NATALIE QUINN

The garden office party was in full swing, with guests mingling by the poolside, sipping cocktails, and engaging in chats.

I stood beside Sam, my boyfriend, as he stood at the center of festivities. He was the host of the party and the heir to Hale Groups, “You all are welcome to HALE GROUPS anniversary, I want you all to know that, everyone is special” Sam gave his speech, as the guests clapped.

I smiled with pride, as I watched him deliver a short but heartfelt speech, welcoming everyone to the party.

“I need to greet some guests” Sam whispered to me, I nodded in understanding, as I watched him walk towards some group of guests.

I decided to refresh my drink, and headed over to the table where I took a glass of champagne. I was about to take a sip, when I noticed my step sister, Cassie walking towards my direction with a sly smile on her face, “I see you are excited to be by Sam’s side today” Cassie remarked, her tone filled with envy.

I rolled my eyes, knowing the jealousy that simmered beneath Cassie's facade. “Yes, I'm happy about it, and it's a pity you can't do anything about it”, I retorted, attempting to walk away with the glass of champagne in my hands.

“Is that so?” I heard Cassie say with a smirk, but I ignored her, not wanting to let her ruin my evening. As I tried to walk away , I felt a sudden tug in the hem of my dress.

I turned to see Cassie stepping on the fabric of my dress with a wicked smile on her face, “would you get your foot off my dress” I snapped, as I tried to take another step away from her, I stumbled and fell into the pool.

Panic surged through me as I struggled in the water, I didn't know how to swim, I kept calling out for help, “help help” I struggled to say, then I noticed Cassie in the pool, calling out for help too.

While still struggling in the pool, I noticed Sam dove into the pool, swimming towards me, but to my horror, he reached out to Cassie, pulling her out of the water with practiced ease.

Anguish twisted in me, as I watched my boyfriend save my sister, leaving me floundering in the pool. I continued to thrash in the water, still calling out for help, just when I felt I couldn't hold it any longer,I noticed a stranger jumped into the pool fully clothed, as he approached me, and carried me out of the swimming pool.

Gasping for air, I weakly clung to my rescuer , with my eyes closed, he carried me out of the water.

I heard guests murmuring on Sam rescuing my sister instead of me. When I opened my eyes I saw myself laying on a cushion, I scanned the room to see Sam standing , and staring at me.

I sat up properly on the cushion with a disappointed and sad tone. I yelled “You are unbelievable Sam, you left me to drown in the pool, and saved my sister, and you know I can’t swim” .

Sam didn't say a word, I looked around the sitting room and saw Cassie, coming out of Sam’s room with a smirk on her face.

“Oh well dear sister, I thought you had Sam to yourself” I heard Cassie say, as she walked close to Sam and gave him a kiss right in presence, I watched as Sam stupidly reciprocated the kiss.

I stood up in shock, I couldn't believe Sam could hurt me this much, having an affair with my sister, my heart aches in disappointment and anger “For how long has this going on?” I asked with a teary voice.

“You pushed me into the water Natalie, so stop the act, Sam already knows how manipulative you can be” I heard Cassie saying.

I walked closer to Sam, and pushed him on his chest, with my little palms, tears were already clinged in my eyes, “how could you??, for how long has this been going on Sam??” I yelled with disappointment as tears filled my eyes.

But I felt Sam grip around my wrist with a stern tone he said “ stop with the act Natalie, I know how manipulative you can be, and how could you push Cassie into the pool, what the hell is wrong with you”

My eyes widened in shock, hearing these words from Sam, the tears dropped my cheeks slowly, I grabbed my purse, to head out, I couldn't stand the sight of these two, “ You know what, you two can have each other” my voice weak and teary as I walked out of  Sam’s mansion , hoping Sam would stop me , or hold me back, but he didn't. I stormed out of the house with pains in my heart.

I stumbled through the door of my apartment , my heart heavy with pain and betrayal , the event of the evening weighed heavily on my mind. With a shaky breath, I sank into the couch , tears picked at my eyes, as I replayed the scene in my mind, grappling with the harsh reality of Sam's betrayal.

The sound of my phone distracted my thoughts, as I wiped my tears and reached for my phone, my heart sank as I saw the notification on the screen.

It was a reminder from the hospital that I hadn't paid my mother's medical bills yet. Seeing this, more tears rolled down my cheeks, I didn't know how to get the money for my mother's medical bill.

As I cried, different thoughts filled my mind, and with a heavy sigh, I decided to take a decision that was very hard for me. “ I need to ask Dad for help, he might be reasonable this time” I said to myself.

As I layed on the bed, determined to go to my father's mansion the next day to ask him for financial help, I prayed inwardly not to meet Cassie , or my step mother, Mrs Laura, when I get to my Father’s mansion the next day.

WILL NATALIE’S FATHER AGREE TO HER PLEA TO PAY FOR HER MOTHER’S MEDICAL BILLS?