-LANA-
It’s been a tough few days since Apollo started molding me. We haven’t spoken a word fince that day when everything spiraled out of control I’ve been having a difficult time since then while I couldn’t tell how he was taking it since I couldn’t see him at all
Why did it feel like punishment?
At this point, I thought there was no hope left for its He made it clear that he had no intention of ever touching me again. He would only say something like this because he’d made up his mind to go through with this.
Hugging mysell I gazed out of the window, my heart aching with every beat. Sleep has been elusive, and Fbantly remember what happiness feels like
anymore
Twished I could see him, but he was hardly ever home. Apullo doesn’t seem to realize that his behavior is only making things harder for me
I couldn’t shake the feeling that his mother was behind this. I kept replaying his reaction from that day when i asked if she was the reason for his strange behavior. His entire demeanor had completely changed, leaving me with even more questions than before.
What was the link? What did his mother have on him that he felt like he didn’t have a choice?
Why did I keep dwelling on this? If Apollo really was soon to be engaged to Jada, what was the point of us being mates? The right thing to do would be for one of us to reject the other. Just the thought of rejecting the one person I wanted to spend my life with made my heart twist in agony
I groan inwardly. “Stop thinking about him!”
Suddenly, there was a knock on my door, followed by my mother’s voice “Lanal Can you please come to the family room? I need to talk to you. It’s
urgent
Urgent!
What could be so urgent that she needed to tell me right away!
I quickly dry my tears and powder my face. I did not want her to see the state was in
Not wasting another moment, I rushed down the stairs and into theroom. My mother’s face wore a hesitant expression, as if she wasn’t sure whether to share whatever she had.
“You’re scaring me,” admit. “What’s this about? Why do you look like that?”
Forcing a smile, she finally revealed, “Apollo’s mother and his fiancée, Jada, will be staying with us until the engagement.”
For a few seconds, I just stared at her, disbelief washing over me. I felt like pinching mywell, because there was no way I heard her correctly.
“Tknowl didn’t hear you right,” I say, still in shock. “There’s no way!”
She sighs. “You heard me correctly, sweetheart.”
My eyes widened, and my heart raced. This was too much to process. The idea of living under the same roof with them
“What do you mean they’ll be here!” I demand. That’s not possible, mom! Please tell me you’re joking
“I’m not joking, Lana,” she answers back, her tone firm. “It’s really happening”
bearable.
couldn’t fathom what she was saying. Just the thought of having to interact with them was overwhelming. Apollo’s mother already disliked me because of her disdain for my mother. I dreaded the prospect of living with her until the engagement.
1/3
1 1-20
Chapter 71
And why would she even want to come here? She’d made her feelings about our family crystal clear in the past. What could possibly motitate h
with us?
I had so many questions racing through my mind, I felt the need to open a window just to breathe.
“She requested to stay with us while planning for the engagement ball,” my mother explains. “Your stepfather thought it best to grant her wish to l any unnecessary drams. As you know, she can be quite difficult. There are many instances in the past that I would rather not even think about right now?
I frown. “But it doesn’t make any sensel She doesn’t even like our family. Why would she choose to stay here rather than rent a hotel room? They can easily afford one. They have enough money to buy a brand new house here, mom! They have no reason to want to be here.”
Apollo’s mother despised us enough that it was evident whenever she glanced our way. So why put us all in this uncomfortable position?
“I know it’s hard to understand, but it’s happening” my mother reiterated. “The engagement will be held at a palace about an hour away. They’re coming here to finalize the details.”
There had to be another reason behind this decision. As far as I knew, the engagement ceremony was supposed to be in her hometown. Why the sudden
change?
It felt like a deliberate attack on me. Was I losing my mind for even thinking that? Breathe in, breathe out. I had to teach my body what it was like to
breathe once more.
“She wants us to put our differences aside for her son,” my mother points out. “At first, hesitated, but since she approached this maturely, I didn’t want to appear intimidated. Besides, it’s just a few days until the engagement, and then everything will return to normal.
“Just a few days?” I couldn’t believe what my mother was saying
ásay
“Do leven have a say in this?” I whisper, still in shock. “She’s going to make things so uncomfortable for us!”
And it wasn’t just her, Jada was coming along too. Being around Apollo’s mother was tough enough–why did Jada need to tag along?
My mother sighs. “I didn’t think it would bother you this much,” she admits. “If I’d known, I would have found a way out of it. But it’s too late now; they’ll be here any moment”
I stared at her, dumbfounded.
Not only had they made this decision without consulting Isabella and me, but she also chose to spring it on me just before their arrival!
I shook my head in disbelief.
“I think you’re going to regret this,” I warn her.
My mother smiles reassuringly. “You’re worrying too much, sweetheart. This will be over before you know it. Inderstand your concerns about her causing issues for me and your stepfather while she’s here, but I doubt she’ll have time to stir up trouble–she’ll be too busy planning Apollo’s – engagement”
I wished that was my only concern, but I had much bigger issues on my mind.
There didn’t seem to be any point in continuing this powersation. My mother had made up her mind and was determined not to season. I couldn’t comprehend how she could allow this given the years of disrespect she endured. My stepfather did not cheat on Ap
in love only after the divorce was finalized. Yet, Apollo’s mother spread rumors, insisting my mother had stolen her
ther to be with her, they fell
She’d refused to attend any gatherings as long as my mother was present and openly expressed her disdain for all of us. That was why it was hard for me to believe that my mother was truly okay with all of this
Just then, isabella walks into the room, sees the look on my face, and frowns. “Okay, what’s with the expression? What’s going on with you both?”
I crossed my arm defiantly. “Oh, believe me, sister, you are going to love this.”
Chapter 71
“Love what exactly?” she asks, her impatience growing.
“I need to get ready for our guests.” my mother interjects. “Lana, fill your te in
With pleasure.
Isabella turned to me, brow raised. “Guests? No one told me anything about
I forced a smile, trying to stay calm despite the chans
“Well, it turns out Apollo’s mother and his future wife will be staying with us until the engagement ceremony, which, by the way. in their hometown but at a palace an hour away from here”
She stared at me, wide eyed. “You’ve got to be kidding!“
do
“I wish it were a joke, but it’s the truth,” I tell her. “They’re already on their way, which means we have no say in this. They’re coming it or not. Hooray!
