CHAPTER 2: Betrayals & Disappointments

BELLATRIX POV... 

Distress would be an understatement, recounting my feelings at the moment.

My fists clenched despite the throbbing ache in my arm, "It's not true, Neil," I defended myself.

"So you didn't push her and she fell by herself?" He frowned.

"I never declined! I said it, it was just an accident!"

"Yeah, an accident where you willfully hurt her! Stop with your lies, Bellatrix!" He struck furiously and helped Florence.

I watched him, enfeebled, how his actions were so tender and cautious toward her, 

inverse of me.

Florence's eyes caught mine, her evil smirk mocked me. How could he not see her now? How could he treat me this way?

His next words, however, took everything in me to not break down.

"Bellatrix, it can be forgiven once you apologize to her." His stern voice did not hesitate once. Who am I kidding though? He already put his all trust in her words, ignoring mine radically.

Anger arose within me, "I won't. Even if I do, she needs to apologize to me first for hitting me, which you completely ignore by the way." My voice trembled, yet I did not back away.

Neil's face turned red in rage, "You are more impudent than I thought, Bellatrix! She clearly was hurt by you because of your unruly nature, and yet here you're trying to scheme even after getting caught!"

I couldn't believe my ears. He just dismissed my words based on her words, proving me right in each step. Just when I thought this night couldn't get any worse, my parents arrived with gloomy faces.

"What are you all doing here!? We only left for a day and you guys all become rogues!" Mom's dissatisfied tone echoed in the place until her eyes fell on half-laid Florence.

Mom and Dad gasped, rushing toward her, "Flores, love what happened to you!?"

"Bellatrix pushed her." Neil spoke and finally mom and Dad had time for me, which was filled with surprise and disbelief.

"She wouldn't even apologize." Neil didn't hesitate to add, successfully turning me the evil one in front of my parents.

Terror begins to seep into me as I wait with bated breaths for their reply.

The pause felt like an eternity.

"Bella, you must learn to take responsibility for your mistakes. Apologize to your sister, now." Mom demanded, diminishing my terror. They too did not bother upholding my side and learn the truth.

Since I returned home with a desperate need to be loved, I was never treated fairly. Living in the countryside, I always wondered about my family and once found, I reckoned to receive a better life than I had living far away from home. I was wrong though; home seemed to be the meanest among all where I was ignored and misbehaved by my own family.

My parents detested my reckless behavior and often discussed how I should learn from Florence. In every step, I am advised to follow her.

But do I really deserve this hate? Was it supposed to be my fault? Weren't they responsible to protect me and failed? Seemed, it never occurred to them.

I couldn't help but smile at my so-called family, “no matter what I say, you'd believe what you want to, wouldn't you? Well then, you have chosen the side."

"Bella, it's not about choosing a side but doing what's right." Dad said calmly. "Even though you grew up away from us, you still are my blood. And I can't stand my  daughter behaving viciously to an innocent, especially toward her sister. Even if you dislike her, you must maintain your calm."

"Most of all, in such an important day like this, you beat up your sister!" Mom added, "You're turning to be a disappointment to the family, Bellatrix."

Their words didn't surprise me anymore; instead, it stung the deepest part in my heart. Never realized, a heart could be ripped again and again.

“After I returned, you didn’t see me as your daughter." My hurt sunk deep thinking those times. "You never believed what I said until you ran several tests, including my... Virginity test." I felt so ashamed even remembering that part. To my parents, my intact dignity was more important than me being alive.

"So just do what you always did, punish me.” I stated calmly.

"See, that's her attitude!" Neil almost roared, "she's so Arrogant that she'd rather take punishment than forgiveness!"

"What apology?" I snapped, glaring at the biased man. "And stop calling her my sister! Since when do I have a sister!? If it wasn't for my kidnapping, she wouldn't be here! I am the only child of my parents, I don't accept a serpent like her!"

As soon as those vengeful words left my chest, mom yelled, "Bellatrix Valdez! How dare you!" And painfully grabbed my wounded arm, making me wince in pain.

As if realizing the wrong just then, mom immediately let go, "Wh-what happened to you!? Your hand is bleeding!"

Did I hear a touch of worry in her voice? My heart fluttered even after such humiliation.

"I-I am sorry, mom. I was only trying to defend myself, I didn't mean to hurt her." Florence was quick which once again won them over and Mom's worry replaced with fury.

"No, she is lying! Trust me, mom!" I was in fierce need to fend myself, yet it did not matter anymore when a hard slap landed on my face.

Stunned, I dumbly stared at my mother who withdrew her gaze in distaste, while father shook his head as if in shame, "I can't believe this is my daughter! Wish you've died back then so I don't have to face such a disappointment!"

I stood there, numb. Couldn't believe the words I feared and tried to avoid for 5 years had been spoken.

All I ever wanted is love, a home, and to win that I always tried to put on my best behaviors. But, no matter what I did, I always fell short beside Florence's fake manipulation. I never minded a sister, yet she never wanted one and used ways to degrade me I was unaware of.

"I cannot believe I am tied to such an evil woman like her! My family will be so pissed by such brutish disposition." Neil muttered angrily behind my father.

His words instigate my annoyance more, how could I be so stupid? How could I let myself believe that he would love me one day? I felt foolish and affronted and no one to be blamed but me.

So I did what I must and darted my gaze back at him, “Then don't."

"What?" Neil seemed confused, which I redeem next,

"Let's not be tied to each other anymore and piss your family. Let's cancel the engagement and put an end to this arrangement." I stated...