Chapter 221

Sarah's POV

I slammed the door behind me, hurling my designer handbag onto the sofa with such force it nearly knocked over the crystal vase beside it.Damn Philip Baker! I checked my phone again, and there it was,still displaying "Blocked." I felt blood rushing to my head as my finger almost punctured the screen of my expensive phone.

"Bastard!" I hissed through clenched teeth, kicking off my stilettos and sending them flying into the corner of the room. The sophisticated Upper East Side lady image always crumbled quickly when I was alone.

Three days! Three whole days of Philip ignoring me, with all my calls and messages disappearing into a void. I had never been treated with such cold indifference! I, Sarah Johnson, hadn't been rejected by any man since college, and now Philip was giving me the cold shoulder like I was yesterday's trash?

I paced back and forth across my luxury apartment, my manicured nails nearly digging into my palms. What right did he have to be so angry with me? It was just a little vasectomy! It's not like it caused him any real harm!Men are so dramatic.

My eyes drifted to the diamond necklace Philip had given me, sitting on my bedroom vanity. It was worth a small fortune, far more expensive than anything he'd ever bought for his ex-wife. That had to mean he cared about me,right? So why had he suddenly changed?

Was it because of Annie? I felt a sharp pain in my chest at the thought.I couldn't bear the idea that Philip might be distant because of his boring ex-wife. Annie Baker, that dull, docile housewife, had dared to leave Philip

and quickly found herselfa powerful protector in Howard Thompson?

I snatched up my phone and dialed Betty's number. The old woman could at least tell me what Philip had been up to lately. She answered before the first ring had even finished, her voice unusually tense.

"Sarah! Thank God you called," Betty was practically panting."Iwas just about to contact you!"

"What's wrong?" I immediately sat up straight,sensing something was off."Is Philip still not answering your calls?"

"It's worse than that!" Betty's voice trembled. "Philip just dropped me off at home, and he... he's absolutely furious!"

My heart raced. "What happened? Tell me everything."

Betty took a deep breath as if trying to compose herself. "I... I went to Howard Thompson's mansion. I thought I could expose Annie for what she really is, make Howard see that she's only after his money..."

"You did what?" I nearly screamed. "You acted without a plan?"

God, Betty was always so self-important, thinking her Upper East Side socialite tactcs could solve everything.

"I was only trying to help!" Betty defended herself. "But things got completely out of control. Philip showed up, and then Annie pulled out all these financial records.,."

"What financial records?" My heart sank.

"Showing how much money Philip gave her over the years, and how much she spent on him." Betty's voice dropped. "The records showed that Annie

actually spent more on Philip than he did on her. And Howard stood up for Annie in front of everyone. Philip looked both embarrassed and furious.

I cursed silently. Damn Annie, turning out to be an accounting expert. No wonder Philip has been in such a foul mood these past few days. When a man's pride is wounded, he becomes unpredictable.

"Philip said that vasectomy was something we forced him to do," Betty continued, fear evident in her voice. "He refuses to unblock me and says I've been controlling his life. Sarah, I've never seen him this angry!"

My hand tightened around the phone until my knuckles turned white.The situation was worse than I'd imagined. Philip wasn't just threatened by Annie and Howard's relationship; he was furious about our manipulation. This wasn't a good sign.

"What should I do, Sarah?" Betty's voice was filled with desperation."If Philip really cutsties with us and stops giving me financial support, what will happen to me?"

A thought flashed through my mind. This could be exactly the opening I needed.

"Listen," I softened my tone, pretending to consider a strategy, "since normal methods aren't working, we need to take drastic measures."

"What measures?" Betty immediately latched onto this lifeline.

I took a deep breath, making sure my voice sounded hesitant and pained."I'm going to schedule an abortion. You should go to Philip's place and tell him I've decided not to keep the baby."

"What?" Betty nearly screamed. "Are you insane? That's my grandchild!"

I secretly smiled. Her reaction was exactly what I wanted.

"If Philip truly cares about this child, he'll come to stop me," I explained,deliberately injecting a hint of desperation into my voice. "Then we can apologize, and everything will start fresh."

Betty was silent for a few seconds, contemplating the suggestion. I could almost see the conflicted expression on her meticulously made-up face.

"What if he doesn't come?" she asked cautiously. "What if he really doesn't care, or thinks an abortion would be a good thing?"

This question was expected. I made my voice tremble slightly. "Then I'll accept my fate. Consider it punishment for my selfish behavior."

I struggled not to laugh out loud. Of course I wouldn't actually get an abortion; this child was my only leverage over Philip. But Betty didn't need to know that.

"After all," I continued my performance, "if I hadn't insisted on having a child to secure my relationship with Philip, you wouldn't have convinced him to have that surgery. I pressured you, you pressured him, it's all my fault."

"Mom..." I added this final touch, knowing Betty's weakness when hearing this term of endearment, "I have to take responsibility for my actionas."

"Absolutely not!" Betty took the bait instantly, her voice filled with maternal determination. "That's my own grandchild! I will never allow you to do this!"

I smiled inwardly. The greedy old woman needed this child more than I did.

"But we have no choice." I pretended to sob. "Philip has refused to communicate with us."

Betty's voice became calm and resolute: "Listen to me, your most important task right now is to take care of yourself and the baby. As for Philip, leave him to me."

"Are you sure?" I continued to act vulnerable and insecure. "He seems genuinely angry."

"Trust me," Betty's tone carried the confidence of someone who had weathered many storms, "I know my son. He might be temporarily lost,but blood is thicker than water. I'll make him understand the importance of family."

I almost wanted to applaud my own performance. Betty was following my script perfectly, thinking everything was her own idea.

"Alright then," I said softly, "I'll do as you say. But I'll still go to the hospital,for show. If Philip does come looking for me, I need to be in the right place."

"Wise choice," Betty agreed. "You go to the hospital, I'll go to Philip's place.Remember, don't actually sign any paperwork."

"Of course not," I promised, my voice containing the submissiveness she expected to hear.

After hanging up, my expression instantly hardened. The old woman was so easy to manipulate; just mention her grandchild and she'd do anything.As for Philip, men are ultimately simple creatures. Once it involves his offspring-his only child-he'll come around. And if this doesn't work, I have other methods. Sarah Johnson of the Upper East Side never accepts

failure.

I grabbed my coat and checked my appearance in the mirror adjusting my expression until I was sure I looked both vulnerably pitiful and still beautiful. Eyes slightly puffy, but makeup still flawless.Perfect.

On my way to the hospital. I sent Betty a text: "At the hospital now, about to register." In reality. I had merely parked at the café across from the hospital. where I leisurely ordered a cappuccino and waited for the drama to unfold.

My phone soon vibrated with Betty's response: "At Philip's doorstep.I'll make him understand the seriousness of the situation."

"Go for it. Mom." I whispered to my phone, unable to hide the mockery in my tone. The more forceful she was, the more Philip might resist, but that played right into my hands.

Ultimately. Philip would come to me.