Annabelle stared at the message, not sure whether to laugh or just ignore it. Just what was she trying to pull? She had no prejudice about Lillian, and she couldn't care about that woman, but why was she directly picking a fight with her?
Annabelle wondered. Her gaze found the message again.
"I was worried about you, so I asked Mum for your phone number. I hope you don't mind. I really want to get to know you. I'm sorry for taking everything away from you like this. I promise I didn't mean to. It's not my fault I am blood and you are not. If you'll just come back, I can help you to talk to grandfather. I'm sure he can create a place for you within Marudas Inc.
Ps. Your new big sister."
"Ha!" She laughed. "Big sister? Yeah, right."
The thought of driving to a hotel to spend the night crossed her mind, but since she was already at the estate, she drove in. Her things were inside, and it was already sundown.
The moment she stepped out of her car, she was met by Isaac Marudas. Her steps came to a halt, and both silently stared at each other. For more than a minute, none spoke.
Annabelle didn't know why she was just standing there when she could just walk past him, but her legs didn't move. Maybe it was because a part of her stoll wanted to be treated as his daughter, the sane was she saw them and was unable to pull through with her revenge when the opportunity presented itself but that last hope was quenched the moment he started talking.
"Agter rhe way you left, I didn't think you'll be coming back here. Since you are here, don't cause any more trouble. We will be having guests often from now on. Lillian will be introduced to the public soon. Everything needs to go well. Even 8f you are unhappy with how things have turned out, dont ruin this for her and shame the household," he said, and she gave a wry smile.
"...I see. I will leave immediately so I don't ruin it for her and shake the household. After all, I am not a part of it anymore. I first said something here, and I just came to retrieve it."
Isaac opened his mouth to speak but said nothing and closed it back.
"If that is all, excuse me, then." Annabelle walked around him when she was about three steps behind him. He spoke,
"Do you hate me, Annabelle?"
Annabelle stopped, her back still to him.
"I don't think hate is the right word to describe how I feel, and I don't hate you, as an individual. It's more of disappointment and resentment. A very strong resentment to all that is known as Marudas. You just happen to be one of them." Isaac turned, a hint of sadness in his eyes, but unfortunately, Annabelle didn't see any of it. "If thay is all you have to say, I'll get my things and leave your house."
As soon as she walked away, Jufas Marudas stepped out of the shadows.
"Do you still harbor affection for her?" Judas asked, his tone monotonous. His fixed on his son, who looked like a part of him, had been stripped off of him.
"Does it matter?" Isaac asked.
Judas remained silent.
He turned and faced his father. "We are Marudas, and we do things our way. That's what I've been taught since I was young. What I feel does not matter." He added, and Judas nodded.
"You must also remember to feel what needs to be felt for those it should be for. No one else," he watched as Isaac's brows pulled even closer. "She has every right to be angry and resentful, but you are no longer obligated to her. We have given her all that she she could ever have. Let all useless feelings go. If you must feel, then let it be for your daughter." were Juads' last words before he als9 walked inside.
"Right, feel only what must be felt and only for those needed. How could anyone ever forget," he muttered to himself. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair. "That poor child."
Meanwhile, Annabelle stopped at the foot of the stairs, remembering that her room had been to the first floor and she didn't even know where that was. Her hands tightly fisted beside. She turned, looking for a maid, but before she could find one, Judas met her.
"What is it you are looking for?" He asked, and she turned.
"Grand…" Out of habit, her lips moved to greet him the same way, but she was quick to hold back her tongue. "My things, I don't know where they are, I need to ask a maid to show me around."
Judas' wrinkled face grew even more ringlets as he frowned, deep in thought. "I'll let James show you to your room. Just sit down and wait." he said and walked away.
Annabelle laughed inwardly. Now, she was no different from a first-time guest in a house that she lived in all her life. Everything and everyone has become foreign and total strangers to her in just a day. Wasn't she just too pitiful?
"Maybe not, because nobody in this house pities me at all." Annabelle muttered under her breath.
Minutes later, James, the family's butler came up to her.
"Welcome back, Miss," the butler greeted. "If you'd follow me, I'll show you to your room."
Annabelle looked at him, she wanted to ask him questions but she bit back her words. He was as formal as always, so Theresa's not telling g what was going through his head. So she silently followed him to the corner near the guest rooms.
"All your personal belongings have been moved in here. If there is anything you would need, just let me know." He said and left right after that.
Annabelle walked in and began rummaging through everything, lost in thought when a knock on the door drew her attention. Before she could approach the door or ask who it was, it was pushed open and soon, the voice of the perpetrator was heard.
"Are you in here, Anna? I heard you came back,"