Chapter 2 – Don’t Steal His Spotlight
“What nonsense are you saying?” Micheal thundered.
I watched as his face tightened in anger and the atmosphere became tense but it didn’t stop me from repeating myself.
“It’s the eighth year, Micheal, I want to leave,” I stated firmly.
Micheal scowled at me, “What is your problem? Why are you making a fuss? I’ve already told you Ivan is just a child. Don’t take what he did to heart. Today is his birthday, come along. I’ll punish him later.”
Micheal grabbed my hand and tugged me outside but I yanked my hand away from him. “You said that when he’s eight years old I can leave. So why am I making a fuss?” I queried. But before he could reply a furious voice sounded behind us.
“Rachel, how shameless can you be. Always stealing the spotlight even when it’s the little boy’s day!”
I knew the owner of the voice before I saw her face. It was Sarah, my step–mother and Ivan’s grandmother.
Sarah made a deal with Micheal that once Ivan was eight years old then I’d be free to leave so why were they making a fuss about it now?
“I’m not stealing any spotlight, Sarah, you’re the one who said I could leave after eight years,” I said.
Sarah scoffed, “Must you talk about it on my grandson’s birthday?”
“It’s fine, I’m sure Rachel didn’t mean it,” Micheal intervened.
Years ago I would have blushed at his efforts but I knew now that it was only a pathetic attempt to get me to stay.
“Come, let’s go to the party,” Micheal said to me.
I kept quiet and let him drag me to the party that had already started. Ivan and his friends were already having fun but his face turned sour when he saw me.
“Look, Ivan, your mother is here,” they said to him.
Ivan scoffed, “She’s not my mother!”
I was standing close to him while Micheal sighed and grabbed Ivan.
“We don’t say things like that, Ivan, Rachel is your mother and she’s been taking good care of you,” Micheal stated.
Ivan’s face wrinkled in anger, “No! She can never be my mother. Everyone, this woman killed my mother.”
Whispers filled the party hall as the guests all stared at me.
“She’s the boy’s aunt.”
- Cizet Now I’m The Aucer of Win Duine
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“Why doesn’t the boy like her?”
“It’s obvious she isn’t treating the boy well.”
“Apologize to her now,” Micheal said to Ivan.
I stopped him, “It’s alright. It doesn’t matter.”
I walked out of the party with a calm expression on my face. In the past I would have seen so hurt by Ivan’s words.
But I’ve gotten used to the fact that no matter what I do, Micheal’s heart will always belong to Amelia and Ivan will always accuse me of taking his mother’s place.
“Why would you create a scene today?”
I heard the sharp voice of my step–mother as she stepped into my view
“What do you want, Sarah? I’ve played my part for eight years. I’m done” I said
“You should take care of Ivan like your son. Put up with all his excesses and take care of him. If my daughter was alive he would be treated much better,” she snapped.
I shrugged, already tired by today’s issues, “Pity, your daughter is dead”
Sarah raised her hand to hit me but I held her wrist, “Don’t try it, Sarah. I’m not in the best mood right now. Eight years ago you bullied me to come here and take care of them. The contract has expired, Ivan is eight years and I have every right to leave.”
Sarah yanked her hand away as she glared at me, rubbing her sore wrist.
“Do what you want, Rachel, this is the reason why no one would ever love you. Not even your father wants to see you!” she hissed and left.
A sad smile crossed my lips. It’s been eight years since I last saw my father. Ever since his favorite daughter died and he sent me away he hasn’t cared to visit.
“I’m sorry, I got you a gift,” a quiet voice said behind me.
I turned to see Ivan standing before me with an innocent smile. He was holding a wrapped gift box.
I smiled, “Awww, you shouldn’t have.”
Ivan giggled, “I was happy to. Please, have a look.”
I took the box and opened it as a foul stench reached my nose. Inside the box was the lifeless body of my cat, killed with an arrow.
“That will be you soon if you don’t leave me and my father alone,” Ivan giggled.
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Rachel’s Pov
