From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea )

Lacy was several years older than Sarah. Original content from NôvelDrama.Org.

His parents had been on their case about settling down and starting a family, itching for the day they could spoil a grandchild.

But since Lacy's girlfriend was Sarah, the wedding had been on hold until now.

Now that Sarah was pregnant, their folks would be over the moon.

Compared to the joy of a child, what was a mere eighty grand?

Lacy couldn't stop smiling at the thought. He was eager to rush home and share the fantastic news with his parents.

Then Sarah added, “Remember the fuss about the wedding fund last time? My folks were really upset. Don’t you think your parents should come over and apologize to mine?”

The previous standoff over the wedding fund had left Sarah's family feeling cold, since the Browns hadn't been willing to part with the money.

Lacy nodded eagerly, “Of course! Don’t worry, Sarah, I’ll make sure they apologize.”

“That’s good to hear.” Sarah sighed in relief, confident that Lacy wasn’t the man Anthea had made him out to be.

How could she and their child not be worth more to Lacy than a measly eight grand?

Back at home, Lacy broke the news to his parents.

Debra looked at him in shock, asking, “What did you say?”

“I said Sarah’s pregnant! She’s carrying my child!” replied Lacy.

Lacy's father, Bob, who was sitting on the couch reading the newspaper, beamed with joy, “Really? Sarah’s actually pregnant?”

“Yes!” Lacy pulled out the doctor's report from his bag, “Here, take a look. It’s the official report from the hospital.”

Bob's hands shook as he took the paper, scanning the words before exclaiming, “We’re going to have an heir! Bless the heavens! Thank the Lord!”

Bob immediately dropped to his knees in gratitude.

Debra snatched the report from Bob, “Is it true? She’s really pregnant?”

“Mom, you’re going to be a grandmother!”

Debra didn’t seem too thrilled, her brows furrowed, “Is she using the pregnancy to pressure you?”

“What?” Lacy was taken aback.

Debra scoffed, “Don’t tell me she hasn’t made any demands!”

She had seen Sarah’s type before, always looking to use a child to tie down a man.

Pregnant before marriage! Completely shameless. Disgraceful!

Their respectable Brown family must have been cursed to have crossed paths with such a shameless woman.

Lacy continued, “Sarah didn't really ask for anything, just that our family should pay the wedding fund, and then... then...”

“Then what?” Debra’s tone chilled.

Lacy scratched his head, “Then she hopes you and Dad could visit her family and, you know, apologize.”

“Absolutely!” Bob stood up, brushing himself off, “We were wrong that day. It was our first visit, and we shouldn't have shown up empty-handed. And about the wedding fund, eighty thousand really isn’t much. Now that Sarah’s pregnant, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to offer the money...”

“Zip it!” Debra shot Bob a glare, “What do you know? Who’s running this house, you or me?”

Bob clammed up instantly, silent as a mouse in front of a cat.

“Mom...” Lacy was confused by his mother's bitterness.

Debra planted her hands on her hips, her demeanor that of a woman ready for a street fight, “That little hussy! She thinks she’s got one over on me because she’s pregnant? Does she think she can outsmart me?”

Debra knew Lacy was too soft-hearted, just like his father, Bob.

Once Sarah married into the family, Lacy would surely bend over backwards for her.

Where would that leave Debra’s authority as a mother?

No way she would let Sarah have her way.

Sarah thought she could use her pregnancy to gain the upper hand?

Not a chance. Debra was no tame cat to be trifled with.

“That bitch!”

“Mom, please don’t talk about Sarah like that. She’s carrying my child,” Lacy implored with a troubled look.

Debra snorted, “Any woman can get pregnant and have kids. Does she think she's the only hen in the world that can lay eggs? She expects us to cough up eighty thousand dollars? And she wants an apology from me? She can keep dreaming!”

“Mom, you can’t be serious about this.” Lacy looked at her in disbelief.

“Not a penny!” Debra crossed her arms.

Not eighty thousand, not even eighty cents.

Lacy pleaded urgently, “But Sarah’s carrying my child! Mom, you can’t do this!”