Chapter 8: Another Revelation

It had been three days. Three days without Rauf in her life and three days trying to find something to do with her life.

Ellie had resigned from her workplace, and they had both sat down to search for jobs in New Central State before relocating there.

It was better knowing they would have something to fall back on than going empty-handed.

After searching tirelessly, June found an assistant job in a vet clinic with good pay. At least, it would be enough for her to register for her prenatal care and start getting new things for herself.

Ellie also got a job at a restaurant, but she planned on working part-time as she was going to be schooling while working.

"Is that the last thing you need to place in the bag?" June asked.

She had watched Ellie pack her bag, and because most of her belongings were still at Salvador’s mansion, she had absolutely nothing to pack.

It was horrible, but she had promised not to cry again.

There were some things that were personal to her, that she wouldn’t want to part with, but she had no choice.

"Of course. I could start getting new things at New Central State. There are some things I don’t need because I intend to forget them." She lifted up a chain. "For example, this knockoff that Jason gave me." She cringed. "I don’t want anything that had to do with him following me to a new place. I’m starting afresh."

June followed her example. "I’m also starting afresh." She placed her hand on her stomach.

Just as she said that, her phone started ringing.

She looked at the caller ID: Dad.

June frowned.

Ever since he had made her into a liar and fraud in Rauf’s presence, he hadn’t bothered to call or check on her. So, why now?

She was tempted to hang up the call, but after telling herself she could handle it, she picked up.

"Where have you been?" he asked.

No hello.

No, are you okay?

No, I’m sorry for what I did.

No explanation at all.

"Is that why you called?" June asked.

Her father snorted. "Look. Amie has been having issues because Rauf seemed to remember some conversations, and she had no idea about it."

Hope flared in June’s mind. She had to calm her beating heart before responding. "So?"

Her father didn’t seem to like her response as he shouted into the phone, "What do you mean by so? I want you to come over to the house now."

"No," June responded.

Her tone was full of finality.

There was no way she was stepping into that house filled with betrayal anymore. She had done enough for them. She was done sacrificing her happiness for them.

"No." Her father repeated. "Are you trying to disobey me now, you unfilial daughter?"

Tears brimmed in June’s eyes. She could see Ellie watching her. She had stopped packing and was staring at her as if she wanted to snatch the phone from her ears.

"Unfilial daughter?" She scoffed. "What haven’t I done for you, father? When you asked me to marry Rauf in Amie’s place, I did. I let go of my dreams and ambitions and married your worst enemy. Even though you knew Rauf had ill thoughts towards our family, I went into the lion’s den alone. I think I have done enough for the family."

"What’s the big deal with what you did? If you hadn’t, I’m sure Rauf would have killed us all. You did it also for yourself." He continued. "I raised you all alone, and this is how you intend to pay me back."

"Father!" June screamed. She was starting to lose her temper.

The memories of what her father had termed raising flashed through her memories. Even though she was the older daughter, she was given leftovers of Amie.

She wore clothes that didn’t spark Amie’s interest anymore. Most of her clothes were always shorter for her.

Amie had to attend the best school in the state, while she attended the same as her father’s workers’ children.

How was that raising her?

For a while, her father was silent.

June intended to cut the call. If the reason he had called her was to make her feel bad, then he was wrong.

She was done with the family.

"Don’t you want to know about your mother?" her father said calmly.

Too calmly.

"What do you mean about my mother? Isn’t she dead?" June asked, her heart skyrocketing.

She heard her father chuckle. "That’s what I made you believe. Your bitch of a mother is still alive."

Without meaning to, she stood up. "You’re lying." Her tone was challenging.

This must be one of her father’s gimmicks to get her to do what he wanted. But there was no way June was falling for it.

She had someone to protect now. And she would choose that person over and over.

"Why should I bother lying to you?" he replied, sounding bored of the whole conversation. "I wouldn’t have bothered telling you if not for the fact that she had been threatening me to meet you."

"My mother has been looking for me." Her tone was soft now. She was confused.

Having no idea what to believe anymore.

All her life, her father had labelled her a murderer. She was the reason his wife had died, and so he had allowed his new wife to maltreat her like she was some slave in her father’s house.

"Of course, that bitch wouldn’t give up on you. I already told her countless times that you’re dead, but she insisted that you are still alive." He continued. "Only God knows if she had a mole in my gang." He said that as if he had no intention of letting her hear, but she did.

Regardless of all that he had said, June held on to something. "Where’s my mother?"

Again, her father’s laughter filled her ear, humourless and cruel. "And you think I would just tell you like that?"

June knew.

At that moment, she knew he had her just where he wanted. But the bait he threw at her was too good to be true. If her mother was truly alive and had been searching for her, she wanted to meet her.

"What do you want?"

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