Bound By Lies

Scarlett's Point of View

The driver steered the car into the driveway of a luxurious villa. As much as I wanted to admire its beauty, my life was too dull to appreciate anything beautiful. My chest weighed heavily, but I took a deep breath, trying to lift the burden.

I couldn't afford to break down right now; a lot was at stake, and keeping my emotions in check was my only option.

I pushed the door open, clutching the baby to my chest, and stepped out of the car. The guards rushed over to Asher's side, swung the door open, and he stepped out; a line of maids and guards stood by the entrance, all dressed in white and black. I couldn't help but roll my eyes; typical rich people, just trying to show off at their best.

Asher loomed beside me. "Scarlynn, you'd better be respectful to my family, or else?" His eyes narrowed, like he was boring into my soul.

I scoffed. If he thought he was going to scare me, then he had another thing coming. I wasn't scared of him, and I wouldn't let him bully me like he did with my sister.

I shrugged, my shoulders rising and falling in a careless motion. "Or else what?" My tone was unfazed. "Oh, I totally forgot, the great Asher Black will kill my whole clan, right? Oops, sorry, but guess what, I don't give a damn."

Brushing past him, my shoulders knocked against his... "Welcome back, Miss Black," the maids and guards said in unison. I said nothing and proceeded to make my way inside, only to stop in my tracks.

The whole family gathered at the entrance, gifts clutched in their hands. I furrowed my brows, trying to understand exactly what was happening here; it seemed like they were all weird, just like Asher, or else why would they stand here like idiots?

"Welcome back, daughter-in-law," I turned my attention to the calm and authoritative voice. His lined face and air of authority told me that he was the head of the family, probably Asher's grandpa. I just hoped they wouldn't push my limits to the point of venting my emotions on all of them; I was already going through alot.

The lady who seemed to be Asher's grandma walked forward, a smile stretching on her lips as she peeked at the baby. "She is beautiful," she extended her hands over to me, and I placed the baby in her hands. "Her name is Ashley," she muttered.

I rapidly blinked, my eyes racing to keep up with the scene in front of me. What the heck, would they name the child just like that, without even considering the parents of the child?

"But..." Asher didn't let me finish my sentence; he snaked his hand around my waist. I gritted my teeth, trying to remove his hand, but he was unfortunately stronger than me.

"Shut the hell up, and don't you dare say anything," he muttered in my ear, his tone cold and stern.

"Why the heck should I keep quiet? Don't I have the right to name my own child?" I retorted impatiently, my teeth clenched.

"Utter a word and along with your sister, you will also bury your family," he threatened.

A fire raged inside me, fueling my fury. "What more can you do? Spineless jerk!" I shot back. Asher let out an amused chuckle.

"Try me, and you will see what more I can do."

My nostrils flared, my breath quick and ragged. I swear this man was going to be my first murder case. I was simply going to kill him one of these days . I decided to keep quiet and let them do as they pleased.

"Thank you, dear, for bringing us our daughter home as a token of appreciation; we've prepared these gifts for you..." Grandpa's voice trailed off.

“Please accept them…” He added

A lump formed in my throat, but I swallowed it. “Grandpa, I don't need these luxurious gifts.” I said, trying hard to sound as polite as I could; I just hated being here and all these lies.

I just wished I could tell them all the truth and end this matter here, unfortunately, I was helpless; I had no choice but to lie.

“Look at her trying to act innocent and perfect; we all know you are nothing but a gold digger.” My attention snapped to the voice, my eyes locking with hers; judging from the way she speaks, she must have treated my sister poorly, and I was going to show her the worst side of me…

The other lady standing next to her laughed. “These countryside pumpkins always try to act noble but are actually social climbers.” The other lady said, her tone dripping with disgust.

A smirk spreads across my face, my lips curling upward in amusement, a dark thrill runs through me, a shiver of excitement, the kind of evil excitement.

I walked directly to them, my eyes holding a steady gaze on hers. I stood in front of the lady who was first to speak, amusement dancing in her green eyes as her finger twirled around her hair.

“Take back your words.” My voice is low and smooth, a velvet-covered razor. My gaze left hers; each one of them will pay if they ever disrespected my sister. I was nothing like Scarlynn; I fought my own battle, and I won't let anyone make me their doormat.

“Or else what?” She challenged me. I let out a chuckle. I reached up, my fingers tracing the contours of her face, until they tangled in her hair, and I yanked, causing her to wince in pain.

“Take back your words.” I tightened my grip around her hair, her desperate screams filling the whole house.

“Let go of me, you bitch; what the heck do you think you're doing?” She tried to push me away, but I wasn't going to let go easily. I don't know who she was, but whoever she is, she won't try it again. I will use her to set an example for everyone who has hurt my sister.

“Daughter-in-law, what kind of behavior is this?” Grandpa's voice echoed inside the house, but his words fell into deaf ears.

“Scarlynn, what has gotten into you? Why are you behaving like a wild animal?” Granny shouted. The other lady tried to remove my grip, but I wasn't a weakling; no woman here can stand against my strength.

“Scarlynn, stop it.” Asher spoke, his tone lazy and bored. God knows what this jerk might do to my family if I don't listen to him. I decided to release her hair, but not gently. I pushed her so hard that she fell to the ground, bursting into sobs. The other lady rushed to her.

“Scarlynn, what kind of behavior is this? Is this how you behave with your sister-in-law?” Grandpa asks, his tone stern. I turned my gaze to him.

“So she is allowed to disrespect me, and I'm not allowed to defend myself?” I shot back. Asher threw a glare at me, but I ignored it. I have realized just how much he never loved my sister; he threatened her, and his family mistreated her, and he did nothing.

“Scarlynn, you were never like this; what has gotten into you?” Granny shook her head in disbelief. I rolled my eyes in annoyance. I walked over to her and snatched the baby from her hands.

“Please show me my room; I need to feed my baby and rest.” I said curtly. If I stayed here another second, I was going to do things I would regret later, and I didn't want that.

“You can't just leave; you need to apologize to my granddaughter.” Granny shouted, and I scoffed.

“Yes, you should apologize.” Grandpa added. I just wonder what made them think I was going to apologize. They made my sister's life a living hell; they left her with no will to live. She didn't even try to get treated because of them. I was going to make them all pay.

“I am not going to apologize, and no one here is going to force me,” I declared, my tone firm. “Please show me where my room is. Surely you don't want this newborn baby to starve to death.”

“This is not over,” Grandpa said sternly. I locked eyes with him. “Take her to your house.”

Asher said nothing. He started walking upstairs, and I followed him quietly. He was just a useless jerk. My sister was bullied in front of him, yet he did nothing. He just watched like a useless fellow and then claimed to love my sister. What kind of man was he, who does that anyway? I was sure of one thing: if my sister hadn't come here, she would still be alive today. He killed my sister.