A journey to freedom

Chapter one

A knock sounded at the door, dragging Selene away from her thoughts.

“Who is it?” she called.

“It's me,” Seraphina replied. Selene rolled her eyes and walked up to the door.

“What's up?” Selene asked as she pulled the door open. Seraphina let herself into the room and sat on Selene's bed.

Selene closed the door and turned to face her stepsister. “Make yourself feel at home, why don't you?” she said in a sarcastic tone.

Seraphina waved a hand, dismissing her. “This can't wait.”

“Okay,” Selene answered. “But what's this?”

“I need your diamond necklace,” Seraphina stated bluntly. “The one dad got you for your birthday last year.”

“Why? You have a similar one. You made him get it for you, remember?”

“Yeah, but you know I wanted it to be exactly like yours, and he couldn't get that. Yours was a custom-made design.”

“So is yours!” Selene responded, exasperated.

Seraphina rolled her eyes like Selene was the difficult one. “Yours was made by Anton Chu, the greatest designer to exist and, unfortunately for me, he's dead now. I want to wear an Anton Chu original to this rave Jackson invited me to.”

“You want to wear my diamond necklace to a f*****g rave? Are you even listening to yourself? Raves and diamonds don't work together.”

“Relax, it's just a party.”

Selene took a deep breath to steady herself. “And Jackson? You know that guy is only with you for the money.”

“No, he isn't,” Seraphina replied with a pout.

“Oh really?” Selene crossed her arms over her chest. “And how do you know that?”

“I asked him, and he told me he wasn't with me for the money.”

Harsh laughter spilled from Selene's mouth. “He told you? Of course, he did. And you believed him?”

“Of course, I did. He's my boyfriend and he loves me.”

“Whatever you say, Sera. But you can't have my necklace.”

Seraphina looked up at Selene, tears filling her eyes. “Why?”

“Because I'd like it back and you'll probably lose it. Also, you should not be going to parties with Jackson. I don't trust him.”

“Well, you don't trust anybody. That's not limited to Jackson.”

“Okay,” Selene said. “You can go now.”

Seraphina opened her mouth to speak but a knock at Selene's door interrupted her.

“Who is it?” Selene called.

“Come downstairs. Your father wants to see you,” Helen replied.

Selene looked at Seraphina and left the room.

“Hi, Dad,” Selene said as she came face-to-face with her father, James Aldridge.

“Oh hi, Selene. Where's Sera?” James asked.

“She's upstairs. Should I get her?”

James nodded. “Yes, please.”

Selene ran back up the stairs to find Seraphina leaving her room.

"Hey," she said. "Dad wants to see you."

By the time they got back downstairs, Helen and James were seated. Selene and Seraphina took the seats opposite their parents.

The silence that followed was a few minutes short of awkward. Seraphina broke the silence with a short laugh. "What's this about guys?"

James cleared his throat and smiled at the girls. "So, you've met Richard's son, yes?"

Seraphina scrunched up her nose. "Tristan? Yeah. He was kind of cool."

James smiled and nodded. He turned to face Selene. "What did you think of him, Selene?"

Helen cut in with an eye roll. "What does it matter what she thinks? She won't be the one doing it anyway."

Selene didn't react.

"Doing what?" Seraphina asked with a grin.

James and Helen shared a knowing look. Helen turned to Seraphina with a huge smile on her face.

"Marrying Tristan, darling," she said.

The smile on Seraphina's face died an instant death. "What? Marriage? We only met once. Is this a prank, guys? If it is, you got me."

James adjusted his glasses. "You said it yourself. You think he's cool, right?"

"Yeah, I said he was cool," Seraphina replied. "But I never said I wanted to marry the guy." "Back me up, Helen," James said, exasperated.

Helen reached forward and grasped Seraphina's hands tightly in hers. "Look, Tristan Vortex is a catch. He is one of the most eligible bachelors in town. Also, his father is a very good friend of your father's. Trust me, it will work out."

Seraphina swallowed a ball of saliva lodged in her throat and nodded. "Okay."

"Okay?" Helen said, her features breaking into a broad grin. She pinched Seraphina's cheeks. "That's my girl. I'm so proud of you."

"So, when's the wedding?" Selene asked.

James turned to her with a smile. "In two weeks."

Seraphina's expression faded into shock. "Two weeks? I'm getting married in two weeks?" "Yes, my darling," Helen answered. "And you will be the most gorgeous bride."

***

Two days until the wedding

The Aldridge mansion was bustling with activity. Caterers, event planners, and designers ran wild in the house. Selene walked down the stairs, eyes wide in wonder as she took in the decorations in preparation for Seraphina's wedding to Tristan. Suddenly, she came face-to-face with Helen.

"Selene," Helen said, her voice cold as ice and her lips pulled in a tight firm line. "What are you doing waltzing around? Shouldn't you be in the kitchen checking how the catering is coming along?"

Selene held her hands behind her back. "I just left the garden, the decorators are almost done. They sent me to inform you that the rehearsal dinner can be held tomorrow."

Helen nodded. "Good. Now go to the kitchen and check on those caterers."

"Yes, ma'am," Selene responded with a slight bow, stepping past Helen and making her way to the kitchen.

"Selene!"

Helen's voice stopped her in her tracks. Selene turned back, a false smile plastered across her face.

"Ma'am?"

"Go to Seraphina's room. Tell her to come down to take her measurements."

"Okay."

Selene walked quickly to Seraphina's room and knocked at the door.

"Come in," Seraphina called, her voice muffled. Selene entered the room and found Seraphina face down on the bed.

"Hey. Helen wants you to come down for your measurements. The designer is here."

Seraphina groaned into her pillow then sat up. "I'm so sick of it all. All this trouble just to marry a guy that I don't even like. You know we had a date yesterday? He didn't even say a word to me. He doesn't even like me." Seraphina flopped back down on the bed.

"Look, I know this is hard for you. But I don't think you have a choice..."

Seraphina cut in. "I do have a choice," she said, then dropped her voice to a whisper. "I spoke to Jackson. He wants us to elope.”