CHAPTER ONE

Amery's POV

My eyes blazed with anger as I watched my mother shed fake tears as she said her eulogy during my father's funeral.

I tried to shut out her words, but they pierced through my soul like a dagger. 

"..If I'm feeling this sad, God knows how much pain our daughter will be in. After all, you raised her while I went away to get a better life for us.."

Oh God, this bitch!

I had to leave before I did something crazy. As I stormed out of the church, I could feel the eyes of the congregation on me, their whispers and gasps following me like a shadow. I didn't care. I had to get out of there, away from my mother's hypocrisy and lies.

As I opened the entrance door of my father's house, I couldn't help but break into tears. Everything reminded me of him, the way the house smells, every single thing has his memory still in them.

I walked into his small winery at the corner of the house, this was where he spent most of his time when he got back from work.

My father loved wine so much, he used to own a vineyard where he met Mom who was a wine distributor.

Unfortunately, when they got married, his company went bankrupt but he still kept his best collection of wine.

Just then, I heard the front door open. I stood up to check hoping it was my boyfriend, Atlas.

Instead, I saw my mother looking so elegant, she was clad in a black dress that stopped two inches below her knee. Her blonde hair was curled and styled elegantly.

My mother was no doubt beautiful, and she still looks so young despite the fact that she'd clock fifty years in a bit.

"What are you doing here?" I snarled.

"Amery, what is wrong with you? Why did you leave the church like that?"

My anger boiled over "You know exactly why Mother! You're such a hypocrite! You didn't even care when Dad was sick and now you're pretending to grieve?

"Pretending? He was my husband and you are my daughter!"

"No, I stopped being your daughter when you left, when you said we were a stumbling block to your career. Congratulations you made it, together with your billionaire sugar daddy and your stupid daughter" I retorted.

Her expression turned cold, the next thing I saw was her hand flashing out to strike me. I felt the sting of her slap on my cheeks, but I didn't back down.

"How dare you speak to me like that? Didn't your father teach you good manners?" she yelled.

As she mentioned my father, I flared up, unable to control my anger. I grabbed her hair, pulling her towards me as I spat out my anger.

"You dare mention my father, you bitch!" I growled, my body shaking with rage.

"Jesus! what are you doing?"

Jane, my step sister, who has a striking resemblance with my mother, ran towards us and tried to get her mother away.

I released my grip on her as Jane pushed me causing me to lose my balance as I fell on the floor.

"Gosh, you're such a bitch. Would have beaten you up but you're already miserable enough for today”.

"Let's go Mom " she grabbed her mom's hand and helped her up.

"Get your things ready, you are moving back with us to California” I can't have people call me a bad mother for leaving my daughter on the street.

I scoffed. "I'll rather die than follow you anywhere”.

As they left, I collapsed to the floor, my tears finally finding their release.

"Dad!" I wailed, hoping that he would appear, that this was all just a cruel joke.

This is my reality now, I admit.

The woman that just left is Christina Luther, a woman I detest so much.

I left my house to find my boyfriend, I was starting to get worried. Atlas wouldn't have left me alone on this day if something didn't happen to him.

I knocked on his door and his mother was the one that opened.

Instead of a warm smile, she'd always welcome me every time I visited. She was glaring at me. I expected her to give me a hug and offer me her condolences, instead she turned and left, closing the door on my face.

What?

I stood still in shock. What's happening?

Just then, the door opened and Atlas appeared. I sighed in relief and opened my mouth to speak but a gasp came out instead as he grabbed my wrist pulling me away from his house.

"What the hell is going on with you and your mom”.

"Leave now!" He said looking down at his feet.

What?

"Why are you avoiding my gaze, look at me. I was expecting you at the burial but..."

"Let's break up. I can't do this again!" he dropped the bombshell.

I stood there in shock, my mouth hung open.

"Atlas.."

"Your Mom came here last night. And you know your mom and mine despise each other"

"Yeah, but what has this got to do with us?"

"She offered me money to stay away from you Amery, two million dollars. How dare she?"

"And..? Did you collect it?"

"What? Why will you even think that? Your Mom disrespected us, offering us money like we were some pauper "

"Babe.."

"I think you should follow your Mom's wishes. She's your cross, carry it and don't involve others" he said and walked away leaving me in a frozen state.

What just happened?

Three years of relationship is gone? Just like that.

I started walking, to be honest I was exhausted emotionally. To think I'll find solace here with my boyfriend, but I just got the shock of my life. I didn't know when I reached my workplace. Mrs. Meyers, my boss, saw me as I entered the cafe.

"Amery, what are you doing here? You're supposed to take the day off sweetheart"

"I'm sorry, I just don't want to be alone at home. Do you mind if I stay here for some time?"

"No problem, take your time dear" she pulled me into a quick hug and went on with her business.

"Amery!" I heard a familiar voice and my eyes widened as I saw my best friend enter the kitchen.

"What are you doing here?" Joey asked.

"I should be asking you" I glared at her.

Joey had told me she won't be attending my Dad's burial because her aunt got sick and she had to travel home to take care of her.

"I can explain.." she blinked at me.

"Then start!" I was starting to raise my voice.

Why is everyone doing this to me today?

"I'm sorry, I really wanted to come but your mom came and offered me.."

That woman again. I should have known.

"And you chose the money over me?"

"I'm sorry, but that money will change my life. My aunt is really sick. I have to take care of her" she tried to defend.

"Good for you" I said and grabbed my bag from the counter.

"I think you should just listen to her and follow her back. It doesn't look like she'll stop tormenting you anytime soon and you know what's at stake if she digs deeper." she said, giving me a knowing look.

"I can't believe you have the nerve to say that to me right now. When you're clearly helping her" I huffed angrily.

"I'm sorry Amery, I'm not planning to stop being friends with you. I promise we'll still be friends"

"If your friendship is what I'll need to be alive, I'll rather die. Goodbye Joey" I said to her and stormed out.