CHAPTER 3

It was one of those once-a-month occasions when the entire family gathered and pretended to be a family, or something along those lines. Only if they knew how much she despised it. Anne opened the door for her and she entered; it appeared that everyone had already arrived; it was only she who had not.

She put on a bright smile the moment she walked into the room. Her younger sisters were both present, and she enjoyed seeing their expressions more. She admired their freedom and carefree way of life. They were fortunate to live a pain-free life, in contrast to the one she led when she was their age. She sat down, and Anne sat next to her.

She greeted her parents and older brother first, followed by her younger siblings.

“It hasn't been that long, and you've gotten a lot fatter,” Violet said as she pinched her fifteen-year-old sister.

“Am I overweight?” In disbelief, Lucy wondered aloud. If there was one thing her little sister despised, it was being fat, and she insisted on becoming a supermodel when she grew up.

This is also one of the reasons she enters pageant contests whenever they are held at school. She has a talent that she believes in, and she was amused to see her reaction. It all demonstrated how young and innocent she was at the time.

“I'm just joking, dear; I'm just glad to see that adorable face of yours.”

“Since everyone has arrived, let us take our order,” her mother said.

Talking while eating was not really a thing, and ever since the incident when she was a child, she had always kept a lot to herself, believing that it was better that way. She continued to listen to the new stories that had occurred in the family over the previous month.

She officially left the house when she turned eighteen and never returned for more than a week. Her older brother was the CEO of an insurance company, and life had been kind to him.

Unlike her, he was fortunate to fall in love with a beautiful girl from an influential family who pursued him from college onward, and they were now married and had given her mother two beautiful grandchildren. They all made up for what she couldn't give them.

“Actually, we had something we wanted to tell you tonight,” Violet's mother, Mrs. Grant, said as she looked at her.

“As long as it is not about a funeral, then say it.”

“Your younger sister, Suzy, is getting married.”

“Suzy!” she exclaimed, stunned. “Was she seeing someone?” I had no idea.”

“It was recently that her fiancé to be came to our home and asked for her hand in marriage, and because they love each other, we couldn't disagree.”

“Can you tell me when the engagement party is?”

“Within two weeks.”

“So, who is the lucky guy who has won our princess over?”

“It's........” Mrs. Grant did not finish her sentence because Suzy interrupted her.

“It's the first son, Damon Hillary.”

“Is that correct? Congratulations, Suzy, and I wish you happiness in the future.”

“Are you sure you mean that?”

“What else would it mean if I didn't mean it, Suzy?”

Suzy put on a poker face and said, "it feels like you're being cynical about it."

Suzy has always been like this, pretending to be all high and mighty all the time. She knew exactly what she was attempting to do, but she wasn't in the mood, so she looked at her.

“I am happy tonight, so don't ruin it for everyone else,” she said as she turned to face her parents, “I have something to do back at the club; I will see you at the party. Don't forget to send the information.”

“You are already leaving?” her brother asked.

“I'm afraid so brother,” she said as she motioned for Anne who immediately stood and helped her up

She reached the door and returned her gaze to Suzy, saying, "I will buy you the perfect engagement gift, and if you have time, I will treat you and your fiancé to a night at the club."

She got into the car and sighed loudly, "Godmother, are you okay?"

“Take me to the beach; I need a cool breeze.”

“All right, I'll inform the driver.”

The limousine drove away from the hotel, and she listened to pop music all the way to the beach. She stepped out of the car, removed her shoes, and began walking barefoot on the sand. The sand wasn't as coarse as it had been when she was younger.

It felt like fine sand when you stepped on it. She was used to adversity, but being treated like that with her younger sister was something she could never stand.

“Godmother, why did you act as if you didn't know what was going on earlier?”

“Don't you think it would make me worse if they knew?”

“But they're already staring at you that way.”

“I understand, and let's leave it at that.”

"How about Damon?"

“Make an appointment with his father, it's time,” Violet said, gazing at the beautiful night sky filled with twinkling stars.

“I will do so; for the time being, it is best if we return home. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day for you.”

“All right, it's getting late. Let's head home.”

The day's lectures had ended, so the only thing left for him to do was go home because he had an appointment he couldn't afford to miss.

“Are you certain about this?” Laura asked Dylan as he climbed into his car.

“I don't have a choice in this matter; I have to see what they have in store for me this time. You never know, I might strike it rich.”

“Just keep us updated if anything changes,” Sam said as he grabbed his shoulder.

“All right, I'll do it,” Dylan said as he closed the car door, “I'll call you later."

He turned on the ignition and drove his car off campus to his family's mansion. He pulled into the driveway of the mansion and parked his car. He arrived to find the butler already waiting for him.

“Dinner will be ready in ten minutes; your guest is already waiting.”

“Thank you,” he said as he walked into the house.

He dashed to his room and changed his clothes. He moved out of the mansion when he was eighteen and began living in his own apartment. He was free to do whatever he wanted as long as he followed his father's rules.