In-laws

I stared confused at the man supposed to be my father, his words once again shocking me.

Is he saying what I think he is? Eileen would marry my boyfriend while I get married to a crippled man in her stead?

“No!" I instantly refused, taking a step back while looking at the people supposed to be my family.

How could they expect me to do such a thing? Throw my life away and get married to a crippled instead.

“You're such a selfish child." Mrs Athanas spat, staring at me with loath.

“How do you expect your younger sister to get married to a crippled man. Do you want her to suffer?” She asked and everyone else in the room agreed with her, each person staring at me like I was wicked.

"But what about me? What about what I want-” I start to say but I was cut short by Eileen's cries.

“Mother, would I get married to a crippled?" She panicked, looking between both parents.

“Of course not. Your sister would get married in your place. You would get married to Gabriel like you wanted.” Mrs Athanas coaxed, reaching for Eileen tenderly.

"But father-" I turned to him, hoping to convince him to change his mind but the stern gaze he gave me killed the words in my throat.

“You would get married to him or else I would stop paying for Ayer's hospital bills." He threatened and my face blanched, fearing that he would go ahead with the threat.

Ayer is my younger brother and his son, how could he use such a method to threaten me?

“But father-" I broke out feeling hurt. Richard turned his face away when I looked at him, expecting him to take my side. His betrayal hurts more than anything.

How did I not see it? The way he smiled when she talked to him, the way she looked at him, the way they both acted around each other.

How did I not see that my boyfriend was having an affair with my sister?!

“Don't think about just yourself. How would your sister cope if she gets married to a crippled man without money? You know how to take care of yourself so you will manage. She is just a child. You understand right?" Mrs Athanas says, trying to coax me while Eileen stands by her back, a mocking smile on her lips.

“You lose." She mouthed to me, dragging one eyelid down with her finger.

Just a child? Is a twenty-year-old girl that's capable of stealing my boyfriend just a child?

Eileen is a year younger than I am and yet she's just a child?

“I expect you to get married to him. If you want your brother to receive his treatments that is.” Mr Athanas threatened and walked away, everyone else leaving me standing there unsure of what to do.

I dragged my feet out of the living room to the attic which served as my room.

It's just for a little while more. I just need to plan everything and I would take my brother away from here and leave.

The next morning came pretty quickly but I remained in my room, refusing to come out.

Someone knocked at my door and I raised my head, waiting for whoever it was to push the door open.

“Dad said you should get ready, we would be going to see brother-in-law.” Eileen pokes her head in, telling me in a small voice.

Brother-in-law? Is she talking about the crippled man I'm supposed to marry in her place?

One who doesn't know her would see her right now and think she's a flower.

I scowled at her but I didn't say anything for fear of her reporting to her parents.

“I know you don't have any new clothes, so if you want a dress then…” she trails off, looking away.

She wants me to beg her for a dress but that wouldn't happen.

“I'd be fine. And Eileen next time knock on the door before you open it, that's called manners.” I say coldly and her innocent look falls, being replaced by anger.

Stomping her feet, she slams the door shut.

Getting married to that man might not be a bad idea.

It didn't take me long to get ready and dress up, soon enough we were on our way.

Eileen was dressed in a white knee-length dress and sandals giving her an angelic look, a total contrast to how she was on the inside.

I was wearing one of my old clothes, a jeans trousers and a top paired with beatdown sneakers.

It wasn't good but it was my best. If I need to find a way to escape from this family, I have to make sure I get married. His being crippled makes things even easier for me and I wouldn't have to worry about him touching me.

Our car drove into their mansion and I saw Eileen looking around with her eyes sparkling.

I couldn’t deny that the Lexington mansion was way bigger than ours and they looked rich, but it was a pity that nothing was left for their son.

Was once a business mogul, cold and powerful. But now he has been cast aside because of his lack of sight and mobility, such a pity that he's just like me.

“Sister you're so lucky, you would be marrying into such a rich family. Wow." Eileen says in awe, staring out of the window.

I roll my eyes at her.

“You could get married to him if you want to? After all, I want the best for you." I say, earning glares from both the mother and daughter.

“No, no. Sister I can not possibly covet what is yours already. Wouldn't that be wrong?" Eileen asks me, blinking her eyes with innocence.

"And yet you stole my boyfriend."

“That's enough. I expect you to behave yourself while we are here." Mr Athanas shushes me instantly.

The butler stood outside the mansion, waiting for us. He led us into the house without saying anything, his back stiff while he walked.

“How much do you think that is worth?"Eileen asked me, looking at a golden vase that stood by the side.

“Don't steal anything again and pin it on me," I tell her with a straight face, ignoring her earlier question.

It happened when we were younger. Eileen stole a friend's bracelet and denied it, when she was caught she pinned it on me and of course, everyone believed her.

“Wait here while I call my master.” The butler offers us seats and walks away.

Mrs Athanas drinks in the entire room with a greedy gaze, both mother and daughter talking in hushed voices.

“Welcome." The strong voice of man booms, and I turn my attention to its source.

Mr Lexington, a sixty-two-year-old man walks in with powerful strides, his aura screaming authority.

I notice the person being wheeled in on a wheelchair and I suck in a breath.

The person in the wheelchair was very attractive and good-looking.

His grey eyes seemed unfocused as he stared off into nothing, proving that he was indeed blind, but that didn't make him any less attractive.

His jaw was sharp and looked like it could cut a diamond, his lips thin and pink and he had a five o'clock shadow on his face.

His jet-black hair looked damp as a few drops of water rolled down his face, showing that he probably just finished showering.

Even though he was unable to move, he still looked muscular and fit.

“Are you done checking me out?" He asks completely surprising me.

His face turned in my direction and for a moment I could have sworn he was staring right at me.