Chapter 4
Hearing that, Emma cracked up from the couch.
“Five hundred grand? Are you INSANE? On your shitty two grand salary? Get real!”
“Tell you what, sis-get on your knees and BEG me. When I marry Sterling, maybe I’ll throw you some scraps so you don’t starve!”
I stood up shaking, my voice deadly cold.
“Don’t worry about me. You should be worrying about YOUR ass!”
“When Sterling finds out what you did, you’re all FUCKED!”
I grabbed my suitcase and headed out.
Emma suddenly grabbed my arm, eyes like daggers.
“Hold up. You never wanted to leave before-now you’re just walking out? What’s your game?”
You better not be running to Sterling!”
Mom and Dad were thrilled to get rid of me.
But hearing that, they both jumped up.
‘Claire, don’t you DARE leave this house!”
You’re staying put till your sister marries Sterling!”
was pissed and grabbed my phone to call 911.
Next second, Dad snatched it and smashed it.
Call the cops? I’ll teach you some RESPECT!”
Emma saw her chance, pointing at my suitcase.
Dad, she doesn’t have that much stuff. Bet she stole our money. Check it.”
Dad kicked over my suitcase, clothes everywhere.
While he searched through my crap, Emma went to her room to mess with those embryos.
Thirty minutes later, Dad threw my clothes down.
Thought you had something worth taking. It’s all GARBAGE! I wouldn’t want this shit for free!”
‘Get in your room! Come out and I’ll break your legs!”
Mom just stood there watching. Said nothing,
I went back to my room, counting down their last hours.
Next morning, Emma had stayed up all night and finally got her eggs injected.
Mom jumped up screaming.
“Sterling’s paying millions for a baby! Emma, if this works, you’re SET!”
“We’re gonna be RICH!”
“God, what did I do to deserve such a smart daughter!”
They went out celebrating while I got locked up.
00:00
Chapter
Soon as they left, I grabbed my backup phone. News alerts exploded on the screen.
Breaking: Sterling Medical Robbery-trending #1.
Sterling had to do a press conference, admitting his secret IVF.
To protect his girl, he just said he’d pay big for an heir. Whoever had his baby would be his wife.
The internet lost its SHIT.
Families with daughters were lining up at Sterling Tower to sign up.
Sterling family news dominated every trending topic.
Is this real? I’m not dreaming, right? Sterling’s loaded-how’s he short on women?]
My daughter’s only ten and I’m thinking about getting surgery to go myself!]
Guys with no daughters are losing their minds! Is it too late to divorce my wife?]
omments kept flooding in.
Intil Emma’s verified account popped up.
Sorry everyone, I’m already pregnant with Sterling’s baby. You can all go home now.]
he posted a lab report showing successful IVF implantation.
he internet EXPLODED.
How’d you move so fast? Got inside info?]
Watch your mouth-that’s the future Mrs. Sterling!]
Ma’am, need a guard dog? I eat little, understand English, and I’m housebroken!]
Then Mom and Dad got home, they couldn’t stop grinning.
Don as they hit the neighborhood, neighbors cornered them in the lobby.
Holy crap, Emma’s made it big! The whole country knows she’s marrying Sterling! Don’t forget us little people when you’re rich-save us some champagne!”
I heard Sterling wives get like two billion in prenups? Jesus, I can’t even dream that big! My cousin’s unemployed-think you could hook him up?”
fom and Dad promised everything.
mma snuck back wearing a face mask,
irst thing she did was toss her Chanel bag-took her six months to save for it-on the floor like trash.
See that, Claire? You’re a fucking IDIOT!”
World belongs to the bold. Know why you’re broke? Being stupid is a sin!”
Mom and Dad followed her in, wouldn’t even look at me.
laughed coldly.
‘Emma, if you’re so badass, has Sterling called you yet?”
This is huge news and the Sterling family’s radio silent. Maybe they don’t want your baby?”
Emma’s smile froze on her face,
Mom and Dad looked ready to beat my ass.
I pretended not to notice.
Chapter
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. That embryo means everything to Sterling. Just ’cause you’re idiots doesn’t mean he is. Keep this up and you won’t even know what hit you!”
Next second, Emma’s phone buzzed.
She screamed and covered her mouth.
“OH MY GOD! Sterling texted me!”
“He wants to meet tonight!”
She shoved the phone in my face, almost poking my eyes out.
“Bitch, what you got to say NOW?”
“Can’t stand seeing me win, huh? Sorry to disappoint-I was born for greatness!”
Get on your knees and apologize while you still can, or when I marry Sterling, killing you’ll be easy as snapping my fingers!”
Then she remembered something and laughed like a maniac.
Oh wait, I forgot-you won’t even get the chance to be murdered! Sterling doesn’t waste time on poor trash like you!”
the bounced into her room to get ready for tonight.
Mom and Dad were strutting around like they already owned the Sterling family.
saw my chance.
Well then, I won’t be an eyesore anymore. I’m moving out tonight.”
That five hundred grand IOU is in the drawer. Already signed it.”
hey waved me off without looking up.
Whatever. Go wherever you want, you worthless drain.”
ven though I moved fast, I still ran into Emma on my way out.
oon as we got downstairs, a Maybach pulled up.
guy in a sharp suit stepped out.
Miss Parker? Mr. Sterling wants to see you.”
‘mma touched up her lipstick and started toward the car.
uddenly an arm blocked her path.
Sorry, Mr. Sterling asked for Miss Parker, Claire Parker, Your ride’s behind us.”
irens wailed in the distance, getting closer.
Emma’s face went white as a sheet.
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.