“Phoebe!” Leah called the young lady running away from the living room of the Thompson’s mansion. She stood up from bending on the floor and was about to follow Phoebe outside when she suddenly felt a hand stopping her from running away. She faced the person who was holding her.

It was Amelia. And there was begging visible in her eyes. “Please return our daughter to us, Leah. Eighteen years is already enough,” she pleaded.

Leah was left with no other choice but to agree with her. After all, this was the reason why they appeared again in Brenn City after so many years.

With a heavy heart, Leah went outside to look for the young lady that she had been treating as her own for years.

“Phoebe…” She found her in the garden, staring at the nothingness. She did not even bother to glance at her after calling her. “Phoebe, I know that all of this seems abrupt to you, but you need to accept the truth–”

Phoebe sharply turned to her mom. There was anger in her eyes. “What truth are you talking about, mom? Why don’t we just go home? I still have classes to attend to. Let’s go.” She reached for her mother’s hand to convince her. But Leah moved away.

“Listen to me, Phoebe, please?” Leah begged.

Phoebe shook her head in disapproval. “I can’t understand you, mom. I’ve been asking you so many times where we are going today last night. But you never answered me. And you just bombarded me with a thing that is so hard to understand now!” she exclaimed in frustration. Her mind was in chaos. She just confirmed that her instinct about this trip was right. There was something weird in here.

Leah sighed in defeat. This would be hard. But she would do everything for her Phoebe to understand it. “Honey, I am telling the truth. Do you remember what I answered you when you asked about your dad? I told you that he died long ago. And that’s because I just took you away from your real parents,” Leah started. “Amelia and Henry were my bosses before. And during that time, we were both in need of something. For me, I needed money for the hospital bills of my first daughter, Lily. She had cancer back then. While the Thompson’s were also eager to have a child. But Amelia had PCOS which made it hard for them to make a baby. That was when they offered me to become a gestational carrier in exchange, they would pay for all Lily’s bills and for her maintenance.”

As the explanation went further, Phoebe got more confused. But she chose to listen to Leah.

“I agreed to carry Amelia’s egg and Henry’s sperm to make you. They took care of me so much that time and also Lily. But in my fourth month of pregnancy, they decided to have a trip to an island for their wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, Lily bled that night. I sent her to the hospital and she was in need of an urgent operation. And I needed a big amount that time, But I couldn't contact Amelia and Henry because the island had no signal there. Lily died that night. Anger rose in my heart. I was blaming them for the death of my only child. That was why after Lily’s burial, I decided to escape from their household and went to a remote place where I gave birth to you.

“After a year or two, I finally realized the wrong thing that I did. I was sorry for you and the Thompsons. But I couldn’t take you back. As I’ve said earlier, I already learned to love you as my own. That was the reason why I decided to keep you all these years.”

“Then why did you bring me here now?” Phoebe asked.

Leah felt a lump in her throat for her sudden question. She then bit her lips.

“Mom?”

“Because I have lung cancer, too,” Leah confessed.

Now, it was Phoebe’s turn to be dumbfounded. “What?!”

Leah avoided her questioning eyes. “Yes. I just found out the day you told me to go to the hospital for a check-up. And it is already in its terminal stage, stage four.”

Phoebe’s tears automatically fell down her cheeks. She was frozen in her place. “Then why didn’t you tell me about it immediately, mom?” she asked with dismay in her voice.

Leah was silent.

Phoebe ran her fingers to her hair frustratedly. “Why didn’t you tell me, mom?!” She started to get hysterical while crying.

So Leah immediately pulled her to a hug. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Phoebe,” she whispered these sentences multiple times to her.

Phoebe cried harder because of her mother’s words.

The truth about her identity instantly left her mind because of the revelation about her mother’s health.

Fear crept her heart.

Of all the people in the world, why was her mother the one to get that kind of disease?

She was the kindest person that any person could meet. So, why her?

***

Henry was still consoling his wife when he saw Leah and Phoebe come back from outside.

Phoebe looked more composed now than a while ago.

“They’re here,” he whispered to Amelia.

Amelia moved away from him and wiped her tears. She cleared her throat and fixed her posture as she watched Phoebe take her seat.

After they took a seat, Phoebe directly glanced at Amelia and Henry. She felt nervous right at the moment. And she could also feel how tense the two were while waiting for her to speak. She heaved a deep sigh before voicing out the decision that she made up in her mind. “Mom already explained everything to me–”

She almost regretted pronouncing that word when she saw pain in Amelia’s face. She did not know why she felt hurt seeing the woman in pain. But since there was nothing she could do anymore, she just continued her speech. “And I’ve agreed with her to stay here.”

Amelia and Henry felt an instant relief after hearing those words from their long lost daughter that now appeared. “Thank you so much,” Amelia said towards Leah.

Leah smiled weakly at them.

“But with conditions,” Phoebe interrupted them.

“Anything that you will ask for,” Henry responded.

“Tell us. What is it?” Amelia asked, too.

Phoebe took a glance at Leah, then smiled at her.

Leah smiled back.

“I want mom to stay here with me. And I also want you to help her with the hospital bills. She has lung cancer. And I can’t afford to just send her back to our hometown just like that,” she politely explained.

Amelia and Henry looked at each other. A few seconds later, they nodded her head before facing Phoebe.

“Sure. We will help her with everything,” Henry said.

Phoebe smiled at them. “Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson.”

“Please call us mommy and daddy, P-Phoebe,” Amelia requested with longing in her voice and eyes.

Phoebe bit her lips as she looked at Leah.

Leah just nodded her head at her with a curve on her lips.

“Okay, m-mommy.”

***

“Have you heard the news about the Thompsons?”

Alfred Evans stopped from reading the newspaper because of his wife’s question. He took a sip of his coffee first before answering her. “Yes. Actually, I have already scheduled a meeting with Henry today. Now that the heiress of the Thompsons came back already, I think this is the right time to fulfill our agreement with them. This is the right time for the top 1 and top 2 in the fashion industry to merge forces to dominate the fashion world,” he responded with a victorious smile on his lips.

The wife also curved her lips upward after her husband’s statement.

They were not aware of the crisis that the Thompsons were facing at the moment.

***

“It is really great to hear that your heiress is already found. I am happy for both of you,” Alfred greeted them in the middle of their meal.

“Thank you, Alfred,” Henry responded before taking a bite of his food.

Alfred cleared his throat to start with his purpose of calling for this dinner meeting. “Now that your daughter is already here, don’t you think that this is the right time to continue our agreement years ago?”

Henry was all ears to his business friend. He liked where this conversation was going. “What do you mean, Alfred?” He acted like he was clueless of what the other man was talking about.

Alfred laughed at his business friend’s pretension. “Oh, c’mon, Henry. Didn’t we have an agreement that we will arrange marriage for our son and daughter when they reach the right age?”

“Oh!” Henry acted like he was enlightened about the agreement. “Yes. Yes. I actually think that this is the right time for that to happen,” he agreed.

Actually, this was what he was waiting for. This was what their company needed to survive the crisis.

Amelia, who was also worried for their company’s status, but more worried that this sudden implementation of the agreement might shock their daughter, held her husband’s hand.

Henry looked down their intertwined fingers, then lifted his gaze to her. He looked at her with a look implying, ‘Trust me on this.’

Amelia just sighed in defeat. It was clear that they were left with no choice now.

***

“Are you really sure about this, Phoebe?” Amelia worriedly asked.

They just finished telling her the situation of the company right now. They told her about the crisis that they were facing. And told her that they could still provide for her needs for years, but they did not know how long they could manage to support her. And they were shocked when Phoebe unhesitatingly agreed.

It had already been six months since Phoebe stayed in her real parents’ mansion. And she saw and felt how longed for her. She saw how willing they were to provide everything that she would ask for, even if it meant helping someone who did them wrong before.

And upon hearing their explanation about their company, Phoebe felt worried for them, too. She knew that her real parents worked hard for them to reach their place right now. And it would not be too much for her to agree and marry someone that could help their company rise again.

“Yes, mommy. I’ve already made up my mind. I will accept the marriage proposal from the Evans,” she answered them.

“How’s your class?” Leah asked Phoebe.

Phoebe smiled at her mother that she grew up with. She closed the door and walked towards Leah’s bed. She then sat beside her. “It’s all normal, mom. How about you? How are you? How do you feel?” she asked her.

Leah smiled weakly. “I-I’m fine. Still the same,” she responded.

Phoebe treated this as a miracle. She learned that her mom was supposed to live for only two to three months after she figured out her disease. Yet here she was, still fighting for her life for already six months.

Even after learning that Leah just took the life where she belonged, Phoebe could not still afford to hate on her. After all, she took care of her well, loved her as her own, and provided everything that she asked for. That was why she decided to ignore all of it and just focus on what she had now.

And besides that, it was also great having two mothers and a father at the same time. She was getting overflowing care and love from them. That was enough for her to erase the supposed hatred in her heart.

“Don’t stress yourself so much, okay? And also, always find time to spend with Amelia and Henry,” Leah advised her.

Phoebe smiled at her, then she nodded her head. “Yes, mom,” she answered.

“Good.”

After a month of living with her real parents, her father, Henry, enrolled her to a school for proper etiquette and business class also to prepare her from running their business since she would be the one to be the company’s new CEO after she got married. And she would not deny that she was loving it. She just found a track that she was enjoying doing.

Phoebe laid down on the bed and hugged Leah’s waist and buried her face to her neck. “Mom?”

“Hmm?” Leah combed her hair using her fingers.

“Don’t get angry with me, please?” Phoebe suddenly said.

“Huh? Why would I get angry with you?” Leah’s brows furrowed. “Are you hiding something from me?”

Phoebe got silent for a moment. She did not know how to tell her mom about the marriage proposal that she agreed to with her mommy and daddy.

“Phoebe?” Leah called her with a warning voice.

Phoebe lifted her gaze to her mom and laughed awkwardly. “Promise me first that you won’t get angry with me,” she convinced her.

Leah raised an eyebrow at her. “Phoebe…” she warned her once more.

Phoebe pouted her lips. “Fine.” She bit her lips, finding the courage to admit everything. Then she heaved a deep breath before blurting out the thing. “I am getting engaged next week, mom,” she said with one of her eyes closed.

Leah’s jaw dropped after her daughter’s revelation.

***

Days had gone by fast. And her engagement party with the Evans Corporation’s heir was already approaching.

“How do you feel about this, Phoebe? Do you feel uncomfortable? Do you want to back out? You really don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” Amelia said to Phoebe while fitting her the gown that she would be wearing for tonight’s engagement party. She really meant what she said. As much as she wanted to save their company, she would not risk her daughter’s happiness in exchange for it. She knew that her husband could still find other ways to save their business without sacrificing their daughter’s happiness, especially that she just returned to them. They must take care of her to put up with the years that were taken away from them. And must not pressure her this early with these kinds of things.

Phoebe faced her mommy and held her hands. She lightly squeezed those as she smiled reassuringly at her. “Don’t worry about me, mommy. I am not only doing this for you and mom. I am also doing this for myself. Daddy’s right. I will become the CEO of the company soon. Therefore, I must train and act like one. And this involves things like this. Don’t have a heavy heart and feel bad about this event. This is my own decision. You asked me for it. You never forced me to decide like this. And I thank you for that. Thank you for showing your support, love and care towards me. I know that you’re worried that I might think bad about you, but I assure you. I don’t. I just broaden my understanding on things, especially when it comes to business,” she comforted her.

Amelia could not help but to get teary-eyed at her daughter’s speech. She pulled her into a tight hug. “We’re so lucky to have you, Phoebe. Thank you for giving us a chance,” she heartily said.

She was thankful to Leah that she raised their daughter into a fine and great young lady. She had already accepted that maybe this was the way of fate to let them realize and appreciate things. She had already let go of before. What was important right now was their daughter was now by their side.

“What a lovely scene it is!”

The mother and daughter pulled away from the hug because of that voice. Both of them looked at the doorstep and found Henry standing there with his arms crossed. He then opened his arms wide. “Won’t you give me a hug, too, sweetie?” He jokingly raised an eyebrow at Phoebe.

The two ladies laughed at the man’s actions. Then both of them walked towards him for a hug.

Henry hugged them back and gave them a kiss on the head. “I love the both of you so much,” he whispered to them.

“I love you, too, honey.”

“I love you, too, daddy.”

***

“Are you really fine here, Phoebe? Why don’t you come with me?” Amelia asked Phoebe.

“I’m fine, mommy. I’ll just wait for you here,” Phoebe answered.

“Are you sure?” Amelia asked once more.

Phoebe smiled at her. “Yes, mommy.”

The old woman then heaved a deep sigh. “Fine. Just come to me when you need anything then.”

Phoebe nodded in response.

Amelia even kissed her on the cheeks before walking away from her.

Phoebe was left there alone on the table. There were some men who tried to approach her, but she would immediately end the conversation with them. She was really bored because she was not used to this kind of party. And as the night deepened, the more she got bored. So, when her eyes caught the bar counter, she immediately stood up and walked towards it.

She ordered a drink and was on her way back to her seat when she suddenly bumped into someone, causing her drink to spill to the man she bumped into.

“Hey!” the man exclaimed.

“I’m sorry, mister!” she immediately apologized because she just spilled the wine on the man’s suit.

The man hissed in irritation.

Phoebe could not lift her gaze to the man for she was embarrassed for her carelessness. She could not blame the man for his reaction because she would probably react that way, too if she was in his position.

“Is this your way of catching my attention?” the man suddenly asked boastfully.

That made Phoebe raise her head with her eyes narrowed. “What did you just say?” She felt like her ears rang because of his accusation.

“You’re one of those girls who like me, right?” Another question from him that made the young lady’s blood boil.

She could accept if he got angry with her because of the spilling of the wine. But she could not accept this boastfulness that was coming from him. “Excuse me, mister? First of all, I have already apologized for the carelessness that I did. Secondly, I don’t know your name and who you are, mister. And most importantly, I am not like those other girls. Besides, I am getting married to the country’s most eligible and hottest bachelor. So don’t think of yourself so highly.” She looked from his toe to head. “And one more thing, you’re not my type,” she added, then she rolled her eyes at him before turning her back and walking away.

***

“We are so grateful for everyone who attended tonight. And for tonight’s celebration…”

Phoebe’s mind was flying because the man’s face would not leave her mind since she got back to her seat. She could not forget how arrogant that man was. She could not even listen to what her mommy was saying in front because of it.

“Let us all welcome on stage, the engaged couple, Phoebe Thompson and Adrian Evans! Let us all give them a round of applause!” Amelia announced.

With that, Phoebe got out of daze and stood up to go on the stage. But when she reached beside her mommy, she was stoned from where she was standing because of who she just saw.

That arrogant man that she just bumped into a while ago was Adrian Evans!

“Ehem… So you’re going to marry the country’s most eligible and hottest bachelor, huh?” Adrian teased Phoebe after he sipped on his wine.

It had been already half an hour since Amelia announced about the merging of the Thompson and Evans Corporation through Phoebe and Adrian’s marriage soon. And since then, Adrian did not stop bothering and teasing Phoebe about what she said after the bumping incident a while ago.

Phoebe blew out air as she glared at him in irritation. “Can you just shut up? I did not mean what I’ve said, okay?” She then hissed. “I never knew that you’re the man who I’m going to marry. If I'd known it earlier, then I would have immediately backed out,” she added, then she rolled her eyes at him.

Adrian chuckled for the young lady’s sassiness. It was his first time to encounter a woman who really did not have an interest in him. And it was also his first time to see a woman who was as simple yet elegant as her. He was not exaggerating though. Because living and socializing with elite people meant competing with everyone not only with business but also with their fashion sense.

He also knew that she was telling the truth. But she could not stop from teasing her. She looked so cute with that frown on her face.

He tried to offer her a toast, but the fierce lady immediately looked away. He shook his head with a smirk on his lips. He put his free hand inside his pocket, then leaned his back on the edge of the bar counter. “So, what do you think of me, Ms. Future Mrs. Evans?” he asked.

Phoebe, who wanted to leave the man’s side but was shy to embarrass her parents from the visitor’s eyes, secretly mocked him. “Can you just shut up? And don’t you ever dare mention that title again. I’m shivering,” she irritatedly said.

Adrian faked a worried face. “Oh, why are you shivering? Are you cold?” He then took off his coat, then handed it to her.

Phoebe brows furrowed at his gesture. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“C’mon, babe. Don’t be shy,” Adrian responded. He moved towards her and was going to let her wear the coat.

Phoebe was about to dodge him and move away, but Adrian carefully grabbed her wrist and whispered to her. “Don’t move away, everyone’s watching.”

Phoebe was electrified by his whisper, especially with his hot breath, causing her to widen her eyes and be stunned from her place. Her heart also started to beat rapidly.

Adrian took the opportunity to let her wear his coat. A curve appeared on his lips when he saw how she was dumbfounded with his actions. ‘So, I also have this effect on you, huh?’ he thought.

The guests, who were secretly watching the newly engaged couple, could not hide their admiration towards the two anymore.

“They looked so good together, didn't they?”

“I suddenly remembered how my husband and I were before.”

“I can see a bright future ahead of them.”

Those statements were just some of the comments of the guests towards Adrian and Phoebe.

“It looks like they are already getting along with each other,” Alfred commented happily.

“I think so, too,” Henry replied, watching her daughter together with Adrian.

“We should toast for this. A toast for the new start and fruitful merging of Thompson and Evans Corporation!” Janice Evans offered.

Amelia just smiled at them as she accepted the toast. After having a drink, her gaze returned to where their daughter was. She was really hoping that her unica hija did not feel forced into this arranged marriage. Because the last thing that she would do was to hurt her precious daughter’s feelings.

***

Finally, Phoebe already got home after her worst night ever!

That Adrian Evans really did not leave her side until the party ended. And that was what made her night the worst of all. She could not stand the boastfulness of that man. It was like he was made up of air because of his arrogance. She thought she did not have even a minute to roll her eyes for every line that he was saying.

And he was also too talkative for a man.

She could not help to stomp her feet in irritation when she reached the doorstep of Leah’s bedroom.

She only temporarily stopped thinking about Adrian when she heard loud coughs of her mom inside the room. “Mom, this is Phoebe. I’m going to enter now, okay?” she spoke from the outside.

She did not bother to wait for her to respond and immediately opened the door because of worry. She rushed to Leah and sat beside her. She had already stopped from coughing. “Mom, let me get you to the hospital,” she said.

But Leah weakly shook her head and just held Phoebe’s hand. “Mom’s fine. How about you? How did the party go? I’m sorry that I could not go and attend,” she voiced out, almost out of breath.

Phoebe’s eyes softened as she reached for Leah’s cheeks. She carefully caressed it.

Leah’s physical appearance had changed so much since she discovered her illness.

Her good physique before had now changed. She became skinny. And her hair also fell out because of chemotherapy.

She could not believe that the healthy woman, who used to design, sew, and sell clothes for them to live, was now in her weakest state.

“I love you so much, Phoebe. Always remember that,” Leah said, then coughed again.

“Mom, stop talking first please?” Phoebe stopped her. Her vision started to blur because of the tears in her eyes. Worry, sadness, and pity for her mom was mixing inside of her. If only she had a choice, she did not want to see her this weak.

Leah caressed her daughter’s cheek. “And please forgive me for taking you away from the original life that you should have had before. I am sorry for being so selfish, Phoebe,” she cried.

Phoebe’s heart was clenching in pain. Leah never forgot to ask for her forgiveness every time she visited her here. She would not deny that she was hurt for what she did because there were many what ifs that were coming into her mind that time. But whenever she remembered how Leah took care of her, all of those vanished in an instant. And she also never forgot to tell her that she had already forgiven her.

“Mom, the past is already in the past. Let’s move on and just think about what we have now and what we will have tomorrow, shall we?” she hardly said.

Leah wiped Phoebe’s tears as she smiled. “I’m sorry. I was just carried away. Thank you so much, Phoebe for all, especially for asking your parents to help with my medications.”

“That’s just a normal thing for me to do, mom. Please stop making me cry, can you?” she joked to ease the heaviness of the atmosphere.

Leah laughed, then wiped her tears, too. “Fine. Just tell me about how the party went then. I’m sure you’re the most beautiful there.”

“Of course, mom!” Phoebe confidently answered which made both of them laugh.

“So, have you already seen who’s your fiance? Is he handsome?”

Phoebe’s blood automatically raised to her head because of that question. Adrian’s annoying face immediately flashed in her mind. She hissed. “Yes, he is. But he’s too arrogant,” she complained, pouting her lips and rolling her eyes.

Leah laughed at her daughter’s reaction. “Why did you say that?”

Phoebe sighed. “Let’s just forget about him, mom. He’s nothing but a boastful man who thinks that every woman in the world has a crush on him. Like, eww! He’s not my type!” she grumbled. She was also fisting her hand. She did not know why she was so pissed off with him to the point that her eyebrow would automatically raise once she heard his name.

Leah’s stomach hurt because of laughing too much for Phoebe’s reactions. Somehow, she was already having a clue of how the relationship of the two would go in the future.

She was just hoping that her beloved daughter would not get hurt when the time came.

***

Meanwhile, inside Adrian’s bedroom, he was there, lying down on his bed, with his hands as his pillow, staring at the ceiling. If people would know, they might think that he was insane for seeing Phoebe’s face on his ceiling.

A bright smile on his lips was irremovable. He thought that he would just get engaged with a woman who had nothing else to worry but her appearance and status. But Phoebe proved him wrong. And now, he could not take her off his mind.

Her smiles and frown was all he could see. She was too cute and gorgeous at the same time whenever she had her face crumpled because of annoyance towards him.

“Hayyy…” He sighed as his smile widened more. “Phoebe Thompson…”

Now, he just wanted to know more about her.