Chapter 4

"Elara Harrington, congratulations on your outstanding achievement!"

I was lost in thought about the previous night, oblivious to my name being called out. My mind was still consumed by the conversation my mother had with Maxwell, and it pained me not knowing the details.

Last night's security check around the compound had made me rush back to my room. If I hadn't hurried to my room with my nightclothes in hand, we would have been exposed. So, I didn't get to hear the entire conversation my mother had with my stepbrother about me.

"Elara Harrington!" I was called again.

Bianca tapped me and yelled, "Elara!"

That's when I snapped back to reality. Looking around, everyone was clapping. I quickly stood up with a smile as I rushed up to collect my diploma. My stepfather, my stepmother, and my mother joined me on stage.

After receiving my diploma, I was about to step down when Bianca whispered, "Let's stay for a family photo."

I sighed; Bianca loved being in the spotlight. We all stayed on stage, and I stood beside Maxwell, yearning to kiss him right then.

The photographer instructed, "Move closer." Maxwell closed the gap, his hands on my shoulders, making my heart flutter. I struggled to keep my composure, wishing his hands could explore my body at that moment.

Once the pictures were done, we descended from the stage. "Congratulations, baby girl," my stepfather said, giving me a hug.

I responded with a smile, "Thanks, Dad."

Maxwell smiled and congratulated me too. As he hugged me, I whispered, "When are we leaving?"

He remained silent, letting go of me. The next thing I heard was, "Hunter darling!"

I turned back only to see Hunter Morgan standing right behind me with a bouquet of flowers in his hands – definitely my mother's doing.

Glancing at Maxwell, he awkwardly stepped aside as Hunter approached me, saying, "Congratulations, love."

I forced a smile, and my mother chimed in, "Thanks for making it, darling. She was starting to ask if you wouldn't show up."

I shot my mother an annoyed gaze, and she smiled back, saying, "Right, darling?" Playing along was necessary, at least until Maxwell and I could elope.

My stepfather turned to Hunter, asking about his father's well-being, to which Hunter replied, "He's very well, sir. I wouldn't miss this day for anything."

Then, he turned to Maxwell, remarking, "Your sister is just perfect, isn't she?"

I cleared my throat, sensing Maxwell's discomfort, but he smiled and said, "Of course."

My mother suggested to Hunter, "Why don't you both take a picture? Everyone is looking at you." It made sense; after all, Hunter Morgan was a successful businessman and every woman's dream. Just not mine.

Hunter agreed, turning to me and saying, "Who wouldn't want to take a picture with the most beautiful girl here?"

I forced a smile and shot a side glance at Maxwell.

As Hunter tightened his grip on my waist, Maxwell abruptly left the scene.

I gently removed Hunter's hand from my waist to pursue him. Just as I was about to leave, I said, "I need to—"

But Hunter pulled me back, insisting, "I have something for you."

Glancing around and noticing people were staring, I whispered, "People are watching; I really need to go." But he wouldn't let go.

Right in front of me, Hunter Morgan knelt, and everyone began to scream. What was happening?

Hunter said, "You're very special, Elara. The first day I knew you were my friend's sister, I couldn't let you go."

Bianca screamed, "Oh my God, oh my God!" Like this wasn't what she wanted.

I stood there, stunned and speechless. Of all places to do this, he chose public? Where I couldn't say no?

Mr. Jaxon stood there smiling, thinking this was what I wanted, but hell no! It was all Bianca's dream, definitely not mine!

Maxwell returned, drawn by the cheering crowd.

Hunter continued, producing a diamond ring, "Elara Harrington, I thought of a better present for this special day and found none because you're already special. So I thought, why not make you my wife, give you all the love you deserve, and make you feel even more special."

It was his arrogance for me. Who told him becoming Mrs. Hunter Morgan would make me feel more special?

My heart raced as I didn't know what to do. Maxwell's gaze felt heavy from afar. We had planned to elope right after my graduation to escape judgment and love freely, as my love for him was a secret I couldn't reveal to everyone.

"Marry me, Elara Harrington," Hunter Morgan's voice echoed through the cheers of the crowd.

My mum's words followed, "What are you waiting for, darling? It's all you've ever wanted."

My mum was the devil. I wouldn't be surprised if she hastened my father's death since we were already broke so she could quickly find herself a rich husband.

She had me right in her palms. If she dared expose the truth about the gardener, I would go to jail, and I was sure Maxwell would hate me for the rest of my life because I was a murderer.

I felt torn. Was I letting go of the love of my life? Why hadn't Maxwell brought up the elopement plan earlier?

I turned to look at Hunter, who held my hands, urging, "Say yes, darling."

Then I glanced at Maxwell, who nodded gently. All he wanted was for me to say no. But I couldn't. I looked at my mum, her face turning red with anger.

Saying no would mean embarrassment for both families and, more importantly, risk sending me to jail.

Mr. Jaxon noticed my hesitation, asking, "Are you okay, Elara?" Panic set in for my mum; becoming family with the Morgans would be a massive cash out for her.

Stammering, she said, "Of... of course, she's... she's fine." I turned away from Maxwell, closing my eyes to hide the tears.

I faced Hunter Morgan and reluctantly uttered, "Yes. Yes, I do."

As Hunter Morgan stood up, he planted a kiss on my lips, and I gulped, feeling the strangeness of it all. The only kiss I knew was those I shared with my stepbrother, Maxwell.

Once Hunter released me, I turned around anxiously, but Maxwell was nowhere to be found.

The crowd kept on cheering for us, and my mum hurried to give me a hug, whispering in my ears, "I'm doing all this for you, honey, for us."

Yet, Bianca's selfish interests were driving her actions, not concern for me or our family.

Mr. Jaxon approached, offering his congratulations, "Congrats, love. I didn't know you were so into Hunter."

I mustered a smile, but he sensed something was amiss. Observing my lack of joy, he asked, "Are you okay, dear?" Jaxon Harrington cared about me more than my own mother.

I managed a nod, but he noticed my watery eyes, prompting him to inquire, "What's wrong, Elara?"

My mum quickly interjected, "Oh, honey, she's extremely happy. Imagine graduating with a first class and getting engaged to Hunter Morgan right on the spot. Who wouldn't be happy?"

I forced another smile and replied, "Yes, yes, Dad. I…I....I just wasn't expecting it so soon."

Mr. Jaxon smiled back, turning to Hunter, "Welcome to the family, son."

He turned around and noticed Maxwell was missing. He asked me, "Have you seen your brother?"

I stammered, "M-my Maxwell? No." Bianca chimed in, "He's probably around, maybe looking for Evelyn. It's high time he settled down too."

I cleared my throat, standing there with a sinking feeling. I couldn't understand why my mum kept pushing Evelyn onto my stepbrother, almost as if she wanted everyone out of the picture.

Mr. Jaxon noted, "It's unlike him not to be here on this special day. I thought you guys were now getting along."

I choked, the mention of Maxwell catching me off guard.

Hunter asked, "Are you okay, love?" I nodded, regaining composure.

Nodding, I assured Mr. Jaxon, "Maybe he's just around." Jaxon agreed, "Let it not ruin your day, love. I'll go get him."

I interjected, "No, Dad." He looked at me, and I continued, "Let…. Let me go look for him."

Turning to Hunter, I said, "I'll be right back." As I was about to leave, he held me and said, "Not a kiss?"

I sighed, we weren't even married yet, and he was already suffocating.

Giving in, I went back and kissed him on the lips. My mum blushed and exclaimed, "Aww, so sweet." It was exactly what she wanted for the paparazzi.

I hurried to the back, looking for Maxwell. I called out, "Maxwell!" Not even sure of where he could be of his whereabouts, I wondered if he had has left the place already. Exhausted and weak, I just wished for this day to be over. I have had enough surprises for one day.

Then, I saw him heading toward his car from a distance. I yelled and chased after him, "Maxwell! Maxwell!"

He ignored me, making me shout again. This time, he stopped and turned to face me, shouting, "Why the hell are you chasing after me? What’s wrong with you?"

I halted, panting, feeling an unexplainable sense of strangeness.

"I said, hold on, Maxwell, please," I pleaded. Maxwell yelled, "Hold on for what? Anyway, congrats, sister."

"Sister?" I said, felling shocked, the word "sister" sounded weird in my ears.

Maxwell retorted, "Isn't that what you are?"

I countered, "I'm your step-sister, Maxwell, I see you as my love and happiness not as my brother."

He angrily yelled, "Oh, don't give me that crap. Aren't you engaged to Hunter Morgan?"

I stammered, trying to find the words, "I...I..."

"I thought you loved me!" He cut me off instantly. "Didn't we agree to elope together?"

I cried, "Maxwell... I can swear to you on my life. I never knew any of this was going to happen today. My mum had all it planned and….."

 He dismissed me, saying, "Cut it off, step-sister," waving his hand as he headed to his car.

I desperately called out, "Maxwell! Maxwell! Please don’t leave me with that son of a bitch."

But he didn't listen. I was so weak and tired and my legs were hurting, making it difficult to chase after him. I bent my head, trying to take my shoes off so I can run faster and meet him, but upon raising my head, he has already zoomed off.

I felt a part of me leaving even as I watched him drive out of the hall premises.

The restroom was nearby, so I rushed in to wash my face. Turning on the tap, I poured cool water over my face. It was soothing, yet the weakness I felt persisted. My heart ached – I had just lost the love of my life, the only guy I truly loved.

I looked at myself in the mirror and I suddenly felt the urge to throw up. I began to wonder why I felt so much discomfort. I had only eaten pancakes that morning, which were my favorite.

All of a sudden, I froze as I muttered to myself, "Wait, wait..." Checking the calendar on my phone, I discovered it was the 23rd, nearing the end of the month, and I hadn't seen my period.

I muttered to myself with my eyes wide open, "Could I...?"

Then, it hit me. I yelled in shock, "FUCK!"