Chapter Four

Simon stood up. He didn’t say anything, instead, he just curled his lips and left. Following him, a group of people also left. 

Ann felt slightly embarrassed. Simon seemed to be annoyed, and this was the last thing she wanted.

The first day sucks, Ann thought. 

In the evening, Ann was in Emily’s place and hanging out with the twins. Just then, Ann’s phone was ringing. A strange number called.

Ann picked up, “Hello, who is this?”

“Ann, it’s Dad,” Joe spoke in his deep voice on the other side. 

Hearing this, Ann felt her heart was cracking, but Joe just called Ann’s name. It was the first time Ann heard Joe call her by her name for years. She remembered how her father pretended she didn’t even exist since her mother passed away. 

Ann went to her room for privacy. She sat down on her bed, handling her emotions and asking, “Father, what made you call?”

“Do I need a reason?” 

Ann knew Joe would not call without a reason. For Joe, her existence was merely conditional, but Ann did not press on to the matter anymore. 

She simply replied, “It’s been years, and you haven’t called.”

“Well, given that you ran away, we had no way of tracing you.”

“But you knew I’m in New York immediately after I came back, which is quite weird,” Ann sighed. “How did you know?”

“I know enough when I should,” Joe cleared his throat and continued, “Anyway, I have important matters to discuss with you. Come home. Tomorrow night, 8 pm.”

Ann knew there were some sorts of reason to call her. That was Joe, bossy and pitiless. So, Ann firmly replied, “What matters?”

“You will know when you come home,” Joe said.

“What if I won’t?” Ann got annoyed and said bravely. “And how can you call it a home for me?”

“You will, Ann, or I will cause you trouble...” Joe said calmly.

Ann hated her father more than ever. She knew Joe, and he would do anything he wanted, even if it was immoral. 

Ann gave in. She was really afraid that Joe would hurt her children. Moreover, she wanted to make sure if Joe knew the existence of the twins.  

“Fine, I’ll come over. I’ll meet you tomorrow evening for a family dinner. Is that okay?” Ann said sarcastically. 

“Excellent choice,” Joe said before he hung up. 

Ann sighed and hung up her phone. She sat on her bed helplessly.

Ann knew she was merely a tool for Joe’s good personal image. Joe couldn’t care her less. But deep in her heart, how she wishes Joe could love her even a little bit more. 

The next day, Ann went to Joe’s place at 8 p.m as planned. In front of her old apartment door, she took a deep breath, and then proceeded inside, ignoring her shaking knees.

The whole apartment was now full of new furniture, and the interior design was changed to another style ---- pink and shallow. 

As Ann entered the apartment, the atmosphere instantly changed. It became heavy and dangerous. Joe, Beth, Vivian, and Alan were waiting for her in the living room. The apartment Ann once knew to be her safe space was now filled with predators. Ann was supposed to feel nostalgic meeting them all together, but now, she just felt strange and annoyed. 

Vivian became much prettier. Her hair was shining, her skin was glowing, and there was not a speck of impurities on her face. She was in a light blue fancy dress with pink flowers on it. She looked like a real celebrity.

Ann felt slightly insecure in her plain T-shirt and jeans. She was obviously under-dressed at her old apartment. Vivian thrived at Ann’s embarrassment, as if Ann only existed to validate Vivian was the perfect daughter.

“Great. You’re finally here,” Joe stood up from the couch and said, “Let’s move to the dining table and talk over food.”

Then Joe turned around, and the rest four of them followed him.

When Ann was walking, she was suddenly tripped by someone. She had no time to react and fell down on the ground. 

“Hahahaha.” Ann heard loud laughter. She raised her head up, and saw Beth, Vivian, and Alan were laughing at her. Of course they would.

This brought Ann into a lot of painful memories.

“Childish.” Ann said.

“What did you say?” Beth shouted. “How dare you!”

Ann looked at Joe, and he suddenly turned around and glared at them, saying, “That’s enough. Come to the dining table.” 

Then, the five of them sat around the dining table and ate together. Even though extravagant meals and fancy tableware were in front of them, everybody was in silence. 

Then, Joe cleared his throat and began to speak, “Ann, I asked you back for two reasons.”

“What are they?” Ann looked at Joe, asking.

“People know you are my daughter, sadly, Ann,” Joe said. “Of course they are curious about you, and why you left suddenly and came back suddenly. I can’t have you tarnishing my reputation. So… I need you to go to college again. It should be a renowned one. You will be taking a Bachelor’s degree or have a Master’s in something.”

“But I went to college, and I had my Bachelor’s degree,” Ann reasoned out. 

The rest of them laughed immediately. 

“What College?” Beth smirked. “Let me tell you, a small-town college is no college at all. We are so ashamed to be related to you.”

Ann glared at Beth and answered, “I’m glad we’re on the same page. I am ashamed to be related to you as well.”

“What the fu**—” Beth shouted.

“Stop it,” Joe spoke loudly. “You will do as I say, Ann. I will pay for everything, and it is also a help for your future.”

Ann kept in silence for response. 

Joe didn’t look at her, and continued to say, “That is the first thing. The second thing is that you have to attend Vivian’s engagement party two weeks later.”

Ann was quite surprised. She asked, “Why should I? I think all of you want nothing to do with me, and I’m sure Vivian especially doesn’t want me to get involved.” Saying, she turned and looked at Vivian. 

Vivian looked at Ann with hatred, saying, “It’s Dad’s decision. Personally, I want you to go to hell.”

“Media will be swarming,” Joe continued. “ I don’t want people to think you are being outcast. It’s for my family’s reputation. You are still my daughter and Vivian’s half-sister. Your mere absence could impact us negatively.”

“Wasn’t I?”

“Weren’t you what?” Joe asked.

“Outcast?” Ann said, looking directly into her father’s eyes. 

“Don’t be absurd,” Joe replied.

After this unpleasant meeting, Ann went back home. But at the same time, she felt released that Joe didn’t know the twins’ existence.

Days passed by flying, and it came the day of Vivian’s engagement party.

Ann took a deep breath as she stepped outside the door.

Emily looked at her in the living room and frowned, “Are you sure you’re going to attend?”

“I have to, Aunt Emily. Please don’t worry,” Ann smiled. “It’s going to be okay. Watch the twins while I’m out, okay?”

“Of course.” Aunt Emily said to her.