Chapter 3
1175 Words
SELENE
"Missed home?" Raymond asked as the Singapore skyline blurred past the car window. I didn't respond, pressing my hand against the glass. New York felt like another lifetime now.
The drive from the airport to the mansion was a long and tedious one. I still couldn't come to terms with reality. Raymond held the door open for me as we arrived at the mansion. There, standing at the front doors, was Mr. Carter Grey— my father. Beside him was Elena, my stepmom, who shoved me a smile.
My father had his hands folded as he watched me. "So you finally saw through his lie after two years of marriage, huh?" he asked mockingly.
"Come on, Dad. We just arrived," Raymond intervened, his voice collected as he turned to the old man with grayish-black hair and tiny almond-shaped brown eyes, his medium height giving a Mafia-don impression, his Rolex blinking. He sure doesn't look like a sixty-year-old man. "Selly needs to rest," he added.
"Yes, Ray, you are right," Elena called out, rushing to my side. Her blue eyes were laced with concern as she swept her black hair behind her ears. "It was a great thing you were around when the unfortunate incident happened," she said, taking my hands into hers.
"Yes, Mum," Raymond responded, flashing Elena a smile.
Well, you see, I had a complex family background. Raymond is my stepbrother.
My mother died when I was just ten. And it wasn't until after four years that I got to find out my dad wasn't the faithful and loving husband he had portrayed himself to be. One day after school, I returned home to find Raymond and his mother—my new relations.
To their credit, they didn't bully me. I was no Cinderella even; I was ready for any madness, but it never came.
They tried to win my heart, but I was distant.
"I'm sorry about what happened, my dear," Elena said, cupping my face. I took her hands off my face slowly as I walked past her into the mansion.
...
My room was just as I had left it. The white walls. Golden chandeliers. Black aesthetics. I crashed into my bed, letting its softness engulf me as I laid out my tears. I had sacrificed all this for some stupid love.
And what did I get in return? Betrayal.
All I had given up was now nothing but a monument to my mistakes.
I am certain now—men weren't saviors. They weren't our redemption. They were storms that left wreckage behind. And I swore—I would never drown again.
Lady to lady, take this advice for free.
Men are scum.
And if you ever find yourself at the crossroads of marrying for love or wealth—choose wealth.
Never sacrifice yourself, or your life, for a man. They aren't worth it.
Lastly, it's never too late to turn back.
"Welcome home, Miss Selene." My old nanny greeted, her eyes watery.
"Juliana!" I screamed, rushing to her side, forgetting I was pregnant. She had watched me grow up, and when I left the mansion without disclosing my plans to her... it broke her heart.
"He left me," I crashed into her arms.
She stroked my hair, saying nothing for some ticking minutes.
"You will be fine," she finally said, bringing my face to hers. It was then I promised myself never to cry over any man again...
It has been two days since my arrival into the mansion. And a part of me still waited on my phone for when Luke might call to tell me it was all a mistake — a stupid fantasy we women hold onto tightly until we become the broken pieces. I sighed, staring at his name on my screen saved with loved-up emojis. I closed my eyes before pressing delete. Now I just had to figure out how to undo everything of his I had in my heart.
I hadn't spoken to anyone aside Nanny Juliana since my arrival. Raymond was out of town. And Elena wasn't forcing things. My father was rather nonchalant about the whole thing, but I could tell he was still very much upset with me.
I had refused his advice years back — I mean, if he himself could cheat on Mum, who was he to advise me on love? I was to marry a certain son of his business partner to secure a deal. But I eloped with the love of my life, keeping my identity a secret. We don't need money to be happy, I had told myself.
Now it got me wondering if things might have turned out differently if Luke had known who I really was.
"Ahem," Dad cleared his throat, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Hi, Selly," Raymond greeted. I didn't even realize he was back. He had a cream shirt on with coffee-brown pants; his sand-brown hair glowed as his chin dimple deepened.
"Hello," I spared, returning my gaze to Mr. Carter as Raymond took a seat. I just realized I hadn't properly thanked him for all he has done for me.
"You are quite lucky, Selene," my dad started, dropping his phone on the dining table. It was dinner, so we were all gathered, but no one was eating.
I c****d my brows at his words. "Why would you say so?" I asked, as the curious faces of Elena and her son scanned the room.
"I told Mr. Joe of your return," he paused a bit, shoving me a smile I couldn't comprehend.
"And...?" I pressed, feeling a sharp contraction in my abdomen. My baby. No one knew I was pregnant yet, as I only told them of the divorce.
"His deal still stands," he flashed his screen to me so I could read their conversation.
"Marry his son," he started, his tiny brown eyes popping, "and we get to own twenty percent of their company's share... LightStone Empire has suffered quite a number of losses recently, and this could get us back on our feet, Selene. Do this as a sorry token for me." A knowing smile spread on my face; I knew Dad hadn't changed his greedy ways. He would do anything to extend his empire.
"What?" Raymond yelled, catching me by surprise. "Dad, you can't do this to her. The guy has been in a coma for God knows how long. He is literally a dead man."
"That's the more reason I want her to marry him, son. She will get to live the life she wants," Carter added.
"No, Dad—" Raymond started.
"Enough!!!" I screamed.
The silence flowed in peace for a while, until I spoke.
"I have decided."
They all turned, staring at me.
"I am not marrying anyone," I said as I headed up the stairs. Dad was shocked. Raymond—excited. Elena, just there.
As for me, I will never let another man decide my fate again. Not even my father. That bastard has only his interest at heart.
- Writer
