[Three months earlier...]
"Please, stay safe. Avoid accidents, sweetheart. I won't be there to mend your wounds, so please..."
I laughed at Dad's reminders. He's reminding me how careless I am. I know he badly wants me to stay. But I don't think I can stay another night on his house with my evil stepsister around. I don't have any problem with his wife, but on his stepdaughter, yes. I don't have amazing patience. I am not born to be a saintess either.
"Come on, Dad. I know you'd miss me damn much. But I'll pay you a visit every two months or three."
"Every one month," he bargained.
I groaned and rolled my eyes. "That would cost me much. You know I don't like ordinary and cheaper seats. Every two or three will do."
"Eve..." He scowled in contempt.
I laughed and patted his shoulder.
"Just send my farewell to Dahlia. I'm sure her evil daughter would be very pleased to know this."
"I'm sorry about her, dearest If it happens that you'd change your mind, my house is free for you. Anytime. You know, I can just talk it out with Natalia, so that she won't bother you anymore."
"That's not the point, Dad. Even if we are staying in the same house or not, our lives will remain entangled if I continue living here. And after what she did to me, I don't think I can look at her straight on the eyes without losing my temper," I said through my gritted teeth. I looked away because I don't to let Dad see that I'm still affected.
"I'm really sorry..." he said softly.
I set aside everything that happened and smiled at him. This would be the last time that I'd see him for the next two months or so. I shouldn't ruin this day.
"It's not your fault, so please refrain from apologizing. It just happened that you married a woman with an evil baggage." I chuckled.
He smiled and hugged me for the third time until my flight was called. He broke a tear that made me feel a little sad. Ironic how he's more emotional than Mom. Or maybe Mom just really like displaying a tough image that even when she and Dad separated, I never saw her cry. But right now, no matter what Dad will say, my decision won't change. I'll miss him for sure but I'll deal with that later, because I'm pretty sure I can no longer take Natalia's craziness.
I only want a peaceful life. And I'm sure I won't have that unless I leave. I can't trust myself when I lose patience. Natalia was only lucky that I respect her mother, because I'm certain that if I'll make him choose, he'd choose me.
But I don't want to put him on that situation. It's difficult to be in the position where you have to choose between two important persons in your life. I know because I've experienced it. Dad's affection for Dahlia is true. I've seen it first hand, and giving him that level of pain is the least thing I would do.
The soft heat from the sun kissed my skin as I glided out of Paine Field Airport. Now, I can see that I am really in Lynwood, Washington.
Mom wasn't waiting for me in the airport as I expected. Aside that she's so busy as Lynnwood's Mayor, she's not really into those things. Or maybe she just care less. I only shrugged, took out my aviators and pulled my luggage as I called for a cab.
I've been visiting Mom regularly for the past years, reason why I'm already familiar with the place. I was contented with the life I had with Dad. Not until last year, when he got married again. That's when problems started to arise.
Natalia was just too insecure. She wanted to take everything I have, to be my equal. And the last stunt she made really provoked me. Guess what she did? She seduced my boyfriend and they slept together.
I was hurt but it was more like bruised ego than a broken heart. I just couldn't accept that my boyfriend cheated on me with my my fucking stepsister. What she did was really below the belt. I was consumed by anger and I slapped her twice so hard. After that, that's when I decided to leave. It was all too much. Too much for me to handle.
I know I'm indifferent towards her. But who could blame me? I want my father's sole attention. I want to be the only daughter in his eyes. If only Natalia was nice, I could have showed a little kindness to her, but her attitude was worse than I imagined. She literally nailed the best antagonist award.
When the cab stopped, I quickly went out. The huge, familiar white house in front of me didn't look the same as Dad's. This is more modern, far from his mansion with mostly medieval features. Probably the reason why Mom and Dad divorced. They have different way of seeing things. As what I can remember, they hardly get through a day without having an argument.
On the porch, a woman in her mid forties with porcelain skin was standing with a phone in her ear. When she saw me, her lips formed a little 'o' like she wasn't expecting me to arrive this early. I smiled and lifted my hand for a wave before walking towards her.
"Hi, Mom."
She clicked something on her phone, put it down on the small table and turned to me. "Everleigh!"
She welcomed me with a hug. Though I am a certified daddy's girl, still, I have that part of me yearning for a mother's care. I was kind of sad for leaving Dad, but my mom's presence hushed the little sadness.
"I thought you'd be here later than two or three. It's still nine!" She glanced at the doorway. "Come, come. Do you want to eat or drink something? I'll have it prepared... Tessa," she called someone.
A fair woman in her twenties peeked on the door. My forehead creased. Mom's maid last time was different, certainly not her. Perhaps, she resigned? Or she got fired.
"New maid?" I whispered.
She frowned, as if remembering something disgusting. She told Tessa to bring my luggage upstairs before she led me inside.
"For a change." Mom rolled her eyes.
Seemed like something is up here. She won't fire a maid or any servant without justifiable reason. Is this about her boyfriend? I hope not. Last year, I heard Felix cheated on her once. Though she said it was only a false accusation, that was what I believed. I just really don't like that man for her.
Walking towards the long couch, my eyes wandered around. Nothing much changed. Just minor things. Though it's not that big as Dad's mansion, the house is still spacious. Large living room, kitchen, and four bedrooms upstairs. Not that bad.
"How about Felix? Upstairs?" I asked as I sat on the couch.
"No. He's out, digging some information about the latest crime of the town."
I nodded. "He must be very busy, then. No cheating issues, anymore?" I asked nonchalantly. Mommy was caught off guard. She relaxed shortly and laughed. My eyes narrowed a bit.
"No! Of course, not!"
I bit my lower lip, suppressing the questions in my head. Knowing her, she won't tell me even a bit of her problems. Not that she don't want me to worry. She only wants me to think that her every decision is right, that she makes no mistake. Which I think is completely ridiculous. I mean, who don't commit mistakes? There's no perfect human. Perfection is nothing but a legend.
"George told me that Natalia did something very horrible. He didn't tell me the exact details. What did that filthy stepsister of yours do this time?" Mom asked.
I sighed and pulled my hair down. To be honest, I don't feel bad that Theo and I broke up. I wasn't really into him. He was my ideal man, right. Mature, intelligent and goal-oriented. I loved how he shaped our future in his mind. He was going to be a doctor like my Dad, while me will become a nurse.
Perfect couple, they say. It was ideal, so I chose to stick on him. After all, I don't believe in love. The connection, the compatibility, companionship are all that matter in a marraige. That's my own perspective. Dad said he loved Mom before. But what happened? They broke up when I was nine and I lived without a mother for the past nine years. I didn't blame anyone of them why I have a broken family. I didn't blame Mom why I have to live away from her. Because it was my choice in the first place. I choose to live with Dad. I accepted all of it.
Maybe in other people's perspective, they could say that I'm tough. For a nine year old to come up to that decision without pleading to her parents, acting maturely in spite the age, from another person's point of view, it would be truly amazing. But the real thing was more painful than anyone can imagine. No one knew how I was crying every midnight after Mom left to go back in her home town. No one knew how I was fighting depression every night and pretending that it's all okay every morning. No one witnessed my pain but the four corners of my room.
"Theo and I broke up. He cheated with Natalia. I caught them..." my voice faded midway.
Mom's eyes widened.
"Goodness gracious! How could she do that! And how could Theo cheat on you! I thought he loves you..."
"I also thought," I said bitterly.
"Did you let him explain?"
"Why would I? It's clear to me now. He's just like any other guy out there, slave of his fucking libido. Just because I can't attend on that part of his needs, he cheated. Of course, Natalia was very much willing. So what's the use of explanation? You know me, Mom. I don't give second chances to my boyfriends. For Pete's sake, I'm not a martyr and I will never be."
"But what if he was only seduced? What if he was drunk, intoxicated..."
"Not reasonable enough."
"What is reasonable for you, then?"
"No reason would be enough to justify cheating," I said and swallowed the painful lump in my throat.