Chapter 28: Chapter 28

It was five years ago when I last saw them. I still remember what they did and what they told me before I finally left them — before I finally accepted that they didn't really consider me as a family. I was wondering why they were treating me like that all along. The physical pain I've been getting from them will never be enough for those cruel words that engraved and pierced my heart. That every time I see things that will remind me of them, I am terrified and overwhelmed with fear — that I might step on myself again and send them away just to get their approval and even the love they should have given to me, mine ever since.

But now, seeing them right now in front of me like nothing had happened is more on disrespecting me as a person. Not as their family. What are they doing here?

“Your sister is right, you are back. Why don't you go straight home?” She asked me while her sharp eyes were focused on me.

She suddenly showed up with Matthew the next morning here in Elena's unit without warning. Fortunately, Amari and the three of them were still asleep but I didn't know what would happen when they woke up, especially Elena.

“Please sit down first. Have you had breakfast yet?” I asked instead of answering her question.

I ignored them and let them enter the living room. Before I left them there, I saw them sitting and seemed to be looking around. I grabbed the door jamb of the kitchen area and peeked at the two of them slightly. Much has changed between the two of them. Mama looks older but is well-dressed. Not like before. She was also wearing some jewelry. Older brother Matthew, on the other hand, looked even more handsome and clean, but there were still a few scars on his face. His tattoos have increased and it seems to have become more frightening. He's like the leader of a gang.

Is this what they got now that Agatha and Ares are engaged?

I just fetched water and went back to the living room while trying to calm myself down. I kept my expression hard as I sat down in front of the two of them. Mama just watched my every move while my older brother looked deeply at me.

“Why don't you go home, Ana? You must be bothering your friend here especially since you don't have a job. Why did you come back?” This question directly to me as if not thinking about what she said.

Gradually, my chest grew heavier and I avoided looking at her. “I no longer live there. This is just temporary.”

I heard her stingy laugh. My forehead furrowed and I looked at the door of the room where Amari was now sleeping. I hope she doesn't wake up now. Hopefully later. I don't want her to see them. I don't want them to see my daughter.

“Why should it be? Why did you come back? Where is my granddaughter?”

When I heard that, I automatically focused my gaze on her as my chest continued to pound. It was as if the fear I was feeling suddenly disappeared and was replaced by intense courage.

“She’s not your granddaughter. Don't make her feel the hatred you feel for me,” I told her emphatically, which caught Matthew's attention and he looked at me sharply.

“Your mouth is still really sharp, Ana. Is it because it's been a long time since you tasted my fist?” He said in an angry voice so I was alarmed.

I got up. “You are not the reason I came back. That's why I didn't go straight home because I don't want to be involved with you anymore. Why did you come here?” I could no longer restrain myself because of the anger overflowing in my chest.

Next, I heard the crash from Elena’s room where Via and Riley were also but it didn’t get my full attention. Mama suddenly stood up and looked at me more sharply. It penetrated my heart.

“You are really indebted! You just heard about what your dad left you and you suddenly become arrogant now? What are you proud of?” She screamed at me so I was shocked when I realized what she said.

Ulysses was right then. They know something about my inheritance and I’m sure they’re already doing everything they can.

“I don't know what you're saying. There is a different reason why I came here,” I lied but Matthew just laughed at it.

“You're still an idiot. What do you think of us, dumb? Do you think we don't know? What? Do you plan to take all of papa's wealth alone?” He shouted at me so I was even more nervous because my daughter might wake up.

I closed my eyes tightly as I felt the trembling of my hands. "Please, go away—"

"What's going on here?"

We simultaneously turned to the source of that voice and my forehead furrowed when I saw Ulysses. He was in corporate attire and carrying a paper bag. His expression was serious and seemed angry as he looked at us.

"Ulysses..."

“Ana, what's going on? I can hear your screams from outside,” he said and approached me. I was even surprised when he kissed me on the side of my head. "Is Via awake yet?"

I was just shocked when I found out what he meant. And how did he get in?

When I didn't answer his question, he turned to mama and Matthew. I saw the change in the expression of the two of them as they looked at Ulysses.

"And who are you?" Mom asked him so I intervened.

“Leave, please. I do not know what you are saying— ”

Before I could continue what I was about to say, Matthew's fist fell on my face, and in a flash, there was a commotion, especially when Elena, Via, and Riley suddenly appeared.

"Stupid motherfuckerl!" I heard Ulysses shout and quickly rushed at my older brother and punched him in the face.

"Ulysses!" I shouted and Elena and Riley immediately came to me.

“Ana, what's going on? Your nose is bleeding!” They shouted at me in a panic but I ignored them and was about to grab Ulysses but Via preceded me.

“What the hell are you doing? Stop fucking fighting here!” She shouted so we were all stunned.

Both Matthew and Ulysses gasped as Via held him by the arm.

"I will fucking kill you for hurting my cousin!" He was still screaming so I was even more worried because Amari might wake up because of what was happening.

“Who the hell are you? Why are you interfering with this? Do you want me to break your skull too?!” Matthew shouted angrily so my chest throbbed violently.“Ana! Wait!” Elena and Riley yelled at me as I removed both of their holdings on me and quickly pushed Matthew violently. Mom was shocked at what I did. It was only then that I felt the pain in my face and the blood coming out of my nose.

"Ana, you're fucking bleeding!" Ulysses yelled at me. My eyes were just focused on the two of them staring sharply at me.

“Tell that motherfucker not to interfere in this. This is a family issue, why is that idiot fucking interfering?!”

“You are not my family,” I told him emphatically and angrily. The tears that I had previously cared for kept coming because of the extreme pain I was feeling.

"What?" Mama spoke and her eyes seemed full of hatred so I didn't look away from her anymore.

"How dare you say that to m—"

“You are not my family! You never considered me your family! What? What do you want from me this time? That fucking inheritance that papa left just for me?” I stopped and violently blew air. I firmly wiped away my tears.

“You want that? That's why you're here now bothering me again? After a few years of hearing nothing from you, you will suddenly appear to me as if nothing had happened. After you drained my whole being? After you take everything from me and ask me to die?"

I could feel the trembling of my muscles. That lump in my throat hurt even more and I felt like I would explode any time when I hadn’t already released it. I can’t understand why I’m still hurting to this day. I don't know the reason but every time I see them, I can't help but blame myself because I let them do this to me.

"I don't know what your dad taught you that you become so rude like that, Ana. You're useless ever since as I expected. Ever since then, you have been thinking only of yourself. That's why your dad died, eh? It's because of you! Because you are his useless daughter!” She shouted at me and there I saw her tears. It was tears of so much anger and hatred.

I bit my lip and wiped the blood from my nose hard. "I-it's not my fault that dad died—"

“It's your fault, Ana! If it weren't for you, if your sinful mother hadn't given birth to you, your dad's life wouldn't have been in danger! The family I fought against everyone would never be ruined! I would still be the one your dad chose and not you!”

I gasped when I heard that. Again, suddenly the fear that enveloped my heart because of what she said came back. I didn’t understand that but my mind seemed to have an idea why they were like this to me. That's why…

I smiled bitterly and avoided looking at them. There I saw my daughter just staring at me as if in a mess while just standing in the doorway so I cried even more.

"G-go away…" My voice broke completely and I quickly looked at them.

“G-go away and don't expect you'll get anything from me. The only mistake I've done here is the fact that I let you all abuse me. Maybe you're right that it was because of me that dad died, but he's more right when he didn't choose you. This will be the last time you will hurt me, and I will forgive you because the next, I might start hurting you back… triple,” I finally said and left them there.

I quickly picked up Amari and slammed the door of our room. I just hugged her and there sobbed until we fell asleep both.

-

“Everything is now settled, Ana. Uncle Anastacio's properties are not a joke. Your dad has a lot of properties and businesses. He named it all after you and you are the owners of it all. Soon, you will need to show yourself in public as the heiress of your dad so that your grandparents know when they should act,” Ulysses explained to me at length and handed me a folder and envelope.

“It has all the information you need about the properties in your name. If you still have any questions, call me anytime,” he added so I just nodded at him.

“One more thing, you need to visit Alcantara Estate as soon as possible. If you want, I will come with you,” he continued.

I looked at him and smiled. “Thank you, Ulysses. Is there anything else?”

His forehead furrowed as he watched me. I arranged my hair to cover the large bruise on my cheek and stood up. "If none, I'll go home—"

"Does Apollo know that?"

I was immediately nervous because of his question so I quickly looked at him. Yesterday, he called me several times but I did not answer him. I don't even reply to his texts because I don't want him to see me for a while. I don't know but that man becomes different when he is mad, so I'll just avoid him as much as possible.

“He doesn't need to know. As if we're in a relationship.” I avoided him and started walking out of his office as he followed.

“Stop giving me that kind of answer, Ana. I know your marriage is real. Why don't you tell him so that he will kill that stupid Matthew,” he told me nervously so I tapped him on the arm.

“Stop saying that. He won't do that just for me,” I said and hugged the envelope he gave me earlier. I heard him smile.

“You’ll never know. You don't even know Apollo very well. You don't know what he's capable of. Trust me, once he saw that bruise on your face, he will surely kill Matthew without hesitation that even you can't control the anger of that idiot,” he said as if he was very sure of what he said so I was pissed.

Maybe not. I'm sure that man wouldn't interfere with something he had nothing to do with. It’s not that kind of person I think.

I didn't speak anymore until we got out of his law firm. Then I remembered that Elena had just taken me and I didn't have a car back.

“You should buy your own car. You are richer than me now so buy everything you want especially for my niece,” he commented to me again so I punched him in the arm.

"I don't know how to drive," I replied and he just laughed. He was about to speak again but we were both stunned when a car pulled up in front of us. Its mirror immediately dropped to the passenger seat. My chest throbbed as Hector looked straight at my cheek.

“Speaking of…” I heard Ulysses whisper. I was even more nervous when Hector quickly got out of his car and then quickly crossed the gap between the two of us. It was too late for me to avoid him because he quickly grabbed my face.

"What the fuck happened to your face?" He asked emphatically which was immediately enveloped in anger. I thought a lie immediately when he looked at Ulysses for a moment, but also immediately turned to me and looked at me intently. There was a threat in his eyes.

“Don’t you dare lie to me, Solei? Who's that fucker that did this to you?” He firmly uttered while I can feel his gentle and warm caress on my face.

“It was her stepbrother, Apollo. I told her to sue him and that's what we talked about just now— ”

"That demon is still alive?" He cut off what Ulysses was going to say so my eyes immediately rolled especially when I heard what he said.

“I'm fine, Hector. It doesn't hurt— ”

"She also bled," Ulysses cut me off so I almost scolded him especially when I saw the tension in Hector's expression.

He looked at me again as if he wanted to say something so I grabbed his hand holding my face. “It was not a bad thing. Let it go, please.”

"As I expected, that man will never learn, still not," he said and took my hand.

“We’re going. Make sure you acquit me of this,” he seemed to be instructing Ulysses and I quickly got into his car.

Only then did I realize what he had said to my cousin when we left. When I looked at Hector, there I saw the intense anger in him. Is he going to do something?