Chapter 10: Where’s my mother?

"You know exactly what I want. Come to the house, I’ll be waiting for you."

The call dropped before she could say something else.

June’s fist tightened around the phone. She felt her anger rising, but beneath it was also hope.

Hope she had lost completely.

Hope for a family that Rauf had temporarily given her, only for him to snatch it away cruelly.

It couldn’t truly be. Could it be?

Her father was a cruel man and would do or say anything to achieve his goal.

Yet, she looked at Ellie, who hadn’t uttered a word. "Can you please give me a dress? I left all of mine at Rauf’s."

Ellie blinked. "You’re not seriously going back."

June inhaled. "Ellie, I need to know. I need to know if my mother is truly alive or not. I can’t move on without knowing."

Speechless, Ellie stared at her.

She had watched June grow without anyone in her corner. Every special day had always been dedicated to Amie.

June had mourned her mother every single day of her life, and Ellie wouldn’t say she knew exactly how she felt.

Because she had absolutely no idea.

"Fine." She sighed, opening her box and pulling out two dresses before she closed it back. "But you’re not going alone."

June shook her head.

"No," June responded. "Don’t be deceived by my father’s outer appearance. He’s still a mafia. He can make people disappear if he wants to."

Ellie chuckled, already changing into the dress as if whatever June was speaking about had nothing to do with her. "And you want me to leave you alone while you go meet that sort of man?"

"He’s my father."

"June, he’s a man who cares nothing about you. He stripped you of all you care about and handed it over to his golden daughter. He’s not your father."

If June were to look at it from that point of view, she had a point. "He’s not going to hurt me. He wants something only I can give."

"And I don’t care about that. Even if I am not allowed to step into his house, I will be close by. If anything happens, don’t hesitate to call me."

June smiled. "Thank you, Ellie. You’re the best."

She meant to hug Ellie, but the other pushed her away before she could get any closer. "Now, come on. You know we plan to leave for New Central State today. And we have a job to resume."

Again, June smiled at her. "Thanks."

The ride to Trevor’s house was shorter than June had imagined. She dreaded getting down from the car and facing her father.

But she knew she had to do this.

She had to do it for her sanity. And also for her unborn baby.

It wouldn’t be just her alone against the world. If her mother were truly alive, she would be right by her side too.

Ellie remained in the car as June got down.

"Remember, if they try to hurt you in any way, dial my number immediately."

June wanted to smile, but all she gave was a small nod. "I promise to."

Her father’s house was just as she remembered.

In her five years of being married to Rauf, she never came back.

Not even once.

She had made Rauf’s mansion her home, and she had no one to miss in the house.

She stood at the gate, and her father’s guard opened the door immediately.

Looking back at the home she had grown up in, it felt like an asylum she had escaped. Only to walk back into it herself.

Not wanting to spend another minute more than necessary, she moved towards the living room.

Her father, her stepmother, and Amie were seated, waiting as if she were a show they couldn’t wait to watch.

Amie.

When did she get back?

Amie waved at her casually, as if they were long-lost friends who were catching up.

She ignored her, focusing her attention on the man who had called her here.

"What do you want?"

Her father clicked his tongue, his gaze zeroed in on her in an interesting manner. "Look at who finally decided to pay her father a visit after five years. Playing the rich man’s wife must have been fun, especially knowing it was your sister’s husband."

June closed her eyes.

"You know the reason I did it."

Her father laughed.

It was a sound June loathed with all her heart. "And did you remember your family after getting married to the mighty Rauf Salvador?"

"Father. You wanted to exploit it. You wanted to take advantage of his blindness."

Before she knew it, her father landed a slap on her face.

It stung, and June’s hand instantly moved to it.

"You’re nothing but an ingrate. Anything I decided then was for the sake of our family. And whatever I decide now is still for the sake of our family."

June’s gaze moved to her sister’s. "What are you planning to do with Rauf?"

Her father clicked his tongue, louder this time. "Are you still trying to play innocent? He’s not even your husband. And whatever I plan to do is none of your business. All you have to do is give me the information I need."

June shook her head. She came here for a reason, and she was going to focus on that reason.

"Where’s my mother?"

Amie and her stepmother shared a look. They had absolutely no idea her mother was alive.

"If you want to know where your mother is, you have to answer Amie’s questions first."

June’s gaze shifted to Amie.

It had always been for Amie.

Her father would go to any length to make sure Amie had what she wanted.

"Before I can answer anything, what’s proof that you’re not lying about my mother?"

Her father smiled. "Living with a mafia lord has finally taught you something." He pulled something out of his pocket.

"This should be proof enough." He dangled the letter in front of her. "You need to tell us everything you know before I give this to you."

June wished she could swipe the smile off Amie’s face.

Not only was she willing to steal her husband, but she also wanted the memories they shared together.

June nodded. "Fine. But before I say a word, where’s my mother?"

Her father smiled. "She’s in New Central State."