The CEO’S Forsaken Daughter

"She's the reason why we are in this mess!" I heard my mom shouting at Dad. "Hera, could you please calm down? I'm begging you. Let's not fight about this. Eris is also your daughter. Stop blaming her for what happened to Selene," my dad tried to calm my mom down. I'm outside my dad's office, listening to their conversation. Selene is still in the hospital. Mom is blaming me for what happened to Selene. Selene's not the only one who's in pain right now. I am also sick. But they didn't even consider how I feel. I always thought they loved my sister more. "Oh please, Akihiro. We both know that she is not my daughter." "Hera! DON'T SAY THAT. ERIS IS OUR DAUGHTER. END OF THE DISCUSSION. DON'T LET HER HEAR YOU SAY THOSE WORDS, OR YOU WILL REGRET THIS," my dad shouted back at Mom. I stopped listening to them and walked away. That's why my mom treats me this way, because I'm not really her daughter. So, no matter what I do, she never says anything nice to me or gives me a hug. Even though I tell her I love her, she never says "I love you too." I went to my room and started packing my clothes. While I was putting my stuff into a big bag, I thought about Selene. If we're twins, it means she's not really our mom's child either. I quickly left my room and went to the driver's room. I knocked on Bryan's door, and he invited me in. "Ma'am, Eris? What are you doing here?" he asked in surprise. "Bryan, please drive me to Lee Hospital. I need to visit Selene," I pleaded while tears welled up in my eyes. "Ah, Ma'am Eris. Does Boss know about this? Did he approve your visit? Why are you crying?" he inquired. "He doesn't know. I was scolded because Selene is still sick because of me. They gave me permission to visit Selene," I lied, unable to look directly at him, but he agreed. He drove me to the hospital, and soon, I arrived. I got out of the car and thanked Bryan. "Thank you for driving me, Bryan." "You're welcome, Ma'am. But why do you have a bag with you?" "Uh-uh, these are toys for Selene and me," I stuttered. He nodded, and I said my goodbyes and went inside. I inquired about Selene's room number, and they swiftly provided it because they recognized me as the owner's daughter. I headed to the tenth floor, where Selene's room was situated. Upon reaching her door, I noticed Nanny Karina leaving the room, prompting me to briefly hide. She was on the phone and walked away from the room, allowing me to enter quickly. Inside, I found Selene sitting on the bed, engrossed in play. Although I felt a bit dizzy, I chose to ignore it. "Selene, how are you feeling? Do you still have a fever?" I asked while sitting on her bed. "Eris? Thank goodness you're here. It's so boring here. I'm fine now. Just a cold and a slight fever, but I'm okay. How about you? You don't look good," she expressed her concern. "I'm okay, but I need to say goodbye. I'm leaving." "What? Why? Are you okay? Did Mom scold you again?" "I overheard them. Mom said I'm not her daughter." Tears started falling as I spoke. Selene hugged me, worried. "What about me? If we're twins, that means I'm not her daughter either? Then I want to come with you," she tearfully asked. "No, Mom loves you so much. Even if she's not your biological mother, she cares for you. Stay with them. I'll come back for you once I find out where our real mom is." "Do you know our real mom? Do you know her name?" "I'm not sure, but I heard Dad mention a woman named Nyx. She could be our real mother. So for now, I have to go. I promise, I will be back." We embraced each other, tears streaming down our faces. A profound sense of sorrow and anguish engulfed me, and my vision began to blur. Swiftly, I bid farewell to Selene and exited her room. As I made my way out of the hospital in search of a jeepney, it dawned on me that I needed money for the fare. I sought a seat and settled down, rummaging through my belongings for the cellphone my Dad had bestowed upon me. Just as I was about to dial Aunt Akira's number, a distant voice called out to me. I turned to see Selene running towards me. "Eris! Wait! Eris!" Selene shouted. "Selene, what are you doing here? You must return! It's perilous in this place. People are aware of your presence. You could be identified," I expressed with concern. I was anxious for her safety. She is renowned in Europe and Asia due to our mother, who frequently accompanied her to fashion events. "I wish to accompany you. Please, don't leave me behind. We're twins, we're best friends, aren't we? Whatever you're facing, I want to face it with you." "I'm begging you, please go back. I don't want you to be in harm's way. There are bad guys out here..." I stopped talking when a car parked not far from us. It was our driver, Kuya Bryan's car. I wondered why the car had stopped, and no one was getting out. Then I heard Selene speak. "Is that Kuya Bryan's car? Did he find out you're leaving? What should we do?" She asked worriedly while hiding behind me. "I don't know. You should go back to the hospital. Nanny Karina might be worried." "No. If you don't take me with you, I'll scream so Kuya Bryan can hear us," she threatened. "But Sele—." I couldn't finish my sentence as I suddenly felt dizzy and sat down. I saw three people coming out of Kuya Bryan's car and walking toward us. "Oh my Gosh! Eris! Are you okay? We need to call an ambulance. You're burning hot. Your complexion doesn't look good," she said, worried and panicked. I didn't respond and got up. I took her hand and pulled her away from that place. She was confused, and questions kept pouring out of her mouth. "Eris. You're hurting me. What's going on?" "We have to hurry. They are after us. We have to go back to the Hospita—" BANG... We heard a gunshot that made us stop. We looked back and saw Kuya Bryan aiming his gun at us. I briefly checked Selene, and she was covered in blood. I panicked because she was still standing there, looking at me. I desperately searched for any signs of injury on her and felt relieved when I realized she hadn't been hit. "E-eris! Y-your a-are bleeding! Oh my God, what should I d—-" "LET'S GET THEM IN THE CAR. ESPECIALLY THE ONE IN THE HOSPITAL GOWN. THIS WILL MAKE US RICH," I heard one of Kuya Bryan's companions say. I tightened my grip on Selene's hand, and now she was struggling while being pulled by Kuya Bryan's companion. "Eris, help me. Hey! Don't touch me! Get away from me! Eris! Help me. Don't let them take me!" She screamed and cried. "P-please l-let S-selene g-go. T-take me i-instead," I pleaded with them, even though I was writhing in pain. My shoulder had been hit. Selene was still struggling and crying. "Hahaha. You? We heard you're just a bastard child. What can we get from you? All your servants know that. Right, Bryan?" He grinned while speaking. Kuya Bryan didn't look at me, so I tried to talk to him. "K-kuya Bryan, t-take me too. Selene needs me." He didn't answer and turned to his companion, whispering something that made their eyes widen. They quickly lifted both of us into the car, covered our faces with blindfolds, and tied our hands. I felt dizzy and was writhing in pain. It seemed like my eyes were about to close when I heard Selene speak. "This is all your fault. I'm in this mess because you lied. You lied to me. You are not my t..." I didn't hear her finish her sentence as I began to lose consciousness. [To be continued...]