Chapter 3

~Aria~

The tires’ humming sounds were the only thing I could hear apart from my heartbeat pounding due to anger. I kept driving with no destination in mind.

Laurel's words echoed in my mind like a constant alarm clock, sharp and fluent: “You were nothing but a pawn all along”

How could Laurel do this to me?!

I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles almost white but I didn't care.

Stepping my foot harder on the pedal I gritted my teeth, accelerating faster past the stream of city lights which became blurry in sight.

If I had heard those words from Darren, it wouldn't have hurt this much.

But it was from Laurel, the innocent, timid friend that I would do anything for just to see her happy.

All that didn't matter anymore, that line had been crossed.

I was stranded and hopeless now, especially since all my accounts had been frozen by the Feds because of the ongoing investigation of the fraud scandal which Darren was solely responsible for.

Argh Darren! I despise him even so much more now.

At this point, I was left with no choice but to go to my father’s house.

The last place I wanted to be.

I made a U-turn, headed there and soon arrived at the gold-coated gates of the Luxen family house, which stood tall and imposing.

The cameras scanned through my face just before the gates opened widely, allowing me to drive in.

“Welcome home, young mistress” the butler, Adam, politely greeted.

“Thank you, Adam.” I forced a smile to cover the hurt I felt inside even though I knew the news must have gotten to him.

He complied, also forming a reassuring smile. “Young master and madam are waiting for you in the garden”

I smiled wryly, thanking him and advancing further into the compound while he sorted out my suitcases.

By now the news must have circulated widely, the only news I'm not sure would have reached everybody was the fact that I was no longer with Darren Maxwell.

All I can think of now is how my stepmother, Mariah Luxen would react to this news after realizing I had returned home with nothing.

I took a deep breath before pushing the floral-adorned wooden door leading to the garden. Forcing the most polite smile I could muster up I said, “Evening Mother”

“The prodigal daughter finally returns ” Joe Luxen, my brother or rather half brother arrogantly mocked.

I rolled my eyes not glancing at him. I didn't have time for his constant bullying right now. Ever since we were kids he had always had this passion for always causing problems for me.

And I wasn't even in the mood for any of his theatrics right now.

I just focused on my stepmother whom I call mother. Her eyes were fixed on some beauty magazine she was holding, not paying any attention to me and acting as if I was a nuisance.

“Evening Mother” I greeted again but she still didn't answer, so I moved closer and greeted her again but instead she snapped at me.

“How dare you call me your mother you unfilial child of a snake”

Her words never seem to get less hurtful over the years, hitting my every nerve sharp and deep.

I should be used to her scrutinies by now, but it always hurts every time especially when all I got in return for the love and respect I had for her was a pond of hatred thrown towards me every single time.

I swallowed hard, pushing down the lump in my throat. " Mother, I -"

"Don't you dare call me that!" She said sharply, slamming the beauty magazine she was so in debt with a while ago on the table.

"Do you have any idea how much shame you've brought upon this family? You so-called daughter of the Luxen family, abandoned like a stray dog and worst of taking the company your father worked for so long down with your stupidity. How dare you show your face in front of me?"

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out, just a dry ache, so dry that I couldn’t even utter a single word.

I wanted to tell them it wasn't me who did everything, that it was all Darren's fault but Joe's sudden mocking laughter caught me off guard.

"What? Darren finally saw how worthless you're and finally tossed you out like trash that you are."

My eyes flickered a little, tears welling up as if I could burst into tears any minute from now.

What was I expecting, that I would find solace or support here? Who was I kidding?

I straightened up, my hands balled up in a fist, I wouldn't give Joe or anyone the satisfaction of seeing me break.

I looked up at my stepmother whose cold eyes were void of any emotions right now.

I now understood my situation, I wasn't going to get help here so why bother asking for permission?

"I didn't come here to beg," I said, my voice steady shadowing the chaos inside me. "This is my house too."

Mariah scoffed, rising gracefully from her seat. She strided towards me her shoulders squared and her gaze locked on me. She oozing so much aura of authority which she wore like an amour.

"Your home?" She laughed menacingly, “Oh please, you better think again. What status do you have in your name? A failed marriage and a tarnished reputation? You're nothing!”

She shouted out loud at my face, her main aim was to plaster the word to my face which she did.

I smiled wryly, the tears I had fought to keep in check resurfacing again.

“Pack your things and get out of here.” The words dropped from her mouth so easily causing another drop of tears to roll down my cheeks.

“Mom I -” Before I could finish my sentence I suddenly felt a stinging sound in my ear, my eyes widening as her palm landed harshly on my face, making me feel a slight headache.

“Don't you ever call me that again! I said get out”

After regaining my composure, I turned my face to her smiling, and without a word I dashed out of the garden straight to my car.

If I wasn't welcomed here I might as well not stay.

I gave the house one final look as I shook my head before driving off.

If everyone has deserted me someone won't. If no one else would stand by me… then I’d stand by myself.

After much crying and singing off the top of my voice along to the loud music blasting from the stereo of the car for several hours, I arrived at a sign:

Welcome to Bedias, Texas