CH 06. SHARP FAMILY REJECTION.

Hera paid the cab driver out of the money she had stolen from Zach's pocket and the driver left. She had calculated everything, she had no money with her, and not even her purse was with her so Zach was the available option. From his looks, he was the rich one... stealing a little cash was definitely nothing to him. She stared at the gate of her home...pft, her mind cracked into miserable laughter. Home? This was no longer the home she was born into. This was just a house...a building meant to shelter her and her son.

She moved closer and the gateman opened the gate for her to enter. She walked into the small mansion eagerly. The first thing she noticed was her so-called family having breakfast while her son just sat at a corner with a piece of bread watching them eat. There were no words to describe how she felt about this. She ran towards her son whose face was now lifted a little bit after seeing his mum.

    " Mom? " He spoke, getting the attention of the family members.

    " Austin, my son. " Hera hugged him.

    " Where were you last night, mummy? I was so scared. Everybody was bad to me, grandma hit me and Grandpa called me a bastard. " Austin opened his little mouth and informed his mother.

    " Don't worry about that, Austin. You're not a bastard... " Hera felt a strong arm pull her up and slapped her across the face.

Her eyes were quickly filled with tears as her face stung in pain. She looked up to see who it was. It was no other than her father, Joe Charles. Joe was staring at her with anger and disgust written all over his face.

    " Fa... father? " Hera stuttered.

    " Don't you ' father ' me, to you I am just Mister Joe Charles, do you get it? " Joe warned sternly.

    " I can't believe how stupid you are. Why can't you think of this family, me, and lastly yourself when making your annoying decision, huh? I didn't want you to be alone for all the years of your life so I decided to look for a partner for you. You and James have been dating for six months now and he seems to be the right man for you. It is just a month before your wedding but you decided to ruin things up? How could you have insulted him?" Joe roared at her.

Insulted him? That was impossible. It was the other way round. When Joe saw that she did not believe it, he brought out his phone from his pocket and showed her some pictures. The pictures were all about a messy room, James had cake smashed to his face, his hair looked like a bed nest and his shirt was torn. Hera's mouth opened wide at the unbelievable sight. When did this happen? Was it before her arrival or after her departure?

    " Fa... father" Joe glared at her and she gulped fearfully.

    " Mi...Mister Joe, I didn't do any of that. " She said tearfully.

   " Of course, you wouldn't. After all this family has done for you, you are still not satisfied. You want to ruin the poor boy's finances. He called to inform us about your weird behavior towards him last night. He said that you two had a fight a few days ago and things had not been going well between the two of you because he couldn't give you the nine hundred thousand you requested for. He promised to give three hundred and fifty on his birthday but he couldn't provide that so he gave a hundred. Instead of appreciating him, you smashed the cake you prepared for him on his face and ruined his room, how despicable! " Her stepmother spatted out.

    " No...no, that isn't the truth. When I went there last night, I caught him having sex with Ella. " Hera tried to explain but Joe dragged her down effortlessly and hits her.

    " Shut up, garbage! Now you are telling lies? Ella didn't step one foot out of this house last night and she couldn't do such a disgusting thing because she isn't like you. " Joe continued. Hera glanced at her stepsister who was gracefully sipping the tea and smiling. She winked secretly at Hera who was gnashing her teeth with anger bubbling in her.

    " Fine then. Do whatever you want since you obviously believe that Ella is the perfect child and I am the worst. " Hera snapped. She immediately regretted her statement.

     " Fa...father, I didn't mean what I said. "

    " Wow, you have grown wings. Do you dare talk back to me? You useless child. "

   " Dad. " Ella stood up and walked closer.

   " Please, have some mercy, okay? Don't make any rash decisions... " Ella spoke in a low tone as she held his hand.

    " That's enough, Ella. I won't have you take the side of this bitch anymore, despite your caring effort, she still managed to lie against you. She is not worth living here anymore. "

    " I agree. " Catherina chuckled.

    " She has disgraced us enough. " She added.

   " Security! '' Joe called.

   " Father...please... father...please, don't do this to me. I beg you father, I am your daughter. I apologize for my mistakes, I won't do them again. I will find a way to get back with James and make you proud, just please don't kick me out. " Hera hugged his left leg but Joe kicked her with the right leg. Hera whimpered in pain.

    " I don't want to ever see you here again if not, I will be the worst murderer. " Austin knelt beside her, sobbing. He had no idea what to do in this situation, it looked different to him. Two men in a black suits rushed in and carried Hera who was weeping loudly.

    " Father, don't do this. Ella is deceiving you, please dad. "

    " Mummy. " Austin ran after his mother and the door was shut against them.

   " I can't believe this. " Joe groaned in anger and walked away.

Left in the sitting room were Catherina and her daughter.

    " I told you to be careful. " Catherina whispered. Ella walked over to one of the majestic chairs and sat on it.

    " Mum, come on. I had it all planned out and I knew that even if she was to catch me in this act, nobody would believe that dummy without any evidence. " Ella replied.

    " Whatever it is that you do, always watch your steps, Ella. " Catherina warned.

    " Yes, mother. " Ella bowed her head playfully and her mum left with her hand on her forehead.

Ella smiled at the way things were going for her. She was almost exposed last night, what was she even thinking? Hera knew about it now but whose loss was it? It wasn't hers so she needn't mind. How could she have let go of someone like James like that? Though he wasn't rich, he could satisfy her sexual need so what was the delay? 

She benefited from it and there wasn't any extent she wouldn't go to get what pleased her even if it had been worth ruining Hera's life in the process.