Happy family

The next morning, a heavy silence hung over us in my room. The air was thick with tension as we waited for the next move in our family's twisted story.

Suddenly, my mother broke the silence, and spoke with a solemn tone, "Anita, I need to know about this wedding. Are you really married? Did you really marry the man that your father arranged for your sister? Since he is a killer, how were you able to survive, and what exactly happened?"

Angela's eyes darted toward me, a silent plea for guidance. The weight of the question settled on my shoulders as I hesitated for a moment, grappling with the decision to reveal the truth or continue the fake story. I love my mother, there was no doubt about that, but I just didn't know if I could trust her, because no matter what Father is still her husband, and she won't want to leave him so easily."

So with a sad heart, I decided to lie.

"Yes, Mom, I'm married, and indeed he is a killer!" I replied, suppressing the urge to confess, and my heart sank with the weight of the lie.

Angela shot me a disapproving look, but I avoided her gaze, afraid of what it might reveal. I guess she wants me to come out clean before our mother, but, I just can't do that. It's a mission impossible.

My mother's eyes searched mine for confirmation, and for a moment, I felt a pang of guilt.

We both stared at one another for a while and then, she smiled happily.

"How did you meet this man? Tell me everything," She inquired, her curiosity heightened.

I took a deep breath, weaving a fabricated tale to satisfy her curiosity.

"It was a chance encounter at the hotel room I booked when I ran away from the house.

It wasn't anything planned, just a random encounter. He kinda saved me from a tricky situation, and we started talking.

Turns out, he is into martial arts.

He shared how he finds inspiration in everyday things. It was cool, you know?

The hotel room had this cozy vibe, and our chat felt like catching up with an old friend.

There was only one room left, so we both agreed to share the room. We laughed and talked about our dreams.

He seemed genuinely interested in my life.

You see, one thing led to another, and we fell in love."

Angela, not accustomed to such elaborate lies, shifted uncomfortably, but I pressed on with the story, constructing a narrative that grew more interesting with each passing detail.

Crystal listened attentively, hanging on to every single word. "Love is a beautiful thing," she sighed, seemingly touched by the romanticized version of our imagined meeting.

"If only your father loved me," Mother said, Angela quickly ran to her side and hugged her tightly.

"You know? I mean, you definitely won't know.

But, your father and I were once a very happy couple. But in search of quick wealth, he became friends with the wrong set of people, and it ruined our marriage!" Mother explained as Angela comforted her.

Angela exchanged threatening

glares with me because I continued the story.

"That's enough story, can't you see how emotional Mother is?" She yelled at me, and I furrowed my brows, feigning Innocence.

My mother, now fully invested in the romantic drama, exclaimed, "Anita, don't mind your sister, continue your story.

The only thing is that I feel really bad for not attending your wedding.

I mean, I had no idea. Why didn't you tell me about this before? I feel terrible for not being there for your special day."

"If I had told you then, would you have listened to me? Would you have come?" I asked with a pure intentions. But my words hit my mother on her sensitive side.

Guilt gnawed at me, but I maintained my fake expression, responding, "Anyways Mom, it all happened so quickly. I didn't want to burden you with the wedding preparations."

Crystal's eyes softened with regret. "I should have been there for you, Anita. Please forgive me, I am sorry for my painful words and bad behaviors."

"You know, my wedding with him is officially over since he wanted to cheat on me, " I announced to my mom, and she nodded in agreement.

"But, what do you think drove him to that extent? Why do you think he wanted to remarry? Are you guys divorced?" Mother asked with an innocent mind, and Angela coughed nervously. She was starting to feel really uncomfortable because of the lies.

"I think it's because I left his house without informing him," I replied with a grimace, and my mother sighed sadly.

"You should have informed him ahead, some men just like to be worshiped.

Anyways, a man who would do such a thing is not worthy of your love, nor does he deserve to be called our family member, or, live with us in our house," Mother said like an elderly woman, and I nodded in agreement.

"You are right mom, I was more surprised when my brother-in-law denied ever knowing me!" I continued, and Angela stood up.

"That's enough story for one day, mother should be resting by now!" She replied curtly, and I couldn't blame her for her behavior.

Angela hates it when you play on another's personal intelligence, she calls it cheating/fraud.

"Angela, what is wrong with you today? Why are you so jumpy!?" Mother asked with a low voice, a smile on her face, and Angela hissed.

"I am jealous mummy, Anita is married while I am not," she lied, pouted her mouth, and pretended to be angry.

"Divorce, she is divorced," Mother replied with a childish voice, and we all burst into laughter.

As we were discussing, Melody entered the room quickly holding a tray of fruits and snacks. "Sorry to interrupt, but I thought you might like some snacks," she said, her eyes reflecting concern.

"Thank you, Melody. You're always considerate," Mother acknowledged with a warm smile, and they both hugged.

Melody smiled and ran to hug Angela, she pecked her cheeks, and then, she came to my side to hug me, after our hug, she sat down beside me and whispered into my ears.

"Don't blame me, but I have been listening to your conversation, and I noticed the eyes Angela has been giving you. Sister Anita, you are lying to mummy, ain't you?" She asked, and my jaws nearly dropped.

But I can't blame her, she is the baby of the house, and she likes to know everything.

"Sister Anita, are you sure about all of this? I can see the struggle in Angela's eyes. Is it the right thing to do?" Her concern was evident in her eyes.

I responded with a hushed voice, "Melody, we're trying to protect Mother. There are things she's better off not knowing, at least for now. Trust me, it's for her own good."

Melody nodded reluctantly, still having her concerns, and I promised to tell her later.

Mother noticed that we were whispering to one another, and she shook her head at us.

"What are you guys talking about? Why not tell us about it?" She asked, and Angela agreed with a smile.

………..

As we were laughing and discussing, Father was in the lair of an assassin lord, planning…..