The Heir Trap

What Quinton didn't know was that I wasn't in the bed at all. I had already slipped out through the first-floor window.

I was in a motel, watching everything through the security camera.

When Quinton realized I wasn't there, he kicked the trash can over.

"Damn it! That woman thinks she can play me?"

He glanced toward the hallway, worried about waking Nora. Just as he turned to leave, his eyes fell on a small card on the table.

"What… Is this how Malcolm hired them?"

He stared at the photo of Mandy on the card, turning it over in his hands. A grin slowly spread across his wrinkled face. Then, he dialed the number printed on it.

"Hello, are you Mandy? How much for everything… Alright, alright. I'll come now. Wait for me."

He hung up, almost excited, and hurried out.

The next morning, Mandy called me.

"Got him," she said, her voice bright with satisfaction. "Your father-in-law is old, but he's still got it in him."

I let out a faint smile. "Did he say anything?"

"He did. Said the house is his. He's going back today to get the deed and transfer it to me."

After the call ended, I couldn't help laughing.

That house belonged to both him and Nora. If Nora found out he had given it away to someone like Mandy, I wondered what she would do.

Sure enough, that afternoon, I watched through the camera as Quinton turned the house upside down, searching everywhere.

When I saw him sneak out with the deed in hand, I finally went home.

At dinner, I had just taken a seat when Nora slammed her fork down.

"Clara!" Her long nails came close to my face. "When exactly are you going to sleep with Vincent?"

I paused. "I'm still getting my health in order…"

"How long is that supposed to take? It's already been days." Her voice rose, sharp and impatient. "Don't try to stall me! I picked a date. Tomorrow works. You'll be with Vincent tomorrow."

I glanced at Vincent. His head was lowered, almost buried in his bowl.

When I didn't answer, Nora slammed the table again.

"I didn't bring you into this family so you could sit around. Starting tomorrow, you're not going anywhere. You stay here and have that child."

So that was it. No one in this house saw me as a person.

I agreed on the surface, but under the table, I sent Mandy a message.

[Come by tomorrow. There's still some hidden cash in the house.]

The next morning, before it was even light out, Nora's voice rang through the house.

"Clara, get up! Are you really going to lie there all day?"

The moment I stepped out of my room, she pushed a cup of dark liquid toward my mouth.

"Drink it. It'll help you get pregnant!"

I couldn't dodge in time. A few mouthfuls went down, and I almost threw up.

"I'll drink it myself. You go do your thing."

Once she left, I poured the rest into a potted plant.

When I looked up again, I saw Nora in Vincent's room, putting fresh sheets on the bed. She smoothed them out, muttering to herself.

"Vincent, today's your special day. Don't mess this up."

Then she turned and shot me a look.

"What are you standing there for? The relatives will be here soon. Go greet them."

I stood there, stunned. "You invited relatives?"