Chapter 3: Returning as an Heiress

Nilah’s pov

What the hell had I done?

I sat in my car, staring at the mansion I had once called home, the perfectly trimmed garden stretched towards a fountain. Everything was just as I had remembered.

Beautiful, warm, and inviting.

My phone buzzed with a text from a number I didn't recognize. “The car will pick you up at 6;30pm. Dress arrives at 5, don't overthink.”

I could immediately tell it was from that man, the stranger I had hit, and unfortunately wrecked my car. Apparently, I had foolishly accepted his offer without thinking much.

I should cancel. Tell him I made a mistake and somehow find a way to pay him for the damages.

“Nilah! Oh, my dear baby!”

My mother burst through the front door like some storm, her blonde hair perfectly styled in a bob, she was down the steps and coming towards me. “Victor! Our Nilah is here, Victor." She cried for my dad.

Stepping out of the car I let my soaked body be held in her arms, trying to pretend I was the same girl that had left this same place three years ago, before Marcus, before I had tragically learned what it was to be not enough.

“You lost a lot of weight, what did that foolish boy do to you? You look so pale, almost a skeleton of your old self.” my mother cried, pulling me closer in her arms. “Come in, Linda will make you whatever you want.” she beckoned me inside.

Staring at the door, I felt like a prodigal daughter finally gaining her senses and crawling back to her parents' warm hands. I stopped in my steps at the sight of my father standing right in front of the door, face straight, making it hard for me to read what could be going on in his mind.

“Hi, Dad.”

“Nilah.” just my name he said.

“Victor, do you see what that darn boy did to our poor baby?” Mom cupped my cheeks warmly.

“I can see, Catherine.” He descended the steps slowly and when he reached me, he wrapped his arms around me and held me like I might disappear. “You came home,” he said quietly. “Finally.”

The tears I had refused to shed since I left Marcus’s house or even at the accident finally broke free. I sobbed into my father’s shoulders while my mom rubbed my back and made soothing sounds and for the first time in three years, I couldn't pretend to be strong.

We all went in and settled in, I took my shower and came down for dinner. “Tell us what happened.” My father sat across from me at the dinner, the same place he had sat when I told him I was getting married to Marcus and he had rejected it. “You will not marry such a man.” he snarled then.

“Dad…” I sighed, reluctant to talk about it.”

“Talk to me Nilah, I want to know what that bastard did to my daughter.”

Seeing the desperation in both their eyes, I told them everything, the way Marcus had changed, how he made me seem like the problem, and his late nights with Vanessa.

My mother’s face went white. “That lowlife dimwit cheated on you?”

“He claims they're colleagues.” I clenched my hand around the wine glass. “It doesn't matter anymore, we're done, I signed the papers tonight.”

My father’s face went cold. “That sly thing…”

“Victor it's alright, let's be happy our baby is back with us safe and sound.”

My dad leaned forward. “You know what comes next, your position in the company…”

“Dad, I'm barely myself, I just got divorced, I can't think about…”

He interrupted me. “Don’t you think you owe your mother and me? It would be damaging to our reputation if you appear unmarried till and now that you’re taking over a part of the company, don’t you think it’s okay to settle with someone better?”

Can’t I get a break from men? I’ve had enough.

“I’m having a gala tomorrow, where you will meet the man we’ve arranged for you to get married to,” Dad added, looking away from me nonchalantly.

What? My heart skipped, does this man have the slightest idea what he’s saying?

“I won’t be attending as I have somewhere to be.” I quickly made an excuse.

They both exchanged looks. “Where to?” Mom’s brows furrowed as she asked curiously

“There’s a… dinner, business dinner.” I lied, it felt wrong but I couldn’t explain that I got invited by a stranger and I was willing to go. “I’m meeting someone,” I added.

“Cancel it.” My father replied simply. “This is more important, the gala is where we announce your return and let you meet potential business associates, don’t throw this to meet whoever it is.”

“She’s not a child anymore Victor, she’s a woman and can make better decisions now.” Mom pressed my hand with a reassuring smile.

“I made a commitment and need to keep my word.”

He looked up. “Business or personal.”

I shifted in my seat, hesitating. “Both.”

My parents exchanged another look. “If that’s the case you could bring them to the gala, you’re going to be an heiress, why not make them see? Kill a bird with two stones.” My father said finally.

I sat there awestruck by his thinking. “Dad I’m not sure…”

“I insist.” His tone left no room for argument. “Nilah it’s time you start acting like my daughter, no more making yourself small, attend the gala and make it known whose daughter you are and that you would be off the market.”

My mom squeezed my hand tight. “He’s right, it’s time to settle with someone better and also take on your father’s legacy.” She said, “Don't think about sulking up, this is the best time to make Marcus choke at the sight of you.”

I had never told Marcus which family I came from, though it didn’t matter as long as we were happy. He never cared to know and thought I was a runaway daughter from an average family.

Perhaps restarting was the best idea…. But bringing Darien to the gala where I was to get engaged? How do I solve that?

Perhaps what could go wrong?