My Enemy’s Daughter

AMÉLIA

I pull the cell phone that Aurora still holds close to my face away and I forbid myself to cry in front of her.

I don’t know what’s going through his head right now, however, I can tell by his expressions that it’s not the most correct thoughts. I could explain everything to my sister from the beginning, but there’s not much to explain when I don’t even know the name of the guy I was dating and the photo on my cell phone is pretty clear.

Heavens, I don’t even know what to explain. Nothing happened.

Aurora seems to want to move towards me and take out all her anger. The irises that usually mirror all their elegance go from crystal clear to a darker shade of blue every second and it terrifies me. Silence sets in, making his words weigh even more on my conscience.

I feel cheated, used in the most vile way in what appears to have been a sadistic game.

I was only a few times with Henrico Zattani when he was still my brother-in-law, I remember that my first impression of him was not the best. His marriage to my sister lasted as little as the speed at which they got married, although I still believe to this day that marrying a stranger was just Aurora’s rebellious act to get our father’s attention, but I don’t know his feelings towards her. her and the extent to which there was truth in that marriage.

We were having dinner when Aurora called and dropped the bomb, Dad still dreamed of being governor at the time, but he was already influential enough not to want his daughter marrying just anyone. There was a lot of commotion that day, I would scream too much for something that should generate joy and empathy, although we didn’t get along, I wished that day that Aurora was happy, but Dad already seemed to hate Henrico with all his strength and I questioned how horrible the man was to have so much hate being generated for your person.

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” he asks, his voice evoking clear mockery.

“Get out of my room.” I rage wearily, Irritation and shame burning through my entire body.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

She laughed hysterically, not seeming to believe what she heard. I look in her direction in disbelief, stunned by the whole situation and wanting to be alone as soon as possible.

“Are you kidding me?” She screams, elated, and I worry again about the effect of all this stress on my nephew.

“Just get out of my room, Aurora!” My head throbs, I feel like I’m reaching my limit.

I stroke my temple to ease the pain as I watch my mother approach Aurora from the corner of my eye.

“Come on, leave your sister alone. Then you talk and understand each other, you’re both very nervous and it won’t do the baby any good.” Mom’s voice is calm, soothing. His left hand rests on my sister’s shoulder, intending to lead her out of here and end the argument.

However, I know that your most well”meaning gesture just made things worse.

“Do not touch me!” Aurora says altered, pushing my mother away. The blood rushes to my head and I rush towards her with hatred flaring my nostrils. For a second, I forget that she’s pregnant and on my chest on equal terms, holding her gaze tightly.

Neither of them will give in.

” What’s going on here?” Peter’s worried voice makes me look towards the door, where he finds himself standing watching us with his eyebrows together.

” I’m leaving.” I mutter, looking in Mom’s direction.

“He’s using you.” Aurora speaks, using her typical tone of indifference. I pass my brother-in-law ignoring his calls, the headache seems to ease with each step I take towards the exit.

I’m acting on automatic when I grab my car keys from the table, I need to get out of this house to think and not do anything crazy. I take a deep breath as I close the door behind me.

I don’t drive like a pro yet, but I can get by. I start the car and drive off aimlessly.

His words start to make sense.

snort.

I laughed every time he talked about hurting me, cheating. In a crooked way the asshole was warning me, maybe he intended to do worse.

Fuck him.

I want to punch your pretty face, throw back all the words we exchanged and your damn chocolates.

He said he knew me.

I press my fingers against the steering wheel, wishing it was his neck instead.

I imagine my father’s reaction to that photo, I squirm in my seat. Finally allowing the tears to fall, so tired of always being the damsel in distress, the one who swallows frogs and accepts everything.

For my mother’s happiness.

For my father’s happiness.

For Aurora’s happiness.

Never for mine.

Never.

I feel the purest anger at Henrico Zattani, I hate how he used me to obviously get to Aurora.

Does he still love her?

The thought makes me angrier and I accelerate.

What does he want from me?

I gasp, half sniffling, half crying. All this for the humiliating feeling of being used.

I look at the clock on the car, noting that it’s been almost two hours since I left the house, the traffic is light so I feel more relaxed for the traffic.

I read the sign that says welcome to Zattani Ranch and realized that, even unconsciously, I drove to it. I drive from home to his farm, when I park my blood, the blood is like pure adrenaline in my veins. I want to confront him.

I sigh as I visualize the green grass, the mansion is further back and I feel a tightness in my chest from the memories.

The farm seems to have undergone some changes since my stay, but the feeling of comfort reassures my heart. I take a breath and get out of the car, walking with bold steps to the big house.

My face is clean from tears, but my face is closed.

I knock hard on the door, once, twice, three times…

A tall man in a cowboy hat meets me, his familiar face scanning the clothes I’m wearing and returning to my face. I’m pretty sure I heard a gasp of surprise coming from her mouth, but I don’t have time to question why right now.

“Where’s the bastard?” I sort of growl, rushing into the house without any invitation.