Chapter 1

Chapter 1

“Where are you going?” Mom asked me when I went downstairs, wearing a black dress.

Today is my sister's funeral. It's been two days since I got discharged from the hospital. Since I came back home, none of them treated me right. My parents never talk to me, not until now. I had to look behind me, checking if she was talking to me or not.

“It's Freya’s funeral,” I replied. My father laughed as if he lost his mind. I remained glancing at them with questions right through my eyes.

“Who says that you're going with us?” Mom asked as the side of her lips rose while her sharp eyes were pierced at me.

“What? But Freya is my sister. I must co—”

“And you killed your sister, Faith. Have you forgotten about it?” My lips parted. I was left with no words at all. I couldn't even make a sentence when she said that again. I was indeed in awe. Everything was processing in my head slowly. I can't believe them. I can't believe that they are blaming her death on me.

“How many times do I have to tell you that I didn't kill her? I didn't want that to happen…I was also in the accident, I was with Fre—”

“You let her drive, Faith! You didn't even save her from that freakin’ accident!”

That dagger of words pierced right through my chest. I felt so feeble that even my knees would possibly give in at any moment. I glanced at them unbelievably. I couldn't understand their minds.

“So, you want me to save her even if it means dying?” I asked with my heart broke. My eyes watered while I was trying to remain standing firmly in front of them.

“If I die from the accident and Freya gets to live, would you blame her for my death?” I bet no. I bet that they will not even blame Freya if I was the one who died from the accident.

“Would you cry and mourn if I was the one who died?” I chuckled bitterly. I wasn't able to hold back my tears anymore when it began to escape my eyes.

“But she didn't, right? You are the one who survived instead of her. I regret giving birth to you, Faith. I should have aborted you,” her sharp eyes were piercing at me. She marched out of the living room and I was left there with my father who was giving me his coldest stare.

“You're not going to the funeral, Faith. Besides, we will be having dinner with Elijah's family.” He left me there in awe. As soon as they both left, all my tears began to shower out of my eyes. I couldn't take it anymore. My knees folded until I found myself on the floor, crying with no strength left.

“Faith,”

I slowly shifted my eyes at her the moment I heard her voice. As our eyes met, I saw nothing but pity. I saw how shattered she was while looking at me. Lily Allura Baltazar, my best friend. She quickly ran towards me and sat on the floor just like me.

“Why don't you fight, Faith? You have money, you have everything. You're a great designer, Faith. Just leave this house,” she said while trying to wipe off all the tears that were soaking my face.

“Was it my fault, Lily? Did I kill Freya?” I asked. She quickly shook her head while already crying with me.

“You did nothing wrong, Faith.” I shook my head.

Maybe it was really my fault. Perhaps, I was really the one to blame for her death.

“Are you really going to marry that Luciero?” I paused as I saw him appear in the living room all of a sudden. His eyes were fuming mad, but I'm sure that it's not because he blames me for my sister's death.

“Lucas,” I called.

Lucas Baltazar, Lily's cousin.

“Why can't you leave them when they treat you like rubbish, Faith? You will really allow them to decide and tie you with Luciero?” He said unbelievably.

“They are still my family,” I uttered; the only reason that keeps me holding on the edge. I loved them and couldn't leave them alone when I was their only child now although they hated me so much.

“A family would never want you to die, Faith!” Lily exclaimed as they helped me to get up.

“Maybe I was really the one to blame,” The cruel and shaky words leaked out of my mouth. They were both eyeing me unbelievably with the words that I was telling them right now.

“I should have not let her drive…it's all my fault,” I washed my hands on my face while I couldn't stop my tears from dripping down.

“Do you hear yourself, Faith? You didn't kill anyone!” Lucas exclaimed with so much frustration and rage painted on his face.

“I won't leave them, and I will marry Ellijah if that is what he wants.” I said firmly as I brushed my hands on my face to dry my own tears.

“What?” Lucas cackled.

“You know that Elijah has been madly in love with Freya ever since, Faith. He doesn't like you! He's only doing this because he blames you for Freya's death and he wants to punis—”

“I'll accept it,” I heaved a heavy sigh. I witnessed how the two of them lost their words.

“If it will make him feel better and if they will heal by tying me to marriage, then I will do it. I will accept it until they can finally forgive me.”

“You don't have to ask for their forgiveness because you didn't kill Freya! It was an accident where you almost died as well, Faith!” Lily was already furious. The pain and pity she feels with my situation made her mad.

“Perhaps this is my fate, Lily.” I smiled and shrugged as my voice almost broke.

“This is my fate,” I repeated.

In the evening, the Lucieros arrived for the dinner that my father mentioned. I prepared myself even though everything was heavy to me. I forced myself to face them even though they all looked at me like a criminal.

“I was surprised when Elijah suddenly wanted to marry Faith,” his mother mentioned in the middle of the dinner. I remained looking at my food and continued eating. It's better not to give them an eye. I just have to survive this night and everything will be fine; or perhaps not.

“Well, it looks like Elijah is determined to marry her.” My father uttered and glanced at Elijah who wasn't looking at them as well. He was silent in front of me, but his eyes were cold. His swollen eyes didn't escape my eyes as well.

Did he cry? Did he cry at Freya's funeral? He probably did, Faith. Don't be stupid.

When the dinner finished, our parents began to talk about their plans for the wedding. Elijah stood up and walked out without them noticing his absence. I glanced at them before I followed Elijah who left. I found him in the garden, smoking. It's been a while since I saw him smoking. I thought Freya was able to make him stop from it?

“Elijah,” I called as I walked in front of him.

He only stared at me with those blank but cold eyes. He didn't stop from smoking even with my presence.

“What?”

I clenched my hand. “Why are you doing this?” I asked, trying to be brave as I looked at him.

“I mean, you're in love with my sister. You don't even love me to marry me.”

He threw the cigarette on the ground and stepped on it. However, his eyes didn't leave me. They were glued at me.

Rage. That's what fills his eyes while looking at me.

“Who said that I will marry you because I love you?” He chuckled unbelievably.

I stepped backwards when he began to walk towards me until he grasped my arm with his hand.

“You're hurting me, Elijah.” I uttered when he was already holding my arm tightly. I see no mercy from those eyes of him. He was so different from the Elijah I secretly loved.

Yes, I love him. But then, when I saw that he's in love with Freya and my sister felt the same, I had to conceal it and chose to support the two of them. He used to treat me with benevolence with those eyes full of mirth. All of that vanished in one snap. I don't see any mirth from those eyes anymore. Instead, I see his blazing rage towards me.

“E-Elijah, let go of me.” I almost begged when he was already hurting me. He didn't listen. Instead, he pulled me closer to him, wearing his sharp eyes that could already kill me.

“Do you think you will be happy with this marriage? Do you think I saved you from your parents?” He chuckled like a devil.

“You're wrong, Faith. I will make you taste how it feels to be in hell,”

“Elijah, please.” I bit my lower lip, enduring the pain from his hand.

“I will ruin you, Faith. I will destroy you until you never wish to live.” He swore firmly before he threw my arm away and turned his back at me.

itsclarixass