CHAPTER 68: “SHE DOESN’T BELONG IN OUR HOUSE"

Melissa’s POV

I left the study and ran to my room, locking in from inside and breaking everything that came in front of my sight!

When my anger finally went down a little, I sank to the floor.

My hands were trembling as I stared at the broken vase in front of me. That vase was very special to me. As I once picked it out with Mother during a summer trip to Paris.

The shattered vase reflected me... it was just like everything else in my life.

I pressed my palms to my ears to block out the sound of my rapid breaths. It was too loud, which was making me lose once again.

Why wasn’t anyone coming after hearing such loud noises?

Where were the maids who used to run to me the second I even whimpered? Where was Nanny, who used to brush my hair back and say I was her little princess?

Why had Asher turned his back on me? He used to fight the world for me and used to call me his baby sister in front of everyone?

He had changed to the point where he couldn’t even look me in the eyes.

Because of that bitch, Seraphina.

That cursed fucking bitch, who crawled back into our lives out of nowhere.

Serapahina was not even trying, and yet she had taken my room, my brother’s affection... and maybe soon, even my place in the house!

My throat tightened as I pulled my knees to my chest.

I didn’t fucking care if she had suffered. I didn’t give a damn if she was wronged.

I was determined not to lose everything because of her.

I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood.

Fine! If that’s what they wanted... But I’d never let them forget me that easily!

I’m Melissa Lancaster, and I won’t give in easily.

I wasn’t going to disappear so easily. If Seraphina thought she could walk into my life and steal what was mine, then she was dead wrong.

I wiped the tears from my cheeks and stood up slowly, the cold marble beneath my feet so cold that it reached my heart.

If no one else would clean up this mess...Then I’d just have to do it myself.

And next time, I’ll make sure Seraphina’s the one who’s thrown to the floor.

After barely controlling the storm inside me, I called for the maid and asked her to help me clean up the mess.

Though she did... but she didn’t indulge much with me and left soon after she was done.

I wanted to command them with authority, but I couldn’t at the moment.

However, their act stung.

For the next two weeks, I thought about everything that would help me get my place back.

And every time I searched for a solution, the only name that came to my mind was my Mother.

She was the only person who hated Seraphina as much as I did. Mother wouldn’t even hesitate to take her down if she dared step out of line.

But unlike me, Mother had never tried to hide her true feelings for Seraphina. She was always vocal about her hatred and ruthless feelings for Seraphina.

But I couldn’t do that yet. I couldn’t ruin my innocent image in front of the world.

So, after thinking about everything, I decided to call Mother and call her back.

The moment I heard her voice, I felt a lump in my throat, all the raw emotions came pouring down in front of her.

"Mom!" My voice almost cracked.

"Melissa? Is everything alright?" her voice came from the other side, full of concern.

"No, Mom," I whispered, my voice already trembling. "Nothing’s alright..."

She paused on the other end for a moment.

"What happened?" she asked in a serious tone. "Did anything happen? Or did that girl do something again to trouble you?"

I stayed silent for a moment, trying to find the right words to tell her everything. "It’s not just her," I said. "It’s everyone who is bullying me in your absence, mother!"

"What do you mean?" Mother’s worried voice came from the other side.

I could imagine her clenching her fist and standing up to her feet after hearing my words.

"Brother Asher... He has changed. He doesn’t even look at me anymore," I told her, trying my best to control my tears as I bit my lips hard. "I tried talking to him, but... but he barely responds to me."

I said and continued. "He... He even dismissed the nanny, and not only mine... His own as well."

"What?" her voice sharpened instantly. "What are you saying? Why was I not informed of such an important thing? Am I not his mother anymore? Did he forget who raised him?"

I nodded even though she couldn’t see it. "Not just mine... even his own. And now Seraphina’s living in the room that I always wanted.

"She what?" Her voice dropped to dangerously low.

"I tried to stop my brother. But he is not listening anymore," I sniffled, letting her hear how broken I was. "I feel like... like I don’t belong in this house anymore."

She was quiet for a while and then spoke.

"She’s poisoning them one by one," she said coldly. "She’s turning your brothers against their own mother!"

"She wouldn’t do that!" I whispered innocently.

"You are too innocent, Lis! I know her kind," Mother continued. "She’s playing the victim, and acting all fragile to make everyone around her feel guilty."

"But, mother... Sister wouldn’t do that..." I still continued.

"She’s clever," Mother said. "Don’t be fooled by her."

I smiled as I asked. "When are you coming back?"

"Soon," she replied. "I’m cutting my trip short. I won’t let her take anything away from you."

"Thank you, Mom..." I whispered.

"She doesn’t belong in our house, Melissa," she said, firm and cruel. "That’s your house."

I smiled bitterly through my tears. "Thank you, and I love you Mom!"