Chapter 5 Sell Off
“Jacob, you have to listen to me,” Meredith said, sitting down delicately on the edge of the sofa in her husband’s study.
Mr. Jacob Woods had just returned from his long trip and had gotten home earlier that night. He was seated behind his desk and looking over some documents when his wife, Meredith came in.
“This better be important. I need to finish this and have enough rest for my meeting tomorrow morning.” His brows furrowed.
“It is, it's about your daughter.” She replied, crossing her right leg over the other smoothly.
“Which?”
“Naomi.”
“What about her? What has she done this time?”
“This is hard to say, but your wayward daughter has gotten herself in trouble.”
“What kind of trouble and don't you call my daughter wayward.”
Meredith dramatically sighed, “She's…pregnant.”
“What?” His pen slipped from his fingers.
Meredith put on a pitiful face and went on, “Yes dear, your precious daughter has gotten herself pregnant, I caught her trying to hide her test kit and the signs are already showing off on her body.”
“You….you saw her…. She is…” Jacob pushed back his seat, stammering while standing immediately like he was stung by a bee.
“Yes. And I would’ve spoken to her, but I thought it'll be best if you handle it yourself, she's your daughter after all.” She sighed. “ I care for her as my own but…”
“Enough.” His voice was sharp.
He was pacing now, running his hands through his hair. “If this is true…” He wasn't able to finish the sentence before Meredith cut in.
“Honey, listen to me. She leaned forward, lowering her tone. “Now if this gets out that your first daughter is pregnant for a stranger, it will destroy our reputation, business and our stocks will drop. But…” She paused for a moment. “There’s a way to fix it.”
Jacob glanced at her warily. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve already spoken to Benjamin Lee. He’s… willing to marry her.” Her lips curved into a faint smile. “and no one will know.”
Jacob frowned deeply. “Benjamin Lee? That man is twice her age and you already spoke to him?
“Yes,” Meredith concurred, “but he’s wealthy and can take care of your daughter. He'll also keep the pregnancy away from the public.
Jacob stared at Meredith, whirls of emotions running through him. In the next second, he stormed out of the room and she followed with a glint of satisfaction in her eyes.
He pushed Naomi's door open and the young lady sat up in shock.
“Dad?”
“Naomi, tell me it's a lie.”
“What are you…” Naomi became frightened, fearing her step-mum had told him.
“You're pregnant?”
“Dad, I'm sorry. I was drugged.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I wasn't in my right mind, ask Isabella. She was the one who took me to…”
“Shut up! Don’t lie to me,” he said firmly. “Meredith told me everything.”
Naomi’s heart started racing. “Of course she did, she's the course of everything. She's been looking for ways to get rid of me since she married you and now she's found one.”
“Who's the father of this baby?”
“I don't know”
“You don't know? Jacob's voice thundered. “You've been sleeping around?”
“No I wasn't…”
“We need to act fast before anybody outside hears of this, else we'll be in the news tomorrow morning with the caption, Mr. Jacob Woods first daughter, Naomi's got pregnant out of wedlock and claims she doesn't know the father is.”
“Act fast? I'm not getting rid of this baby.”
“I'll be getting rid of you instead, your mother found a way.”
“She's not my mother.” Naomi shook her head, anger bubbling up. “You’re taking her side over mine? Your own daughter?”
“I’m trying to protect you,” Jacob said, “You don’t understand how quickly a scandal can ruin everything I've worked for…”
“Everything you’ve worked for,” Naomi snapped, cutting him off. “You’re choosing your reputation over your child.”
Jacob hesitated, then spoke quietly. “No, but I’m going to ask you to marry Benjamin Lee.”
Naomi blinked, convinced she misheard her father. “You’re going to what?”
“It’s the only way to cover this up, no young man will take you as a wife by the way and I'm not ready to crumble because of your mistakes.” he said, his tone final.
Naomi shot back. “I’m not some helpless little girl you can hand over like property.”
“This isn’t about handing over any…”
“Yes it is!” Her voice broke. “You’re selling me off to save your business.”
Jacob’s shoulders dropped. “Naomi…”
She stepped back, shaking her head. “No. Don’t call my name like you care, because If you did, you wouldn’t even think about this or agree to it. If mum was still alive, none of this would be happening.”
Jacob stared blankly at Naomi for a while. “Whether you agree or not, this wedding will happen. It’s for your own good.”
“My own good?” She laughed bitterly. “You’re unbelievable.”
Naomi had thought her father would stand up for her but he didn't.
