Chapter 002

Charlotte McCartney

Tired and drowsy, I started the engine of my car and headed home. It had been more than one week since I walked in on my boyfriend Ron and my sister Whitney kissing in the sitting room, and I had still not gotten over the fact that my sister had stolen my boyfriend.

I had also not gotten over mom’s reaction when I explained the situation and the stinging slap she gave me for getting angry and making a big deal over Whitney’s relationship with my boyfriend Ron.

So everyday for the next one week, I lived like a ghost, avoiding everyone in the house. Luckily I had my job to escape to and my daughter Elsie to distract me. Still Whitney always found a way to rub their relationship in my face. She took Ron everywhere around the house kissing and fondling each other.

For some reason Ron was visiting too frequently. I hoped he would have the decency to stay away for a little while but he did not. He and Whitney were constantly acting like two lovebirds, smiling, laughing and making small talks every time I saw them.

“I am so tired, hopefully by the time I get home mom will be in her bedroom and Whitney and Ron will be in the sitting room being silly as usual. So I can just sneak into my bedroom and rest”, I said as I drove home.

When I got home, the entire house was quiet. The sitting room door was ajar, I looked inside out of curiosity only to realize there was no one there. Whitney and Ron were probably in the kitchen or the garden or just maybe in hell. I chuckled at the thought of them being in hell. But wherever they were it was good to not see them.

I walked to my bedroom happily, then I decided to have a quick shower before jumping into bed. I ate lunch at work so I wasn't hungry. After bathing, I laid down on my bed and was just about to say that the day was working in my favor when I heard a knock on my door.

“That’s probably my little girl Kelcie”, I said and went to open the door.

Mom and Whitney were the only people I saw when I opened the door,

“Oh mom, it's you. Good evening mom. I did not know you were home”.

I did not want to talk to Whitney so I pretended like she wasn't there.

“Good evening little sis, I saw you sneaking into your bedroom when you came home”, Whitney said, teasing me.

“I wasn't sneaking in. I had to use the bathroom quickly, that's why I rushed to my bedroom”, I lied and rolled my eyes at her. Ron was standing next to Whitney. I wanted to ask him to leave my bedroom but I knew mom would say I was being dramatic and childish.

“And what is he doing here?” I asked Whitney with a malicious stare.

“Will you two let me talk or what?” Mom cut in angrily and the two of us went quiet. I eyed Whitney and she just stared at me, smiling wickedly, like she knew something that I did not.

“Whether you have been sneaking in or not, that's your business Charlotte. Why are you asking what Ron is doing here? Your sister and Ron are officially engaged. He is part of the family now. Why are you still acting like a child? I told you to get over it. Did you not listen to what I said the other day?” mom said, looking at me with steady eyes.

“What? Engaged? Whitney is engaged to my ex-boyfriend?” I asked with a gaping face. I did not expect them to be engaged so soon.

“You treated him badly, when Ron was your boyfriend Charlotte. Now that you are no longer together and he has found love with your sister, you don't want them to be engaged?” mom asked angrily and slapped me as hard as she did the day I caught Whitney kissing Ron.

“I think I should leave now, Mrs Ashley. I've caused more than enough trouble already”, Ron said feigning innocence.

“No Ron, why should you leave? You are a member of the family now. You have every right to be here. Charlotte is only being childish,” mom said trying to convince Ron.

“Thank you for accepting me into your family Mrs Ashley. I'm sure one day Charlotte will forgive me and accept me as a member of the family too. But I really think I should give you three some privacy”, Ron said with a gentle smile, then he kissed Whitney and left mom, Whitney and I alone in the house.

“I hope you are happy now," mom said, gazing at me angrily.

“I’m sorry mom”, I said, shifting my gaze away.

“The reason I came here is to inform you that I have arranged your marriage with Josh Xavier”, mom said calmly.

As soon as I heard that, my knees weakened and I staggered back in shock.

“What do you mean mom? I will never marry Josh Xavier” I said shocked that mom would even suggest that.

“And who said you have a say in this. You will marry Josh Xavier to protect the reputation of this family”, mom declared.

“But why do I have to marry him? He was promised to Whitney not me. I don't even love him”, I said hoping mom would understand.

“This is not about your feelings Charlotte. It's about saving the family name from shame. You will marry Josh Xavier to save our family from shame. The reputation of this family is more important than your emotions” mom said and Whitney stiffled her laughter.

“I don't want to marry anyone who will only use me as a tool for revenge, mom. How would you ask me to marry him? You obviously don't care about me or how I feel, nor do you care about my daughter Kelcie because if you did you would not be here asking me to marry Josh Xavier. The man cannot even walk anymore”. I said angrily.

“You will do as I have said young lady.” Mom snapped irritably.

“Mind you, I am not asking. I have already made all the necessary arrangements for this marriage to take place and so long as you live under my roof you will do what you are told to do”, mom declared.

Hearing this, I was mad and shaking with anger. How could she bethrote me to a man without even seeking my consent?,“I would rather leave this house than marry Josh Xavier” I blurted angrily.

Mom and Whitney laughed.

“Where will you go? How will you survive? With that money you hid in your safe?That's your escape money? What did you think you could do with that little sum of money? It will not even be enough to rent a decent place for you and your daughter nor will it feed you two. For your information you will never be able to find the money again because it is now in my possession. Let's see how you will run away.

I felt like a mouse stuck in a trap. It was either I married Josh Xavier or faced homelessness.