Chapter 43

Chapter 43
My mother's voice broke the silence, her tone hurt but measured. "Avery, sorry Lilith I understand you're angry with me, and I don't blame you. But that's no way to talk to your mother. I deserve more respect than that."

I felt a twinge of guilt at her words, knowing she was right. I had spoken to her in a way that was unacceptable, no matter how angry I was.

Xavier's hand on my leg tightened slightly, as if urging me to calm down, to think before speaking.

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "It's not my fault. You made me like this."

My mother's expression softened, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. "Lilith, I know I haven't always been the mother I should be. But that doesn't mean I don't love you, or that I don't want what's best for you."

I nodded, knowing she's talking rubbish at this point. My mom is the worst mother any person would ever have. It's better to be an orphan than to have these people as a family.

"I'm tired of being used by this family," I said, my voice shaking with emotion. "Tired of being sacrificed for your ambitions, Father. Tired of being ignored and dismissed, Mother. Xavier and I deserve better than that."

My father's face darkened, and he stood up, his movements swift and decisive. "That's enough, Avery. You're going to calm down and talk about this like an adult."

He took my arm, his grip firm but not ungentle, and led me out of the room, Xavier's concerned eyes following us. My mother trailed behind, her face a mask of worry.

We went upstairs, my father leading me to my old bedroom, the one I hadn't slept in since I moved out. He shut the door behind us, the sound echoing through the room.

"Sit down, Avery," he said, his voice firm but controlled.

I sat, my heart racing, my mind reeling with emotions. My mother sat beside me, her hand reaching out to mine, but I pulled away.

"Don't touch me," I said, my voice cold. "You've never been there for me, so don't pretend like you care now."

My father's face darkened, but he said nothing, just stood there, his eyes blazing with anger and disappointment.

"Shut up, Avery," my father spat, his face red with anger. "We shouldn't be discussing our family's matters in front of Xavier. It's none of his business."

I laughed, a bitter sound. "Oh, but it's okay to ask him for money to fund your stupid campaign? It's okay to ask him to join the campaign and pretend like he's part of this family?"

My mother's eyes widened, and she placed a hand on my father's arm, as if trying to calm him down.

"Avery, that's not fair. He's your husband so he's now part of the family and he should help your father." she said. "We're just trying to-"

But I cut her off, my anger boiling over. "No, Mother, it's not fair. It's not fair that you and Father only care about me when it's convenient for you. It's not fair that you use Xavier and me for your own gain."

My father's face turned purple with rage, and he took a step closer to me. "How dare you," he growled.

But I stood my ground, my heart beating in my chest. "I dare because I'm tired of being used. I'm tired of being ignored. And I'm tired of being treated like I'm nothing more than a pawn in your game."

My mother reached out to touch my arm, a conciliatory gesture, but I jerked away, not wanting her comfort. "Don't touch me, Mother," I said, my voice cold.

My father sighed, his expression a mixture of frustration and superiority. "Avery, you ungrateful child," he said, shaking his head. "I'm the reason you're rich, the reason you have everything you've ever wanted. I'm the reason you're married to the richest family in the world."

He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. "You think you'd be where you are today without me? Without my influence, my connections? You think Xavier would have even looked at you twice if you weren't my daughter?"

I felt a surge of anger at his words, but I kept my cool, my voice even. "Maybe not, Father. But that doesn't give you the right to control my life, to use me for your own gain. I'm not a pawn in your game, no matter how much you want me to be."

My father sneered, his lip curling up. "You're just like your mother, always so ungrateful. I've given you everything, and this is how you repay me? By disobeying me, by embarrassing me in front of Xavier?" 
I expected my mother to say something at this point but she didn't as usual and I scoffed.

I stood up, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'm not going to stand here and listen to this anymore. I'm done being your puppet, Father. I'm done being used."

My father's face turned red with rage, his voice rising. "Apologize to me, Avery! Beg for my forgiveness! And make sure Xavier joins my campaign, or so help me..."

I laughed, a cold, hard sound. "No, Father. I won't apologize. I won't beg. And Xavier will never join your campaign."

My father's face turned purple, his eyes bulging. "You'll do as I say, Avery! You'll do as I say, or you'll suffer the consequences!"

I stood up, my heart pounding in my chest, and yelled at the top of my lungs. "I'M NOT GOING TO DO AS YOU SAY, FATHER! I'M NOT GOING TO BE YOUR PAWN ANYMORE! YOU MADE ME MARRY INTO THE PRESLY FAMILY AND THAT'S THE REASON I'M ALWAYS FRUSTRATED, THE REASON I'M ALWAYS ANGRY! THE REASON I FEEL LIKE I'M LOSING MY MIND!"

Just as I finished yelling, the door burst open and Xavier strode in, his face concerned. "Babe, what's going on?"

My father turned on him, his face twisted with rage. "Get out, Xavier! This doesn't concern you!"

But Xavier stood his ground, his eyes flashing with anger. "I think it does concern me, father. Lilith's my wife, and I heard her yell."

I felt a surge of love and gratitude towards Xavier, and I knew in that moment that I would never let my father come between us again.

Xavier's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched as he listened to my father's tirade. When my father finally stopped yelling, Xavier turned to me, his voice low and even. "Babe, did I frustrate you? Am I the reason you were always angry? Am I that hard to live with?"

I tried to cajole him, to downplay the situation. "No, Xavier, it's not you, it's my father."

But Xavier's eyes saw right through me. He knew I was lying. "No, babe, it's not okay. I heard everything. You said the Presley family is the reason why you're frustrated."

My father sneered at Xavier. "You'll do as I say, Xavier. You'll join my campaign and support my campaign."

Xavier's face went cold, his voice icy. "I'll never join your company, father. And I'll never support your campaign. Not after what I've seen today."

And with that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me feeling shocked and scared. I knew I had to follow him, to try and make things right. But as I turned to leave, my father's words stopped me.

"Avery, if you walk out that door, don't come back."

I hesitated for a moment, but then I knew what I had to do. I followed Xavier out of the room, out of the house, and away from my father's toxic influence.

I caught up to Xavier in the driveway, grabbing his arm to stop him. "Xavier, wait. You don't frustrate me. I'm serious."

Xavier scoffed, his eyes flashing with anger. "Don't lie to me, babe. I heard everything. I heard everything you said."

I felt a surge of emotion, knowing that Xavier had heard the whole conversation. "Xavier, I'm sorry. I didn't want you to hear that."

But Xavier just shook his head. "I should be sorry. Sorry for putting up with him for so long. Sorry for letting him treat you like that. I'm also sorry for making you frustrated."

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I looked at Xavier. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "But most of all, I'm sorry for not realizing how much I love you until now."

Xavier's expression softened, his eyes filling with emotion. "Lilith..."

I poured my heart out to him, my voice shaking with emotion. "I love you, Xavier. I love you for standing up to my father, for supporting me, for being my rock. I love you for being you."

Xavier's face crumpled, and he pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. "I love you too, my love. And I'll never let anyone hurt you again."

As Xavier and I were about to leave, my father appeared out of nowhere, his face a mask of false contrition. "Lilith, Xavier, wait. I'm sorry about what happened earlier. I let my emotions get the better of me."

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical of his sudden apology. Xavier's arms tightened around me, a silent show of support.

My father's eyes flicked to Xavier, his expression turning calculating. "Xavier, remember what we discussed earlier. I expect to see you at my campaign soon. You're a vital part of our team."

I made an irritated face, rolling my eyes. "Seriously, Father? You're still thinking about your campaign after what just happened?"

Xavier's voice was firm. "Father, I've already told you. I won't be joining your campaign."

My father's face darkened, but he quickly recovered, his smile faltering for only a moment. "We'll see about that, Xavier. Lilith, come back soon. We need to discuss your role in the campaign."

I shook my head, incredulous. "I have no role in your campaign, Father. And even if I did, I wouldn't participate after what I've seen today."

As we turned to leave, my father's face contorted in a mixture of anger and desperation. He grabbed Xavier's arm, holding him in place. "Xavier, wait. I apologize for my behavior earlier. I was out of line."

Xavier's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. "Let me go, father."

But my father held tight. "No, Xavier. Listen to me. I promise I will never hurt your Lilith again. I swear it on my honor as her father."

Xavier's expression softened slightly at the mention of my nickname, and he seemed to calm down. "It's fine, father. Just let me go."

My father released Xavier's arm, his eyes pleading for forgiveness. "Thank you, Xavier. I promise to make it up to you both."

I didn't believe him for a second, but Xavier seemed to accept his apology. I wasn't going to stick around to find out, though. "Xavier, let's go. Get in the car."

Xavier nodded, and we both turned to leave. My father called out after us, but I ignored him. We zoomed off down the driveway, leaving my father's empty apologies and manipulations behind.

As we drove away, I felt a sense of freedom wash over me. I was finally escaping my father's toxic influence, and I had Xavier by my side. I reached over and took his hand, squeezing it tightly. "Thank you for standing up to him," I said, my voice filled with emotion.

Xavier smiled and squeezed my hand back. "Always, Lilith. I'll always stand up for you."

As we drove away from my father's estate, my phone started to ring. I glanced down at the screen and saw Marco's name flashing. I rolled my eyes and ignored it, not wanting to deal with his drama right now.

But Marco didn't give up. He kept calling, each ring piercing the silence in the car. Xavier raised an eyebrow, concerned. "Love, maybe you should answer it."

I shook my head, feeling a knot form in my stomach. "No, it's someone i don't want to talk to right now."

But Marco persisted, calling again and again. I sighed and turned off my phone, not wanting to deal with his constant ringing. Xavier put a reassuring hand on my knee. "Don't worry, babe."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I was finally free from my father's toxic influence, and I had Xavier by my side. I didn't need Marco's drama right now. But as we drove further away, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Marco's calls were only the beginning of a new set of problems.