Kell's POV

All my life I was living in fear. I was born to take orders... but not just from someone else... but, from my mother and father, who were always away for their work.

As someone who grew up in a family of politicians, I was expected to follow the footsteps of my grandfather, who once served as the President of the country, and now my father, who would soon be running for the same position, in hopes of sitting on the highest chair reserved in the nation.

I was a child, who wanted nothing but attention and love from his parents. But, I never felt such thing.

Our mansion with four master bedrooms, three guest rooms, two maid's rooms, theater room, arcade room and huge courtyard was never filled with laughters or voices, which one would expect.

My childhood was spent sitting by myself in the middle of my own room, reading books and playing instruments. I grew up being friends with our helpers because they were the ones present in the mansion.

Even when my younger sister was born, I never really spent much time with her because mom forced her to study in the States to have a "better education and quality of life."

The only time I got to truly feel that I had someone was when I met my friends in school, who later on became my best friends for life.

And of course, when my parents heard about my friends, they had to investigate each one of them and made sure that they came from prominent families. Luckily, Logan's dad was in the military force and his mom was a psychiatrist. André's father was still a mystery, but was rumored to be a mafia. And Koleen's father was our family's resident doctor, hence how I met her.

I never intended to disobey my parents.

It was deeply ingrained in my mind that if I didn't follow orders, I would be punished... severely.

That's why when they told me that I would be in an arranged marriage, I didn't protest. I was prepared to be in such set-up from the very beginning.

So, when I met this girl offering me her handkerchief during a scholarship event in the province, I never thought my life would turn upside down...

Fina was such a simple girl with simple dreams... to give her family the kind of life they'd always been longing for.

She could be loud and chatty at times, but her voice was the one that filled the silence in my heart.

Her smile and positive energy sucked the loneliness out of me.

And her overall existence made me believe that I wasn't just born to follow orders from my parents... but rather, I was born to love her.

"Did you really think your father and I wouldn't find out that you're dating your Lolo's helper? Are you out of your mind, Ellis?" Mom stormed inside my room that one night I visited the mansion. She just got back from States after visiting my sister, and now, she was in rage that I lied to her when she first saw me with Fina.

I stopped flipping the page of the heavy book I was reading. I was already done memorizing half of this Persons and Family Relations Law book when mom decided to lecture me yet again.

"And you really had to lie to my face that nothing was going on with you and that girl?"

I took a breath, standing up from my seat to face her. "I'm sorry, mom."

"That's it? You're sorry? And what do you expect to happen? That I will support your relationship with someone who came from God knows where..." she paused, massaging her temple.

"I love her, mom," I confessed, not really hoping for her to change her mind. I just wanted to let her know that I was in love with that woman she was insulting.

She stifled a soft cackle. "You love her? Now you're saying you love that girl? Didn't you just tell me before that you were in love with your bestfriend? Koleen would've been a better choice than that girl-"

"Stop it, mom!" I finally blurted out. "The woman I'm in love with now is Fina. And she's the only one I will ever love from now on."

"She already brainwashed you, that girl. Can't you see it? Even your late grandfather got brainwashed because of that girl. He donated his corneas to her mom, right? And now, this mansion is going to be hers."

"What?" I mumbled.

"You heard me, Ellis. Your grandfather wrote in his Last Will that this mansion is going to be inherited by that girl."

I shook my head. "No."

"Now you understand what I'm trying to say, so if you want to get your inheritance, you better-"

"No, mom! I'm not talking about that!" I yelled, breathing in and out slowly to calm myself.

"Ellis, I'm just looking out for you, my son," she approached me, but I shoved her hand away.

"Fina didn't brainwash me or Lolo or anyone!" I uttered, looking straight into mom's eyes. "If Lolo gave her this mansion, she deserves it. She made Lolo A happy with that little time she spent with him... more than any of us."

"Are you hearing yourself right now, Ellis?" Mom continued to press on.

"Is this really what you want?" A deep voice full of authority suddenly echoed inside my room. Standing at the foot of the door was my father clad in black suit and tie. He appeared to have just come back from a Senate meeting.

"Jorge," mom mumbled.

"Dad," my voice trembled a bit, looking at his dark brows creased in the middle. His gray hair was slick back and his thick-rimmed glasses couldn't hide the fury in his eyes.

He walked closer to mom, closing the distance among us three. "I asked you a question, Ellis. Is this really what you want?"

I swallowed the lump in the throat. "Yes, dad."

"Very well. I'll have to cancel the dinner date we set up for you and the daughter of the Gañuelos tomorrow. Also, you can warn Ms. Melendrez and her family to evacuate their things now before I demolish their house," dad finished, turning his back at me.

His words were gibberish in my mind at first, until everything clicked. Dad was going to destroy Fina's life right before my eyes if I follow what I want.

I was the only one who could stop dad from ruining Fina and her family.

I was the one who had to hurt the woman I love for her to have a peaceful life.

And in the end, I would be alone and miserable again for the rest of my life.

#

Days passed and I had to endure not being with Fina. Sometimes, I would skip my classes just to wait for her outside their building just so I could catch a glimpse of her. That was the only way I could see her.

I had to pretend that I no longer cared about her, when in fact, my heart yearned for her every single second.

I had to pretend that I was in love with someone else, just to please my parents... for them not to hurt a single strand of Fina's hair.

In short, I was back to my old, monotoned self...

"Are you really going to keep following their orders?" Jale asked me one day and I had only one answer to that.

"Yes."

Jale clucked his tongue out. "You're such a coward, Ellis."

"You don't know what you're talking about," I deadpanned.

"Why? Because they told you that they're going to hurt Fina?"

"You don't know how dad works."

"I know well enough that he's capable of doing the worst things. But, isn't there another way?"

"Like what? Run away with her to another country with all my cards cancelled?"

Jale nodded, taking out the lollipop from his mouth. "Run away with her, start a new life, build your family from scratch."

"Easier said than done."

"Better than sucking it up to that old man, don't you think?"

"And what if dad still follows us around by then?"

"Do you really think that old man will still care about you once he gets all the money that grandfather left? It's really just all about money, Ellis. Just give up everything and be with her."

I paused, thinking about what he said. My brother was right. I had to choose myself this time.

"Don't worry. If you need money, you have rich friends to help you," Jale added, chuckling.

I stood up from my study chair, taking my phone with me. "Thank you," I told the guy, who just gave me the exact boost that I needed. Maybe, having a half-brother wasn't that bad after all.

"Also, you might want to hurry up because I think her bus is leaving in half an hour," he mentioned, looking at his watch.

I didn't ask him any more questions and instead, run outside my room. I heard Jale following me from behind as we approached his car outside.

"I've already packed you a bag of clothes earlier. Now, let's go!"

As we headed towards the bus terminal, I typed an email directly to mom and dad. This was the fastest way they'd see my message because I knew they didn't really care much about personal messages on their phones.

Dear parents,

I'm writing you today to let you know that I have decided to give up my share of inheritance. I no longer care about any of the family's estate. You can do whatever you want, so I hope you don't bother me anymore with my decisions in life.

I am going to marry the person I love and if you decide to show up during my wedding day, that will be appreciated.

I don't know when was the last time I told you this, but, I still love the both of you, despite everything.

Please live a happy life as I will do with mine.

Sincerely,

Ellis 

🍊