Chapter 6 - So Harsh

I entered the prestigious halls of YCC for the last time, my heart is heavy with a mixture of sorrow and longing.

I glanced through the glass walls of the conference room and watched Isabella confidently lead a meeting with my important clients.

It was supposed to be me, representing the family's legacy. The weight of disappointment and shattered dreams crushed my spirit.

Feeling a surge of emotions, I made my way to my father's office. I knocked softly, my voice trembling as I called out, "Dad, may I come in?"

Dad's stern voice responded, "Come in."

As I stepped into the room, the tension between us was palpable. I could see the disappointment in his eyes, the remnants of anger simmering beneath the surface.

This confrontation was long overdue. I have contemplated gathering my courage for this to happen but I feel like I'm going back out. I feel like I can't do this.

"Is your transition over? Don't you have anything else to do here? Why are you still here?" He asked me sternly.

I could feel my heart heating up. A million pains that were already lodged there seemed to intensify. I haven't even managed to rise above, and I'm sinking again.

I haven't even had a chance to catch my breath, and I'm being deprived of air once more. I haven't even healed from everything, and new wounds are already etched upon me.

"It's over, Dad. I just wanted to talk to you for the last time," I replied bravely.

As he looked up from the folder he was holding, his gaze turned fierce.

"What else do you need, Celeste? I have made my decision. There's no way you could even change my mind," he declared firmly.

"I didn't come here to change your mind, Dad, because I know that won't happen anymore. I don't even have the strength to convince you. Even my explanations were not listened to." I said bitterly to him.

My heart sank. He wouldn't even look at me. It was as if he would die of shame if he looked at me for too long.

Is it because I resemble Mom?

"Then why are you still here?" He asked me authoritatively.

"I just want to know why you're so cruel to me, even though I'm your real child and not Isabella. I have proven myself more than she has. I've almost sacrificed everything for YCC whenever it had issues. Why do I still end up being the loser in the end?" I bravely asked him.

I've wanted to ask him that for a long time. Why does he favor his current wife and Isabella more than me, his own true child? Isabella is just my stepsister.

She's only his child from an affair, and Mama Victoria is just his second wife. I am still his first child. I am still his first family.

But why don't I feel that way?

"Ever since Mommy died, you stopped favoring me. Ever since she's been gone, you don't look at me the way you look at Isabella. You know how I tried, how I strived harder just to prove myself to you, but I was always let down by your hurtful remarks, Dad." I trailed off and shook my head.

"You've always been so harsh to me, Daddy…"

"I don't owe you any explanations, Celeste. You committed wrongdoing, so it's only fair that you face the consequences. Do you think I'm punishing you for no valid reason?" He asked sternly.

I chuckled.

"Isn't it? Isn't this punishment what you're doing to me? You're disowning me just because I got pregnant. I can rise above this! I can atone for my mistake in other ways! Why do you have to cast me aside?"

I couldn't control myself anymore. I was filled with anger and resentment towards him. He didn't listen to me, and whenever Isabella or Mama Victoria spoke, he obediently followed like a meek puppy.

Why couldn't he do the same for me?

Dad heaved a sigh and shook his head.

"Leave. I don't want to see you anymore. Leave!"

I bit my lower lip, almost tasting the blood. The lump in my throat was choking me.

"You know very well how important the rules I've set are to us, but you still defied me!" He shouted again and stood up, pressing the intercom forcefully. "Call security, now!"

My jaw dropped in disbelief. I felt like I was going to vomit from the mix of emotions I was experiencing.

"What? You're going to have your security drag me out?" I uttered in disbelief.

His eyes grew even darker.

"If that's what it takes to finally get you out of my company, Celeste, I'll do it!"

"Oh, my God…" I muttered.

"This is unbelievable. I'll leave! You don't have to have your security drag me out! I can leave on my own, and you'll never see me again!" I declared.

My heart was about to burst from the overwhelming anger towards him.

"And I hope the day never comes when you'll want to see me again, Dad. I hate you. I wish it were you who died, not Mommy. You and these family rules are suffocating!" I blurted out and stormed out of his office, fiercely wiping away my tears.

It felt like I was being repeatedly killed in those moments. It went against everything inside me to beg like this because it's what I've been doing my whole life, but I love him so much. I can't bear to be far from him.

He's all I have left. I can't bear to lose him too. But what can I do?

The pain was unbearable. I started questioning my worth in his eyes. Did he truly love me? Or was I merely a pawn in this family's game?

It's fine, Celeste. You'll be fine. As long as you still have your child. As long as you still have yourself, you'll get through this. This is fine.