Lizzy was in her room, preparing for bed when she heard a knock on the door. She sat up on the bed.
"Come in." she said, wondering who it could be at this hour.
The door creaked open and Elena walked in with a tray of fruits in her hand. Lizzy jolted up from the bed and rushed to her. She carried the tray and placed it on the bed. Elena sat on the bed beside her.
"How are you, honey?" She asked
"I'm okay. Thank you for asking." Lizzy said with a smile on her face.
"I brought you this because you didn't come down for dinner. The maids said you didn't eat the food they brought to you. You should eat some of this. It's not healthy to go to sleep on an empty stomach." Elena said. Lizzy stared at her, a smile tugging on her lips.
Ever since she moved in, Elena had shown her a lot of motherly love. Despite the fact that Elena gave her time to warm up to her, it didn't stop her from caring about her. She would worry about her when she doesn't eat or when she isn't feeling well. The fact that Lizzy was an adult and could take care of herself didn't deter Elena from caring for her. She wanted to make up for all the years she missed in her daughter's life. Lizzy loved having a mother in her life.
"Why are you staring at me? Is something wrong? Do you not want the fruits? I can ask the maids to make something else." Elena said, her brows creased with worry.
"No, it's fine. I want it." Lizzy flashed her a smile to ease her worry.
"So what's wrong?" Elena asked.
"It's just… I'm just really grateful to have a family. I've had to endure so much because I wanted a family that didn't want me." Lizzy said and chuckled sadly.
"Now that I have my own family, I feel like I can do anything."
Elena's expression softened as she stared at her daughter. She scooted closer to her and cupped her cheeks in her palm.
"Oh sweetie, I'm so glad to have you too. And I'm so sorry you had to go through all that in the hands of the Jenkins. Nothing I say can ease the pain you must be feeling right now." Elena said, getting teary eyed.
"Vance told me what happened at the auction today. Are you okay?" she asked.
Lizzy nodded, unable to say anything.
She was not okay. It hurt her so much to see the father of her unborn child rubbing the woman he cheated on her with in her face. But she didn't say that. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and forced a smile on.
"I'm so proud of you for standing up for yourself. You're so brave, my girl." Elena said, her eyes filled with pride.
Lizzy couldn't hold it in anymore. The secret was eating her inside. She needed to confide in someone because she still didn't know what to do.
"I need to tell you something." She started, adjusting her sitting position on the bed.
"I'm pregnant." Lizzy dropped the bombshell
"Really? Congratulations." Elena said excited. The realization slowly dawned on her and her smile disappeared.
"You're pregnant for your ex-husband?"
Lizzy nodded.
Elena wanted to advise her daughter to keep it. She wanted to assure her that the baby wasn't going to complicate anything. But she decided to hear what she wanted first. After all, she was the one carrying the baby. She was going to support her regardless of her decision.
"So what do you want to do about it?" Elena asked.
"I don't know, really. I had already concluded in my mind that I was going to keep it. But I saw Lucas today and I just…" Lizzy sighed.
"There is a part of me that doesn't want anything to do with Lucas ever again, including having a child together. I want
to cut him out of every aspects of my life. But there is the other part that wants to keep the baby. To protect it. To take care of it without Lucas knowing. But that's impossible. I don't know what to do." Elena patted Lizzy's shoulder in a comforting rhythm.
"I think you know what to do, honey. You just have to listen to your heart." She paused "but I want you to know, the child isn't responsible for the father's mistake. If you decide to keep the pregnancy, your father and I are powerful enough to keep Lucas away from you and your child. But if you don't want any reminder of Lucas, then it's also okay. I'll support you no matter what you decide." Lizzy sighed. Her fingers raked her hair in frustration.
"I'm so confused."
"Why don't you sleep on it? You'll wake up refreshed tomorrow, then you can decide what to do."
"That sounds like a great idea. Thank you so much, mum." Lizzy said.
Elena's heart flutter as she heard the word 'mum'. Her face beams with smiles.
"Anytime, sweetheart." She hugged her.
Elena rose from the bed as they disengaged from the hug.
"Make sure to eat some fruits before you go to sleep. Goodnight, honey." She said as she exited the room.
Lizzy did just that. She waited a few more minutes, contemplating her decision before she went to sleep.
Meanwhile in the Jenkins mansion, Lucas has made his first move. The Berlin family hadn't announced to the press about their long lost daughter. Lucas decided to use the information to his benefit and ruin Lizzy's reputation.
He made an anonymous tip to the press. By morning, everyone would be talking about the latest news. The headline will be:
"BILLIONAIRE LUCAS JENKINS' EX WIFE, LIZZY BLAKE, TRUE IDENTITY REVEALED AS A GOLD DIGGER