Chapter 43: Living hell

Chapter 43: Living hell "Roderick has asked for a pregnancy test!" Darius snapped, glaring at Orabela with cold suspicion. "I just spoke with his mother. He insists it be done at the hospital his family owns. You’re not lying, are you?" His voice grew sharper. "You better not disgrace this family. I always thought you were the pride of our name, but you’re worse than Layla!" "Honey, don’t say that!" Miriam interjected, her voice full of concern. "How can you put all the blame on Orabela? And why would she lie about something so serious?" Orabela, her face pale and tear-streaked, sobbed harder. "Dad, I’m not lying. What would I gain from making this up? Roderick promised to marry me, but yesterday, he changed his mind and took back the ring. He even mentioned Layla! I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s behind all this. The last time, her husband broke Roderick’s wrist. Who knows what she might have done to threaten him?" Even in her distress, Orabela couldn’t resist shifting the blame onto Layla. "Why would Roderick bring her up?" Darius shot back, his voice stern. "Don’t make baseless accusations, Orabela. We don’t need more trouble. Now, get ready. We’re going to the hospital," he declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. Miriam took away his daughter while Darius called for a servant. "Prepare a car!" He angrily said. ~~~~ "Mom, I didn’t do anything to Orabela. She’s lying—to you, to everyone. Don’t believe a word she or her father says," Roderick insisted, his frustration boiling over. Fiona crossed her arms, unimpressed by her son’s explanation. "Why would she lie about being pregnant? And why did you break up with her? Orabela is such a lovely woman. Have you lost your mind? Your marriage to her could bring fortune to you." Roderick scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "Fortune? What fortune? Are you even serious? Orabela is a fucking liar! She drugged me that night and forced me to give her the ring—the ring, Mom—the one that was supposed to be for Layla!" As the words tumbled out, Roderick froze, realizing too late what he had just revealed. "Layla?" Fiona’s eyes narrowed, her brow furrowing deeply. "What does Layla have to do with this?" she asked, her voice filled with suspicion. "Nothing," Roderick muttered, trying to deflect the conversation. "Just don’t tell Grandpa yet," he added under his breath. Fiona, however, wasn’t going to let it go. She grabbed his arms, her eyes piercing into his. "Why was that ring supposed to be for Layla? What are you hiding from me?" Her voice demanded answers, pushing him to the edge. "I said *nothing!*" Roderick snapped, yanking himself free. Fiona sighed in frustration, releasing him. She walked over to the glass table, picking up her phone. Without hesitation, she dialed Lucius’ number, though she knew he rarely answered her calls. Still, hope lingered. "Mom, who are you calling?" Roderick asked, a hint of panic creeping into his voice as he saw her actions. He feared she might involve Layla and hurried toward her. "Hello?" Layla’s voice came through the line. Fiona’s grip tightened on the phone. "Layla, it’s Fiona." "Yes, Lucius is out somewhere, so I answered his call," Layla explained casually. "Mom, hang up!" Roderick hissed, his worry deepening as he stepped closer, but Fiona shot him a sharp glare, silently commanding him to stay quiet. "Layla, what’s going on between you and Roderick?" Fiona asked directly, her tone sharp. "He just said—" Before she could finish, Roderick lunged forward and snatched the phone from her hand. "Layla, don’t worry about it," he said hastily before abruptly ending the call. Turning to his mother, his face flushed with frustration. "Don’t get involved, Mom." "Rick, what are you hiding from me? You should me the truth," Fiona said. "Mom, I’m not hiding anything. Orabela is trying to deceive everyone. She’s cunning, and I know I didn’t do this with her," Roderick insisted, his voice rising with frustration. Fiona’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t tell me you have feelings for Layla." "Mom, why are you bringing Layla into this?" Roderick’s tone was sharp, clearly irritated. "Because you said the ring was for Layla!" Fiona shot back, her voice full of suspicion. "Pregnant or not, you should marry Orabela. If she’s carrying your child, it’s a win-win. Lucius is after the entire company, but your grandfather won’t give it to him because of the promise he made to his late son. Marrying Orabela, the heiress of the Rosenzweig Family, is your way in. You’ll benefit from this union, Roderick. Think of your future. So far, your grandfather’s only given you control of one branch. You need to secure the entire company’s rights." Fiona’s words filled the room, her ambitions for her son clear as she sought to steer him toward a future of power and control, planting seeds of strategy and manipulation in his mind. "Mom, Grandpa will give me everything eventually. So why rush into marrying a woman who’s lying? Heiress or not, Orabela isn’t wife material—at least not for me," Roderick argued, his voice filled with defiance. Fiona’s expression tightened. "Because if Lucius got a child, Grandpa won’t hesitate to break that promise. Why don’t you understand? He’s already been given the overseas company management after marrying Layla. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life working under your uncle?" She paused, her voice growing more intense. "You know how dangerous Lucius is. This isn’t just about you—it’s about the family, the company, and your future. So, do what I’m telling you." Roderick furrowed his brows together. ’If I get married to Bella, then Layla will never be mine. But I can’t let the company go into the hands of my uncle. He will not hesitate to throw me out of this mansion. But if I marry Orabela, she will make my life living hell. I’ve already seen to what lengths that crazy woman can go. Lying about being pregnant!’ he contemplated while trying to find a way to get out of this situation.