002

Mulan's POV

The look on mother's face showed she wasn't pleased with my idea but he was the last hope we had.

Easton Watson was my father but I disowned him at the tender age of five as he never performed the role of a father to me and he despised mother because she was his mistress.

His wife and daughter did nothing but to make our lives a living hell until we were thrown out of the boys lounge a few years ago.

“Mom, I understand how you feel but Easton is our last hope.” I said in a breath, giving her hand a soft squeeze.

Leaning close, I muttered, “I will go see him myself, you don't have to come with me.”

“Are you sure you want to do this? I mean… Freya, your sister…”

“Leave her to me.” I said and with a determined look on my face, I made my way towards the door, not giving mother a glance lest I would be discouraged.

On arrival at Easton’s mansion, I took in a deep breath and ignoring the guards who tried to stop me from heading in, I made my way into the building.

“What did mother tell you the last time you came around?” Freya, who must have seen me heading in earlier, asked with her hands crossed on her chest.

“I didn't come for you.” I replied with a mild tone, heading towards my father's study but she suddenly appeared in front of me.

“Don't you get it that you aren't needed here?” She yelled, followed by a stinging slap that made me stagger backwards.

Grabbing my aching cheek with a hand as my eyes burnt with tears, I tried to hold back the anger that was threatening to tear me apart.

Before she could start running her mouth again, I returned her slap, causing her to shriek in sheer horror.

Her noise must have attracted father because in less than a minute, he came running down the stairs, followed closely behind him was Sandra, his wife.

“What are you doing here?” He yelled at me while his wife waddled to the side of her daughter.

“I tried to stop her from creating a scene but she hit me in return.” Freya yelped but I was unmoved by it.

My business here was different and so, I have no time to worry about them.

“How dare you hit my daughter?” Sandra was charging at me now but before she could get to me, Easton stepped in her way, halting her.

“State your mission and leave.” It was Easton speaking.

Pushing my hand into my hair, I tugged on it for a while, trying to gather my thoughts together and also not to sound rude when I was speaking.

“Cat caught your tongue?” Sandra jeered from behind but I ignored her.

“Mother needs a surgery to take out the tumor in her brain.” I said and at once the whole place went silent like a graveyard.

Several minutes later, Easton cleared his throat, breaking the silence in the living room.

Falling on my knees with my hands placed together and eyes burning with tears, I cried, “Please father…” I called in a bid to appease him.

Still rubbing my hands in plea, I continued, “Please help us, I don't want my mother to die.”

“You think you can just barge in here and request for money because you have a link to an affluent man.” Sandra huffed, followed by an eye roll.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes… mother is going to die if we do nothing.” I said in a breath.

Pulling out the three envelopes from my purse, I pushed them forward, “This can only pay for her medicine.”

Father looked like he wanted to help but he was contemplating on his decision; maybe because of the presence of Sandra.

Shutting my eyes briefly, I muttered a quick prayer to my maker, hoping he would grant my request.

“I'm not obligated to help you.” Father said after a while, causing my heart to fall into my stomach with a thud.

Grasping the edge of my gown, I leaned forward, “Father, please… mom is going to die…”

“I will only help you on a condition.” He smacked his lips as he pushed his hand into his pockets.

The look on Sandra and Freya's face showed they were up to no good but I brushed their expression behind me.

“I'm going to give you your inheritance so you can settle whatever you want…” He filtered off as my eyes widened in surprise.

If told that this was going to be the turnout of events, I wouldn't have believed it a bit.

Father offered me an inheritance when he started it clearly that my existence was the least of his concern.

“What should I do?” I gulped, my gaze fixated on him.

“You have a week to get married.” He huffed. “You need a husband to aid you in managing your assets, I don't trust you to handle it properly.”

His words made my face fall but I refused to shed even a single tear.

He was clearly saying he wouldn't help but to make it seem like he made an attempt, he came up with that.

“You should be grateful that my father considered you… I mean, you have no inheritance before now.” Freya huffed.

Trying to wrap my head about what I had just been fed with, I struggled to rise and when I did, I began to stagger like I was drunk.

“Get out, our business is concluded here.” Father snarled, turning his back on me.

He was already at the base of the stairs when he halted with his wife and then snapped his head in my direction.

“If I don't see your husband on Sunday, then forget about getting your inheritance.” His words were followed by a mocking laughter from mother and daughter.

With my heart lunged in my throat, I made my way towards the exit and the moment I stepped out of the building, I called Tristan, my boyfriend.

“Marry me.” I said the moment the lines connected.