the puppeteer 𖤍 umbrella academy

prologue

On the 12th hour of the first day of October, Dr. Mariah Hartridge had been busy all around the hospital. Passing by wards to see how her patients are doing and giving them the medication they need.

She had been so busy helping women all over the maternity wards, most of which claimed to have become pregnant out of the blue and were never pregnant the day before.

When she was done examining a patient, she felt a piercing pain in her stomach. She groaned in pain and held onto it and her eyes widened as she felt it expand. She called for the nurses and other doctors to help her.

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A few pushes later, a baby girl came out of her stomach. Mariah looked at the baby in awe, she couldn't believe she was holding her own daughter in her arms, but her thoughts were soon interrupted when the billionaire himself, Reginald Hargreeves stepped into her room.

"Extraordinary!" He walked towards the baby, and looked at it, almost as if he was examining it.

"How much do you want for it?" He looked at Mariah, who looked at him in utter disbelief and disgust, why the hell would someone want to give away such a precious gift?

"Nothing." She told him, but that only made him grin. "So you'll give it to me for free?"

"No," She replied angrily, his grin turned into a frown. "I'm not giving you my daughter."

Reginald looked irritated, he didn't think someone would decline his offer, all of the mothers he met had immediately given up their children for money, but only this one declined his offer.

"I'm sure you didn't hear me correctly," He cleared his throat, "I will give you any amount you wish for, if you give me that baby."

"And I'm sure you're not hearing me correctly," Mariah said to him, "I'm not giving you my baby, now get out." She pointed towards the door, with Reginald surprisingly obeying her request and exiting the maternity ward.

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   30 Years Later

Cameras flashing, lights are blinding. Lyra Hartridge and Allison Hargreeves walked the red carpet for their movie premiere, smiling as the paparazzi took pictures of the two.

Lyra, dressed in a long, dark green velvet off-shoulders dress, walked towards the middle of the red carpet, with Allison trailing behind her. Everyone shouting compliments and praises to the two beautiful women. But the praises and compliments soon turned into questions.

"Allison! Have you heard the news?"

"When was the last time you saw your father?"

"Have you heard from your brothers?"

Lyra looked around, confused at the sudden questions. She looked towards Allison, who was visibly uncomfortable with the questions.

"Allison, will you wear Valentino to the funeral?"

One of the workers escorted them away from the venue while the paparazzi continued asking questions.