Chapter 5 He's Your Father Too

Selena's POV

Mrs. Ashford raised her hand again, trembling with fury, but Luca caught her wrist mid-air. "Easy, Mom."

She stepped back, her breathing ragged, eyes blazing. "You're such a wicked, heartless child. After everything this family did for you... is this how you repay us?"

Theo took a step forward, voice cold. "Mother, I think it's time we cut ties with her completely. Let her fend for herself out there. Only then will she understand just how much this family has done for her."

Mrs. Ashford nodded stiffly. "All my life, I raised you with my hard-earned money, gave you everything I could. And now look at you-rebellious, bitter, ungrateful." Her voice cracked with anger. "Theo's right. You're no longer part of this family."

I stood there, unbothered. If anything, I welcomed the break. I've wanted to leave for a long time-though I have no idea where I'll go, whether I'll sleep under a bridge or end up starving. Still, it'll be better than breathing the toxic air in this house.

"Fine," I said, shoulders square. "Announce it to the world. Let everyone know I'm no longer part of the Ashfords." I walked over to my corner and reached for my luggage-just a small, worn bag holding five shirts, two pairs of jeans, and three pieces of underwear. No one ever bought me anything. I had no money to do so myself.

As I hoisted the bag onto my shoulder, I added, "I've had enough of your hatred. Ever since Olivia came back, all I've gotten from this family is cruelty."

My chest tightened. The pain was still there, buried under years of silence and tears. I never had much, but I gave everything I could. And yet...

"You're not going anywhere," Mrs. Ashford barked.

"Excuse me?"

"If you must leave," she hissed, "you will first go to the hospital and apologize to Olivia."

I almost laughed. "Are you joking, Mrs. Ashford?"

Her eyes widened at the name. She glanced at Theo and Luca like she needed confirmation she'd heard right-that I'd truly stopped calling her Mom.

"You've become so rude," she said, almost breathless.

"You shouldn't expect anything less," I said calmly. "Not after the way this family's treated me. And no, I won't apologize."

"You will," Theo snapped. "You'll go to that hospital and make things right."

"I won't."

"Luca, can you hear this ungrateful brat?" Theo snapped, his voice sharp with indignation.

Luca stood still, his expression unreadable. He didn't respond. Just stared at me with those empty eyes, as if weighing memories he no longer wanted.

Once, I had been closest to Luca. Closer to him than to anyone else in this twisted family. Theo and I shared our laughs, sure-but it was Luca I followed like a shadow. I was there when he secretly took a portion of the family's funds to start a small business he swore would succeed. And when it began to sink under the weight of debt, I was the one who worked double shifts to keep it afloat, just so he wouldn't lose face.

As for Theo-he suffered from chronic stomach pains. I was the one who brewed his medicinal soup every single morning, the same one the doctor recommended until he was finally strong enough to stop needing it. They used to call me "their Selena," their sweet, dependable girl.

But that was all before Olivia.

Now, I was the enemy.

Luca shifted slightly, brushing a loose strand of hair away from his eyes. For a fleeting second, something passed across his face. Guilt? Conflict? I couldn't tell. It disappeared before I could name it. "You plan to leave, Selena? Where will you go?"

"That's none of your business," I said. "But wherever it is, it'll be better than the poultry shack you've kept me in like some discarded animal."

His gaze darkened. "If you refuse to apologize, we'll withdraw the doctor taking care of Dad."

My heart stopped.

"You... you wouldn't," I whispered.

"He's your father too. Will you really let him die?"

Luca didn't answer. Just shrugged.

My knees nearly buckled. Mr. Ashford... he's the only one who's ever truly loved me in this house. No, he wasn't my biological father, but he treated me like his own. Even now, with his dementia and worsening diabetes, he lights up when he sees me-even if he forgets who I am moments later. He can barely walk. He shivers when he stands. But when I visit, he smiles like a child, clutches my hand and says, "Selena, if you stop coming to visit me, then I'll stop living."

I'm the only one who still checks on him. The only one who still cares. His wife and sons don't even set foot in the west wing where he stays. All they want are the company shares he still controls. It's clear-they're waiting for him to die.

"Selena." Luca's voice cut through my thoughts. "Make your decision now."

I clenched my fists, breath trembling. I knew he meant it. If he said he'd remove the doctor, he would.

"Fine," I muttered. "I'll apologize."

"Good." Luca turned toward the door. "Theo will take you to the hospital."

I nearly gagged at the thought of sitting in a car with either of them.

"I'll call a cab," I said. "I'll meet you there."

"Why?" Theo asked, clearly irritated. "It'll be faster if we take you."

I scoffed. "The Ashfords own more than ten cars, and not once since Olivia came back have I been allowed to ride in any of them. And now you suddenly want to offer me a lift? Just because you need me to bow down to your spoiled little princess?"

Mrs. Ashford's face twisted with rage. "How dare you!"

I didn't flinch. My small luggage still in hand, I turned toward the door.

"I'm going to that hospital to do what you asked. But once it's over, I'm leaving for good," I said, voice steady. "Whatever happens next, I'll leave it in the hands of fate."

And without another word, I walked out of that house-my so-called home, without ever looking back.