Lola ran back to pick up the small pouch she had left on her seat in the family room. It was a pouch the twins had bought for her. It was the reason she had this look to begin with — all to match that small orange pouch.
But as she ran out of the family room, her steps halted as someone emerged before her out of nowhere. Melissa blocked her path.
The usual meek and gentle smile Melissa wore was nowhere in sight. Not surprising, because that mask was only for others to see. This one? This deep frown, matched with a malicious glint in her eyes, was reserved for Lola alone.
What a privilege.
"You told them, didn’t you?" Melissa crossed her arms. "That’s why they were more accepting of your circumstances. Did you do that on purpose to put us in a bad light? Do you really have to do this to your family after everything?"
Lola tilted her head to the side. "Melissa, what are you talking about?"
"Lola, you of all people know that the Lancasters are very traditional in many senses. A pregnancy out of wedlock? Even the chairman would have been angry about that no matter how fond he is of you," Melissa scoffed. "The only reason he didn’t get angry is because he was already made aware... or you already told him lies to make him pity you."
Melissa took a step forward. "Lola, what did you say? Did you blame our family again for your failures?"
Lola fluttered her big, thick eyelashes, scanning the malicious look on Melissa’s face. Even though she had seen this countless times, it still amazed her. After all, she had to admit Melissa was a very different person in public versus in private.
It was almost hard to distinguish if she was even the same person.
"Melissa, what are you talking about?" Lola smiled, sighing shallowly. She took a step closer, and her smile faded. Her eyelids drooped slightly, thin brows rising. "I didn’t have to tell the chairman beforehand about a pregnancy out of wedlock for him to remain calm."
"Who would be surprised? Why would they? It runs in the family. I mean... look at you." She leaned forward, whispering. "If the Lancasters would be angry just because I got knocked up, that means they’re secretly angry at your mother and father... or at you, right?"
She raised a brow. "After all, you are the product of Lawrence Young’s infidelity."
Melissa froze and paled. Her pupils dilated as she watched Lola draw back her head. Her hands balled into tight fists, trembling.
"What did you say?"
"I’m saying, infidelity is a crime," Lola shrugged. "Getting pregnant out of wedlock is just... a bad decision?"
"You dare—" Overwhelmed by emotions, she raised her hand to strike Lola. But before it could land, Lola caught it midair.
"What are you—" Melissa pulled, but Lola didn’t budge. "Let me go!"
Lola held her firm, stepping closer until their faces were inches apart.
"Melissa, you think marrying into the Lancasters will erase the fact that you’re a child of an affair? Think again." She laughed quietly. "You said it yourself: the Lancasters are very traditional. If anyone should worry about that, isn’t it you? You’re the one marrying into their family, not me."
Lola studied Melissa’s pale, trembling face in satisfaction before finally releasing her arm.
"See you around, Melissa," she winked, bumping her shoulder against her half-sister as she walked past. "And all the best."
As Lola took a few steps, she glanced over her shoulder and smirked. She shrugged and resumed her pace, knowing there was more to anticipate — thanks to Slater, her new partner in crime.
Meanwhile, Melissa stood in the same spot, shoulders trembling. Her complexion was pale, but the fire in her eyes blazed. She ground her teeth as she watched Lola’s retreating figure.
"You bitch..." she hissed. "You’ll regret crossing this line."
****
Lola joined Chairman Lancaster in the car while one of Caullen’s men took her Beetle. Seated in the backseat with the chairman, she noticed him sigh heavily.
"I heard the rumors, and Derek mentioned it a few times," said the chairman, his voice tinged with regret. "Had I known, I would’ve listened instead of dismissing them as strange gossip or Derek’s way of breaking off the engagement."
"I am sorry, Lola," he added, patting her slender hand. "Had I known..."
"Grandpa." Lola’s eyes softened. "No, I should be the one apologizing."
"No, you did nothing wrong—"
"I lied." She cut him off, making his white brows furrow. She pressed her lips, forcing a smile. "I did get pregnant some time ago, but... I lost him."
The chairman held his breath, heart sinking. "Lola, you..."
"Grandpa, I’m alright," she reassured him. "It’s been a long time since I was estranged from the Young family, so don’t blame them as well."
"Lola, are you trying to protect your father again?" he frowned. "Everything Lawrence Young has is thanks to the Alberts — your mother. They owe you the life he, his second wife, and their daughter have."
It’s not them I’m protecting.
Lola maintained a gentle smile, studying the chairman’s displeasure. As she had said before, he was the only person she could probably call family. Even without blood ties, he had treated her with more care than her own.
In this life, she wanted to protect him. She didn’t want to burden him or put him in a stressful position that could affect his health.
The chairman took her silence as an answer that could be interpreted in many ways. "If you’ve lost your child, then who are they talking about?" he asked out of pure curiosity.
"They are..." she trailed off, thinking of the twins. Their adorable faces, sweet voices, and warm hugs brought a smile to her lips.
Even with his waning eyesight, the chairman saw the deep love swirling in her eyes. And that was enough to ease his heart.
Meeting his gaze, she smiled softly. "They were the children I wished... were mine."