NEWSFLASH 

BELLE 

I woke up to a sharp, pounding headache. My throat felt dry, and my entire body felt sore. I winced, reaching out blindly for the water bottle I always kept by the nightstand, when I felt something strange.

My fingers didn't meet the cool wooden surface. Instead, they traced over something firm, something warm like... an abs?

Before I could take in what was happening, a husky voice broke the silence.

"Enjoying yourself?" 

A large hand wrapped around mine, stopping my movements, and I couldn't help the flash memory that popped in my head. It felt familiar... 

OMG.

My heart raced as I snapped my eyes open in panic. 

Where am I? 

I took in the surroundings, and it was nothing familiar. It was a large room. Somewhat like an h— hotel room?

I squeezed my eyes shut, as my stomach twisted. My pulse was pounding so hard that I could hear it in my ears.

No. This is just a dream. It can't be real.

I wanted to believe that this was just another stupid dream, but the warmth beside me told me otherwise. This is real. 

"What have I done?" I mumbled under my breath, only to hear a scoff in response.

I turned sharply towards the source of the voice, only to find a man lying right next to me. The sheets were hung low around his waist, exposing his toned chest and a smirk that sends chills down my spine.

Just then, my gaze dropped to the scattered clothes on the floor. It was the dress I was wearing last night and... my undies.

My body froze as icy dread crawled down my spine. My breath hitched, and a lump formed in my throat.

What have I done? 

My goodness, Belle! What have you done?!

I didn't just lose my virginity to a stranger, did I?

Just then, the man stood up, showing off his perfect body as he went to pick his clothes. "No need to put up an act. Take this." He pulled out a card from his wallet and threw it at me. "Consider it payment for your time."

And just like that, he got dressed and strode out as if nothing ever happened.

I wanted to scream at him. To tell him that I wasn't a whore or someone he could just toss behind after using, but instead, I gripped the sheet tighter, my fingers trembling as shame swallowed me whole.

 How could he just walk away like that? 

I have never felt so disrespected in my entire life, but what could I possibly do? He looked like another rich kid that gives zero fucks about others.

I blinked away the tears that blurred my vision, when it suddenly clicked.

LAURA.

I jolted up immediately as panic gripped down on me. The last thing I remembered was Faye and Rowan bringing me here. What happened with Mr. Brown?

Laura is definitely going to kill me.

I rushed out of the hotel room and dashed home in a hurry, only to be welcomed by Laura's cold stare.

"There better be a good explanation for ghosting Mr. Brown last night," she sneered.

Faye stood behind her with a smirk on her face, clearly enjoying how this was going.

"I... Faye... I was..."

"You shamelessly forced yourself on another man. That is what happened," Faye lied.

"How could you..." My voice trembled as I spoke.

A surge of rage coursed through my veins as I watched the evil grin in her eyes. How can someone be so shameless? For once, I wanted to call her out and tell Laura how horrible her daughter was, and that was exactly what I did.

"What? How could I what?" She raised her brows, challenging me to say something.

"You... you did something to me, didn't you?" My voice trembled as pieces of the night clicked together.

Faye's smirk only widened as she watched me in disbelief.

"You drugged me. You stood there, kissing my man, right in front of me! And now, you have the audacity to accuse me of... of..." My stomach twisted. "You left me for a stranger to take advantage of," tears burned my cheeks as I finished my words, and I have never felt so angry before.

"You ungrateful little liar. You are just like your mother, always pretending to be innocent while ruining everything around her."

"Don't bring my mother into this," I hissed.

I don't know where I got the courage from, but I was done with the bully. "Everything you have today is because of my mother! The clothes you wear. The house you live in, the cars, EVERYTHING!"

"So if you ever think she's pathetic, then you should check yourself. You're the one who derives pleasure in spending someone hard earned money."

The crack of her palm against my cheeks echoed through the room. My head snapped to the side as my cheeks sting from the effect. She fucking slapped me!

"I guess the truth hurts, after all," my voice came out barely as a whisper, but judging from the way Laura's face was flashing with rage, I bet she heard me loud and clear.

"How dare you?" She howled. "I raised you. Stood by you when your workaholic mother neglected you! How dare you insult me like this?" Her voice trembled with pure rage, and I didn't miss the shock on Faye's eyes before it disappeared. 

"I told you to throw her out, but you wouldn't listen. Everything  she owned is already in your name, isn't it? She's of no use to us anymore." Faye muttered.

It felt like my heart was being ripped apart. How could I be so stupid? Faye was right. I left everything in Laura's care. She doesn't need me to access any of my mother's properties.

"I'll give you two options. Go to Mr. Brown and beg for his forgiveness. Only he is willing to buy that forsaken company, at a cost, of course." 

Laura inhaled a sharp breath before she continued. "Or get out of our lives and never return."

It has finally happened. 

I became Laura's puppet just so I could remain in this house. To feel whatever is left of my parents, and now, it's finally happening.

I'd be stupid to believe Laura wouldn't throw me out even if Mr. Brown did reconsider, or if I sell my body to him.

Tears blurred my vision as Laura waited for me to make my choice.

"Which is it going to be?" She asked coldly.

"If this is my punishment for picking someone else over my mother, then I'd accept my fate," I sniffed back my tears as I spoke. "But I'm done doing anything to benefit you or your daughter..."

Just then, a sudden chill ran down my spine. Something was wrong, but before I could react, I felt a crushing pain in my head.

Blood trickled down my face and when i turned around to see what it was, Rowan stood there with a vase in his hands, and a few blood stain in his shirt.

"Just die already," he spat.

It felt like the world spun around and I couldn't help the tears that burned my cheeks before everything went blank.

*****

~ONE MONTH LATER~

I attempted to open my eyes, but snapped it close immediately. The harsh fluorescent lights burned my vision, and the sterile smell of antiseptic filled my nostrils. I was in a hospital.

A sharp sting shot through my entire body as I tried to move, making me wince in pain.

"You're awake!" A familiar voice gasped.

I turned my head slowly, wincing at the moment when I saw who it was. Kara, my best friend.

Tears blurred her vision as she stared at me in disbelief.

"You're really awake," she whispered before pulling me into a hug. "I thought I'd never see you again... I thought..." she shook her head, as she wiped her tears harshly. 

"All that matters is you're awake," she choked on her sob, leaving me even more confused.

"Where am I?" My voice came out hoarsely.

"You're in my mother's hospital," she said softly before she continued. "You've been unconscious for the past one month."

A month? My breath catched in my throat. "What happened?"

"Let's just say Faye and Laura happened," she whispered.

Before I could ask any more questions, a doctor came in with a small smile on his face. "Finally, you're awake."

I nodded, unsure of how to answer.

"How are you feeling now?"

"Weak... sore..." I whispered and he nodded.

"As expected. You'll need to take things easy and focus on your recovery, especially for the baby's sake," he added.

What is he talking about? My lips moved, but no sound came out. I must have misheard him.

"W-what baby?" I stammered.

"You didn't know?" He asked, looking between Kara and I. 

Kara looked away immediately and I knew something wasn't right.

"Know what?" I tried to sit up and Kara placed a pillow behind me immediately.

"You are pregnant," he dropped the bomb.