His Untold Lies

Chapter 21 Saavedras’ Residence

Kia

Love, that captivating force that imbues life with its mystique and breathtaking splendor. It's a sensation unlike any other, capable of rendering you both powerful and vulnerable in the same breath. Love's potency knows no bounds; it can elevate you to unimaginable heights or reduce you to a state of heart-wrenching desolation.

The beauty of love is undeniable. It quietly germinates within your heart, sprouting the most exquisite blossoms in the world. Yet, amidst all this wonder, I find myself grappling with a question: Can I truly fall in love again?

I recognize that love demands time to develop, and I am hesitant to surrender my heart to someone I scarcely know. These recent emotions, I suspect, are merely transient, born from my longing and solitude.

I'm presently occupied with packing my belongings, my makeup freshly applied. I admit, I am genuinely content and filled with anticipation. Finally, he has acknowledged my value. Ares sits on the sofa, engrossed in a movie, unaware of my departure. I haven't disclosed my plans to him, nor has he any inkling of my impending absence.

Pausing for a moment, I resolve to venture into the living room rather than remain secluded in my chamber. Ares swiftly turns toward me, his expression one of surprise, his gaze sweeping over me.

"Are you heading out somewhere, darling?" he inquires innocently.

I offer a feigned smile. "Uh... My parents invited me for lunch today, so I'm returning home to see them."

"Really? How about I accompany you? I've yet to meet your family, and this seems like an ideal opportunity to introduce myself."

"No, you can't!" I burst out unexpectedly, causing his eyes to widen in response.

"We're slated to drift apart in two years, so there's no point in you meeting my family. Our marriage is merely a contractual arrangement, and I can't simply reveal that to them. I'll go on my own. Please don't bother driving me there; I'll take a taxi."

"But... Is that truly what you desire?" he asks, bitterness lacing his words. I'm aware that I've wounded him, but I feel compelled by circumstance.

"It's the right course of action. It would be selfish of me to impede your plans for the next two years. I'll do my best to make it up to you. In fact, I'm fine with you dating someone else; it's none of my concern. I'll be studying abroad in two years, and you'll never see me again. Please, let's not make this more difficult than it already is," I explain, then promptly exit the house.

I don't spare him a second glance as I rush out the door. Prior to boarding, I stop by the bus terminal to purchase a ticket. Through the window, I observe several buses parked beneath the vast concrete shelter of the new bus station. A minute later, my bus departs with its passengers. I wonder what Ares is doing right now. I hope he didn't take my words too seriously and can eventually forget them.

...

The Saavedras' residence

Arriving in front of our residence, I noticed the guard's attentive gaze, prompting him to promptly swing open the gate. "Welcome back, Ma'am Kianna!" he warmly greeted, to which I responded with a smile before heading toward the main entrance. My father was already there, standing with an air of anticipation.

Was he waiting for my return?

"Welcome home, my daughter! I'm delighted you came!" He wore a joyful expression as I performed a respectful mano gesture. "Hi, dad."

"Come inside, Kianna. I want you to meet someone."

Taking my hand, he led me into the house, where unfamiliar faces occupied the sofa. Dad summoned a young man in a white hoodie.

"Come on, let me introduce you to my daughter!" Dad beckoned to the young man.

He appeared somewhat bashful, but his attire and demeanor hinted at a privileged background. His posture and stride revealed his affluence.

"Kianna, meet Zeus Thaddeus Wang, the son of your Uncle Wang. He's two years your senior, and I believe you'll get along splendidly. You can have a chat after lunch," Dad introduced him.

Dad walked beside me, leaning in to whisper in my ear, "Uncle Wang is my business partner. Be polite and conduct yourself well."

"Hi, Kianna! Nice to meet you," the young man greeted, scratching his head.

A wry grin tugged at the corner of my lips. I should have expected this. Dad had invited me here to meet the sons of his business partner. A sense of disappointment washed over me, and my heart sank. Was he willing to trade his daughter for his career now?

"Kianna! What a surprise! My dear sister has graced us with her presence!" A boisterous voice cut through the room. Each time I heard my half-sister's voice, my blood pressure spiked. She approached me with the facade of a close sibling, a level of fakeness I had never encountered before. As soon as she drew near, she began muttering to me.

"Don't be shy. He must be an improvement over your poor man, right? Oh, I forgot! You're already married. Why not marry two men? Dad and Uncle Wang have a significant deal going on, and Dad adores me, so you're the bargaining chip. Besides, you're dating your ex-fiancé and your poor husband at the same time. Adding one more won't hurt, will it?" She flashed a devilish smile, clearly reveling in my discomfort. All I wanted was to see her face planted in the ground.

"What should we do, oh goodness? I'm not quite like you. Why not try following your own advice for once? It seems like you excel in that department. Is that what your course taught you?" I shot her a withering look, which appeared to agitate her. Tell me, Asteria, how does it feel to have your own words thrown back at you? As they say, "You are what you speak."

The gathering commenced, with lively conversations unfolding around the food. Now I understood why my father had grown increasingly disenchanted with me. It was because Asteria had failed to disclose to Dad the reasons behind my broken engagement with Vince. I decided to focus my attention on the dishes, seemingly engrossed in my own world.

"Kianna! Show some courtesy! Why don't you greet our guests..." my father admonished sternly. "You're behaving poorly! What have you picked up from living in other households?! Can't you see how your mother and sister carry themselves?" he added.

I clenched my teeth in frustration. She is not my mother, and she never will be!

Rising abruptly, I drew everyone's attention. "I'm not feeling well. I apologize, but I have to leave. Please enjoy your lunch," I declared before hurrying outside, but my father immediately called out to me.

"Stop! Where do you think you're going?! This is unacceptable! Wait for me outside; we need to talk!"

Complying with his instructions, I waited outside and approached him as soon as he emerged. "What do we need to talk about? You're not even treating me like your own daughter. You're sacrificing me for the sake of your career!"

"How dare you speak to me in this manner?! If you hadn't broken off your engagement with Vincent, they wouldn't have sought partnerships with other companies to undermine ours! Their family has purchased a significant stake in our business, which means they don't want me around! If you marry Uncle Wang's son, he can help us deal with the Rivera Group!"

A surge of disappointment washed over me. How could he say such a thing?

"Don't forget, you have two daughters! Asteria is the reason my marriage was called off! Why don't you propose that she marry Uncle Wang's son?"

He took a deep breath, visibly trying to compose himself. Drawing nearer, he grasped my hand. "Kianna, hija... Uncle Wang prefers you! Since you're my firstborn, please do this for me. I can't afford to lose our company."

He held my hand tightly, and I shook it off. "It's your company, not ours! Get that straight!"

His anger flared, and his eyes seemed to blaze like fire. "You ungrateful wretch! You're the reason your mother died! Now you want to destroy me and my company, too! You shouldn't have been born! Get the hell out of here and never return!"

"You're right; I shouldn't have been born if my father sees me as nothing more than a bargaining chip to marry a stranger and save his company. You're so selfish! I'm a human being, not a commodity you can hand over to anyone!"

I was about to walk away when I heard Asteria's voice. "I've told you before, Dad. My sister doesn't even consider herself a Saavedra. Look at her. She thinks you're a heartless person! She cheated on Vince and has a terrible reputation. You invited her back to make amends, but she doesn't give a damn!"

"Asteria! I warn you, don't push me! You know what you've done! And you're aware I hold all the cards. I can expose your affairs to the public! Don't test my patience too much, because you never know when I'll lose my temper. You'll deeply regret it."

"You...!"

I paid her no mind and continued walking away from that house. If Asteria hadn't pursued my ex-fiancé, if my mom were still alive, would my father treat me differently? We had a happy life when my mom was alive, and now, I'm nothing more than a pawn to save his company and a person condemned for my mother's death.