Chapter 108 A Substitute
Eden’s Point of View
“I spoke to your father, he called.” Theron blurted out as soon as our car moved, and I felt something in my chest tighten. I had completely forgotten that I had a father or a family. And now I wonder why he was talking to Theron. “They want to come to the house for a quick visit. It seems like he heard about what happened to me.”
“Um…” I wasn’t happy about it, but being too uptight would send the wrong information. Well, they are only coming to stay a few hours, not the entire night. “Okay.”
We barely got into the premises when my father’s car came in as well. Hugh, what horrible timing. I was hoping I could at least bathe in peace, change into comfortable clothes, and mentally prepare myself to receive them.
“Seems like he is here already,” Theron muttered as he got the door with his other hand, “Come, let’s go say hi to your family.”
He seemed excited if you would ask me, and I didn’t want to ruin whatever joy he had, so I smiled briefly at him, following him sheepishly.
“Good day, Mr. Everett,” Theron said with a stylish smile, and Father rushed towards him, his green eyes wide with surprise, as they scanned the sling on Theron’s right arm.
“Oh, my goodness…” He gasped. “That looks quite serious.”
“No, it’s just a light wound, and thanks to my beautiful wife, Eden.” His left arm encircles my waist, bringing me closer to his body, and I could see the disgust in my father’s eyes as he regarded me. “She took good care of me.”
Father was about to say something when I caught sight of his wife, Iris, her dark brown hair gleaming in the garden lights of the house, and on her right side was her daughter, the one who made bile rise to my throat, Evangeline.
My half-sister, but the radiance she usually carried was gone, her arms were folded across her chest, as she neared us.
I could tell there was something wrong with her.
“Good evening,” Iris greeted warmly. “I am sorry about what happened to you. I hope you are not in a lot of pain.”
“No, thank you for your concern.” Theron then glanced at me, his eyes asked if I wasn’t going to say anything, but I mean, what should I say? They were here for him.
“Hi,” Evangeline muttered as she reached her mother’s side again. She looked less confident and timid.
“Um, I remember you,” Theron muttered, his finger stroking his jaw. “You are the sister who ruined my wife’s wedding dress.”
“Haha, that was a mistake.” Father started before Evangeline could even speak. “Eden is very clumsy sometimes, and Evangeline just has bad timing.”
“I was there, I saw everything that happened, and it wasn’t just a mistake,” Theron argued, his eyebrows caving in his eyes.
Father and his wife then laughed nervously.
“They play a lot of pranks as children.” He lied again, because we did not.
“It seems like Eden still holds a grudge for the wine incident.” Evangeline started in a soft voice. “I am sorry, I didn’t mean for it to go that far.”
We both know she meant for it to go even farther than that.
“Let’s go inside.” I finally suggested, a fake smile forming on my face as I glanced at Theron. “It’s cold outside, don’t you think?”
The maids began to set the dinner table as soon as they noticed our presence. “I informed them of our visitors, so they prepared it before we came home.” He told me, and a small relief washed through me, which means this would be a quick visit.
“Thank you,” I answered back.
“Well, I have to go and change.” He spoke, finally letting go of my hands.
“Let me help.” I offered this time, only because I didn’t want to be alone with these hyenas.
“No, stay with your family, I can manage.” He shook his head.
“But I want to change too.” I reminded him.
“This is probably the only time you might have to talk personally.” He tells me gently, then kisses me softly on the lip. I went red and hot from embarrassment, wondering if they saw that, he smiled and then climbed up the stairs.
I stood there frozen as I watched him leave.
“Seems like you have a good relationship with your husband.” Father’s voice came from behind me as Theron went up the stairs.
“You can’t be so sure she is happy; look at all the marks on her face.” Evangeline’s venomous voice rang in my ears. “Tell us honestly, does he hit you?”
“Shut up.” Father snapped at her. “Just because I agree to help you doesn’t mean I have forgiven you for what you did.”
Wonders will never cease… Father and Evangeline are having a squabble.
“What do you want?” I asked in a bored tone. “I know you are not here because you care about Theron or me.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Father queried. “My precious son-in-law got shot, why wouldn’t I be worried about him?”
My eyes remained glued on his, expressing that I didn’t believe that, so he sighed.
“Evangeline has some problems, and no matter what, you are still her sister; you have to help her.”
“Half-sister,” I corrected, my eyes flickering towards Evangeline. “Isn’t that right?”
“It doesn’t matter; it doesn’t change the fact that my blood runs through both your veins.” Father snapped again. “Her boyfriend broke up with her, and not only that, but she fell victim to some scam and got swindled.”
Her boyfriend, Uriel? The ex-fiancé who cheated on me with her.
I laughed.
“Uriel left you?” I asked mockingly, and her eyes flickered away from mine. “You are not going to be some superstar actress anymore, are you?”
“You don’t have any right to mock her,” Father warned me. “This is something that could happen to anyone. Don’t be so cocky.”
“Yes, I do father. I have every right to mock her; she slept with a man that I was supposed to marry, she has always gotten everything she wanted, so why him?” My voice remained stable, despite being angry; I didn’t want to draw any form of attention to myself. “And I have no reason to help her.”
“You know the only reason you are married to Theron Adler is that I ran away,” Evangeline muttered. “You are nothing but a substitute for me.”