Chapter 4 Confrontation

The mansion loomed before me, cold and unwelcoming. It was once my home. Now, it was enemy territory.

The guards blocked my path.

"Miss Stephanie, you are not allowed inside."

I lifted my chin, my voice sharp as a blade. "Let me in, or you and your whole family will regret this for the rest of your lives."

The guard hesitated, his face paling. Good. Without another word, he stepped aside, allowing me and Lina to pass.

The moment I stepped inside, voices drifted from the living room.

"Maybe we should set the wedding as soon as possible. I don't want my daughter unmarried for too long," Clara's honeyed voice filled the air.

"Mommy is right, baby. I don't want to walk down the aisle with a big belly. And I want you to be mine before my sister tries to take you away," Emily giggled.

I scoffed. How bold.

"Oh, that bitch Stephanie will never set foot in this house again, sweetheart."

"Really, Mommy?"

"Yes. And neither will that hard-headed Lina."

Beside me, Lina lowered her head. Her fingers trembled at her sides, and I could tell she wanted to cry. I clenched my jaw and stepped forward.

"Speaking of myself-"

Their heads snapped toward me.

"Stephanie?" Clara's face twisted in rage. "You're not supposed to be here! Get out of my house!"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Your house? You must be dreaming, Clara."

Her face turned red. "This is my home! Get out now!"

Lina hesitated beside me but found her voice. "Mom, stop it! Stephanie has nowhere else to go. This is her house too!"

A sharp smack echoed in the air.

Lina's head snapped to the side, a red handprint blooming on her cheek.

"How dare you talk back to me? I did all of this for you and your sister!" Clara hissed.

My hands clenched into fists. "You really have no shame, do you, Clara? Everything you have-everything your daughters wear, eat, live in-it all belongs to my mother. My real mother. And nothing will change that."

She went silent.

I smirked. "I stay."

I turned and walked away, heading toward the garden.

I barely had a moment to breathe before footsteps followed me.

"Stephanie, wait!"

I stopped, closing my eyes for a second before facing him.

James.

"What do you want?" My voice was cold.

His eyes softened, filled with something that might have been regret. "I want to apologize. To win you back."

I scoffed. "You must be joking."

"Please," he stepped closer. "I love you. I never loved Emily. Let's leave this place together-start over."

I tilted my head. "Kneel."

James blinked. "W-what?"

"You want me back? Beg."

I watched him swallow hard, his pride warring with his desperation.

And then he actually knelt.

"Please, Stephanie. I'll do anything. Just give me another chance."

I smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "It's too late, James. Besides, I'm not the same woman you left behind. I'm not even a virgin anymore."

His face drained of color. "W-what?"

"That night, after I ran from your apartment, I gave myself to another man. A stranger. And you know what? I don't regret it. Because at least it wasn't you."

James fell back onto the grass, shaking his head. "No... No, you're lying!"

"Am I?" I crouched beside him, looking into his broken eyes. "You were my first boyfriend. But you were never my first love. My first love was a boy fourteen years ago, and you know that, James."

His tears fell freely now. "You're cruel."

"So were you."

A furious scream tore through the air.

"You bitch!"

Emily.

She charged at me, her eyes wild with rage.

I didn't even flinch. Instead, I grabbed a thick tree branch and pointed it at her stomach.

"Try to touch me, and I swear you'll lose your precious baby right here and now."

She skidded to a stop, horror flashing across her face.

"James is mine!" she spat.

I smirked. "Then take him. He's worthless to me."

Her eyes darkened with hatred. "If you try to take him again, I swear I'll kill you myself!"

I met her glare, unshaken. "You can try. But you'll never succeed."

Without another word, I turned and walked away. My head was pounding, my body still weak from the accident. I needed rest.

As I reached my room, I whispered a name under my breath.

"Lucas Robinson."

A ghost from my past. A name that still made my heart race.

And the man I would soon meet again.