"Annabelle."
Annabelle paused at the familiar voice, relief washed over her but not entirely. After everything that's happened so far, she would be a fool to believe anything would remain the same as before.
And that included him.
"Anna," the voice came again, this time, much closer.
"Julian," Martha called rising with a smile. "I'm glad you are both here."
Annabelle's relief was then cut in half after hearing Martha speak. She turned to face Martha with a deep scowl.
Julia turned and nodded at his mother before returning his attention to Annabelle. "I've been meaning to talk to you, Anna," he said, stepping closer to her and she turned, slow and hesitant.
Once face to face with him, her lips parted, wanting to speak but couldn't find the right words. What was she supposed to ask anyway? Taking a deep breath, she exhaled shakily and tried once again.
"What is it? Are you also going to tell me you are calling off our engagement because I'm not a Marudas? Is that it?"
Julian went silent, even averting his gaze. Seeing that, Annabelle scoffed inwardly. Having nothing else to say to him, she turned to Samantha.
"It's not that simple, Anna," he uttered, Annabelle threw a sharp glare at him and he took a cautious step back.
"What is not simple, Julian?" She turned fully, her eyes locked with his own. "Because it looks as simple as it is easy to change your bride so quickly like the years we spent together didn't matter."
"It complicated. I had no choice. The family made the arrangements and…." Annabelle didn't let him finished and interrupted.
"And you just agreed because I was nothing but another business deal. Just another contract to sign and strengthen alliances. No feelings were ever involved. I was just an arrangement, an obligation you must fulfill. So tell me Julian, what about all this is complicated?" she spoke, her voice steady but the pain behind every word could be felt.
"I am sorry, Anna. I wish there was something that I could do. I really don't…" Julian began but once again, he was interrupted, not by Annabelle but his mother, Martha.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. Our families agreed on this marriage long before any of you were old enough to understand anything. We cannot change that now. The two heirs are to wed…"
"I used to see you as a mother. Someone with a heart but right now, I don't even know what to think of you anymore," Annabelle said, her eyes on Martha. "You no different from a money grubber," Annabelle uttered, the hostility in her gaze as her eyes locked on Martha had the older woman taking a step a back.
"Annabelle!" Samantha yells from beside her. "I understand that you are mad, angry. But that does not excuse your insults to Martha. Apologize to her at once," she ordered firmly
Annabelle turned, slowly, her gaze still burning, still sharp. "Why am I only hearing this now? Everyone else seems to know except me. Did any of you ever think of telling me any of this?" she asked, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.
"First, Father and Grandfather kicked me out of the board meeting… I was not even informed of the meeting and now this? You did all this and you expect me to just accept it all with a smile and a nod? After all I've done for this family? For the company?"
She tried to hold back her tears but they fell anyway.
When Martha saw her like that, with tears and and the little choke between speech, she didn't know what to say.
"I may not be your daughter by birth, but you raised me. I've been the daughter you knew since the very beginning and now you would just throw me away because she suddenly showed up and some test claims she is me and I'm not me? You even gaveaway my room while I was busy slaving away for this family. Spent many nights sleeping in the office just to make sure I do enough to please you. But that would never happen now, would it? I am not enough. I was never enough and never will be. Not to this family."
On the side, Lillian was silent, observing. Although she didn't speak, she didn't look away and was not at all sorry. If anything, she felt it was right. Annabelle had lived the life of a rich young heiress all her life while she had only hoped to have enough in her stomach to take her to the next day. If anything, she should be kicked out at once.
Her eyes darted towards Julian, took in his features and build and she bit the inside of her cheek, almost drooling.
Now he will be all mine, she thought almost giggling.
"Annabelle," Julian's voice cut through the silence once more. "Lets talk. Im sure youll understand after we have proper…"
She shook her head and Julian paused mid-sentence. Then she turned to face him. "Your fiancée is over there. I don't not wish for any further…"
"Anna please, just listen to me this once. I swear you'll understand why…"
"Julian!" Annabelle snapped.
Julian flinched when met her glare but did not retreat. "Please, just a words. One chance to explain."
Annabelle looked at him, the urge to slap him surge through her but she suppressed it. Her lips parted to speak but the soft sobs coming from behind them stopped the words from coming out.
Everyone paused, collective frowns marring their faces. They exchanged glances and saw the confusion on each others faces. Then slowly, all eyes turned to the sofa and locked on Lillian.
Tears streamed down her face like a flood. Her body shaking like a leaf in the wind. She looked every bit pitiful and one glance was all it took to gain sympathy.
"Lillian?" Samantha called, running to her side immediately, instantly forgetting about Annabelle.