I was totally lost after the event. Maybe it was the first time I saw my father but something wasn't right. I couldn't put my finger to that particular feeling. Except for the fact that I knew something was not right. I didn't know anything about him but I didn't miss someone calling him by his name which is Gabriel. Although, I was damn sure that today I would know everything about my mother and him.

I paced back and forth in my office. It has been two hours since I gave an important work to my secret team - 'The Angelwings'. Yes, I do have my separate team of experts. They perform research and other confidential assignments that even my assistant Aria isn't aware of.

When I was at home, I'd assigned The Anglewings to dig out any information that is related to Gabriel. I didn't even know his last name. But I was sure that my team could do that. "I won't rest until I find the truth," I thought.

Just when I was losing my patience, my laptop chimed, indicating that I received an email. The email was encrypted because it's a secret mission. I couldn't even breath when I read it. My whole body was shivering and I was startled beyond recovery. I didn't think they would ever do this to me. I've been lied to my entire life. They hid their identity. I could never forgive them.

My breath hitched when I read one name that stood out the most to me. She'd lied to me every time while watching me when I used to spend my sleepless nights figuring out my existence.

A knock echoed throughout my cabin, bringing me back to face the cruel truth.

"Come in!" I barked, making no move to get up and continued gazing at my laptop screen. There was no way I would be able to get up from my chair now. I didn't even lift up my eyelids from the screen to see who the person was until they cleared their throat.

Maintaining my composure, I looked up and saw Mia standing in front of me. "Mia, what are you doing here? It's 4:30 in the morning right now," I said after glancing at my wall clock. "Shouldn't you be resting?" I didn't even acknowledge Keryl who was standing beside my best friend.

Mia walked towards me hesitantly, breaking my train of thoughts and whispered, "Liara why are you avoiding Keryl? And you know that I would never leave your side especially when you are feeling down."

But I didn't say anything. I didn't have to. She knows me better than anyone else. Sparing a glance at Keryl, I began focusing on my laptop screen again. I hid my hands that were gripping the chair tightly to control the inner turmoil consuming me.

After what felt like hours, I heard Keryl's voice. "Liara, are you all right? I was worried about you."

"Oh, Ms Keryl Anderson. I'm sorry for my lack of hospitality. Please be seated," I greeted her through gritted teeth and shrugged as this is no big deal. I knew that I should stay calm and that I can't lose my temper now. Staying strong was my only advantage. Taking a deep breath, I looked at her and challenged her to not mess with me today.

Keryl slowly walked towards me, clearly uncomfortable with my behaviour and whispered, "Liara, why are you doing this? I am your aunt. Please... please stop treating me like an outsider. I am your family."

I flinched when she said 'family' and raised my hand in order to stop her from coming any closer to me.

"Yeah, I got that bit covered. I know that you're my family. Or should I say the family of that "sperm donor", Gabriel Anderson? Am I right?" I inquired stressing on the title that I gave my so-called dad, air quoting it.

I saw shock and regret flashing in her eyes. I was aware that she's a nice lady. She's always treated me like her own daughter. But she hid the truth from me all this time and that's what matters as of now.

"What's wrong, Ms Anderson? Any problem?" I clicked my tongue drumming my fingers on the table.

"Liara, why are you speaking to Keryl like this? At least, let her explain," Mia spoke, attempting to grab my attention but my sole focus was on Keryl.

"Well Ms Anderson, as you can see that I know all about your family including that man, can you spill the truth now? Yeah? I want to listen to everything from you. Even though I know the truth, I wish to hear it from you," I pressurized her, lifting my coffee cup and siping it in the process.

"Thank... you for hearing me out because you are mistaken," she started with tears streaming down her face. I closed my eyes, unable to look at her. Nodding my head, I motioned for her to continue.

"Gabriel Anderson is my brother, yes but after what he did to your family I... I am not in talking terms with him anymore. But the thing is, I was and still am helpless, Liara. You see, he's the only son of my father who is regulating the business right now. I swear to you that Gabriel knows nothing about you but..." She hesitated and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. I could see that this was hurting her but not as much as it was hurting me.

"But?" I interrogated raising an eyebrow, trying to get this over with as soon as possible.

After a brief pause, she proceeded, "My father knows who you are but he promised me that he won't ever reveal this secret to anybody. My intentions were never to harm you but to always protect and care for you and Samantha."

I glanced at Mia who was analyzing my every move. I rolled my eyes at her overly caring nature and strode towards the balcony. The city lights and the wind calmed my senses, allowing me to release the stress that I was carrying.

Although, this didn't last long because just in a few seconds, I heard Keryl saying, "I came to know about you because Samantha had called and told me about her pregnancy. She'd said how he left her even after knowing that she was pregnant with you. This hurt her so she didn't tell him about you, Liara and asked me to lie to him that she had a miscarriage. She wished to never see his awful face again." I flinched as soon as I heard this and felt a stab of pain in my heart that was unbearable.

"He may be your father but after what he did to your mother, I don't think about him as my brother anymore, no relation, nothing. He is very well aware of it but never even cared enough to talk to me." Keryl's voice was barely audible when she finished her sentence and I could feel her pain. I felt guilty to be so rude to her before knowing her side of the story.

"He's always been power-hungry. When father had told him to marry Suzanne so that their business would improve gradually, my brother didn't even think twice about Samantha and thought that it might be a good opportunity so he married her." She took a deep breath that made me look at her face. The moonlight giving her face a faint glow and my heart pained when I noticed tears flowing down her eyes. Clearing my throat, I looked away unable to bear the pain surging in my heart.

"I hate him for that. He didn't even try to talk to Samantha after his marriage. She knew about the marriage so she cut off all the ties with him and took care of you as a single mother. Your grandmother helped her in that stage and I am very glad that she did not hate me for what my brother did. Frankly, I didn't even attend the marriage and was with your mother at that time. He even tried to destroy the business that was everything for them yet your mother never complained about it and I honestly don't know why she didn't give that asshole a good beating." Her emotions were so strong that I could honestly feel her anger bubbling up her chest. I tightened my grip on the balcony railings, trying to ease my pain. My knuckles were turning white but I didn't care about it.

Keryl cleared her throat and continued, "Anyway, Suzanne, Gabriel's wife, wanted Sams International to be demolished and my brother obliged as a symbol of his loyalty towards her. Sometimes, I wonder whether the accident that took Samantha's and your grandma's life was Suzanne's doing," She whispered the last part but I heard it loud and clear.

I turned and demanded her to clarify the accusation. "What?" I asked her sharply.

She held her hands up in surrender and said, "I am sorry, I didn't mean to include that but I am searching for the clues that might lead me somewhere and hopefully come across her name as well. I never intended to harm your mother. I'd always supported her but I was unable to save her life. I... I still am not able to forgive myself till date.

"Dima has always supported me, believing and allowing me to be a part of your life. If you don't want me to stay, I can leave you but my father as you know, John Anderson will try to use you. I don't want them to use it against me or against you that can lead your life towards danger, Liara.

"I.. I want to save you from them, of course. Your father, I mean, Gabriel Anderson does not know about you but my father does and he doesn't want you to be a threat for his business."

I couldn't believe what I learned about my father, grandfather and aunt.

"After your success, he thinks of you as a threat and is forcing Gabriel to take all your assignments down, all your contacts away from you. He might be your next opponent. He is doing something and I... I am trying my very best for him to not harm you," she paused. I could hear a whimper and then a few intakes of breath. I couldn't imagine that my family would be so cruel. I felt sorry for her but I could take care of myself. I was going to say to keep the concern to herself and not interfere in my life ever again but her sobs stopped me from saying anything that I might regret later. After all, it wasn't her fault either and she was just trying to help me out here.

"My brother is a greedy man. He would do anything for his business and I really, really request you to be careful of Suzanne. If she knows that you are Samantha's daughter then she can try to kill you as she....she had wanted to harm your mother and your grandma as well." Keryl mumbled between her sobs.

"Enough!" I roared in anger, fire burning inside my body for revenge. My senses were taking a toll on me and I was unable to cope with the things that were clear as water. Wanting to shut the outside world by trapping myself inside my brain, I closed my eyes.

I don't know how long but it felt like hours had passed away and I tried composing myself while sitting on my chair. I covered my face with my hands, struggling to keep my emotions under check.

I felt a delicate hand squeezing my shoulder. I looked up with my tired eyes to find Mia holding my gaze, trying to provide me comfort. I took a look around me and found that Kreyl already left. As if understanding my unasked question, Mia explained, "She wanted to give you some space. She didn't want to bother you so she left and even tried calling for your attention but you didn't respond which is why she left without saying anything."

"Mia... I-I uh, I want to be alone for some time," I told her, not bothering to glance at her.

"Of course! I have some work to attend to anyways. Just call me if you need anything, okay? Take care." With that said, she kissed my cheeks and left, once again leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I heard the door slam shut. Getting up, I walked towards a large photo frame on the wall attached near the balcony, adjacent to my chair where I can glance at it whenever I feel troubled. The women in the frame are my lifeline and today I learnt that their life was not as easy as I had thought and neither was their death.

I stare at the beautiful picture of my mom standing beside my grandma and holding hands with her who was sitting in the CEO chair of the SAMS. Their faces showed no signs of worries, rather the pure smiles that lighten up my mood whenever I feel alone in this world. I whimpered as I ran my hands on the portrait.

I took a deep breath, knowing full well that I couldn't let those sharks do whatever they wanted. I don't wish to be anyone's puppet, let alone for those who've betrayed my family. I clenched the corners of the frame tightly and controlled my cloudy mind so that I could take proper actions.

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