Chapter 205

Sarah's POV

"The money I transferred to you last time should be enough for the procedure. If you don't mind, you can schedule the surgery for tomorrow morning."

The moment the call ended, it felt as if a block of ice had dropped from the top of my head. slowly sliding down my spine to the soles of my feet.I sat there, phone still pressed against my ear, my brain seemingly having stopped functioning.

I gently set down my phone, my gaze falling on the expensive abstract painting on the opposite wall-the one Philip had bought for me without hesitation during one of our dates. Where had that infatuation and adoration in his eyes gone? How had the man who was like a well-trained hunting dog, always ready to please me,suddenly grown fangs?

"Bastard!" I cursed, standing up to pace back and forth across the room.Just minutes ago, I had confidently made that request-for him to have a vasectomy. In my plan, he should have yielded as usual, and then I would have permanently secured his future.

I stopped in my tracks, my hand unconsciously moving to my abdomen.No, I couldn't panic. This child was mny biggest bargaining chip. Did Philip really think I would go through with an abortion? He was so naive.

Taking a deep breath, I sat back down on the sofa, considering my next move. Betty's face flashed through my mind-that self-important Upper East Side socialite, always meddling in her son's love life. Perhaps... she could help.

I picked up my phone and dialed Betty's number. The moment the call connected. I imnmediately adjusted my expression, knowing that even though she couldn't see me. I could feel my voice changing to sound more pitiful: "Mom. I don't know if it's because of the pregnancy, but my emotions have been extremely unstable lately."

The deliberate sob in my voice almost made me believeit myself.

"What's wrong, dear?" Betty's voice immnediately filled with concern, just as I had anticipated. This woman always loved playing the savior role.

I took a deep breath and began my performance: "Philip keeps getting closer to Annie." My voice started to tremble, tears ready to fall at any moment. "When I see them together, I can't help but think... what if they reconciled? What would happen to me and the baby? What should I do?"

I heard her gasp on the other end of the line. Success-she took the bait.

"That's impossible!" Betty immediately responded firmly, her voice filled with certainty, "As long as I'm around, those two will never get back together!"

On my end of the phone, I gently bit my lower lip, suppressing the smile that was about to emerge. Betty's reaction was exactly as I had expected.

"You know," Betty contínued, her voice suddenly turning sharp, "that Annie Baker was never good enough for my son. Just an ordinary girl from Boston, no family background, only that pitiful illustration talent.Marrying Philip was marrying up for her."

I deliberately sighed: "But Philip seems like he still can't let her go..."

"Ridiculous!" Betty was practically shouting, "Women like Annie Baker simply don't understand how to maintain a marriage. She's too self-

centered,doesn't know how to care for a man's needs and feelings.I knew from the beginning she wasn't suitable for our family."

Listening to Betty's disparagement of Annie, a wave of satisfaction surged within me. Annie's gentle and virtuous demeanor always made me sick,and now having someone who hated her as much as I did felt wonderful.

"Sometimes I worry," I deliberately let my voice take on a hint of vulnerability, "that there might still be feelings between them..."

"Don't be silly, dear." Betty's tone suddenly became gentle, as if coaxing a child, "Annie is just latching onto Howard Thompson now, trying to use him to get back at my son. She's always been that type of opportunistic woman."

I softly agreed: "She did get together with Howard very quickly after the divorce..."

"Isn't it obvious?" Betty gave a cold laugh, "Without a man, she's nothing.She married Philip right after college, then immediately attached hersef to Howard after the divorce. All that talk about independence and career ambition is just a facade she puts on for others."

Hearing Betty repeat the same views as mine, I felt a strange sense of validation. Even though I knew she was merely being manipulated into saying these things, at this moment we were indeed on the same side.

"But just verbal reassurance makes me feel so insecure..." I paused, as if holding back tears.

"What would you like me to do?" Betty asked, her tone filled with the eagerness to appease me.

The moment had come. I held my breath and directly threw out my

request: "Have Philip get a vasectomy."

Suddenly, there was silence on the other end. I could imagine the shocked expression on Betty's face, that elegant mask crumbling in an instant.Just thinking about it made me want to laugh out loud.

"Isn't it usually women who get sterilization procedures?" Betty finally spoke, her voice obviously raised a few pitches, "I don't think men typically get vasectomies..."

Her hesitation was exactly what I had expected. After all, this request essentially meant cutting off Philip's future reproductive possibilities.But I needed to persist.

"Only when Philip can no longer have more children," my voice suddenly became unusually firm, tears now withdrawn, "can I believe he won't easily abandon my child."

Betty fell silent on the other end. This silence spoke more than any response-my request had clearly exceeded her expectations. The light sound of breathing came through the receiver, and those seconds of pause seemed particularly long at this moment. I gripped the phone tightly,enjoying this rare feeling of being in control, in no hurryto break the silence.

"Sarah," Betty finally spoke, "dear, I understand your concerns. But,you know, a vasectomy is permanent. Philip is the only heir to the Baker family, the future of the family business..."

I interrupted her: "Isn't the child in my womb an heir to the Baker family?

11

Another silence. I knew I had hit Betty's weak spot-since Brian had left

with Annie.she had been upset about losing her grandson. Now the child in my womb,regardless of who the real father was, represented the hope for the continuation of the Baker family line to her.

"Of course," Betty's voice noticeably softened, "the baby in your womb is certainly the future of our family. It's just..."

"Just what?" I pressed my advantage, "Are you concerned that Philip might have children with other women, then neglect my child? Just like what he's doing to Brian now?"

A clear gasp came from the other end of the phone. I knew my words had hit the mark-Brian's situlation had always been a sore point for Betty.She had complained multiple timnes about Philip's cold attitude toward Brian, saying it would ruin the Baker family's reputation in social circles.

"Sarah, dear," Betty's voice suddenly became unusually resolute,"you're right. I can't let history repeat itself."

I could almost feel the transformation in her tone. This was no longer the indecisive Upper East Side socialite, but a strong woman determined to protect her family's interests.

"I will not let Philip make the same mistake again," she continued, her voice carrying à rare iron will, "The first time was my oversight, allowing him to treat Brian and Annie that way. But this time, this child will receive all the love and support of the Baker family."

I gripped the phone tightly, surprised at how quickly the situation had turned.

"I'll handle Philip," Betty said, the determination in her tone taking me by surprise,"As for that surgery, if it gives you peace of mind,then it must be

done. The Baker family heir cannot have any uncertainties."

"Really?" I asked cautiously, hardly believing my ears.

"Of course," Betty's voice carried a decisiveness I had never heard before,"This isn't just about your future and the child's future, but also about the future of the entire Baker family. Philip must understand where his responsibilities lie. Don't worry, I'll make him agree."

She paused, then added in an aImost threatening tone: "If he doesn't agree,

Ill make him understand the cost of defiance."

I could hardly believe the transformation had come so suddenly and completely. Although I had anticipated Betty would support me, I hadn't expected her to be so determined, even willing to threaten Philip with the family fortune.

"Alright," I took a deep breath, my tone suddenly becoming cold. "Tell him that if he doesn't have the surgery, I will terminate this pregnancy."

After saying this, I immediately hung up, afraid Betty might detect the uncertainty in my voice. I collapsed onto the sofa, my hand pressed firmly against my abdomen, feeling as if the baby was responding to me.

A smile involuntarily crept onto my lips. The developments were even smoother than I had anticipated-not only had I gained Betty's support,but I had also unexpectedly received her full assistance.