Denial

Posy sat on the edge of her bed with her tablet still in her hand. The headline on the news app flashed again.

“Court Rules in Seth Blackwood’s Favour. Billion Dollar Lawsuit Thrown Out.”

Her thumb hovered over the screen. She read the lines twice more, as if they might change if she stared hard enough. They didn’t. Seth and Thea had won. Runes had lost. And with that loss, Posy’s careful plan began to wobble.

She had hoped that this case would set Thea off, humiliate her but it only backfired and that alone, irritated her greatly

She tossed the tablet onto the duvet and stood up.

“No, no, no,” she muttered.

She walked to the window and back. The sky outside was bright but she felt heavy. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Runes was supposed to crush Seth, embarrass Thea, and weaken the Blackwood Empire. Instead, the opposite had happened, and everyone on social media was laughing at Runes.

Hell, what was she expecting? This is the Blackwood empire! It was a dumb idea to go against a company that huge! Even the president of this country eats out of his hand!

Her phone buzzed on the dresser. It was Yolanda calling. She stared at the screen. A week ago she would have answered in a heartbeat. Now she didn’t want to hear her whiny voice.

She pressed “decline” and watched the call vanish. “I can’t deal with you right now,” she whispered.

Posy sat again and crossed her arms. She thought about calling her back, but her stomach turned at the idea. What could she even say? Sorry your brother lost? Sorry your brother was humiliated?

Posy dug her fingers into her scalp, refraining from screaming in frustration.No, she couldn’t do that. She put the phone face-down.

She tried to breathe slowly.

“Calm down. Calm down,” she told herself, but her jaw stayed tight.

Gina hadn’t spoken to her since the last board meeting. Adam had been cold and distant. She knew the Balmero company was sliding downhill under her watch, but she had hoped to buy time. Her marriage with Runes was just a month away and if they do get married and the merger officially signed, she wouldn't have to worry about running the company anymore. It would be under Runes' care…

But with all this drama,is he still willing to marry her?

Posy screamed in frustration! What the hell wouldn't Thea stay down?! She should have disappeared by now! She was the humiliated daughter but somehow, she's still out there in public, threatening her existence.

Posy paced her room again, biting her fingernails until it bled. She needed a plan. She had to make sure she married Runes. It doesn't matter if Thea was Married to Seth! Runes had always been her first love and this was the only way to completely hurt her…

The silence in the room felt louder than before. She grabbed her phone again, scrolling through her contacts. She thought of calling Gina. No.

She thought of calling Adam. She knew he wouldn’t pick up. She hovered over Runes again and then shook her head. No. Talking to him right now would make him angrier.

Then she stopped on another name: Fiona.

She bit her nails again, hands staring down at the phone as though she was about to make a life uttering decision. Fiona would definitely be furious by the news but it was still her safest bet. She would remind her about the merger, hoping to remind her that there was a solution to this..

Posy hit call before she could change her mind.

The line rang once.

“The audacity to call me in a time like this!” Fiona’s voice came sharp and cold. “Have you seen the news? Have you seen the humiliation that my son had to endure because of your reckless sister, Thea?”

Posy blinked. “Mrs. Sterling, I—”

“Don’t ‘Mrs. Sterling’ me,” Fiona cut her off. “Do you have any idea what your little stunt has done to my son? He’s been humiliated in court. On television. Everywhere!”

“I didn’t—” Posy began.

“You didn’t stop it,” Fiona snapped. “You've been in communication with Thea! She's your maid of honour! And you're telling me you had no clue this was going to happen?!”

Posy felt her throat tighten. “Mother, I didn’t know! I didn’t push him into anything. He went after Seth on his own.”

“This was your plan right? You filthy Balmeros want to humiliate my son and my family isn't it?!” Fiona shot back.

“Mother…”

“You were there,” Fiona said coldly. “You encouraged him. Don’t pretend you didn’t. All because you can’t stand your little stepsister. Well congratulations, dear. She’s a star now, and my son is a laughingstock.”

Posy bit her lip. She had known Fiona was blunt, but the words still stung. “I called to see how Runes was…”

Fiona gave a short, humourless laugh. “You called because you’re worried about yourself! If you were worried about my son, you should be here on your knees, begging for forgiveness! I knew our association with the Balmero family was going to lead to chaos! I knew that family was cursed! Cursed I tell you!”

“That’s not true,” Posy said quietly.

“It’s exactly true,” Fiona said. “You think I don’t see it? You and your greedy family have brought nothing but chaos since we met! From a cheating daughter to a mannerless and tactless daughter! What are you doing to do about this mess? How will my son get out of this mess I ask you?!”

Posy’s hand tightened around the phone. “Our Merger …”

Fiona bursts into a humourless laugher. “Merger? You think after all this ness my son will marry into that cursed family of yours,” Fiona said.

“I…”

“I don't know how many times you want me to remind you but you are not befitting to be a Sterling! Nobody in your filthy family is! If I could have my way I'd make sure this marriage was cancelled and keep you far away from me and my son!”

Posy’s face went pale. “Mother please! Please don't do this! This is all Thea's fault. I didn't do anything…”

Fiona’s tone hardened “Shes the disgraced daughter from your family! She's your family! And I will blame everyone related to her for what happened.”

“Mother please. We can fix this. The merger can provide a solution to all of this . You just have to believe in me and…”

“Believe you? You? The same you that's about to ruin the Balmero Empire in less than three months of running it? You make me laugh!”

Posy swallowed, it was clearly out in the open. It's only a matter of time before people find out that she was no genius like Thea. The stock market was a clear indication of that very fact..

“But I know we have something the Sterling Empire needs!” Posy snapped. “ called because I thought you might understand that this marriage is important. Because we’re on the same side.”

Fiona finally spoke after a minute of silence,

“We’re not on the same side,” Fiona said. “I’m on my son’s side. Always. If you want my advice, girl, stop calling me. My family and yours can never be one! Ever.”

The call clicked off.

Posy froze, anger brewing in her eyes. “No.”