Heather parked her car outside the grand estate. The Remington resident had never felt more distant for her. This place has never been her home. Even if she was born here and has grown here, she has never considered this place home.
She checked her face through the rearview. Her eyes were a bit red and swollen, people would definitely notice this. She sighed as she stepped out of the car. Heather was about to walk away when she saw her step mother greeting a few guest as they arrived.
As she moved forward, Evelyn's gaze shifted to her and the older woman frowned immediately. Evelyn's face contoured into disgust the moment she saw Heather.
"This stupid girl is the last person I want to see," her stepmother said with irritation. "Some people just don't belong here, do they?" She said, laughing.
Why did this woman's laugh sound like a hyena's?
Heather turned to her, but she didn't respond. She walked past her stepmother without a word.
"No manners, as always," the woman muttered loudly enough for Heather to hear.
Heather didn't even know who that was. Apparently, her stepmonster has been filling the woman up about her. She walked towards the entrance of the resident.
As she stepped into the room, her heel caught on the edge of the carpet, sending her stumbling forward. She grabbed onto a nearby table to steady herself, but not before knocking over a tray of hors d'oeuvres.
The clatter silenced the room, and all eyes turned to her. Including him.
Caius stared at his wife with a frown, and like everyone there, he just stared at her. Heather glanced at him, hoping he would show mercy and come to her rescue, but he did none of that. A few stifled laughs echoed, and Heather's cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Her father approached her. His expression was that of annoyance and concern. "Heather, why are you late?" he asked.
She didn't want to tell him she had been crying in Caius's office. "I... I was..." Heather stuttered, unable to come up with a convincing lie.
"And why didn't you come with Caius?" her father interrupted, his eyes narrowing.
Before she could respond, Caius's voice cut through the tension. "I didn't want you to find out like this," he said, stepping forward. "We're getting a divorce."
The room fell silent again, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Her father's face twisted in shock. "A divorce? Before I even get grandchildren?" he exclaimed. "What happened?"
"Things are just not working out."
Mr. Lionel was silent for a while. "I know Heather is stubborn, but Caius, give her another chance."
Caius shaked his head.
"No one else will want her. Anyone who does would only give her a ring to buy her and steal it later."
Laughter erupted from the guests. Lauren's laugh was ringing the loudest in her ear.
She had her mother's laugh.
Heather felt the humiliation seep into her bones, she felt like vanishing. But she couldn't do anything about it. It was hurting that most of that wasn't true, but she couldn't say anything. The inability to speak up for herself, or have anyone do it for her was even more devastating.The laughter turned into mockery. Everyone present looking down on her. The feeling of embarrassment seemed to pave way for sadness. Her eyes felt heavy. She blinked, holding it in.