Love and Revenge - The Heiress Returns

Joyce

My eyes brighten, picking up the family portrait on the desk of my office. My mother, father, adoptive sister Aurelia, and I are in it. Cleaning it with a towel to remove imaginary dust. It has become a habit.

"Hey babes. "I brought your black coffee as usual," Sophia, my pa and best friend, saunters in, dropping the mug on my desk.

My phone rings out.

Ring, ring.

"Hello, I pick up waiting on the caller.

"Is this Miss Joyce? Your parents are involved in an accident and are currently in a critical state and have been transferred to Branch Hospital. We found this number in the emergency line.

My eyes widen, gripping the phone tight. I open my mouth, but no words till silence stretches and the family portrait drops from my hands. The call cuts.

My heart pounds as I try to breathe but find it difficult. Tears well up in my eyes.

"Babes, what's wrong? Why the tears?" Sophia ran to the other side of the desk where I sat, holding my phone that was about to slide off my hand.

"Accident... critical," I murmur in despair.

"What??? Calm down. I can't put your words together. Can you repeat ?" She patted my shoulder, cleaning my tears.

"The phone...call...My parents...accidents...critical...hospital," I blabber.

What hospital???? "You know what? I will call the line back," she assures, and within a few minutes she confirms.

"Let's go." I pick up my phone and put it in my purse. Standing while hanging the strap on my shoulder, I mistakenly stepped on the broken portrait and felt nostalgia. My eyes linger, but Sophia holds my hands in a squish, reminding me what's more important, and we head out of the office.

Standing outside the company, she ushers me into my car after getting the keys.

"I think... I need to call Aurelia." I sniffle, my eyes red, fumbling in the purse for my phone and placing a call.

"Here, drink some water to stay calm." Sophia offers from the driving seat. A bottle of water, I always reserve in my car.

The car packed after a few minutes in front of the hospital, and I burst out of the car without waiting for her to come over as usual.

She nods towards me, and we both walk inside. I stop a nurse explaining the call I received.

"The doctor will attend to you shortly." The nurse assures, "In the meantime, take a seat."

I nod, finally loosening my clutch in her hands to move to the vacant seats. Sophia joins me in waiting.

"Hey Joyce, Sophia." Aurelia walks in breathless, her face pale as she hurries to sit beside me.

"I... don't understand what you said, but I rush to the hospital." Aurelia stares at me, hoping maybe I have made a wrong call about her parents.

I understand her tears, I'm trying to hold back from flowing. My parents were so loving and peaceful. As their only biological child, I was showered with love until I saw Aurelia doing a visit to the orphanage, and we immediately clicked, and I convinced my parents for adoption so that she could become my sibling because my mother can't have another child.

"Our parents were involved in an accident and are in critical condition. The doctor hasn't stepped out to attend to us." My heart shattered all over again, but Aurelia drew me closer for a hug. Her tears falling on my shoulder and her snort rubbing on my clothes.

I have done right by my parents since growing up, and they have brought both of us up with love and patience. Being an elder sister to a twenty-one-year-old at age twenty-three, my parents remind me of my rigorous training as an heiress to Herrindale Company and, alongside my arranged marriage to Cooper Mercer, heir of The Mercer Conglomerate, to carry on the family legacy, continuity, and reputation. We are doing good; more than an average company can thrive within California, unlike The Mercer Conglomerate, dominating more than half of California and spreading out to other countries. This is a good chance to level up, and I owe them that. But deep down I respect my parents' love and cooperation. Hoping I could one day build a loving family

"Miss Joyce?" I disentangled from the hug, cleaning my tears as the doctor finally stood before me.

"Yes, I'm the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herrindale, currently in critical condition and admitted to your hospital." I blunted

"We're sorry, ma'am," the doctor, in his professional wear with a nurse by his side handing him a file, hesitantly replies.

"Don't apologize to me. I just need to hear the condition of my parents. How far are you progressing? I rush, having a bad feeling from the doctor's careful stance and from the file the nurse handed over to him.

"We couldn't save them. The detailed records are here with the time of death, but we can let you see them as the family of the deceased." The doctor communicates calmly, like he's reciting the weather forecast.

"What's that supposed to mean? We were told their condition is critical, not death, and now you just want me to accept your words. " Aurelia blasts while I go mute.

"Young miss, accept our deepest condolences." The doctor's sharp-edged voice of professionalism booms.

My breath turns erratic, the white floor and ceilings of the hospital spinning, and the voices sound distant. The voice of the doctor in my head repeats. I sway, resting on Sophia for support as heat rises inside me. I tug the side of my suit gown.

"Hey. You need to be strong. Aurelia is crashing out big." Sophia's panicking voice sounds as she tries to get me to calm down.

"Young miss, I'm so sorry, but I need to attend to another patient, but you can claim the bodies in the mortuary. The nurse is here to guide." The doctor drops the final message before leaving.

My eyes roll as the heat on my body rises from inside, breaking out in sweats. The banging headache made me clutch my head as I passed out, but not before hearing my sister's cries, Sophia's croaky voice, and the nurse's concerned tone.

I woke up to a white ceiling, recalling what had happened. My guess is I was admitted to the hospital after passing out.

My sister and Sophia are not in the ward. Sitting up and wearing my low heels, I thought of what to do. The tears refuse to fall, and the feeling of suffocation hasn't gone yet. I can't stay here; I need to leave to breathe. My eyes search for my purse because I will be needing it. Found it by the seat and hung the strap on my shoulder as I did earlier.

I saunter outside my ward till I get to the long hallway to see the doctor discussing with my sister and Aurelia. I sneak off through the left route.

Getting outside, I open the door to my car. Thankfully, Sophia tosses the key in my purse while waiting for the doc. Starting the car, the engine came to life as I drove out into the city.

My head was messed up, and I could barely think straight. I didn't know where I was headed. I drove aimlessly through the cool evening. I had spent hours after passing out; the day flew by, and now staring into the dark night, my car drove to a club.

The night wind hit me as I stepped out of the car, cussing at my suit gown standing out if I decided to go in, but thinking eluded me. Without wasting time, I head into the club, heels clicking against the pavement. After passing through security, I was ushered to the main area of the club.

Inside the club was a whirlwind of music, lights, and luxury. The air was thick with perfume and alcohol, and the bass of the music thrums through my chest.

Alcohol will make me forget my pain; with this sole aim, I headed to the bar section.

"Give me your strongest drink." I said to the bartender; he nods and immediately mixes my drink.

*Here you go." After a minute I took it from him.

"F*ck, that's strong." I cuss after gulping it down in one go, and the bartender smiles. "Give me another shot.

My phone rings.

Ring, ring.

I check the caller; it's Aurelia.

"Hello," I wait for her.

"Joyce, where're you? Sophia and I got so worried when we couldn't find you back at the ward, only to see the car gone outside." Aurelia's voice had a hint of panic.

My head lower to the next drink because I couldn't find an answer.

"You... Where is that loud sound? Don't do anything reckless. You know you still have an arranged marriage to the Mercer heir. Send me your location. She shrilled for me to hear her voice over the loud sound.

Joyce

"Right, My sister is making attempts and giving her best to become a model, but I have duties I can't ignore. Sometimes, I wish I could be free, but my parents make it all worth it. We want to make them proud, but now...." My tongue turns sour, and the drink loses its taste. Hanging up to send her my location. I toss the phone back to my purse.

The phone rings continuously, but I ignore it. Truthfully, the alcohol works, and by the time I finish taking so much, I have loosened up.

I laugh, mumbling incoherent words, and then I have the urge to use the restroom.

"Restroom," I murmur to the bartender, trying to steady my feet as I stand.

"Just walk forward and use any of the rooms in the hallway." I nod and sway towards that direction.

My head bangs as I walk through the hallway into a spare room. It's dark, but turning my phone torch on helps me find my way into the restroom. I was drained of energy but tried to clean up before finding my way out.

My phone slipped from my hold, the torch going off, but I scrambled to pick it up and finally stood up, cussing as I bumped into a wall. My hand immediately moved to rub my head, raising my head to look at the wall, except it wasn't a wall.

It was a man I had bumped into.

I caught the whiff of his expensive cologne, and though the floor-to-end glass window allows the moonlight to streak in, I couldn't see a face but a glint of his diamond-studded watch.

My mouth opened to render an apology, but the words died on my lips when his muscular hand slammed me on the window, choking my neck.

I struggle in his hold, trying to make out his blurry figure through my hazy gaze. My body was plastered against the glass window with a force I couldn't fight while drunk.

"Stay still," His husky voice rasps.

A warmth crept up my neck as my body betrays me hearing his voice.

"Who sent you?" He groans.

I said nothing; instead, my body heated up against my will as I moved closer into him.

"F*ck," he cussed, his breath harsh and tone sharp.

"Do you realize what you're doing?" He deadpans, his hold loosening a bit on my neck.

I move my nose to nuzzle his neck. Reasoning and caution are thrown to the wind, but he slams me back in disapproval.

His veins clearly pop out as he tries to maintain control. "Do you know who you're messing with?"

My head sways to the side as I raise my leg to his thigh. "I just want to forget. I hold no motive. I want you; no... I need you."

His breath quickens, a hand trails to my cheekbone as he flicks my soft lips, and then it moves down to my waist, caressing me, unable to keep his hands to himself.

"First time...haven't done it before," I confess softly as he turns my back to him, undoing my zip as the dress slides off my shoulder.

His hands tighten on my waist, but his tone softens. "I will be gentle."

Nibbling at my neck, I relax into his touch, surrendering. He took over my body as if he knew me before now. He kissed me everywhere, taking my hard pink nibbles into his mouth.

His lips crash into mine, kissing me hard. I moaned, responding to him like he wasn't a stranger I'd just met a few minutes ago. He carries me to the bed, and we both undress. He places kisses all over me as he caresses my inner thigh.

Then he enters me, melting away my worries at least for the night.

Sunlight streams through the thin curtains and hits my face, which forces my eyes to flutter open. I turn around, my hands stretching to the other side of the bed to feel it cold.

For a moment I lay there disoriented but calm, the events of the previous night a hazy blur.

Letting out a yawn, I sat up and stretched, but a light headache surfaced, closing my eyes as I tried to shake off the lingering exhaustion.

My phone rings.

Ring, ring.

I pick it up by the bedstand, checking for the caller ID; it's Sophia.

Scrolling through my call log, there have been several missed calls from her both last night and this morning.

My head aches with the brutal reminder and the reckless night I had. I bite my lips before answering.

"Hello, I murmur.

"Babes, you haven't been picking up my calls. "You got me worried," she sighs.

"I'm sorry it was a lot; my voice broke.

"I know, I know. So where are you now? "Need me to come pick you up?" she asks.

"No," I blurted, and then silence, knowing I had been too evasive. "I mean, I'm heading home; you can come around later so we can talk."

"That's better. Take care till I come around," she said.

I nod like she can see me, then reply, "Hmm," and the call ends.

My thoughts spiral as I replay the events of the night once again. Tears well in my eyes; I had let my parents down, my body trembling.

The weight of my failure pressed down on me until I let go of the blanket to pick up my clothes, heels, and purse and head to the restroom to dress up. Inside, I went straight to the mirrors. I look horrible with red hickeys all over, but at least the gown will cover it.

I rinsed my face, brushed my chestnut hair, and wore my low heels. My phone is in my purse as I head out of the restroom to the club exit, but I step on something right outside the door of the room: crystal earrings that look familiar. My sister wears those, but what are the odds??

Succeeded in driving out without drawing attention. I finally got home, parked the car, and came down staring at the tall building before walking into it.

I met my sister sitting in the living room, and she sprang up immediately, her hazel eyes set on me.

"I've been so worried. Come sit." She held my hands, guiding me to the couch.

"I'm sorry" I bit my lips; saying that now seems normal.

"I know that it's hard, but don't go off on me like that again." She pats my hands.

I nod, my hand moving to caress her dark hair and tucking a strand behind her ear, but an earring is missing at the left ear, and the one at the right is crystal.

My eyes narrow and I blurt. "Did you come to find me last night?

Her shoulders stiffen and her hold on my hands loosens. "Yes, I had to, but then I left when I couldn't find you amidst the large crowd; I figured you might need space, and you know I'm also grieving. Our parents..." her voice breaking at the end.

"Right," I've been all about myself and neglected her own feelings. I draw close for a tight hug as we both break down in tears.

She disentangled after some minutes and ushered me to go shower, saying that she would ask the cook to prepare our meal.

A week and some days went by with claiming my parents' bodies at the mortuary and laying them to rest. We mourn them, and looking at my sister's bloodshot eyes after we finalized everything earlier today, I knew she was trying to be strong for both of us.

I had my chance to let it loose, but she's holding it all in. We both sat with Sophia in the living room, exhausted.

"What do you guys want to eat so I can ask the cook to prepare it?" Sophia's nasal voice asks.

I knew she was devoted to my parents and assisting me in the company after we treated her as family all the years she'd spent working and feeling down too for their loss.

"Pasta is fine," my sister replies, and I nod in agreement.

Some minutes pass; we move to the dining arena where the food is served.

The aroma upsets my stomach as I stand up in a hurry and rush to the restroom with footsteps and concerned voices at my trail.

I rinse my face afterwards and turn to see my sister and Sophia staring at me.

"Are... you pregnant?" My sister's sharp-edged voice inquires.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sophia counters, her gaze livid.

"I mean, I have served her fruits she loves and snacks we enjoy, and she has thrown all of them up these past few days." My sister wanders out.

"What's the likely explanation for it?" she drawls.

My sister and Sophia exchange looks, then their questioning gaze towards my way.

Joyce

"There is something I've been keeping from you both. I was scared and didn't know how to share it. I got drunk and had a reckless one-night stand with a complete stranger." My voice was faint as I clapped my hands over my mouth, tears spilling down my cheeks.

They gasp.

"I... didn't mean for this to happen."

"What have you done?? We just lost our parents, and you went to fornicate. Have you forgotten you and Cooper are in an arranged marriage to foster our family legacy? What about the promises we both made to our parents? My sister bashes.

Her words resonate with the voice of guilt in my head. My heart aches as my hands squeeze on it.

"What??? How could you have hidden something so important and held it all in?" Sophia scolds.

"You've soiled our parents' name," my sister shrills.

"That's enough, Aurelia. We can't dwell on negativity, but finding a solution will be better," Sophia chirps.

"Don't give me that, and that means what she's done is acceptable. "I won't stand for that," she rasps.

"We're not sure of anything yet. "So we will not escalate what's not proven," Sophia deadpanned.

The both of them glare at each other. I know Aurelia thinks I've failed our parents, and Sophia is concerned. We are supposed to be united, not divided, right now, but the cause of this is me.

"Both of you, I know you are disappointed, and you've all right to yell and scold me; I will take it."

"That won't solve anything, though." Sophia rolled her eyes.

"I'm glad you think so too," my sister seconds.

"For the time being, I will go get a pregnancy test kit for you at the pharmacy. "You both can wait back at Joyce's room for me," Sophia said and left.

I move to touch my sister, but she moves back, walking to the direction of my room instead. My head lowered as I trailed behind her.

We sat in silence as she refused to speak to me till Sophia arrived.

"Here it is. Go into the restroom and do the test." Sophia breathes, her hands sweaty, mirroring my trembling hands.

"You've got this." She nods as I finally head to the restroom, looking back one last time to see my sister rising from her seat with a concerned gaze.

Inside, I close the door behind me, sucking in harsh breaths; my heart pounds heavily.

What if.... Different thoughts flowing

Was I ready to be a mother? Am I worthy to be one? What about the company and Cooper? What will people say?

I summon the courage, breathing in. Using the vial for my urine, I dip the kit in. My hands won't stop trembling and eyes smolder.

I took the kit out, staring...

Then turn towards the door, opening it to behold the both of them standing in anticipation.

My sister snatches the kit from my hands and gasps, "It's positive. You're actually pregnant??"

My brain is empty; words refuse to pour out to justify myself. It's there so glaringly: I got pregnant after a reckless night with a stranger.

"Everyone be calm," Sophia murmurs, assuring herself it seems. She fixed her attention on my lower body, instinct telling me she can't believe it.

"We really have a problem now," she blasts.

"I think we need to sit and think of what is at stake now." Her tone is making me dread the consequences of my actions.

"I can't believe you would be so careless. Joyce. What were you thinking? I lost our parents too and had to grieve." Aurelia cries.

"I was stupid," I mumble.

"The company needs stability after the decease of your parents, and this is not giving it that. The Mercer family is strict and wealthy, and the marriage alliance is scared. "You're the heiress and can't be found wanting," Sophia lists.

"Good, just go on about it for her to realize." My sister's sharp-edged voice agrees.

"Then we have to stop the company from being affected. Protect my family's reputation and legacy. Be responsible for the Mercer marriage alliance, but not in haste; after all, they would understand if we demand time." I exalted

"You're finally seeing things from a different perspective." Sophia mentions

"And how are we supposed to achieve all that? My sister inquires.

"We will need to cover Joyce up and not let any of this get out to the public and the Mercer family." Sophia suggests

"Anything for her, I'm in. My sister's voice softens.

My head lower in shame, losing my dignity, hopes of ever building a loving family, and almost dashing my parents' earned work over the years.

Do I even deserve to build a loving family with the chaos I've ignited? My parents, who shower me with love till their death. How did I pay them back now?

A cry tore out of my lips, breaking down completely. Tears blurred my vision as I choked out, "I'm sorry...." I'm sorry I let our parents down. I'm sorry I didn't consider the situation before acting reckless. Disregarding the fact that we both are grieving, I'm sorry for bringing shame to our family name and getting pregnant, destroying the good plans our parents have made.

"You know our parents would never have let this happen, and they won't want you to blame yourself either." My sister moves closer to hug me with Sophia patting my shoulder.

"This moves me to ask this question. Are you keeping the baby? Sophia asks.

The little hope in me to build a loving family wants to desperately keep it. But can I be so ungrateful with both of them figuring out how to calm the chaos?

I....

"Of course," my sister and Sophia snap.

Startled, I watch their face beaming even with how things turn out. The enthusiasm in their eyes made me emotional.

"Can I? I ask helplessly, hoping for a positive reply.

"Sure. We would be there with you." They both nod, and we hug.

We disentangle back to thinking of the possible choice of solution that goes with the consequences we've decided to cover up.

"I think the best would be Aurelia taking charge of the company till you can return back to your position and putting the Mercer family at ease that time is needed for you to grieve given the situation," Sophia blunts.

"Really?" My sister beams.

Sophia clears her throat, and I chuckle at her expression.

"I mean, will that be okay? I don't know much of how the company works." My sister adjusts herself on her seat.

"Well, I'm here to help." Sophia murmurs.

We both look at each other one last time. My sister chirps. "So we're really doing this.

"I agree to everything you guys suggest," nodding to her question.

"Then there's one more thing." My sister's voice softens.

"What's that? Sophia and I chorus

"You will have to make me be in charge of the company in case vital decisions need to be made and we won't want to disturb you." My sister breathes.

"That's true," Sophia agrees.

"Fine, I will have my pa draft it," I replied.

"No, that's exactly what I'm saying, but I will handle it my way. Which also means Sophia is now my pa." My sister shrugs.

"Didn't you say you don't know how these things were done? Sophia raised a brow.

"Just pulling your legs. My parents own the company, after all." My sister snickers.

Sophia kept mute.

"If that's what you want, just do it." My eyes linger on my lower body, marveling at the thought of something growing there.

"Are you really sure about that, babes?" Sophia inquires.

"Yeah, she's just excited; let her have her way."

"I will be back shortly with it." My sister walks away.

A few minutes passed, and Aurelia sassily walked back in with a printout and a pen.

"Here, you can read it before proceeding, but I assure you, you don't have to. Just the requirements to make it credible

"How fast! Sophia counters.

"Yeah, I guess I'm good at this but never thought of it." My sister smiles at me.

I pick up the pen and proceed to sign without bothering to read it over since she made a remark.

Placing the pen down and feeling heavy at heart but assuring her "it's done."

"Really? Let me see." She picks it up, and her eyes carefully scan through, lingering on where I signed.

Sophia ignores my sister and stares at me. "With that done, I'm sure we've successfully been able to curb any future disaster."

"I'm hoping so."

What else could possibly go wrong??