03: Mom

CHRISTINA:

Could my parents sell me to this man? 

I mentally shook my head. Why would I be surprised?

They could. They already put me in a business marriage and selling me off was not that a big deal. For them. 

My parents sold me to Everette. That was clear.  

Was that something surprising? No. But I thought I was done being a collateral to their failures. 

"I...I don't believe what you are saying," I said.

"You want a receipt?" he challenged. "Everything is put in a contract. It was already signed. I can give you a copy."

I sucked in a breath as I struggled to maintain my composure. How could my parents sell me like this? 

"No. Seeing your damn receipt means I trusted your lies." I stood. "I need to get to the bottom of this."

Oh, come on, Christy. You don't have to investigate. You know in yourself that what Everette was telling is the truth. Your parents sold you. Period. 

I stood. "Let's cut any communication, Mr. Watson."

"Not even wanting to listen to everything I say?" He clicked his tongue. "You never changed, Christina. The same stubborn woman like five years ago. The same irresponsible child who always hides behind her parents' wealth. All you are good at is running away from something you should do. You never held yourself accountable for your actions. How long will you keep on running?" he taunted. 

I slapped the table and the others were now looking in our direction.

"How dare you!"

"I'm a businessman, Christina. I don't want to waste my hard-earned money if you're confused right now. And also that includes the time I spent. I'm asking for the payment. If you don't, your family will suffer. I will have your company which your parents had built."

Cruel. Ruthless. Assholes.

No amount of words could describe Everette.

"This is the same man I ran away from. I was right with my decision five years ago," I spat. 

"No. I can say it was a selfish decision. You never cared about your parents."

"How could I marry a person like you?"

The smirk never left his face. 

"A person like me? Why? I'm not that bad, Christina. I am wealthy and can pamper you."

"I don't need your pampering. I want you out of my sight!"

Everette heaved a sigh. "You're creating a scandal, don't you? Imagine what the headlines would say. That the daughter of a prominent family is having a lover's quarrel with her billionaire lover."

I attempted to gag. "You're being delusional. Shame on you. Tell me what you are and let's get over this."

"You have two options, actually, Christina. One is to pay for the damages you caused at our wedding five years ago. And I spent millions on that, by the way. You will also pay me your parent's debt. It could sum up to two hundred million dollars. But if you don't have the money, you can choose the easier way. Marry me."

Two hundred million dollars? Where the heck would I get that kind of money?

Was the only option I had was marrying him? For the second time?

"You never know when to stop, do you?"

"Why would I? You're my investment and I want it right now. I understand that you're still confused about this and you won't believe me. But you can go to your parents and ask them yourself."

---------

The house felt emptier for the last five years. It was still grand, but it became sadder. If only there were children here...running in this house...then this would be lovely.

If Brother and his only family were here...If Mom and Dad had already forgiven him...

I shook my head at the onslaught of memories. Now was not the time to reminisce. Brother...was already part of the past and even my parents did not want anything to do with him.

He was the type of man who did not want anyone to control his life. He chose the woman she loved despite coming from a poor background. But our parents wanted to marry him to a wealthy family where we could benefit all. 

Since it did not work on my brother, they forced it on me. To their disappointment, I followed my brother and ran away. Then I met Poppy and the rest was history., 

"Miss Tina!" a servant exclaimed upon seeing me. The vase on her hands nearly fell. 

"Lucy."

Her eyes watered upon hearing her name. "You haven't forgotten?"

"Of course I don't. I still remember all your names. Where is Dad?"

"He is resting in his room. With your Mom on his side."

"How is he?"

"Not well, I am afraid, Miss Tina. But the doctors are always with him, monitoring his health."

"My Brother? Did he know about this? Did he not visit?"

"He has not returned, Miss Tina. Do you want to tell your parents of your arrival? They might be happy seeing you."

I did not think so. They sold me off to Everette and that was not something a parent would do to their daughter. I realized now why Brother had not come back.

"No. I will see them myself." 

And with that, I left Lucy and went to my parent's room. I stopped right in front of the doorway while gathering my courage. Then, closed my eyes and pushed the door open.

Dad was sleeping soundly in his bed while Mom was beside him. Her eyes widened upon seeing me and hatred flashed in her eyes.

"You managed to come back," she hissed.

Yeah. 

I was not expecting that she would be the doting mother I expected her to be. There was no real bond between us except for our shared DNA.

"Hello, too, Mom," I said sweetly even if my heart was breaking apart. 

"What are you here?" she asked.

"I came here to ask why you gave me as collateral for the second time to Everette. Did I not say that I had nothing to do with your debt? That this is my life and you two have nothing against it? Why don't you become a responsible parent and don't let me be the payment for your debt?" I started still in composure.

"That's the only thing that will serve your purpose as our child," she said. 

"You have to marry Everette Watson or he will seize the company."

"I don't care about your damn company!"

She stood, sauntered towards me, and slapped me hard. 

Pain exploded in my cheeks and my world felt like it became dark for a moment.

My hands automatically went to my cheeks. 

"You selfish whore. Don't think I did not know what you were up to when you were gone for five years. You bedded different men. Instead of giving your body to some lousy and useless bastard, why don't you put it to use by marrying Everette?"

"At least I was happy."

"That's temporary happiness, you slut."

I looked at her with disbelief. "You haven't changed, Mom. That's why Benedict doesn't want to—"

Another slap on my other cheeks.

"Don't you dare bring that bastard's name? He already died."

"He did not." He was living the best time of his life after running away unlike you who looked like you were already dead. 

I wished I was as successful as Benedict. If not for meeting my blind date, I would still be living in peace away from my stressful and toxic parents. 

Mom grabbed my cheeks and held them tightly. I could feel her fingernails cutting my skin.

"You need to marry Everette Watson," she ordered.

I lifted my chin and locked eyes with her. My face was stinging.

"I won't, Mom. You cannot force me to marry the billionaire."

"Marry him or you will no longer see us."

"What's the worst thing you can do, Mom? Disown me? You already did."

"Your Father and I will both end our lives," she said and released me. "If you ever heard the news about us, remember the fault was because of you. I will haunt you until the very end, my daughter. You will never have peace."