HOME?
935 Words
The iron gates of the Lawson's estate swung open with a slow creak, revealing the wide spread of manicured lawns and the sprawling white mansion that dominates the grounds. The house stood as a symbol of aristocratic pride. Its tall pillars stood majestically under the late afternoon sun, the arched windows reflecting a golden light.
Aria stepped out of her car,her heels clicking softly against the cobblestone drive. Her gaze lifted and she stared at the mansion before her. She never once had any happy memories in this house,rather it was filled with disaster and terrible conditions from the very moment her father brought her here. She closed her eyes briefly and remembered her mother who was on deathbed begging her father to take her into the Lawson's mansion so she doesn't suffer the excruciating pain of watching her mom die.
Illegitimate. That's what she was called. That's what she was.
Just a product of a mere fling her father had with her mother. She opened her eyes and swallowed the knot in her throat. Straightening her shoulders,she walked into the home-
Home?. No- this wasn't a home but an enemy ground.
Inside, the warmth of a happy family echoes through the grand dining hall. Laughter rang across the long dining table,where her father ,stepmother and half siblings were gathered around steaming platters and polished silverware. It was a picture of a harmonious family - one she was not part of.
The moment she stepped into the room,the air shifted. Conversations stopped ,smiles drove and all eyes flicked towards her as though an uninvited ghost had appeared in their midst.
Suddenly, her half brother Ethan's voice rang out “Sister Aria welcome”, Ethan Lawson said with a big smile.
Aria's eyes softened a bit . The only person apart from her grandpa who had ever shown her a bit of warmth in this house was Ethan .
“Aria . Welcome home dear” Lord Sebastian her father,who has seemed to just recovered from the shock of seeing her unannounced greeted. His tall frame straightened from the head of the table. His dark eyes that were so similar to hers softened with something dangerously close to.. guilt.
Aria paused and turned to look at her father ,her lips curving into a cool, practiced smile. “Father”,the word felt strange on her tongue .
Her stepmother,Lucy, was next to rise. She was dressed up beautifully in a silk gown,golden jewelries glistering on her neck. Lucy's smile was to the side,too sweet. “Aria my dear,what a pleasant surprise to see you. We weren't expecting -”
“You don't need to expect me after all grandfather was the one who invited me “. Aria cut in, her voice carrying just enough coldness to frost the edges of her words.
Lucy's smile fell in a second,then she clasped her hand together “Of course. Lord Adrain always had a soft spot for you dear . Why don't you join us? Come-”
“No thank you “ Aria interrupted her again, moving past her but she didn't miss the flicker of disgust in Lucy's eyes quickly masked by another saccharine smile .
Ethan looked at her softly as she walked past them. Her half sister Isabella lowered her gaze , though not before Aria caught the smirk rugging at her lips.
But Aria ignored them all , only looking at Ethan briefly with a slight smile.
“Aria “ her father called again,his voice softer this time.”Atleast stay a while. It has been so long since we last had your company”.
She paused mid-step,her back straight And posture commanding.”I don't think there is any need for that. You seem to be enjoying yourselves well enough without me”. Then without waiting for any further response,she walked towards the grand staircase.
Isabella's voice trailed behind her, sticky sweet and sharp “You've become much colder with each visit sister. It's such a shame . I miss our bonding time. We only want to be close to you- “
Aria stopped, slowly turned her head,her eyes glinting like shards of ice. “Bonding time?. Spare me the rubbish please and keep your opinion to yourself . And you-” she turned to Lucy “- if you really wanted closeness, you wouldn't have spent years reminding me of the blood I carry. So can you both spare me the act”.
The room fell silent. Lucy and Isabella stiffened, their painted smile cracking at the edges but they both said nothing.
Aria turned away again, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she made her way down the. She could feel her father's eyes following behind her baby with unsaid words,but she did not stop.
As she climbed the staircase, unpleasant memories clouded her mind. Memories of her being maltreated by her all loving step mother and sister. How her father turned a blind eye to all these. How little Ethan tried his best to save her in difficult situations such as when she was locked up and starved for days whenever her father and grandfather went on a business trip. Her stomach churned with all these memories but she masked it all up and walked further.
At the top of the stairs, a maid bowed as Aria passed. She offered the girl a faint nod , her icy facade softening for a brief moment before solidifying again. She walked towards her grandfather's study. That one place in the house that still felt familiar .
- Writer
