The Price Of Silence

“Welcome, mummy,” Bianca said, running toward me and hugging my legs, immediately I arrived home.

A soft smile curled on my lips as I lifted her into my arms.

“How do you feel?” I asked gently.

“I’m fine,” she replied in a small voice.

Seeing her always brought joy to my heart… yet a quiet reminder lingered; I only had a month left to spend with her.

I lightly tickled her sides, and she burst into laughter.

Walking over to the couch, I sat down carefully and placed her beside me, then bent slightly to her level.

“You should be asleep,” I said, and she nodded eagerly.

“But mummy, why did you leave me alone there?” her tiny voice asked.

I swallowed, steadying myself. “An emergency came up. I called your daddy to check on you.”

“Okay, mummy,” she replied, her smile brighter this time.

Lucien walked in and the moment he saw Bianca with me, he quickened his pace.

“Bianca, go to your room now!” he ordered, lifting her off the couch.

“But I haven’t been with mummy all…” she began.

“Leave now!” Lucien cut in sharply.

Bianca’s expression fell instantly, and tears began to well up in her eyes.

Lucien’s tone softened as he realized his outburst. “I… I didn’t mean to shout,” he said, quickly pulling her back into his arms and trying to soothe her, but she continued crying.

Elara walked in moments later.

“What’s going on? Why is Bianca crying?” she asked, looking between us as Lucien explained.

“Your mother just got back from work and is exhausted. Leave her to rest,” he added gently, carrying Bianca away to comfort her.

Elara then turned to me, her eyes laced with irritation. “I can see someone is still shaken after receiving a thunderous slap,” she said, letting out a mocking chuckle.

A faint smile curled on my lips as I fixed my gaze on her. “If stupidity were a person, it would be you,” I scoffed.

Her eyes widened in shock, perhaps she hadn’t expected resistance.

“Screw off,” I added calmly before walking away.

“Ah! Ah! Ah!” her voice trailed behind me, but I ignored it and continued to my room.

Inside, I reached into my bag and pulled out a small nylon, carefully placing the strand of hair inside it.

The door suddenly burst open as Lucien stormed in.

“Liora! How could you?!” he yelled, marching toward me.

“What do you…” I paused, noticing his raised hand.

“Please don’t!” Elara’s voice quickly cut in from behind him. Lucien halted.

She stepped forward. “I don’t know why Liora dislikes me so much… but we shouldn’t repay bad with bad,” she said, her expression pitiful, her voice laced with pain.

Lucien turned back to me, anger returning to his face. “How could you slap and push a pregnant woman?”

“I did what?” I asked, my eyes widening in confusion.

“You’re very lucky she’s a kind-hearted woman,” he added.

“So what?”. The words slipped out before I could stop them. 

“Apologize to her. Now!” he ordered.

I felt my heart sink.

Were these people even human? Did they have any sense of fairness? These were the same people I was meant to call family.

“I can’t,” I replied coldly.

Lucien’s jaw tightened. “I won’t tolerate my wife being disrespectful. Liora, apologize now!”

I met Elara’s gaze, she smirked subtly before masking it. Then I looked back at Lucien, whose expression had hardened as though I were his enemy… perhaps I was.

“I, Liora, will not apologize for something I didn’t do. I can see you’re biased and there’s no point ex…”

“If you don’t apologize, consider your company gone,” he threatened.

My breath hitched slightly. No… the company was part of my plan.

Forcing a smile, I turned to Elara. “I’m sorry.”

She responded with a feigned, pitiful smile. “You don’t have to. I’m the one who should be sorry,” she added.

“Better,” Lucien said, his tone easing as he addressed me. Then he turned to Elara. “Leave us.”

“Please don’t raise your hand at her,” Elara said before exiting. “I know she can be troublesome, but we’re still sisters.”

The door closed behind her.

I sank onto the bed, the pain was overwhelming, but I had to endure.

“Liora… I don’t recognize you anymore. You’ve changed,” Lucien said, sitting beside me.

I remained silent, my gaze fixed on him.

“I’ve always loved and cherished you, but I don’t understand your recent behavior,” he added.

There was no time for arguments. “I’m sorry. I’ll work on my attitude,” I replied, offering a small smile.

A few days later, I received the papers from Elliot.

Now… it was time to get that bastard sign the papers.