Three Lies He Told Me

3 I Can't Have Heard Right

Seraphina POV

I was grateful when the sitter said she could keep Eli for a few more hours. There is no way I wanted to bring him into the hell that is my childhood home after what happened this morning. I was almost five when Clarice and Dominick Ashford adopted me. They had tried for years to get pregnant, with no luck. I don't remember much, but I remember being thrilled about having a mom and dad after being shuffled around. I had entered foster care as an infant. I know nothing of my birth parents.

Claire and Dominick were kind to me until Lydia was born. Then I was the forgotten child. I was no longer useful. Well, unless they needed to do a photo shoot of their perfect little family of four. Then I was paraded around in a pretty dress. My father's political career depended on us being perfect. Over time everything shifted to Lydia and I faded into the background. The forgotten child because the true heiress had been born. I became more of a maid than a daughter. They took every opportunity to remind me that I should be grateful for all they provided, since I was only their adopted daughter. Reminded constantly I didn't share their blood. It got worse as we got older.

I went out after a particularly sh**ty day of being told how worthless I was by Lydia when I didn't get the menu right for her eighteenth birthday party as was my responsibility assigned by my mother. I had worked two double shifts while still catering to her every whim and my parents sat by and said nothing as she berated me. I found myself in a dive bar hours later trying to forget about my sh*tty life. My memory is blurry of that night as the alcohol I hardly drank hit me hard, but I remember the man was hot and had the most beautiful green eyes.

He took me to a nice hotel. I only remember because I woke up alone and the room was beautiful. A few months later, I realized that after a couple of missed periods, that I was indeed pregnant. Another lovely memory of my parents calling me a wh*re and threatening to throw me out of the Ashford family without a penny came to mind. I'm not sure why Lydia spoke up that day, but it sure as hell isn't because she loves me. She loathes me and the feeling is very much mutual.

Fitting my last thought as I pull through the gate that leads to my parents' mansion is how much I hate my b**ch of a sister when I see her pink sports car parked out front. Once I'm parked, I take a deep breath to prepare myself for the crow I'm going to have to eat after slapping Lydia. A small smile spreads across my face because it was totally worth it.

My mind automatically thinks of the scene I witnessed this morning and Thomas's betrayal. It stings but not as much as it would have if I'd actually loved him. It still pisses me off he could so easily pick her. Then to stand there and say he cares about me.

What a crock of sh*t.

I shake my head, trying to clear thoughts of him from my mind before I face the firing squad. I push the car door open and make my way to the front door. When the door opens, I smile.

"Good evening, Miss Sera," Joseph says.

"Good evening Joseph. It's always good to see you."

"It's good to see you as well. They are waiting for you in the living room," he says, sympathy in his eyes.

Joseph had worked for my parents long before I came to live with them. He was always kind to me. Sneaking me treats and words of encouragement when no one was looking. I nod and make my way to the living room.

My father sits in his usual chair with a tumbler of amber liquid swirling in his hand. My mother sits in her fancy love seat that probably costs more than what most people make in a year with my sister to her right. A look of contempt on my mother's face and a smug smile on my sisters. My mother saying my name like a warning has me tightening my hands at my side.

"Lydia, I'm sorry that I slapped you this morning."

"I understand sister. I am sure it is difficult for you to always be discarded and tossed aside by the people you love for me. Although you should have expected Thomas to find someone better suited. His parents were thrilled to know that I was going to be his wife now," she says.

"Wife, you were engaged to another man yesterday. Why the hell are you talking about being Thomas's wife today? You two hardly know each other if what he said this morning is true."

"Sera, sit down. We have a lot to discuss. Where is Elijah? I expected he would be with you after him being in the hospital yesterday. What is wrong with the boy now that he needed to be there last night," she asks, with no true concern in her voice.

"He is fine. Let's not pretend you care about my son. What did you want to talk about?"

"Watch your tone, Seraphina. We are still your parents. You will show us the respect we are owed for all we have done for you," my father finally speaks.

"Sera, as you said, Lydia was engaged to Kael Draven. They have been together for a year with a prearranged engagement he requested, but in light of his condition, it is not in your sister's best interest to follow through with the arrangement. Kael will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life and is unable to have children. So we have decided that Thomas is a better choice to become her husband. Thomas and his parents agree that it will be good for both families," she says.

"So why am I here? Am I supposed to offer my blessing to the happy couple?"

"Enough Sera. Your blessing is neither wanted nor needed. We both know that Thomas was out of your league. It wasn't a real or lasting relationship. You may be an Ashford in name, but you are not the true heiress, and he has a reputation to maintain. A nurse is nothing compared to the Ashford heiress. The reason you are here is to discuss our arrangement with the Draven family," my father says.

"What arrangement? You just said that Lydia isn't marrying him."

"We have decided that in order to keep peace and ensure our business dealings with the Draven family, you will take your sister's place as his wife. The arrangement must be honored, and you will do your part as our daughter," he says.

I can't have heard him correctly. Did he just say he thinks I am going to marry a complete stranger for this pathetic family? Like hell, I will. My eyes move from my father to my mother to my sister.

"Sister, this is more than you could have ever dreamed of. He is wealthy and handsome, although you won't ever get to find out what it's like to be in his bed, it's still a better life than you and your little ba**ard deserve," she says.

"F**k you, Lydia. I warned you this morning about talking about my son. Just because you are willing to do anything for money and status doesn't mean the rest of the world is. I will not marry a man I don't love just to maintain business dealings and arrangements that I had no part in."

"Enough. Don't speak to your sister like that. She is absolutely right. You should be grateful. The most you could have hoped for was marrying a middle-class man who was as worthless as you to our inner circles. This isn't a choice Seraphina. You will do as you are told, or your son will suffer for your insolence," he says.

I look at him like he just slapped me. He would dare bring Eli into this. What the hell does he think he can do to force this arrangement? Even if this is about the money for his treatment, I will find a way because I refuse to become a pawn for this family.

"I can see you are ready to tell me off and leave, but think very hard, Seraphina. I will make sure that no hospital, doctor, or school will cater to that little ba**ard if you don't do as you are told. I will make sure you don't have that job you love so much as to provide him with anything. If you don't think I can make it happen, you aren't as smart as I thought you were," he says.