Chapter 10 Over My Dead Body
Rebecca’s legs felt like they were made of air as she walked up the short steps to the Smith residence. Her hands were cold, even though she had been clutching the hospital report the entire ride home; she couldn’t feel her fingers. Everything the doctor had said echoed in her mind, like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from.
And now, seeing her baby's father on the same day she found out she couldn't have an abortion was a cruel twist of fate. The universe was certainly having a field day with her situation.
If this was her only chance, then she would keep the baby. She had to, even if it was the last thing she wanted to do.
When she pushed the door open, she wasn’t shocked to see Richard already sitting in the living room. He had always had a knack for showing up unannounced. Vanessa sat beside him in her usual picture-perfect pose, scrolling through her phone, glancing up only when she heard the door open.
Rebecca stepped inside fully, and the conversation between the two instantly died.
Richard straightened in his seat. “Rebecca. Good. You’re back.” He tapped the cushion beside him. "Come. Sit. We need to talk."
His tone left no room for refusal.
Rebecca swallowed hard. Her eyes flicked toward Vanessa, who was now wearing that familiar, irritatingly fake sympathetic smile, already getting into character as the perfect supportive sister.
Rebecca moved slowly to the single couch opposite them and sat down. Her heart thudded heavily in her chest. She already knew where this conversation was going, and although she wasn't ready, she knew she couldn't run from it any longer.
Richard cleared his throat. "We were discussing something before you walked out on me at the hospital yesterday."
Rebecca didn’t reply. Her face remained blank, but inside, she felt split open. She wanted to rest after everything that had happened that day.
Richard continued, "I hope you’ve called Liam already. He deserves to know that you both are expecting a baby."
Rebecca looked at him, really looked, and said, "No. I haven’t told him. And I won’t. Liam is not the father of my child," She replied slowly after a moment.
Richard’s jaw dropped. Vanessa paused mid-scroll, her eyes snapping up, suddenly alert.
She never would've thought Rebecca would spill the truth so soon. Or was she going to abort the child?
"What do you mean he’s not the father?" Richard asked, bewildered. "Liam has been the only man in your life since you were twenty. Wait, don't tell me everything he was saying that day were true? You were with another man?" He asked in alarm, looking slightly disappointed.
Rebecca exhaled shakily. "The father doesn’t matter. The baby is mine. And when the child is born, they will bear my surname." Rebecca was resolved. She would make sure her child had nothing to do with Rek or any man for that matter. She would be both their father and mother.
Silence enveloped the room as Richard stared down at her, unable to believe what he was hearing.
Then, Richard's face darkened. "Are you out of your mind? A child without a father? Do you want the Smith name dragged through the dirt? Do you want the media turning us into headlines?" He asked, looking at Rebecca with anger.
Rebecca lifted her chin. "If that's what you care about then you don't have to worry. I’ll leave. I’ll go to another city for the remainder of my pregnancy. Start fresh. No one has to know anything. When the baby is born and is older, I’ll come back."
"No." Richard cut her off sharply. "Absolutely not. You're not doing that!"
Rebecca stared at him, genuinely confused. "Why? Why do you refuse everything I’m saying? What aren’t you telling me?" There had to be something he was hiding, something she was supposed to know that no one was telling her.
Richard hesitated, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. Vanessa watched him like a hawk, her eyes narrowing with intrigue.
At last, he exhaled heavily. "There is… something in your father’s Will. It's what I wanted to discuss with you yesterday before you collapsed."
Rebecca’s heart skipped. "What about the Will? Did he change something?" Rebecca asked, wondering if Vanessa had probably tampered with it.
Richard rubbed his temples. "Your father stated that for you to inherit his property, you must get married within three months after his death, that is if you're not already married."
Rebecca froze, the ground swaying beneath her feet.
Her breath caught. "What?" she and Vanessa asked in unison. She turned to look at Vanessa, who appeared just as surprised as she was.
Her father couldn't have done something like this.
"It has always been a Smith tradition," Richard said wearily. "For generations, the heir must present a husband or wife first to show stability, maturity, and responsibility before inheriting the estate or taking over Smith’s company."
Rebecca felt the room tilt.
"You’re telling me," she said slowly, "that I’m supposed to get married? In less than three months? When I’ve already ended things with Liam? When I’m pregnant? When my life is falling apart?"
Richard nodded solemnly. "Your father believed it was the best way to protect the company; your grandfather did the same thing to him."
“So, why didn't anyone bother to tell me this? Why didn't he tell me? Wasn't I supposed to know?” Rebecca asked, her heart beating rapidly.
“You were going to marry Liam, so why bother. I'm only telling you the conditions because.... well, you broke things off,” Richard said, with a shrug.
Rebecca let out a humorless laugh, her eyes burning. "That’s insane. Impossible. I can’t just magically find a husband in three months."
That was when Vanessa gently placed a hand on Richard's arm and leaned forward.
"Well… you still have Liam," she said, wearing that sickly sweet smile that made Rebecca want to scream. "He loves you. He has always been loyal. You could go back to him, I'm sure he'd forgive you especially if you tell him you're pregnant with his child."
Rebecca’s chest tightened. Rage simmered beneath her skin.
She turned sharply toward her stepsister. "That would be over my dead body."
Vanessa blinked, stunned by her intensity as it has now become obvious Rebecca knew something.
Richard looked genuinely shocked. "Rebecca… what is this hostility? What did Liam do to make you despise him like this? He used to be your everything so, what could possibly happen?"
Rebecca looked away for a moment, her jaw clenching as painful images rushed back; the betrayal, the lies, the humiliation.
She felt Vanessa’s gaze on her, hungry, alert, almost nervous.
Slowly, Rebecca turned to meet Vanessa’s eyes. Vanessa’s confident expression faltered although just slightly.
Why was Rebecca looking at her that way? Like she was going to kill her?
Richard leaned forward, his voice softer but more urgent. "Rebecca, what happened between you and Liam? Why are you so determined never to go back?" Richard asked again when Rebecca only stared daggers at Vanessa.
The room fell silent once more, the tension thick in the air.
Rebecca held Vanessa’s gaze, and Vanessa held her breath. Now, Rebecca could finally speak her truth. Or… she could watch Vanessa squirm.