Chapter 12

SHERLYN

“May! How dare you!” I shouted. I stood up, unable to control my anger. However, May looked reserved. She remained seated and she gave me a coy smile.

“She isn't even my father's daughter. You think I would care about a piece of shit like that? Jokes on you!” May said confidently.

“You call me a piece of shit!” Emma finally said. “I will make you eat your words. I will…”

“Shh!” May held a finger over her lips. “You should worry about not going to jail, little lady. I expect the formal announcement to be made today. There has been rumors of my exclusion from the family and it hasn't been good for me, you know.”

May stood up and walked out of the room. I clenched my fists in anger as she walked slowly like a proud peacock. My plan had totally backfired.

“Shit!” Emma shouted after May was gone. “What do we do, mother? I don't want to go to jail.”

“What else?” I muttered in defeat. “Call the secretary and have them denounce every rumor that says May has been disowned from the family.”

“We tried to get rid of her but she ends up getting her spot back in the process. This is total bullshit!” Emma complained. She stood up and took two steps forward. I was so angry and there was no other person to direct my anger at.

“It's all because of your carelessness. I should have handled it by myself. Sometimes, I wonder if you are really my own daughter. Perhaps, you were switched at the hospital…” I said out of anger. “A true daughter of mine wouldn't be this clumsy and dumb!”

“Really, mother?” Emma turned, casting me a cold look. “You were so meticulous that you failed to wash after fucking your daughter's crush!”

I kept my eyes on Emma. That topic must have been on her mind ever since. I took a deep breath before standing up.

“You are very selfish, you know that?” I told her shortly. “I gave you everything but you think Charles is too much of a sacrifice for you, huh!”

“I love him!” Emma shouted.

“What about Conan?” I asked her. “Personally, you ended May's long-time engagement with him so you could have him to yourself. Was that not it? You told me you wanted Conan as your husband. Now, you want Charles too!”

Who would have thought that mother and daughter would have an argument over a man? I raised Emma to take whatever she wanted but it turns out it made her greedy. Did she think she could have both Conan and Charles?

“But mother…” Emma's eyes were filled with tears. Even at twenty, she still sulked. It made me wonder if she was indeed ready for marriage with Conan.

“I will hear no more of it!” I told her firmly. “How are things going with Conan? Do you think he will fall in love with you?”

“He has no other choice but to…” Emma replied confidently. “He is already caught in my trap. However, I think he still thinks of May. When he heard she was going to be married to Nicholas, he looked so jealous.”

“Make sure he thinks badly of May. If he hates her, he will be of help in our fight against her. You know Nicholas has her back now? We need someone strong too,” I concluded. I pressed a button on the wall and shortly, a maid appeared. “Get my usual wine. One of those new glasses as well.”

“Two glasses,” Emma interrupted. The maid bowed and left hurriedly.

“Our plan must move forward quickly. Bringing May back to the family is like taking a step back so we must be wise to take two steps forward as well!” I said carefully.

“How about your husband?” Emma asked. She knew I hated the subject.

“Charles is taking care of it,” I replied. “He says he is almost brain dead. No proper treatment will be given to him so he will die soon. We need to make sure that everything goes to both of us when he dies.”

“When will he die?” Emma asked. I was about to answer when the maid arrived. I took the wine and poured it for myself and Emma. The maid left and we clinked glasses.

“He will be dead soon!” I stared out the window.

“I feel bad for him,” Emma said while smiling. “He will be our stepping stone to leading wealthy lives forever.”

“He wouldn't have ended up in that situation if he never fell in love with me. That is why I always tell you never to fall in love with men. Love is a foolish emotion and only foolish people love,” I said faintly.

“But you love me…” Emma muttered.

“I am your mother. Your blood. Isn't that normal?” I asked her and winked afterwards.

“I guess I love you as well since you are my mother. It's hard not to fall in love with anyone in this world filled with handsome men that would make your heart flutter. I've fallen in love a couple of times. I still am in love…” Emma said as she smiled. I turned towards her and looked into her eyes.

“Did everything I've been saying sound like a joke to you?” I asked firmly.

“Sorry, mother,” Emma replied. There was a cold silence between us and all we did was drink wine. Emma joined me and stared at the window. I could see some birds flying. They were four in number. Whenever I looked at nature, life seemed to stay at a standstill for me.

“But mother…” Emma's voice trailed off. “Do you mean you've never fallen in love with a man?”

“I have never,” I replied.

But it was a lie and I knew it. I was drunk in love with Charles. The words he said to me yesterday had been etched in my heart and I could hear them echoing in my heart. I had never desired a man in this manner. He was the first.