HARPER
Not again.
The door flew open before I could reach for it, and my father marched inside. His eyes slid down the length of my body, and upward, and the disgust in them was apparent.
"Where did you go last night?"
"Clara's," I replied without hesitation.
They knew Clara was one of the few friends I had. Also, she was the only person I often visited. Clara would certainly vouch for me even if it'd take her to lie to cover up. But after what happened last night, I couldn't even tell if she was well. I had forgotten to ask Dominic what happened with her and if she had been able to get home safely.
A sharp crack sounded in the room, pulling me out of my thoughts, and my cheek stung from the blow I had received. I clutched it, staring at my father with wide, unblinking eyes, fast gathering with tears.
"Camilla!" He barked, seething.
"Yes, Daddy!" Camilla answered in a nasal tone that made me want to throw up. I watched as she stepped into the room holding a paper in her hand. She handed it to him, who flung it at my face.
The paper fell, and I gazed down with blurred vision. My lips quivered as a picture of me in a bathrobe and Dominic's jacket was plastered on the first page of the news with a caption:
Wilson's Illegitimate Heiress Caught Leaving Useless Fletcher Uncle's Apartment at Dawn — Scandal Deepens After Broken Engagement.
"How could you?!" My father growled. "How could you disgrace the family in this manner?"
"That's not what happened," I murmured, my lower lip trembling.
"And you have the nerve to lie to me about your whereabouts when you were sleeping with that bastard!"
"I didn't do anything with him." I met my father's gaze, blinking back tears. "Why don't you believe me?"
"Oh!" Camilla butt in, coming to stand behind her father, she showed him something on her phone, her face pinched in a frown as she stared at me. "You're going viral on TikTok, Harper."
"From Fiancée to Mistress? Harper Wilson Spotted Sneaking Out of Her Ex's Uncle's Apartment in his bathrobe"
"She's such a snake and a slut! How can she do that to spite the beautiful Camilla Wilson and ruin her reputation?" She read out, her voice filled with pity.
Seriously? Was she really going to pretend she didn't do any of this? I should have smacked her phone when I had the chance to. At least a punishment for destroying the precious daughter's things would be better than this.
"Oh my god!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she hurried inside.
Great. The whole family is here. You aren't lucky after all, Harper.
"Did you see the news?" She asked my father, her face pale. Then, she directed her vicious gaze towards me. "You…!"
As she moved in to slap me, I dodged it, taking a step backward. Elizabeth stumbled, and her body shook with rage.
"How can you stand and watch her, honey? She already ruined my daughter's social standing. She's going to ruin our connection with Fletcher and yet, you stand to watch her!" Elizabeth burst out in anger.
"I won't forgive this. I can't watch this devil's spawn destroy my only child and get away with it!" She spat, striding towards me and clutched me by the arm. She dragged me out of my room and into the living room, then shoved me to the ground. I grazed the smooth marbled floor, wincing as I heard a crack. But no one cared. They only cared about Camilla's name being in the news for no good reason because of me.
"How much did that bastard pay you to do this?" Elizabeth demanded. "First, you kissed him, and good for you; everyone knows you're related to Camilla. Then you went further to do the most by jumping into his bug-ridden bed at every little opportunity you got!"
"I did nothing!" I yelled, hot tears burning in my eyes again. "I did nothing you all are accusing me of. Why won't you just ask me questions instead of making a conclusion? Believing what just anyone says."
I sniffed hard, wiping angrily at my cheek as a single tear dropped. My voice shook, yet firm as I spoke. "Tell me, is it a crime to be illegitimate? Did I ask to be born? What's with the hate when all I ever did was try to prove myself because none of you would ever approve of me…"
My father's hand raised, connecting with my cheek. A high-pitched noise echoed, and I watched my father with wide eyes as he spoke. But I couldn't hear a word he said. Tears slid down my cheeks slowly while my hand raised to my numb cheek.
I couldn't hear a word he was saying. I wish to remain this way forever. At least, I wouldn't have to listen to a word that was said about me: the harsh words, the lies, the manipulation. However, I'd be sad about not hearing Clara speak. It was for the best.
I fell back on my butt, staring at the ground. Tears fell from my eyes to the ground, and I clenched my hands into fists. Unfortunately, my deafness was temporary, and the first thing I heard was Camilla's irritating voice and disgusting sympathy.
"I know she didn't mean to talk to mother that way. Also, Harper has been really supportive today towards my relationship with Owen. I don't know why people would write such mean things about her. I am going to defend her." Camilla vowed.
"See? She's the perfect daughter. I always say this, and it's a good thing, I gave birth to her." Elizabeth gloated, pulling Camilla into her embrace while she glared at me.
"I don't need you to defend me because I did nothing," I murmured, looking up to see Camilla's eyes narrowed on mine. When no one was watching, she smiled, and when my father turned to her, she pouted and shed a crocodile tear.
"I'm only trying to be your sister, Harper. You don't have to be mean with your words." Camilla whimpered.
"I'm not surprised." Elizabeth harumphed. "You spoiled her so much that she forgot her place!"
"Apologise to your mother and sister right now for your rudeness." My father thundered.
I'd sooner let myself be choked with Dominic Fletcher's dick than say those words out. Okay, I didn't mean that.
I pushed myself up from the floor and dusted my hands on my dress. I was tired of being treated like a sinner. I was tired of watching Camilla lie and get away with it. I was going to tell them exactly what I thought. The consequences? Fuck it. They'd done far worse and got away with it. Could I fight them afterwards? Maybe not. But would it feel good? Absolutely. There was no going back.
I let out a short, humourless laugh.
"Why do I have to apologise to Camilla? If I truly offended her, of course, I'd gladly do as you said. But I didn't. Besides, I am no longer a child. I am twenty-four for Godssake…"
My father cut me off, his voice cold and rumbled. "If you want to act all high and mighty, then do that in your house and not under my roof. My house, my rule. I'll fix this mistake, and it should be the last time you get seen around Dominic Fletcher, else I shall make a drastic decision that isn't favorable to any of us, and that is—"
A knock sounded on the door, getting our attention, and we turned to it as the door opened.