CHAPTER 129: I SOLD THAT HOUSE!

Melissa’s POV

"Mom!" I whined, walking up to her with a pout like I used to when I wanted to be spoiled. "Is Dad coming today?"

"Yes," she sighed, barely hiding her annoyance. "I guess he finally heard what’s been going on here."

Her eyes shifted as her lips curled slightly. "We still don’t know where the hell that girl ran off to."

Here we go again.

Still obsessing over that bitch... That pathetic little stray.

Mom pretended to hate Seraphina all the time, but the moment she vanished, she got all nervous and restless, yelling at everyone. It was getting embarrassing.

She acted tough in front of her, but now? Now she couldn’t stop thinking about her!

How pathetic!

I moved behind her and wrapped my arms around her shoulders as my voice was sugar-coated words with fake concern. "What if she’s never found?" I asked, letting my chin rest lightly on her shoulder.

"She will be," Mom pinched between her brows. "You know how your grandmother is. If Seraphina isn’t dragged back soon, she’ll throw one of her damn tantrums... and we’ll all suffer for it."

So, that was why she was getting worried? And here I was getting worried over nothing.

I was about to respond and say something when a voice cut through the tension between us.

"What are you two whispering about?"

We both turned toward the source of voice... It was Dad!

Dad was standing in the doorway, with a coat in one hand, and bag in ther other as his expression was unreadable. He looked like he hadn’t slept, but he still looked as fresh as always.

"Dad!" I lit up instantly and ran toward him. I threw my arms around him, nuzzling into his embrace. "I missed you so much."

I felt Mom’s glare hit me from behind, but I knew she was smiling as well.

Dad didn’t hug me back right away. He just stood there for a while and I hated that.

I pulled back slightly, smiling up at him with eyes full of sweetness. "You didn’t even call. We were waiting..."

He looked past me, straight at Mom. "Where is Seraphina?"

What the hell! I’m right here and he was talking about her? How dare he!

I clutched my hands, controlling my temper.

"She’s missing," Mom said, folding her arms. "I guess she’s ran off somewhere scared of punishment and... No one’s has seen her for three, four days!"

Dad’s jaw ticked. "And you let this happen?"

"I didn’t let anything happen," she spat back. "That girl’s unpredictable... and unruly! Do you think I could have control her?"

"She wouldn’t just leave without a reason," he muttered.

Oh, please! If she was gone let her be! Just why was everyone so obsessed with her!

I stepped between them again, latching onto his arm. "Dad, stop worrying about her. She always does this. She’ll be back once she’s done playing outside."

He turned his gaze on me, raising his brows. "Melissa," he said slowly, "did you do something again?"

My lips twitched, but I still forced a smile. "Why would you say that?"

He didn’t answer. Just kept staring at me like he could see through me as tears started forming in my eyes.

Mom noticed it and intruppted. "She didn’t do anything. Why are you questioning your own daughter like this?"

"Are you sure your hands are clear?" He asked again to which I only nodded.

"Of course," Mom answered quickly. "I was the one who punished her. She even tried to stop me, instead... several times."

"Is that so?" Dad asked, voice unreadable as he handed Mom his coat and bag without sparing her a second glance.

Then he turned to me.

"Come here," he said, beckoning gently. "Let me see you."

I stepped forward, letting him take my hands in his as I could feel his warmth.

"I just wanted to make sure you’re not involved in all this," he said, eyes scanning mine. "Because if you are... people will only point fingers. They’ll say you were the bully."

I opened my mouth to speak, but he interjected with a small and comforting smile.

"But just as you’re my daughter..." he continued, "she is too. I have to protect her as well."

My stomach twisted! Why the hell are you trying to protect her? She had already outlived her life and you still want to protect her?

"You’re sisters," he continued, still holding my hands. "And I hope you’ll get along... not for me, but for yourselves. That way, you can shut everyone up without giving them any reason to talk in the first place."

"I understand, Dad!" I responded with a smile. "I have always cared for her and would continue to do so."

"Good," Dad said as he patted my head gently. "Now go and ask someone to bring something for me."

"Why ask someone?" I responded with great energy. "My Dad is back after so long, I will make your favorite cold coffee and bring it for you!"

"Go, go!" He said with a doting tone as I walked away from there and made my way to the kitchen.

"Uggh! That damn bitch," I hissed under my breath. "Why the hell is everyone so worried about her? What the fuck does she even have?"

My hands curled into fists at my sides as my nails dug into my palms, hatred crawling my skin.

But I forced it down, biting my tongue, and straightened my back.

I couldn’t lose myself just because they were all trying to make me! I had to be strong so that no matter what I do... They’d support.

I exhaled and then inhaled, coming back to my older self... The sweet little girl who didn’t look harmful!

Ten minutes later, I walked out into the living hall with the tray in my hands, containing cold coffee, some snacks.

I was still smiling even though my chest still felt tight.

Anyway, if that’s what they wanted, I’d give them.

As I walked into the living room, I saw two more people whom I hadn’t expected.

Asher and Alistair.

They were standing next to Dad. I could tell that they were greeting him and talking about something; however, that was not my concern. I just wanted to let you know that I was there.

"Brother," I chimed in, slipping into their conversation smoothly. "If I knew you were coming, I would’ve prepared something for you too," I said sweetly as I handed the coffee to Dad and was about to put the tray on the table.

Alistair’s eyes snapped to mine as if he were asking why I was there.

"I’d rather take poison than eat anything from your hands."

I froze at his words.

The tray in my hands almost slipped and fell, but I composed myself, putting it safely on the table.

My smile dropped before I could stop it. I lowered my head and tried to ignore what he had just said.

But it seemed I couldn’t!

"Dad! Why is she here?" Alistair asked, his voice cold and sharp as his eyes were blazing fire at me, pointing his index finger.

Dad didn’t even flinch. He kept his calm but still took my side. "She’s your sister. Of course, she should be here," he said, waving his hand for me to come closer.

I went to him and hugged him, hiding myself in his arms.

"Really?" Alistair scoffed, rolling his eyes as if being called his sister made him sick. "I bet even DNA wouldn’t agree with that."

My throat tightened, but I didn’t speak. I just stood there. I knew I already had people to defend me. And I wasn’t wrong.

"Alis!" Mom snapped, glaring at him, trying to control the situation. "Is that how you talk to your sister?"

They were still talking, throwing harsh words at each other, and I was looking at them dumbfoundedly, when my phone buzzed in my hand.

I ignored their bickering and just looked at my phone.

"What the hell is this..." I muttered under my breath, eyes narrowing. "Mother, did you cancel the interior designer’s booking? And the other stuff too?"

She turned to me, brows furrowed. "Why would I do that?" Her voice was sharp. Then her eyes cut to Alistair. "Wasn’t that house supposed to be for us, where we could escape to every once in a while?"

She said and shook her head no. "So why would I cancel it?"

"Then who would’ve..." I was still talking to myself when Asher cut in.

"I sold that house," he said flatly, yet bluntly, dropping a huge bomb at me.

"Brother?" My voice cracked a little. I wasn’t as emotionless and expressionless as him. "How could you do that? We picked everything together and decided to live there. That house... it meant so much for us!"

"For you," he said, lazily running his hand on his hair. "It was for you. Not for me. And..."

He turned to Mom.

"I sold the apartment, too. The one that I bought for her last year!"

There was a beat of silence.

Then... Mom’s loud voice echoed in the hall.

"Have you gone mad?!" Mom’s voice rose. It was sharp and furious. "How could you do that?!"

"You told us to love our sister... And that’s what I’m doing!" Asher pronounced. "I used that money to donate to the orphanage where my sister lived for almost all her life till she came back!"

"Asher!" Mom’s face turned red in anger.

"Woah!" Alistair spoke up before Mom could say anything