Rachel's POV
Family? Did my mother just call that evil jealous bitch Family!
I couldn't believe my ears.
My mother was indeed clueless about the situation, and they were using it against me!
I'll have to tell my mother the truth later, for now I had to face the bitch who destroyed my marriage and almost my life.
" Get away from my grandfather you conniving whore!" I instructed.
" What are you saying Chelle? "
My eyes widened like I was in a TV show or something.
Lana put on a pitiful expression on her face, her eyes were already so red making it look like she was at the brink of tears.
I scoffed. Never would I imagine that my actress of a friend would try to put on an fake pretense act on me.
" Still that rubbish, what are you even pretending for?" She already got David, and by the look of it, he was madly in love with her, so what's with the pretense?
" I don't understand". Her eyes began to water and one by one the tears came down like a cascading river from her eyes.
She looked so meek like she had never done anything wrong in her life.
"Stop that Rachel! Lana is your best friend, and also part of this family, what are you doing to her". My mother yelled at me.
" Mum... "
My mother just yelled at me. It rang in my head.
My mother hand never yelled at me in my entire twenty four years, but because of that bitch, she just did.
" I can see that you've completely lost your manners young child, and for that you would be punished!" The grandfather loud voice sounded. He looked really pissed at me.
I couldn't react to what he said because I was still getting my mind wrapped around the fact that my mother just yelled at me for the first time in my twenty four years of existence.
I glanced up at my mother but she didn't even react when my grandfather said I was going to be punished. Was that how much Lana meant in my mother's heart?
I sniffled, struggling to keep my tears at bay. I couldn't let them see me cry, I wouldn't allow Lana to have the last laugh.
" Why did you call me here?" I asked. My aunts, uncles and cousins that have been quiet since began murmuring among themselves.
From the corner of my eye, I also saw my father sigh.
" If it's about David..." I began but what I heard next caused me to swallow the rest of my words.
" You're not this family biological daughter". I heard my grandfather say.
What?
I felt my heart beat faster in my chest.
" Is this a joke... This is not the time for jokes". I said seriously But my mind and heart were going crazy.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" My grandfather asked staring at me coldly.
He wasn't joking.
What I'm I thinking, my grandfather never jokes. Even if he did, not to me.
For as long as I could remember, my grandfather never liked me. He always found something to criticize me with. If it wasn't my studies, then it was my character, my mother was the only one on my side.
But now, it looked like she was in on it.
When I first entered this room, I thought my mother was the only clueless person in this room, now I just found out, that I was the clueless one. I was the only fool in the room.
" What is this? Is this because of David?" I asked but nobody answered.
I looked around the room, everybody was quiet. Like they all expected my reaction.
What is going on here?
I looked towards my mother hoping she would say something different, but she just bent her head down.
" Can someone explain what's going on? " My throat cracked, nobody was saying anything.
My grandfather got up from his chair, using his walking cane to hold himself up. He stretched out his hands and beckoned on Lana to come closer.
Lana looked hesitant to go closer to my grandfather, but my mother gave her a light push towards him. Some if my cousins also gave her a supporting nod to hearken to my grandfather's call.
I just stood by the side watching them like a television. The only thing different was that I was also part of the show, and I was the one that was going to be adfected by whatever was about to happen.
Lana took careful steps and came to stand beside my grandfather.
For a split second, they actually look like how grandfather and child in my eyes.
No, it can't be.
I braced myself for what he was about to say.
" Rachel, Lana is this family real daughter!"
I froze for a few seconds, then I suddenly burst into laughter.
" Ha ha ha, so funny. You guys almost got me... Right". I chucked as I asked. My mind begging them to say it was all a joke.
My mother walked up to me and held my shoulders which was trembling.
" Rachel, I wanted to tell you sooner, but ..."
I could hear anything again.
My grandfather's words just kept repeating over and over again in my ear.
' Lana is this family real daughter '
I so badly wanted them to just start laughing saying it was a joke, or they got me, but I knew that was not what would happen.
" How is this possible?" I asked in a low weak voice that came out more like a whisper. My mother was the closet to me so she heard it.
She sniffled using her hands to hold back her tears.
" Twenty years ago, we lost our daughter in an accident. The driver was drunk and he was driving and he accidentally drove off the bridge and into the water. They were able to bring back the driver's body but weren't able to find our daughters, but after weeks the authorities declared her dead.
I couldn't take it that my daughter was gone, so I went to the orphanage and adopted you" My mother paused to catch her breath. She was crying already.
I touched my face, it was wet.
I was crying.
" We only allowed her to to do that because she was going through a lot. When you first introduced Lana to us, I felt a connection with her, just few days ago, we found out that Lana is our biological daughter. " My father completed.
The way he said it like he was stating something I ought to know, or like he was taking about the weather just awoke a sudden anger in me.
" So what you're saying is that, the family I've know all my life is not my family?" I asked directing the question at my grandfather.
The old man just shrugged.
" Did you know this?" I asked Lana who was standing beside my grandfather like a pitiful soul.
" Rachel, I..."
"Don't speak my name from your slutty lips". I yelled in anger when I heard Lana mention my name.
" You are the cause of this. You ruin everything!" I yelled uncontrollably.
All the pep talk I've given myself about not crying in front of Lana all disappeared.
" What are you saying. Don't talk about your sister like that. " My father scolded.
" My sister... " I said with all the sarcasm I could muster in my state
I suddenly felt like the situation was reversed. Now I was the television and everybody else were the audience. It was like a cinema to them.
"Yes your sister. You may not be my real daughter, but I love you as well". My mother said and I scoffed.
Now I understood why she sided with Lana. She was the biological daughter, while I was just a substitute.
" It was Lana's idea that you still be part of this family. You should be thanking for this if not I would've had you thrown out by now". My grandfather's deep loud voice was heard.
Thanking her?
I chucked.
The bitch ruin my life.
I suddenly began clapping my hands at Lana.
"Congratulations, you've gotten what you wanted right? First you slept with my husband..." I heard alot of gasps from people in the room but I went on.
" Then you made him divorce me, now... Now you've taken my place as the daughter of this family. Well done". I sais with sarcasm spitting out of my evey word.
" You've proven to not only be a slut and a whore, but also a golddigger and a bitch..."
" Rachel please, I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I was shocked when I also found out I was the daughter of this family, I..."
I couldn't hear any of her lies, they were just too much.
" You lying bitch... " I launched myself at Lana hoping to scratch her face with my long fingernails at least disfiguring it, when a sound slap landed on my face.
Rachel's POVI felt my entire body quiver in pain. My face shifted to the other side. The slap sounded so loud that my ears began to vibrate. I raised my hands to my face, holding it in shock. I heard shocking gasps from everyone in the room. Some even placed a hand on their mouth, their eyes widened at what had just happened. My grandfather, just slapped me. The thought rang in my head before I finally came to terms with it. " You slapped me... For her?" I said in disbelief pointing at Lana who stood at a corner behind my grandfather. Did he not hear anything of what I just said?" I've been your granddaughter for over twenty years, and yet you slap me for someone you just met?"My body shook in anger, and pain.My lips trembling with unspoken words. " Grandpa, please, don't hurt sister anymore..." Lana said coming to stand in front of me.I couldn't say anything, still holding the cheek I was so mercilessly slapped on. She just called him grandpa. I could never call my grandf
Ethan's POVI stared at the pile of documents on my desk begging for my attention, but I just simply couldn't bring myself to work. Rachel had been on my mind since in the morning, all I could think of was her. I so badly wanted to know if she was alright, or at least back from her visit to her family home, but she didn't have a working phone a any longer so I couldn't contact her. Oh shit, I could just call home.The moment the idea came to me, I picked up my phone and called Victoria, my house manager. The old lady was elated when she saw I brought a lady home, she had been with me since I was little, almost like a mother. She answered in three rings. " Hello?" " Yes, Aunt Vicki... Em... I just called to ask, is... is Rachel back at home?" I asked immediately she picked up the phone. " Mr Wright, I can see you're very worried about Ms Rachel, and am I. She's yet to come back and I don't know how to reach her"Victoria answered me, her tone expressing how worried she was. "Oh
Ethan's POVI just arrived at the location John sent to me. I could see him pacing outside the car, beside a building. " Boss..." He respectfully bowed when I got out of my car.I walked over to him rather quickly. " Which way did she go? " He pointed towards a direction and I nodded." Go back home, I'll find her".I heard the doors of Rachel's family house open, two women came out. One, the older one, unfamiliar, and the other a much younger one, I knew. The girl that always followed Rachel everywhere claiming yo be her best friend, the same one that betrayed her Lana. She glanced at me, but by her expression I could tell she didn't remember who I was. I wanted so badly to make her pay for her betrayal to Rachel, but I had to find Rachel first. I turned my gaze back to John who gave me a nod and went to carry out my order. I also went back to my car, speeding towards the direction John pointed at. It has been a few hours now, and was starting to get late, but yet I saw no sign
Rachel's POVI heard the loud muffling and shuffling of objects waking me up from my sleep. Then followed by the shifting of the large curtains which made way for light to enter into the room. Someone was arranging the room, a young maid. How did I get here? I shook my head refusing to allow the memories of what happened yesterday come back to me fully to taunt me. I have a whole day to be taunted by them, but most definitely not now. I pulled the bedsheet over my head, blocking the soft sounds and the light so I could sleep longer. " Ms Rachel, are you awake?" I heard the maid who was arranging the room ask as she walked towards me. I was about to answer when I felt the pang of an headache. I winced in pain under the sheets. "Ms Rachel... Ms Rachel..." The maid continued to call.I had clench my teeth to withstand the pain. "Yes". I replied but it came out more of a whisper. Something was wrong with my throat. It felt rather dry and hoarse. I coughed to clear my throat. "Ye
Rachel's POV" What happened in that house Rachel, tell me!"I flinched at how loud Ethan's voice sounded. He was so close to me causing his voice to be more powerful and loud than normal. There was alot of consequences if she revealed the truth to him, but he didn't look like he was going to take no for an answer. " I... Lana is... " I darted my eyes everywhere looking away from his piercing gaze. But then I stopped. A thought suddenly came to me. It was my family. I didn't have to inform him about anything. With that thought in mind, I pursed my lips and glared at him." It's not your business"."Wha... What do you mean its not my business? " Ethan's face slowly became rigid. He brought his face closer to me, causing me to backup. " I... Er... I mean exactly what I said. ". My back touched the headboard with a slight sound.I couldn't move anymore, but Ethan's face kept coming closer.The he raised his hand to my face. I shut my eyes ever so tightly to brace myself for the sla
Rachel's POV Then the next thing I heard was the clacking of her heels which began to disappear. Few seconds later, I was sure she had left the room leaving me and Ethan... Alone. This conversation would be unavoidable. It would be the least I could do after all the help he had rendered me starting from two nights ago when I met him. I removed the blanket from my face, staring directly at him."It was my grandfather... I tried to hit..well scratch Lana but he stopped me, and then slapped me". "Why was Lana there, I thought it was your family meeting?" Ethan asked. I snorted. "Apparently, Lana's family. Much more that me". Ethan had a confused look on his face, almost how I looked when I found out. " Lana is parents real daughter. I was just their substitute, they found out a few days ago". "I'm sorry". Ethan said and I smiled. I was much calmer now, and I could now she the benefits of that unfortunate news. "It's fine... Now I can see how not bad that sounds. Now they woul
Rachel's POV" Slow down...not to many questions". A soft giggle escaped from my lips. " I'm just worried about you, I heard about you and David... "Wow, news really does travel fast. " I'm good, really. In fact that's one of the reasons I'm calling you. I need you to do something for me". I said my voice turning serious. "Anything, just name it" " Do you know if there are any upcoming film auditions? I want to go back to acting". The next thing I heard was a delighted scream from Marina. I had to move the phone further away from my face to protect my ear drums. "I can't believe your finally going back to acting... You know what, yes! There are upcoming auctions, and I can bet they love for you to show up". "Then it's settled. Send the address, time and place to this number. We'll met up there and catch up". "That we most definitely would do. I need to hear every about your divorce... That man had to be crazy for letting you go". "Ok, bye". I ended the call. That was Marin
Rachel's POVI arrived at the location I was meant to meet Marina. I had called her last night to give her my new number and to tell her that I was ready to begin acting again. She suggested this restaurant and here I was. In a fancy restaurant, surrounded by fancy people. I looked around looking for Marina in the crowd. She said she was going to be seated not to far from the door, where the hell is she?I looked a little to the left before I saw someone waving her hands at me. "Over here". Marina said with a smile when I caught her eyes. I walked over there, the intense gaze of onlookers who were watching my every move. I held my head up high despite their disapproving gaze or was it shock... I couldn't tell. I was wearing black joggers and a white crop top, something I found in the walk-in closet in my room. How Ethan knew my size... I wasn't sure. But I decided not to think about it as I wore it here. Now I wasn't too sure wearing casual clothes to such a fancy restaurant wa
Lenora's POVShe raised her head up and pointed at herself "Me?" She said in a high tone before blinking twice to compose herself. "I recently turned twenty six ma'am." Twenty six. I repeated to myself nodding my head. "Did you test if you are my daughter? Is that yours?" I asked, rasing the tube up and she instantly shook her head. "No..." She laughed putting out her hand. "I know my parents. I just went to the lab and found this one there" She explained.I pursed my lips handing the tube over to Joan who took it with both hands. "You do this one, I'm off to check on some of the patients". Joan looked at me in surprise, and I couldn't blame her. The past few years, I had always been the one conducing the test alone and she knew it. But she had been working for me for over ten years, and I knew her very well. She was trust worthy enough, plus there was no guarantee that it could or could not be the right one. I gave her a tight smile before walking back to my office. I had sa
Lenora POV...Few days ago ..."Today is the day for the test Mrs Nielson." Joan Jett, my friend and the manager of the hospital said as we both walked back to my office. I had insisted that we do a round check on some of the patients in the top floor, something I started to do after the lady, Rachel Andrews was admitted her. I found myself being drawn to her in many ways than one, and was extremely dishearten after I heard she was arrested for a murder crime.It even became worse after I heard from my niece who was her doctor than she was rushed to an hospital after gotten almost beaten to death by a jail warder. She did look like a stubborn lady, but what could she possibly have said to a jail warden for the person to want to kill her with a beating?"... Mrs Nielson". "Huh?" I asked in confusion after I head Joan call my name. " Are you alright ma'am? I've been calling you for the past few minutes". She said looking worried and I nodded. "I'm fine, just thinking about stuf
Rachel's POVAfter the extremely awkward moment with Lenora, Joyce announced that I could be discharged today. I found the sudden information surprising and that was when she explained that the only reason I was still on the hospital as from two days ago was only because I would be immediately taken back to the station if I was discharged, so she just choose not to discharge me. Ain't that nice?I was all set to go back to Marina's house, when Ethan just grabbed my things and said: "You're coming with me."Judging from the look on both Joyce and Marina's faces, they had thought I was going to argue, and that would probably been the right thing to do. My brain was screaming red alerts. What if he was taking me back with him to avenge Lana's death? She was after all the woman he was in love with, but my heart and body refused listening to my head. I just followed him out like an obedient puppy, and we were now on the way to his car. " Hey, Rachel!" I heard someone yell my name, a
Rachel's POVI hugged myself with my hands sighing for the fifteenth time in the last hour. Marina and Joyce were in the room with me yet I still felt lonely. I missed Ethan, so much. No matter how much I tried not to think of him, or even to just forget about everything he did, I just couldn't, and hearing Joyce talk that he was around wasn't helping either.I mean, why would a guy cheat on you, then after his girlfriend dies (PS, you're being blamed for the murder ), start doing everything he could to get you out of prison?What the hell was that?Was he waiting for Lana to die or something?"Rachel what are you thinking about ". I heard Marina say, and I blinked, looking at her. " What? " I asked still feeling lost. Marina shook her head before looking at Joyce, and then at me. " Are you still thinking about the meeting happening in a few days? " She asked before speaking again. " Nothing is finalized yet. And you can't let that bother you, you literally have bigger issues on
Ethan's POV " Is it done yet?" I asked Mark as he walked into my office. Today was the fifth day after Rachel got arrested, and although I wanted to spend time with her at the hospital, my work back at the office were piling up and were not practically begging for my attention. Plus it was not like I really saw Rachel anyways. I would just seat at the waiting room all day as Joyce gave me updates about her situation. Mark had nagged me for hours to come to the office, and here I was seated there but I still couldn't get anything done. All I could think about was her. "Answer me Mark, did you do it?" I asked again as my best friend sat down on the chair opposite me. "If we want to do this the legal way without pulling any strings, I don't think there is a way to get Rachel out of prison". What? I scoffed in disbelief. I had asked Mark to find a way to get Rachel out of jail for the meantime while I focus on finding the killer and this was the news he was bringing back?
Rachel's POV"And what's that?" Marina asked looking confused. I took in a deep breath shutting my eyes. I had thought that I wouldn't have to tell anyone about this, but seeing Marina here, acting so... Marinaish... I just couldn't help it. "I want to tell you the truth about what really happened the night Lana was killed," I said with a grim expression, and Marina's eyes almost popped out of her head in shock. "What the fuck?"...THE NIGHT LANA WAS KILLEDRachel's POV "That fucking crazy bitch!" I cursed constantly hitting the steering wheel of my car. Lana was a bastard, and all she did was to get on my nerves. It was getting sickening and I was getting tired and frustrated about it. "Just you wait and see bitch..." Just as I said that I sighed. Lana's car left the mansion, and I smirked.There was no way I was losing her now. I started my car and followed hers all the way to the... Mall?Really?After everything she just said to me she went to a freaking mall?! To do wha
Rachel's POVWhat was Marina doing here?Although Joyce said she came to visit me, I didn't expect her to come in. Not after everything I said to her. The Marina I knew back then could hold a grudge for a long time, though she never did for me, but maybe I had crossed the limit. Who was I kidding? I did cross the limit."What are you doing here?"Marina rolled her eyes. "Can't I come to visit my best friend?" She asked sounding offended. I instantly shook my head. "That's not what I..."She smiled with a slight giggle. " It was acting. I was just messing with you; of course, I know you missed me." Marina said with a proud smile. My lips involuntarily hooked up. Despite everything I did and said to her, she was still here. Then my smile went down and so did my face. "I'm sorry," I muttered in a low voice but loud enough for her to hear. "I know you are," I heard Marina say and flashed my head towards her. "You just got arrested for something you didn't do, and then you find out
Marina's POVMy mind began to wander about after sitting in the waiting room for almost an hour. I was still yet to see Rachel and I was getting really bored. I couldn't just get on my phone because Lana's death was the most trending topic on social media right now, and I was afraid that if I even as much as glanced at it, I would get myself riled up. I leaned into my chair shutting my eyes as I breath in and out calmly. Just when I was about falling asleep the sharp sound of something vibrating woke me up. " Just who the hell is that? " I groaned, taking my phone out of my purse to check the ID caller. Fuck, it was director George Stone. Blinking my eyes in surprise, I cleared my throat severally before picking up the call. " Yes sir, "" Marina, you have heard the latest news, right? " The director's deep, stern voice came from the other side of the phone, and I gulped. ' Of course, I've heard. It took you almost four days to even call! '" Yes, I have, sir," I said instead.
David's POV" Have you gone crazy? That was Ethan Wright and you disrespected Rachel in front of him!" Jameson thundered as soon as we were out of the hospital. I wasn't fully listening to what Jameson was saying because my entire mind was clouded with anger at Ethan, plus the excruciating pain I was feeling from my finger wasn't helping matters. That bastard Ethan had the guts to break my finger, and that too very easily. Who the hell was he?Yes, he was a billionaire and the CEO of one of the biggest companies in the country, but how the hell was he able to break my finger so easily?" That man must be hiding something". I muttered to myself. " Are you kidding? Seriously David? And you're thinking that now?" Jameson yelled, his eyes almost popping out of his skull. " Yes, I am. " I growled, before shaking my head to get my emotions back in check. I held Jameson's hands frantically and made him look at me." Just take a look at it. Up until six months ago, we had never heard of t