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

An unhappy family could ruin a child. If Sarah chose to bring her child into such a world, it wouldn't just be irresponsible to herself.

It would also be irresponsible to the child.

And so, terminating the pregnancy seemed like the only reasonable option.

As the words hung in the air, Anthea spoke up, "Sarah, you're only 20. Your life is a blank canvas, filled with endless possibilities. There's no reason to waste your youth on a loser like Lacy. Trust me, you'll regret it otherwise."

20 years old, the age of bloom. Anthea genuinely didn't want Sarah to live a life of regret.

Holding her stomach, Sarah stammered, "But... it's a life, isn't it? Things can't be that bad, right? It's just $80,000. Maybe we should just forget about it? Perhaps Lacy and his folks are just upset because I asked for that money, and it's all just a big misunderstanding. They're actually pretty decent people..."

Her voice trailed off, and then she hesitated, "Ann, could you talk to my parents? Ask them to drop the whole money issue. They listen to you. If you speak up, they'll surely agree."

Anthea frowned slightly, "So, Sarah, you still think this is about the money?"

Sarah was taken aback. Wasn't it?

Anthea stood up from the sofa, "Wait here, Sarah."

She soon returned with her laptop in hand.

The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on her face. She leaned over the laptop, tapping rapidly on the keyboard, then glanced over, "Sarah, the Browns live at 128 Garden Lane, Apartment 201, right?"

The motion was simple, yet somehow effortlessly cool.

Sarah, surprised, asked, "Ann, how do you know that?"

"Just come take a look at this," Anthea said, hitting the enter key with her slender finger.

Filled with curiosity, Sarah approached.

The laptop screen showed a living room with three people standing inside.

"Isn't that Lacy and his parents?" Sarah gasped in astonishment. "Is that their living room camera?"

The Browns, being business people, kept a lot of cash at home. To deter thieves, they had installed several cameras in the living room.

Anthea nodded.

"Ann, where did you get this?"

Anthea didn't go into detail, simply saying, "Found it online."

After hitting play, the video started with Lacy telling his parents the 'good news' of Sarah's pregnancy.

Then, Debra began her tirade, calling Sarah every name under the sun, convinced that she was only after the Brown family fortune.

At first, Lacy tried to defend Sarah. But as the video played on, it was clear that he had started to agree with his mother. In their eyes, Sarah was nothing but a gold-digger.

Sarah covered her mouth in disbelief.How could this be? Was this how she was perceived by Lacy and his family? That everything she had done, in their eyes, had an ulterior motive? It was utterly ridiculous!

By the end of the video, Sarah's face was streaked with tears.

All her hopes had been nothing but a joke.

Good people could be deceivers too.

"Ann, I want to get an abortion," Sarah said, looking up at Anthea with determination in her eyes.

"Are you sure?"

Sarah nodded.

"Congratulations, Sarah," Anthea said, wrapping her arms around her friend. "Don't be sad. He's not worth your tears. Trust me, your future is bright and full of promise!"

"Ann, thank you." Sarah sniffed, "Could you send me that video?"

Anthea nodded, "Of course."

After drying her eyes, Sarah said, "I'll get going now and leave you to it, Ann."

Closing her laptop, Anthea said, "I'll walk you out." She was worried about Sarah's state of mind. NôvelDrama.Org owns this.

Sarah smiled faintly, "I want to be alone for a bit, Ann. Don't worry about me. I won’t do anything stupid for a jerk like him."

"Alright then. Call me if you need anything," Anthea said, patting Sarah's shoulder.

Sarah nodded and left. Once alone, Anthea grabbed a sandwich from the fridge, heating in microwave. She then picked up her sketchpad, leaning against the window sill, sketching as she waited for her comfort food to be ready.