The Complicated Relationship Exists

“You’re thinking too much, Lexi.” Camella held her daughter by both shoulders. “We love each other. Darwis just wants to protect us in his own way. Isn’t he better than your father? You haven’t forgotten how your biological father treated us, have you? At least Darwis was never violent with us, never tried to sell you to a brothel.”

“Don’t think so narrowly. You’re the one who needs to open your mind and heart to accept this new family.” Camella stroked her daughter’s face, now fully grown. “Do you know how shattered my heart was seeing you like that? Hurt, Lex. I gave birth to you. I’ve been through what you’re going through now. I swear on anything, I will never forgive the man who did this to you.”

Camella pulled her daughter into an embrace. “We are safe here. We have protection in this place, Alexi.”

Alexi fell silent. She was still not fully satisfied with her mother’s answer, but she tried to understand. Everything Camella said was true. Since her teenage years, her biological father had taken her to nightclubs, to brothels, and she had almost been sold if her mother had not come to save her. She had also witnessed how easily her father’s hands struck her mother.

“I’m sorry, Mom.” Alexi returned the hug. Warmth spread through her chest. She still could not fully accept Darwis as her stepfather. She did not know if she ever would.

“A mother will always forgive her daughter.” Camella loosened the embrace and brushed aside the strands of hair that fell over Alexi’s beautiful face. “Now go take a shower and get ready. We’re starting a new life here, Lex. Follow what Darwis says. I’m sure he cares deeply about you.”

“I’ll try, Mom.”

After her mother left the room, Alexi lined up the two dresses Camella had brought. She considered which one to wear. “It’s just a family dinner, right? Just the four of us.” She assumed it was a simple welcome dinner for Hagia’s return.

***

Alexi’s long legs, wrapped in black heels, descended the staircase. Faint conversation drifted from the family living room. She followed the sound.

Three figures sat on a long, plush sofa. One was a woman, beautiful, with brown hair cascading halfway down her back. She wore a low cut off white dress with thin straps resting on her shoulders.

“Hagia,” Alexi greeted her stepsister softly, but loud enough to be heard.

Hagia turned around, as did the others. No words left her lips, only a steady gaze with an unchanged expression as she looked at Alexi.

She stood up, the sharp click of her stilettos echoing against the marble floor as she stopped in front of her stepsister. “I’m so sorry for what happened to you, Lex.” Hagia embraced her without hesitation. “It’s good to see you again,” she added.

Alexi froze. She glanced past Hagia and saw her parents. Her mother nodded and smiled. Alexi lifted her arms and returned the hug. “Thank you.”

Hagia pulled back, a gentle smile on her face. “I’m happy you’ll finally be living here. That means I’ll have someone to talk to,” she said, then turned to her father. “Did you also ask Alexi to join me at the company?”

“Ask her yourself. I’m fine with it if she wants to,” Darwis replied. He looked at Alexi. “Well, Lexi? Do you want to?”

Alexi glanced at her mother, silently asking for help, but Camella only shrugged.

“I’ll think about it later. I want to recover first. Is that okay?”

“As you wish,” Hagia and Darwis answered in unison.

Yes, her mother was right. The Midaz family was kind. Maybe she had judged them unfairly. She needed to erase those negative thoughts from her heart.

In the middle of that warmth, a voice echoed from the living room, accompanied by hurried footsteps approaching them.

“I’m sorry, I’m late.”

Everyone turned toward the sound. Alexi’s heartbeat seemed to stop. Her eyes widened as she saw who stood there. A familiar figure, though his name escaped her. Him, she thought.

Austin froze as well when he saw Alexi standing among the Midaz family, especially so close to Hagia. He quickly adjusted his expression so his shock would not show. Dressed in a black suit that hugged his solid frame, he walked forward with firm steps, a faint smile on his lips. He approached Hagia, embraced her, and they kissed.

Seeing that, Alexi turned her gaze away. She clicked her tongue softly.

“We wouldn’t start dinner without you, darling,” Hagia said.

“I’m flattered,” Austin replied, his expression turning shy.

“Oh, right. This is Alexi Mauren, Hagia’s sister,” Darwis introduced Alexi to Austin. “You’ve never met, have you?” Then he looked at Alexi. “And this is Austin Stanley, Hagia’s fiancé.”

Alexi pressed her lips together tightly. What? Fiancé? I slept with my sister’s fiancé? So his name is Austin. She swallowed hard.

Austin nodded briefly, acknowledging Darwis’s words. His gaze was cold, like a block of ice. He looked away, avoiding Alexi’s eyes. Memories from some time ago flashed through his mind. Even so, the bandage on Alexi’s head did not escape his curiosity.

Why does she have a bandage? What happened to her? The questions remained unspoken.

For a moment, silence crept in. “All right, let’s go to the dining table,” Camella said, trying to lighten the mood.

Seated at the dining table, what should have been a relaxed dinner turned cold and tense. Only silence remained, broken by the clinking of forks and knives against ceramic plates.

“I hope you’ll join us, Lex,” Darwis said, looking at his stepdaughter.

“Hagia is getting married in two months. Her time will be taken up by her husband and his family, so who will take over if not you, Lex,” he continued.

“No, Dad. I’ll keep working even after I’m married. I can’t just stay at home. My body would stiffen without activity, my mind would dull if I’m not thinking. What would be the point of my degree?” Hagia voiced her determination.

The steak in Austin’s mouth suddenly felt impossible to swallow, even though the meat was tender. Hagia’s words lodged in his throat. He had not really planned anything about life after marriage with his fiancée.

“You don’t have to work, Hagia. You can go to the salon, shop, enjoy being a mother, take care of your children. That can be fulfilling too. If you have trouble, you can ask Camella. I don’t want her to be exhausted. I think all men feel the same,” Darwis said again.

“No, Dad. Austin isn’t like that. He gives me freedom.” Hagia turned to her fiancé. “Right, darling? We’ll build a business together, go to work and come home together. And after this, my company will be under yours, won’t it?” She looked at him pleadingly and squeezed Austin’s large hand.

Austin responded with a brief nod, pulling his hand free from Hagia’s grip. He reached for his red wine, took a sip, and glanced at Alexi. “Whatever you want.”