Chapter Two

An hour later, Ann drove into a big mansion and she parked her car. Few workers in the compound greeted her and a woman in her late thirties who is also a worker in the house walked up to her,greeted her and took her bag.

 The woman practically raised Ann as her nanny. She is also aware of everything going on in the house. Mary,the nanny is a like a mother to Ann. Mary approached her looking worried.

“I don’t know exactly what happened between you and Jenny,but I’m sure it’s something big. The mother and daughter have been waiting for you to come back”. Mary said.

 “I know. I will explain everything to you later. Let me just hear what they have to say”. Ann replied.

“Do you think that’s a good idea? You know nothing good will ever come out of it. Just use the back door. It’s better to avoid them.” Mary said.

“You know avoiding them is not the solution”. It’s useless. Let’s get this over with.” Ann replied and went into the living room. 

In the large,well decorated sitting room with different gold designs around the room, a chandelier hanging in the center of the living room, a woman in her early forties was seen sitting on the couch with a young lady. They’ve been waiting for Ann’s arrival. 

The woman stood up immediately when she saw her. Jenny is her only daughter and she had made up her mind to support her daughter no matter the situation. Ever since Jenny was small,whenever she is involved in a fight, whether she’s right or wrong does not matter to her mother. She makes sure the other person suffers for crossing her daughter’s part and it has always been like that till now.

“The bastard has finally arrived. Where have you been? Did you intentionally ignore my calls?” Elizabeth,Jenny’s mom said.

“Are you still asking her mom? You know how rude she is.” Jenny added.

“I did not ignore your calls. I slept off at Martha’s house and my phone was on silent.” Ann replied.

“And why didn’t you call back?” Elizabeth asked Ann.

“I was on my way back home already when I saw the missed calls. Do I need to call back again?” Ann replied, already feeling irritated. She knows what the mother and daughter duo are up to but they won’t just back down without a fight.

Elizabeth walked up to Ann and slapped her across the face.

“How dare you talk to me in that tone? You this ungrateful girl. You’re just like your mother. Just because you’re living in this house does not make you a legitimate daughter of this family. You’re nothing but a maid’s daughter and that’s where you belong.” Elizabeth said spitefully.

Ann does not look surprised. She has heard that from her step mom and her daughter all her life and she has gotten used to that fact. 

Ann’s mom was a maid in George’s house,Ann’s father.

George fell in love with her and wanted to marry her as his wife despite the fact that she was just a maid in his father’s house. 

George’s parents tried to separate them but they couldn’t as they were both in love with each other. Few weeks later,Jane,Ann’s mother found out that she was pregnant with George’s child. His parents forced Jane to leave George at the expense of her daughter’s life. 

Jane left as soon as the baby was born as promised without her baby just for her baby to have a better life in the billionaire’s household. 

“You don’t deserve Ben. A young eligible billionaire like him should not be humiliated by the public because of an illegitimate child like you. And that is why Jenny will be the one to marry him.” Elizabeth said.

“We can’t lose the long term friendship between both families and a contract worth millions of dollars just because you’re a bastard. So if you really want the best for the company as you have claimed,then find a way to explain this to dad. I must marry Ben.” Jenny said with confidence. 

That was the moment Ann has been waiting for. She knew Jenny could not bring it up to their father by herself. She needed Ann’s help to make him agree to the marriage. She saw it coming.

“You’re really a shameless bitch,you know that right? You want me to help you to convince your father to allow you to marry Ben? Is that not what you’re saying?” She asked Jenny not expecting an answer. 

“ I don’t care how you want to interpret it. I just want you to know something, if I don’t marry Ben, I will make life unbearable for you in this city.” Jenny said.

“I’m not interested in Ben right from the beginning. So I don’t care who ends up with him even if that person is you. He is a trashy guy and he definitely deserves a trashy girl like you as his life partner. Trust me, I will definitely help you.” Ann said.

“How dare you call my daughter names?” Elizabeth said and raised her hand to slap Ann again. 

Ann holds her hand to stop her from hitting her to the surprise of everyone including the workers that have been hiding behind the curtains eavesdropping on the family’s conversations. Anyone who has been in that house for a very long time will understand why that moment needs to be celebrated. 

Ann has never stood against her step mom and her sister ever since she was born. She was strong enough to defend herself but she has always allowed them to have the upper hand and has never reported their violence to her father nor stop them from bullying her. Elizabeth and her daughter were shocked to their bones. They never expected Ann to ever stand up for herself especially with Elizabeth.

“ I have had enough of you too and I’m not going to take it any longer. Today is the last time I will ever allow you to raise your filthy hands on me again. I will make sure you get what you want. You are going to marry Ben and if possible take your mom along with you when you’re leaving.” Ann said. She took her bag and went straight to her room. 

Jenny and her mom couldn’t believe what just happened. Did Ann really stand up against her? They both were so dumbstruck that they didn’t say anything and went to their rooms quietly.

She also couldn’t believe what just happened. She has always imagined herself standing up against her step mom and her sister but she never had the courage to do it.

“ So where did that courage come from? How did I do that?” Ann asked herself. 

A woman pushed the door open and went to hug Ann tightly.

“I’m so proud of you, my girl. Thank you so much. I’m so proud of you, my daughter”. Mary said, crying.

She had always wanted Ann to stand up for herself. Instead of suppressing her anger and allowing them to bully her,she wanted her to be strong and be able to defend herself.

Ann was proud of herself too. Unlike other days when she would endure all their insults and go to room to cry, she was happy as if she just achieved something big. She showered and went to bed smiling.