Whispers of vengeance

Mrs. Clara had always believed that she had raised her daughter, Joanna well. She taught her the value of integrity, patience, and self-respect, the kind of lessons every mother wished her daughter would carry into womanhood. But all that changed the day Joanna walked into the sitting room one evening and said Mum, I'm pregnant.

The words Joanna said felt like a strange bullet in Mrs. Clara's heart, she froze. Pregnant? she repeated, voice shaking. By who?

Mr. Leo Wong, she said softly.

For a moment, the world stopped.

Mr. Leo? You mean my friend's husband? She screams, tell me you are joking Joanna. How will you do that, Joanna! Mrs. Clara shouted, her voice breaking. How will you bring this kind of disgrace to me? To yourself!

Joanna shrugged lightly, unbothered. It already happened Mum. There's no need to shout.

No need to ....? Mrs. Clara's voice cracked. You had an affair with my best friend's husband! You ruined everything, our name, my friendship, your future and you said no need to shout?

Joanna rolled her eyes. You're so dramatic mum. Maybe if you'd ever think about our future, we will not be poor in the first place. You and your endless advice about pride and dignity, where did it get us?

Mrs. Clara gasped, her hand flew to her chest. Joanna, do you even hear yourself talk?

I hear myself perfectly, Joanna says coolly. And I'm tired of living on your moral lectures. For once, I did something for myself. For us. You should be thanking me.

Mrs. Clara's face twisted in disbelief. Thank you? For destroying my life? For betraying my friend? Someone that had always seen you as her daughter, she paid for your education till the end, gave you everything she gave her own children and this is how you pay her back?

Joanna folded her arms, her lips curving into a mocking smile. Mum, please. Stop acting like a saint. You've been serving Aunty Elizabeth all your life like she's royalty. You have already paid her back for all her kindness, what more does she want?

Now, I'm pregnant with Mr. Leo's child everything will change. We'll never be poor again.

Joanna! Mrs. Clara cried, shaking with rage. You shameless child!

SLAP!

The sound echoed through the room like thunder. Mrs. Clara's palm burns, but her heart burns more.

Joanna's head jerked slightly from the slap, but she didn't cry. She didn't even flinch for long. Still holding the part of her face that was aching, slowly turn her face back toward her mother, eyes glinting with defiance.

This is the last time you'll ever hit me, she says quietly. I'm not your little girl anymore.

The words sliced through Mrs. Clara like glass. She stumbled backward, tears streaming down her cheek.

Joanna, you really disappoint me, Mrs Clara continued; after all my suffering; you decide to humiliate me like this, what of your fiance Jay, what will you tell him?

Joanna smiled, which fiance, that one? Anyway he's not important anymore. All that matters now is my baby and that's all I am thinking now.

I am going upstairs please, stop this your crying and start rejoicing because we are about to have a good life. Yesssss o

She screamed and shouted with joy, singing and shaking her body as she went up to her room.

Getting to her room, she pulled out her phone and dialed the only person she thought would understand her.

Sophia, she said, her voice echoed excitement and joy. Are you in for a drink? Meet me at our usual bar.

Okay, I will see you in a few minutes Sophia replied....

The lights were low and golden, the air thickened with perfume and whispered secrets. Joanna sat at a booth near the back, brushing her fingers over her still flat stomach.

She smiled a little. A billionaire's child, she thought. My child will never suffer the way I did.

When Sophia arrived, she looked as radiant as ever, designer dress, red lipstick, a smirk that hints she already knew everything.

Babe! she said, sliding in beside Joanna's side, you look like a mess and a goddess at the same time. What happen?

Joanna exhaled shakily. I told my mum about my pregnancy for Mr. Leo and she were in her rage.

Sophia whistled. Oh no. How bad?

She slapped me. Joanna's voice cracked, but her chin stayed high. She said I've ruined her life; that I'm a disgrace.

Sophia rolled her eyes. Old generation drama. Girl please, she doesn't get it you just leveled up.

Joanna's lips curve slightly. That's what I said myself. Mr. Leo promised he will take care of me, that the baby changes everything.

Sophia sipped her drink slowly. Oh, I'm sure it will change everything.

Joanna frowned at the tone. You don't sound happy for me.

I am, Sophia said, placing her hand on Joanna's arm. I just want you to remember that billionaires don't love, They invest. And investments can go bad.

Joanna shook her head. Not him. He's different. He said he loves me.

Sophia chuckled a low knowing sound. They all say the same thing before they find the next girl.

Joanna's face darkens. Are you jealous?

Maybe, Sophia said with a small shrug. Or maybe I've seen this story before and it never ends with a wedding ring.

Mine is different, Mr. Leo is different, he will marry me; you just wait and see

Marry you? Sophia said with a smiley icy voice. Okay I hope he do.

Joanna froze. What do you mean by that?

Sophia smiled slowly, deliberately. Let's just say Mr. Leo has expensive taste and might have other girls around.

Joanna's breath caught.

Sophia raised her glass. To success babe. May we both get what we deserve.

She downed the drink in one go and walked out, leaving Joanna trembling, confused, torn between pride and dread.

She pressed a hand to her stomach, whispering to herself:

He'll choose me. He has to.

But deep down, something cold settled in her chest, the faint realization that maybe her mother's slap wasn't just anger.

Maybe it had been a warning.

She stood outside the bar for some minutes, her heart pounding, her mother's words echoing in her head.

Shame? she muttered to herself. She calls it shame. I call it survival, because I know with this baby my future is secured and I am never going back to poverty again.

She stopped under a streetlight, pulled out her phone, and smirked at her reflection in the dark screen. Her lipstick was still perfect. Her eyes sparkled with rebellion.

Who needs approval, she murmured, when you can have attention?

Just then, her phone buzzed in her hand.

She frowned. The screen lit up with a familiar name, "Jay" why is he calling me now

Hello...