A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

"I know this is the only way you will stay with me willingly..." Mark muttered. He held Tina in his arms, gently caressing her head and brushing her long soft black hair with his long and slender fingers, as if he was placating a small animal.

Tina closed her eyes, with a spaced-out look on her face. Evidently, the drugs she had taken was starting to take effect, and the illusions had kicked in. She felt like she was walking on clouds, light as a feather, climbing higher and higher until her mind buzzed with pure joy. She let her body lean against Mark's, without any struggle.

"Tap-tap-tap" There was a knock on the door.

Mark carried Tina to the bed, and laid her down gently, then he bent over and kissed her on the forehead. After tucking her in, he turned to open the door and walked out.

The servant, who was knocking on the door, saw Mark coming out. He whispered to him, "Master Mark, the couple are coming again. They are clamouring for seeing Lady Tina. Should I turn them away as I did before?"

The people he was talking about were Andrew and Debby.

In the past few days, Andrew and Debby came to this house every other day, asking to visit Tina, but each time they were turned away by Mark's people, in accordance with his wishes.

This time, however, Mark changed his mind, as he said, "Let them in."

Andrew and Debby were soon led to Mark's study by the servant. Both of them seemed to be in a nervous state, possibly intimidated by Mark.

When they came in, they saw Mark standing by the window, with his hands behind his back. He cast a glance at them, and sneered, "What on earth do you want to accomplish by coming over to my house?"

"We just want to see our daughter..." Debby muttered. She met his glance and then quickly lowered her head to avoid his eyes.The feeling of guilt overwhelmed her, as she knew that Mark had seen right through her facade.

Mark sniggered and said, "You want to see Tina? Really? What can you do for her? Don't you know that she is ashamed of the both of you? As her biological parents, you've only brought disgrace to her name."

The couple felt heat rising to their cheeks and prayed it wasn't noticeable. Debby tried to explain, "I was pregnant for nearly ten months before I gave birth to her. We love her! Even if she can't understand our love, we still love her..."

"Love?" Mark asked, as he turned around to glance sharply at them. His eyes were like two icy knives, preparing to cut through their pretense, as he said in a cold tone, "Do you even have the right to utter that word?"

From his point of view, no one in the world was fit to mention this word to Tina, except him.

Tina was the apple of his eye, the only one he could never live without.

eyes. Their hearts trembled with fear, rendering

to them, mockingly, "If you really love Tina, I will

course. But, how can we prove ourselves to Tina?

of Tina's misfortunes can be attributed to Emily," Mark said, as his lips twisted into a malicious smile, his eyes harbouring hate. "Whatever

taken aback. She asked in a trembling voice, "What do you mean by

to give you a chance to prove your love. Surely you would be willing to avenge her, wouldn't you?" Mark asked, presuming it their natural duty as parents to sacrifice everything for Tina.

I am. But... But it would hurt Emily," Debby replied with

A rictus grin pulled Mark's thin lips, and he narrowed his gaze and glared at them with bitterness. He raised his voice and angrily denounced, "Have you seen Tina's face? While Tina rots away in a dark corner, Emily is out there living her life, like nothing had ever happened! She really is the most vicious woman in the

she was still trying to change his mind by saying, "Anyway, she is your real sister... How can you ask me to do such a

she has done," he said. Mark grinned coldly, as his whole face seemed to be covered with a thick rancorous mist, and he continued, "So, you don't want to do that? Maybe you prefer Emily? Or else you won't hesitate.

words and tried to defend herself. However, she could not think of exactly the right thing to say for a

After all, she raised Emily as her own child. There was no denying the

consideration, Debby opened her mouth again. "I can't kill her. I can't do it..."

was overcast with malice, and he looked at them with contempt. "If you do as I say, I'll give you 50 million; no strings attached," he

50 million!

seen that much money in their entire lives. Andrew, who had his head down the entire time, since he walked into the study, suddenly looked up at Mark,

million?" Andrew immediately asked,

on his face. Instead, breaking into a smile, he said, "If you agree, I will remit one million first to your bank account in a

turbid eyes rolling around, as if he would agree in the next

final struggles against her conscience. "I

we take the job!"

he transferred 1 million dollars to Andrew's bank account willingly, and he

went upstairs and watched the couple slowly disappear into the horizon. "E-mi-ly," Mark called out her name,

Emily!

person behind Tina's woes. How did she manage to get away with everything unscathed? How could she still live in peace while Tina was reduced to

most trusted and beloved foster parents. Only then would she know the true meaning of living in

Meanwhile, elsewhere.