A Drunken Decision ( Annabelle Ross )

Chapter 7 

Nathan, who had been indignant, shut his mouth after hearing those words. His sister’s satisfaction always came first! “Forget it, we don’t need him. We’ll raise it ourselves!” Nathan loudly said. 

Hearing his words, Annabelle’s eyes crinkled with a smile. Nodding, she answered, “Right, we’ll raise it ourselves!” 

Annabelle was rich filthy rich. 

As soon as she was born, her grandfather had registered 20 percent of Ross Group’s shares under Annabelle’s name as a gift for her. A considerable amount is paid to her every year just from the dividends. After benefitting from it for 23 years, she had ample money to raise a child, even though she had always spent her wealth lavishly along with Nathan. 

With the matter solved, the siblings no longer troubled themselves about the issues regarding that man. Nathan resorted to scrolling through his phone while Annabelle flipped through the magazines beside her. Just as she was about to swap out a financial magazine that didn’t suit her fancy, a familiar face popped up again. 

The man in the photo was clad in a black suit, his handsome face adorned with a pair of silver–rimmed glasses. With his lips lightly pressed together, it was evident that he wasn’t an easy man to be around. 

Not bothering to read the article, Annabelle shut the magazine and placed it back on the stand. 

After about ten minutes, it was finally time for the siblings to get on their flight. 

Annabelle took in her surroundings by looking back and finally understood the feeling of homesickness. “I don’t know what the future would be like. I know even less about when I will be back in my hometown again. Would it be in one or two years? Or would it be three of five?” she mused in her heart. 

Thus, Annabelle’s collected composure was broken again, and tears started forming in her eyes. She had never been so far from home for that long! 

“It’ll be okay! You’ll be back soon!” Seeing tears appear in Annabelle’s eyes as though she would burst out crying at any moment, Nathan hurriedly comforted her. 

“This won’t do. Once I’m able to marry, I’ll find a woman to marry and adopt Anna’s child. This way, she’ll be able to come. back! Now I’m 18 years old, but I’m only allowed to marry when I’m 22… That’s one… two… three… four years later! Four years don’t seem soon enough,” Nathan thought to himself. 

Feeling dejected, Nathan started to think of other solutions. 

“Or maybe we can let Christina raise the child after it is born?” Nathan suggested. 

Christina Jefferson was Annabelle’s only friend who stuck with her throughout all these years. Compared to underachievers like them, Christina was a genius who had already started pursuing a doctorate at the time of Anna’s graduation, even though they were the same age. Recently, she went abroad to participate in a seminar. 

“What wacky idea is that?” thought Annabelle as she shoved Nathan back to his seat. 

“Even if Christina even had the time, how is it an unmarried woman’s duty to raise my child?” she added to herself. 

Either way, Annabelle had already made up her mind to be a responsible mother from the moment she decided to have the child. 

To her, giving birth to the child meant that she would do her best for it instead of giving it away to people for the child’s so–called good. Annabelle didn’t want to be irresponsible like that. 

She thought, “As everyone knows, motherhood strengthens a woman, so I can get over my woes and should stick with her decision.” 

Little would Annabelle know that not even the strength from motherhood could save her! 

She and Nathan had gloomily returned to the country after being abroad for less than three days, the reason being that she could not get used to the food abroad! 

Annabelle was sick for three days straight, unable to keep any food down. Not even the food from Chanacan restaurants abroad could satisfy her. Also, though she had the will and the skills to cook, she threw up at the very smell of cooking! 

Nathan had originally planned to be with her and be back in school within a few days once he was done helping Annabelle settle in, but he didn’t dare to leave on his own after witnessing Annabelle’s condition. 

Seeing her throw up yet again, Nathan couldn’t help but suggest that they go home. 

Annabelle had longed to go home even before his suggestion, but her pride stopped her from saying so. Like a needle poking through a balloon, Nathan’s suggestion broke her resolve. 

After that, the siblings stayed up all night packing their luggage and, with some difficulty, paid the housekeeper, who didn’t speak a lick of their language. On the fourth day, they boarded the earliest flight and returned home. 

Stepping out of the airport, Annabelle inhaled deeply. “Home sweet home!” she thought sighing with soliof “Buon 

Chapter 7 

feels fresher at home than it does elsewherel” 

“So, Anna, where are we going now?” Nathan’s question ruined Annabelle’s mood in an instant, and her already–tired complexion turned sour. 

Nathan went quiet for a moment. 

Nathan saw his sister’s expression and knew he had hit a nerve. Nonetheless, the existing problems would not disappear just because they were ignored. 

“Maybe we can go to a hotel?” he offered, knowing that his sister was wealthy enough to afford to live in a hotel until she gave birth, at which point she could bring the child home. 

“I–I’ll go to Yaleview!” Annabelle said. “It’s impossible for me to go home. Mom and Dad don’t want me to embarrass them, which means I can’t stay in Dellmoor either. I don’t have many friends, but there’s still a chance of me getting recognized by someone I know here. My bump isn’t showing now, so it’s okay for me to be on the streets. But I’ll embarrass our parents to no end if I get recognized with a huge belly further on!” Anna’s thoughts raced in her mind. 

“Now, my only option is to stay in some lesser–known place to avoid people I know. Yaleview is a small town near the east coast, and it’s Christina’s hometown. I’ve been there once, and I’d much rather stay somewhere I feel familiar with,” her thoughts continued. 

“We’ll part ways here!” said Annabelle to Nathan. “Remember, don’t let this slip when you go home to Mom and Dad. I’ll go to Yaleview alone.” 

“Absolutely not!” Nathan refused immediately. “How can I let you go alone when you’re like this?” 

“It’s okay!” Annabelle waved him off dismissively. “I’ll ring Christina up and ask her parents to help me out. You’ve got a job to do. Go home and help me keep Mom and Dad in check. Think of what will happen if they contact the people abroad and find out that I’m back!” 

Nathan’s decision wavered when he heard her. 

“Don’t worry. 

I feel much better now that I’m back.” Annabelle went on to convince him further, “I just wasn’t used to being abroad! I haven’t thrown up at all since we landed, see?” 

Nathan finally relented. “Well, you’ll have to text me often; I’ll come and see you on the weekends!” 

Annabelle smiled and nodded forcefully. “Yeah, I’ll text you once I’m settled in!” 

With that, the two siblings went in different directions: one was home bound, while the other bought a ticket to Yalcview. 

It was already dark outside when Annabelle arrived at Yaleview. Instead of bothering Christina’s parents, she booked a room for herself in the only five–star hotel Yaleview had to offer. 

“I’ll get some rest before thinking about how I’ll settle down here,” she decided. 

Of course, Annabelle didn’t neglect to update her brother and ask about the situation at home. 

“How are things? Did you act naturally? Are Mom and Dad suspecting anything? What about Ashley? What did she say?”