My Forbidden Love

Chapter 39

Olivia's pov:

At eleven, I'm sitting in the back seat of the car as Jerome drives to my father's house.

"You doing alright?"

"Just ready for this to be over. I don't like to go to that house......"

I pull out my phone to send some long delayed texts.

I roll my eyes when I see that a text from Ivan is waiting.

"Good morning, beautiful. I hope you slept well. Any chance I get to see you tonight?"

I sigh, praying Kent doesn't make me go on another date with Ivan today.

I text back quickly.

"Sorry, already have plans."

Then, I go to the message Janeen left me.

"The lawyer came by this morning and gave us the deed to the house! Dad was so thrilled that he cried. I wish you were here to see it. The lawyer also gave us a list of potential beach properties - insane!!"

A picture of a gigantic white and blue beach house pops up next, along with her assessment.

"This one is my fav, though I'm really looking for one with a hot tub."

I roll my eyes with a little smile on my face.

A bad lunch with Lorenzo is definitely worth it, if I can make my sister and my dad this happy.

Quickly, I type a reply.

"Pick whatever one you want. But the biggest bedroom is for me. Don't forget who got you that beach house."

Janeen's reply is prompt.

"Or how you got it! Proud of you sis.
Make that $$! 😻🍑🍆"

She ends it with emojis of a cat with heart eyes, a peach and an eggplant. Making me blush and roll my eyes at her bluntness.

I see we heading up the drive to my father's house and I tuck my phone away, preparing myself.

As we pull up to my fathers house, I see my stepmother, Tristan, waiting by the door, her arms crossed.

Little Romulus stands next to her, waving enthusiastically. I smile at him as I get out the car, at least one person is happy to see me.

"Hey, little one!"

"Hi, sister! I missed you! Why did you stay away?"

"I have been a bad sister, haven't I? I'm sorry, little bro."

"Romulus!"
Tristan calls, and I look up at her, still standing stern by the door. Romulus lets go of me and runs to her. I follow closely behind.

Tristan gives me a steady stare as I climb the steps to her house, her expression unchanging when I attempt a fake smile.

"He's mad at you."
She informs me as I approach her. She means my father not Romulus and it doesn't surprise me that he's pissed.
"You watch what you say - or you'll make hell for all of us, even when you leave."

"I never meant -"

"No. I don't suppose you think about how any of your antics affect us. Not at all."

I was about to protest as she walks into the house and I follow.

I don't want to waste my energy fighting Tristan again. It's not my fault Lorenzo treats her so poorly.

I sigh, feeling the onset of a headache throbbing at the back of my head.

This is a level of family drama I never signed up for.