Echoes of betrayal

“Hey, Ethan.” Nina called sweetly as she rushed to meet him at the door. Her eyes darted to Gina whose gaze was fixed on Ethan. A wide smile appeared on her face as Ethan's hand slipped to the back of her waist. After he bowed to both parents, he took a seat next to Nina. 

Gina observed Ethan who fixed her a blank gaze. His face showed no emotion at all. He quickly averted his eyes back to Nina. “How have you been?” His palm brushed her chin. Nina gloated as Ethan showered her with his attention.

“You two are so cute together.” Nicole cried a little too sweetly. 

Anthony watched with indifference at his older daughter’s show off at her immediate younger sister. A small crease formed on his forehead in concern for her but he shook it off in a split second. Anthony felt he could not afford to let emotions come to play at this critical moment. 

Gina watched with a heavy heart at how Ethan's eyes softened whenever they fell on Nina. Did Ethan actually cheat on her with Nina? She wanted to ask but decided against it. The scene that just played out was already enough to ascertain what the truth was. She told herself. 

Her face pulled up in a grimace with hurt transforming into anger. She bitterly recalled how Nina was always interested in whatever she owned, even though she was the older one. Whether it was a teacup, a doll, or even a dress. As long as it belonged to her, then Nina wanted it. Now it was her boyfriend. She wasn't about to drag a sorry excuse of a man with her half-sister. If Nina wanted him, then she would gladly pass him to her. 

With her hands clenched into a fist, she took a deep breath to compose herself. Her anger had grown into fury and she was about to explode. 

Her fury was quickly replaced with hatred. Hatred for her sister Nina, her father, the family she knew, excluding Mia. Maybe she should really leave them. She was clearly not a part of the family after all as they did not see her as one, she thought to herself as she slowly made her way to the door.  

“The marriage plans, Gina.” Wilson asked with uncertainty, beads of sweat had already formed on his forehead. 

She turned and faced him. “As long as I’m away from y’all.” She declared and stormed out into the cold ignoring Mia's concerned call for her.

Relief washed through Anthony as he released a breath he didn't know he was holding. 

A satisfied grin slowly spread across Nicole's face. She had been apprehensive all the while Gina kicked against the proposal. She feared that Nina would be next on Wilson's list following Gina's refusal. She didn't want such fate to befall any of her daughters, even though Nina was the last person who would be forced into a loveless marriage. 

“Would you sit your ass down there!” Nina ordered. Mia's face scrunched up in annoyance but she could not afford to disobey her oldest sister so she sat down. 

Ethan squeezed Nina's hand, reminding her that he was right beside her. She gave a small smile and leaned into his body. 

Anthony shot the two a stern look as he got up to take his leave. He could no longer bear to watch the two in their repulsive show of what not. His eyes darted to his wife who looked at the two with loving eyes. No matter what Nina did, it was right in her eyes. Anthony shook his head in slight regret, disgusted by the way Nicole over-indulged Nina. 

With no definite place in mind, Gina found herself stumbling aimlessly on the streets. It had rained so it was cold. She ignored the harsh wind biting her skin, it was nothing compared to the intense pain in her heart. 

Tears streamed down her cheeks, blurring her sight. She walked down the lane in despair as she took the next turn. Her father only cared about the company. Although she knew the chances were very slim, still a huge part of her wanted her father to call her back as she left the house but he did not. He ignored her feelings and chose some other thing just like he had always done every other day. 

Then Ethan had done the same too, he chose Nina over her, disregarding their beautiful years of love and commitment. She wondered if he really loved her like he had claimed. 

The intense pain of betrayal crushed her soul, with her heart breaking into a million pieces. She swept her palm across her face wiping the tears off, and pushed the heavy weights of grief down the back of her mind. 

Her mind was made up. Since they couldn't wait to throw her out, not out into the streets though, but it made no difference, she was being thrown to a man she knew nothing about, then by all means, she had to leave. 

Maybe it would be easier to live with an unknown man than living with a family that only caused her deep sorrow. She craved warmth from someone else other than herself.

Her tears had begun to fall again. Was there ever a time that she had been a part of their family? Gina asked with all honesty. “Maybe if mom was alive, things would have been different.” She muttered amidst tears.