My System Harem

Chapter 7: All Part of the Plan

I froze on my spot, looking at them as if I had seen a ghost. I have no idea what my face looked like right now, but one thing's for sure—I am turning pale. It's like I forgot to speak as I can't utter a word. As everyone cheered them with genuine happiness, I felt like I'm out of this world. I couldn't hear a thing, even their faces are turning blurry.

In fact, I have completely forgotten about the ring. The rage I felt when I saw it inside her fingers. Hell, even the pain on my forehead and the sting on my cheeks felt like it had completely disappeared. But I know, I know that it didn't disappear. I had simply gone numb from the words that left Lyra's mouth. But no, what if I was simply mistaken? What if I just misheard it due to my dizziness? What if she was actually telling me that Darius is marrying me? I have to clarify, because I need to know.

"W-Who? Who's getting married?" I uttered with much difficulty. I felt my throat blocked from the rising emotions surging with great speed. But I can't just let it go, I feel like I might die if I don't.

I looked at Darius, but he simply averted my gaze as if refusing to answer. But this question was soon answered by Lyra herself. She slowly walked towards me, then whispered in my ears.

"Did you really think Darius loved you? Did you really think he proposed because he wanted to be with you forever?" She bursted into laughter as she looked at me with pitying eyes.

"He had never loved you, Caelia. You know nobody does." Her mocking smile was vivid in my eyes, but I still refused to believe it. How could I possibly believe such absurdity? Darius pursued me for 5 months! He did everything he could to earn my favor, to make me say yes!

"You are lying. He made efforts just to be with me." I glared at her, clenching my fist to avoid throwing a hand.

"Oh. You mean those 5 months? Well, I'm sorry but it was all to get close to me. You were just a bridge to help him cross me."

No. It can't be. It's a lie! Darius didn't even know I had a sister back then. You are lying! Darius did everything he can to keep me, he comforted me when I had no one, and he have always been there when I needed him most!

However, I was soon silenced by her next words.

"Oh poor Caelia. Have you never wondered why Darius refused to reveal your relationship?"

It was to protect me from the scorning eyes of others! He did it to protect me from jealous people who might envy our relationship! He did it for my sake. All for me.

"Have you never wondered why he always invited me to hang out with you?"

He did it to increase our time together. He did it so that he can walk with me in public without anyone suspecting anything! He did it for my sake. All for me.

"Have you never wondered why I'm always the one walking and sitting beside him while you are always at the back?"

It was to avoid any suspicions! He did it because he doesn't want people to hate me for walking beside him! He did it for my sake. All for me.

"Caelia, have you never wondered why he never denied the rumors before?" I froze. I couldn't find any explanation to deny her words. I couldn't find any reason, not because I couldn't, but because Darius never told me any.

Is it to protect me? Or is it to avoid any suspicions? But in what way? In what way did he do it for my sake?

"It was all for this moment, Caelia. Because everyone here had assumptions about our relationship in the past, and they wouldn't suspect a thing to a couple they already know." And as if not enough, she added.

"Oh, and you are probably wondering why he proposed to you, right? Well, if he didn't, how will he get hold of your company? No. Today, it's OUR company."

*SLAP!

My hands moved on its own as if it had been waiting for this exact moment. She held her cheek from the stinging pain, but I couldn't care less. I couldn't explain a thing, because everything she said made sense. All of it. So our 10 years of relationship were all a part of her plan? All of it?

"You!"

The surrounding turned chaotic as her family rushed to help her.

"You insolent brat!" With the way my father yelled, I almost couldn't recognize the same man who wrapped me in his arms when I was still young. He looked like a completely different person, like he is not my father at all.

"Are you okay, dear?" Lyra's mother held her cheek with such care that I almost envied her for the warmth she had, a warmth I will never experience for the rest of my life.

But you know what hurts more? When even the man you thought would be your only companion would turn their back from you.

"Caelia, you are despicable."

I am? Who was it that fooled me for 10 whole years? Who was it that made me believe of love once again just for it to be fake? Who is the despicable person between the two of us? Huh?

"I was trying to show mercy to you for being my sister, but I change my mind. You should disappear for our own happiness." As Lyra finished saying those words, I was dragged to the door while everyone looked at me with a mixture of contempt and mockery. Now, I truly have no one in my side.

As I struggled to remove her hands from my hair, I felt my scalp sting from the pain. I teared as I begged her to let me go, but she didn't. Her grip only tightened as we reached the doorstep. She clenched my gown and pulled me close.

"Never ever step your dirty foot inside this place or Darius'. You no longer have a place left here, you beggar!"

I felt a numbing pain on my stomach as Lyra kicked it with force. I was thrown out of the house, with my body aching all over. Lyra looked at me for the last time, she took the ring off her finger and threw it to my face.

"My last bit of kindness. Goodbye, sis!" And she closed the door.

I picked up the ring. Looking at it reminded me of the only woman who had truly loved me.

Mom... Just what did I do wrong for me to be treated this way? Just why? I only wanted to be loved. All I wanted was someone to hold me when I am in pain, someone who will always be there when I feel lonely. But they all turned their backs on me.

If you hadn't left, would it have been different? Would these things not happen to me? Would I have lived a better life? But why did you have to leave me early, mom? Why did you have to leave me in this cruel world with no one to lean on?

Tears flowed down my cheeks, and as if sensing my pain—rain started pouring heavily, soaking me in the process.

However, if there's one thing it failed to wash away, it would be the hatred rising inside.

One day, I'll get back at you all. I swear, I'll be the end of you.