don't worry. Even if we don't cough up that eighty grand, she'll still be walking down the aisle into the Brown family. Then, it won't be me begging her; she'll be begging me!"

“Sarah's pregnant, so I don’t need to worry too much,” Debra thought, “Even if Sarah doesn’t agree, she has no choice. Her belly will get bigger and bigger. Once the months go by, it'll be Sarah who ends up embarrassed.”

"But I promised Sarah we'd definitely pay the eighty grand! How can I go back on my word? What if Sarah gets angry?"

Debra shook her head in exasperation, "You're a grown man, for crying out loud. Why are you scared of her? It's been said since time immemorial that a woman should look up to her husband, not the other way around! Don't you have any backbone? Besides, she's already pregnant. What's the rush? Tell her the wedding is in three months. Take it or leave it! If she's got the nerve, let her try to get an abortion!" Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"What?" Lacy's face turned pale, "You want Sarah to get an abortion?"

Debra patted Lacy's hand reassuringly, "Trust me, son. That girl isn't going to give up the baby that easily. If she did, what bargaining chip would she have left to secure her place in our family?"

Debra knew Sarah all too well. That little hussy was dying to marry into their family and live the high life as the young mistress. How could she possibly give up her child?

With that, Debra added, "Son, right now, she's the one who's pregnant, carrying that baby. Why are you the one worrying?"

Lacy was still uneasy, "But what if she does go abortion?"

"Don't worry, she wouldn't dare," Debra assured him. "Think about it, son. Why do you think that little tramp is so desperate to marry you? It's because of our money! If she aborts the child, what chances would she have to marry into a family like ours? She wouldn't find another catch like us even with a lantern!"

In reality, Lacy thought so, too. From the moment Sarah agreed to be his girlfriend, he knew she was after his money. Otherwise, with her looks, why would she settle for him?

They were simply using each other.

Debra was right. Even if they didn't give Sarah the eighty grand, she wouldn't dare have an abortion. After all, that child was her last trump card.

Hearing this, Lacy nodded, "Alright, Mom, I know what to do now."

Debra's voice took on a firmer tone, "Son, just tell her straight. Either we have a wedding in three months, or she goes to the hospital for a termination. There are plenty of women out there who'd jump at the chance to marry you. We don't need her! She should realize how lucky she is instead of causing trouble day in and day out!"

Lacy returned to his room and dialed Sarah's number.

Sarah was expecting good news.

Instead, she was faced with this ultimatum.

Had she really misjudged Lacy all these years?

But she was pregnant now, she couldn't possibly break up with him, could she?

Sarah's first thought was to turn to Anthea, who'd surely have a way to help her out.

The next day was Monday.

Sarah had no choice but to wait for Anthea outside Northbridge High School.

Seeing Sarah waiting at the school gates didn't surprise Anthea. After a quick greeting to Lizzie and Tanya, she rushed over, "Sarah."

"Ann!" Sarah couldn't help but tear up at the sight of her friend.

Anthea patted her back, "Let's talk at home."

Sarah nodded.

Carole was busy at the restaurant.

Nanson Yeager was preoccupied with his courier business.

So the Yeager household was empty.

Through tears, Sarah recounted the ordeal to Anthea, "Ann, you've got to help me!"

Anthea handed Sarah a glass of water, "Sarah, I've always told you to be mentally prepared."

"Ann, what should I do now?"

"Get an abortion," Anthea said calmly.

"What?" Sarah's face turned ashen.

Clearly, the thought of an abortion had never crossed her mind.

Anthea continued, "Marrying someone like Lacy won't bring you happiness. Even if you do get married, you'll end up divorced. It's better to end it now than to bring a child into a broken family and ensure an unhappy childhood."

Anthea was always the level-headed one.