Chapter 4

VELORA

“I'm adopted" A small smile played on my lips and died out almost immediately.

“Sweetheart, aren't you injured? What are you doing here? Go to rest for a bit first." I kept my eyes on Elion.

"Answer me! Is that why they could make me the substitute without blinking? I'm adopted?” He nodded.

I pulled out one of the chairs and sank into it. For a moment, I felt like pulling off the bandage they had put on my wrist.

“Velora, you knew that. Don't7—"

“Can I work for you? And do you have proof…of the adoption, I mean?" I suddenly asked and he stared at me strangely. Like he knew there was something I was hoping to achieve, it was like a mad glint in my eyes and I couldn't care less if he could see it.

“There is proof for the adoption but I must tell Miss Velora that I have absolutely no interest in helping or involving myself in your family matters." I stood to my feet, tapping my fingers on the table, flexing my jaw and blinking repeatedly as I tried to stop the tears from rolling all out.

Crying never stopped any problem. It was finally understandable why they started to avoid and exclude me.

I was only a child picked from the orphanage? Gosh!

“What exactly can you do?” Isolde butted in. If she wasn't this old, I would say something was going on between her and Mr Montier. She looked quite free with him, the opposite of what others had to present.

“I'm tech savvy. I'm a top hacker. I program really well." I stated and Elion leaned forward.

"Weren't you raised in the Valemont's house? As far as I know, the Valemont do not allow their daughters to do…any of what you just mentioned.” He peered and I swallowed.

“Well yes, everyone has their own secrets, don't we?” My hands were clenched underneath the table.

“You’re right. But I'm not looking for any other st—”

" Here, look at this. One of our project plans just got uploaded to the black market for sale. Can you hack into it and clear our biddings?” Isolde handed me a laptop while Elion glared at her..

His lips were clasped together yet I could feel the impact of his unspoken words. It's like he was yelling at her, but doing it silently.

I stared at the contents of the screen before me and a small smile lit up my face. This was easy. My hands began to fly over the keys of the keyboard and as I coded, the Valemont's betrayal stung at the back of my mind.

You've never been a true Valemont anyways. I didn't think much of these words when mom said it, but now? They made so much sense.

“And…I'm done.” Elion inspected each line, each code, stopping at intervals to stare at me like I was behaving strangely.

"I hate to admit but this is perfect.” Of course it is, I coded it.

"In that case, you're hired.” Isolde finally said after a short pause,

"As for the div—" I started again and Isolde butted in. He hadn't even gotten the chance to say a thing.

"As for the divorce, there's no need for it right now. You both are working together now and besides, you also need to find who framed you, right?. Staying married helps facilitate a lot of things.” Isolde butted in again and Elion raised his hands.

“But…” I was about to say and trailed off when my phone suddenly started buzzing. I stared at the caller ID. It was dad.

What if he apologized? What if he made things right? I could put all his earlier words behind my back and forgive him. He was the only father I had known.

“Dad?" I called out immediately as the line went through.

“Velora. Dad just thought about what we were saying earlier and I think it's better to discuss face to face. We'll talk during your homecoming tomorrow, okay?” A glimmer of relief spread through my chest and I nodded as though he could see me.

"Okay dad. I'll see you then.” I ended the call while Isolde and Elion exchanged glances. I didn't ask. If they didn't tell me, then it didn't concern me.

~

I stood outside the door, arranging my dress ready to go in to meet my parents when I heard mom's voice from the living room.

“I don't care how she does it but now she's married. She has to relinquish her shares and company rights to Aurelia. After all, she stole Relia’s husband." I paused.

What?

“You know Velora can get a little somehow, sometimes. We have to make her feel absolutely at home to be able to convince her so make sure you're all fixing your attitude."

So this was the real reason why they wanted me to come home.

They weren't even giving me a way out. They were sealing all parts. Reinscind my shares? Then when I got divorced with Elion, I would have absolutely no footing? What a well thought out elaborate scheme.

I swallowed down the scream that was crawling up my throat. Since when did they harbor such intent against me? Or was I just took blind to see it? I thought things had been fine between us.

“I'm homeee." I put on a smile, forcing the corners of my lips to coil up as I walked into the living room.

Velora had that pitiful expression on her face. My lovely sister. Has your love and care all this while being fake too?

“Oh, it's lovely to have you back. How has your stay been at the Mortiers? I hope they're not giving you a hard time due to the circumstances regarding your marriage?” Mom asked.

My eyes flickered to Velora. If we were going to be cruel to one another, then sign me the fuck up!

"Circumstances? What circumstances? There's no such thing back at home. Everyone loves me and my husband adores me. Infact, I told him I wanted to resume working and he wouldn't allow it.” Velora shifted uncomfortably.

Seems like she really cared about Elion.

“Really?” Mom drawled and I nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes. In fact, I fear I might not be able to attend dad's company's board meetings anymore as a shareholder so I transferred all my shares to my husband.” They all stood up at once.

"You did what?” Dad yelled.

Let the fun begin!