The Girl He Claimed

I was blankly staring up at a crack in the ceiling when the doctor walked in.

"Miss, do you have your parents' contact information?"

With my medical record in hand, the doctor gently continued, "You need to be hospitalized and treated right away."

I turned to look at him before shaking my head.

"It's fine. I can handle everything myself."

"You're only sixteen..."

"My fathers are busy men."

That was not an excuse I made up.

My first father was one of the greatest in medicine. My second father was the richest man in Theala. My third father was an award-winning actor.

Even my teachers could only ever reach their assistants.

The doctor frowned and opened his mouth to speak, only to let out a heavy sigh.

"At the bare minimum, make sure you take your medicine as prescribed. They can ease your pain in your final moments."

I nodded and accepted the bag of medicine.

As I walked out of the hospital doors, the blinding sunlight made me squint.

People rushed about through the busy street, walking with purpose as though there was something important waiting for them at their destination.

I only had three days left.

After that, I would be dead. No longer would I have to deal with Erin Sawyer and her lies, nor would I need to face the doubts and punishments of my three fathers.

I thought about leaving them once, but I could not bear to leave them behind. They raised me and treated me like I was their little princess.

I could not bear to part with that warmth.

Now, I don't need to decide between leaving and staying.

Somehow, I felt relieved at that thought.

My phone buzzed inside my pocket.

It was a message from the butler, who wrote, 'Miss, the masters are home today and have asked to see you at their study as soon as you return home.'

My heart skipped when I read that message.

My fathers were all home at the same time. That had not happened in a very long time.

Ever since Erin's return, she had practically taken up all of their attention and time.

My first father would accompany her to her checkups, my second father would take her along to various galas, and my third father would teach her the tips and tricks of acting.

However, they would only ever summon me to their study whenever they needed to punish me.

My hand tightened around my phone as I slowly walked over to the taxi waiting for me.

On my way home, the driver tried to engage me in small talk, but I stayed silent the entire time.

Autumn was nearly here.

It was a shame I would never be able to greet it this year.

The mansion's doors slowly swung open. My legs trembled and threatened to buckle as I got out of the taxi.

Perhaps it was all due to the poison. My body had grown so weak that even walking to the door exhausted me.

The butler waiting by the doorway gazed at me with a conflicted look in his eyes.

He hesitantly started, "Miss..."

I ignored him and strode straight into the mansion.

The living room was empty while the study's door was closed.

As I stood before the door, I took a deep breath to gather what little strength I had left before knocking.

"Enter."

It was my first father's voice. It was icy cold without a single hint of love in it.

When I opened the door, I found all three of my fathers inside.

Daniel Sawyer, my first father, glared at me with a dark look on his face while dressed in his doctor's coat. Bruce Dillon, my second, radiated an icy aura in his tailored suit. Jack Page, my third, still wore his costume and makeup from set.

Daniel then barked out in a voice that left me no room to argue back, "Explain yourself!"

I was stunned. "For what?"

Jack scoffed. "Erin has been hospitalized for food poisoning because of the snack you gave her last night. The doctor said she tested positive for heavy laxative use!"

My mind went blank with confusion.

A snack?

Did I even give her anything last night?

Bruce looked away with disappointment clear in his eyes. "April, we've always taught you to be kind. How could you do that to Erin?"

My fingers dug into my palm.

"It wasn't me."

Daniel slammed his hands on the table, causing the entire room to shake. "How dare you argue back! The butler saw you place the box of snacks by Erin's door."

I was practically shouting by now. "It wasn't me!"

Bruce stopped me from saying anything more, no longer trying to hide his disappointment. "Enough! April, you've truly disappointed us. Erin is so nice to you. Why must you hurt her?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but realized I could not muster a single response.

Was Erin really good to me?

She told lies about how I stole her necklace, mocked her, ruined her gown, and now, she was even accusing me of poisoning her with laxatives.

"I know you're upset that we took in Erin. You think she stole our love," Daniel said in a dark voice. "That's why you keep bullying her to drive her away!"

"I really didn't do it..."

My eyes stung with unshed tears as I began to tremble with frustration.