Chapter 112
~LANA~
“Don’t be ridiculous, Emily,” my stepfather says firmly. “Apollo and Lana hardly get along. You really want us to believe they’re secretly seeing each other behind our backs?”
His question hung in the air as Ms. Reign glares at him for not believing her.
“My husband is right,” my mother interjects. “I can’t buy into this for a second. Lana can’t stand my stepson; they’re always arguing like they dislike each other. It’s been a struggle just to get them to spend time together! You honestly think they’re in some sort of relationship? If you want to criticize my parenting, go ahead. But leave these wild accusations out of it. Find another way to do it without ruining my daughter’s reputation.”
My stomach felt sick at their responses to her accusation. It wasn’t just an accusation, she was speaking the truth but my mother didn’t want to believe it.
I was not sure if I was ready to witness their reactions to finding out that she wasn’t lying.
“Oh really?” Ms. Reign says, crossing her arms defiantly. “How do you explain finding them locked in his room just days ago? Or why I caught Lana trying to kiss my son while he was asleep? And what about the tension that’s been brewing between them since Jada and I moved in?”
“Emily,” my stepfather warns in a low voice. “Please stop with these baseless accusations before you stir up unnecessary trouble. Apollo is our son and Lana is my step–daughter. Do you know how ridiculous you sound?”
My mother throws her hands up in the air in frustration. Once again, refusing to believe for even a second that Ms. Reign was speaking the truth.
“She’s always had an issue with our marriage,” she adds, glancing at my stepfather. “Now she wants to use these lies to create a rift between us. I cannot believe how far she will go to stir up drama even on such a special occasion.”
Frustration radiates from Ms. Reign as she addresses them. “If you don’t believe me, why not just ask your daughter?” she snaps. “And you, my foolish ex–husband, should turn to your son for the truth as well. How else do you plan to explain what everyone just witnessed on that stage?”
An uneasy silence fell over the room as all eyes turned to Apollo and me, the tension in the air thick and suffocating.
“Apollo,” his father says, looking directly at him, “can you please tell your mother that she’s mistaken about you and your stepsister? Tell her how ridiculous this accusation is.”
I wasn’t sure whether Apollo would come clean or stick to the lie. I wasn’t sure if he was ready to tell the truth about us. We both knew that once everything was officially out in the open, things would only get more difficult from here.
か
My stepbrother squares his shoulders and locks eyes with his father, then says, “I’m sorry, father, but mother is right. Lana and I have been seeing each other for a while now.”
There are gasps around us, a mixture of shock and disbelief on each of their faces.
No one wanted to accept this reality. I didn’t want to imagine what all of them were thinking.
“Lana?” my mother gasps, quickly moving around Apollo to reach me. “Tell me this is a joke! Surely, you’re smarter than this. You
are not someone who will engage in something like this with someone who’s supposed to be family!”
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Chapter 112
I looked at Apollo, seeking reassurance that he wanted me to back him up. He flashed a soft smile, and it was just the encouragement I needed to confront my mother, no matter how tough this conversation was going to be. “It’s the truth, mom. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner.”
Her hand flew to her chest as if she were about to faint from the weight of my confession. I hated that I was doing this to her but my feelings were completely out of my control.
“Well, that was quite the show,” Ms. Reign remarks with satisfaction. “I told you both, but you wouldn’t listen to me. I don’t make serious accusations unless there’s some truth to them.”
Jada looked hysterical in the wake of our revelation, as did her parents.
“How could you?” she demandns of me. “Apollo will be marrying me soon. You have no place in his life! How dare you think that you can try and steal him from me?”
I watched as she struggled to make her way toward me with her unsteady emotions.
However, before she could get any closer, Apollo swiftly moved in front of her, effectively forming a barrier between us.
The tension in the air thickened, and I could sense the protective instinct radiating from him.
“If you have a problem with how things turned out, take it up with me,” he says. “Lana isn’t to blame for any of this.”
“Oh, like she’s not!” Jada shouts. “She embarrassed my family in front of our friends. There are people in that ballroom laughing at us! She not only embarrassed my family but yours as well. You agreed to marry me! If you hadn’t changed your mind last minute when she showed up and caused a scene, none of this would have happened. Clearly, she’s to blame for everything.”
Her parents steps forward to gently console her as her father says, “What happened today is unforgivable. Your stepsister has brought shame upon all the families involved. And yet you stand there defending her!”
“Now, hold on,” Isabella chimes in as she joins the argument. “How dare you all blame my sister? What she has with Apollo isn’t just some fling. They both have strong feelings for each other, and that’s not something easily brushed aside. My sister tried to ignore it for a long time, but it was beyond her control. Only I truly understand what she endured during that time.”
Jada narrows her eyes at my sister, not happy about her interruption. “How hard could it be?” she demands. “They’re step- siblings! It’s disgusting that Lana chose to pursue a relationship with someone who’s practically her brother. I cannot believe what I’m hearing tonight. Please, let this be a nightmare and nothing more!”
“My daughter is right,” Jada’s mother adds. “You two are siblings! How could you indulge in such nasty actions?”
“I can assure you that my son is not to blame for any of this,” Ms. Reign interjects, realizing that they were attacking him as well. “He’s been fooled by this girl. Clearly, she’s been obsessed with him for a long time, plotting ways to get him to fall for her.”
What on earth was she saying? What gave her such a ridiculous idea? I avoided Apollo for years until I found out that we were
mates.
“Mother, you don’t know what you’re talking about,” Apollo growls. “This isn’t just a casual fling.”
“Sick,” Jada’s father says, his voice thick with disgust. “I can’t believe this.”
My stepbrother remains unfazed by what he hears. Instead, it seems to only strengthen his resolve to voice our truth and stand up for what we have together.
“I don’t care what any of you think; my feelings for my mate won’t change,” Apollo states firmly, his voice unwavering.
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A look of disbelief swept across everyone’s faces. It was the first time he had referred to me as his mate in front of everyone she seemed as though they had just been hit with a second slap across the face.
“Mate?” his father questions, astonished. “Did I hear you correctly?”
“I’m sure we didn’t just hear that word.” My mother adds.
I can feel the tension increasing with each second as they wait for him to confirm.
Apollo meets their gazes boldly, nodding, “Yes, Lana is my mate.”
