Every Girl's Wish

Chapter One

{trinity POV}
(flashback)

I stand here, frozen in time, as the cremation machine hums in the background. My eyes fixate on the wooden casket, adorned with white flowers, holding the body of the person who was my entire world - my father, Stevan Granger.
My mind races back to the memories we shared, the laughter, the adventures, the late-night conversations. Dad was more than just a parent; he was my confidant, my hero, my everything.
Mom, Ciara, stands beside me, her hand on my shoulder, trying to offer comfort. But how can anyone comfort me when the person who made my life worth living is gone?
The funeral ceremony feels like a blur. I remember the priest's words, the eulogies, the sobs, but it's all a haze. My focus is on the casket, on the thought that I'll never see Dad's smile again, never hear his laughter, never feel his warm embrace.
As the machine starts to move, taking Dad away from me forever, my heart shatters into a million pieces. I'm drowning in a sea of grief.
Mom wraps her arms around me, holding me tight as I collapse into her. My body shakes with uncontrollable sobs. I can't breathe. I can't think. All I can do is feel the excruciating pain of losing the person who made my life worth living.
The cremation ground fades away, and all I see is Dad's face, his bright blue eyes, his infectious smile. I remember the last time we talked, the last time we laughed together. I replay every moment, every word, every glance, trying to hold on to him, to keep him with me just a little longer.
But it's all too late now. He's gone. My father, my rock, my everything, is gone.
The funeral ends, people disperse, but I remain, frozen in time, unable to let go of the memories, unable to accept the harsh reality that my father is no more.
Mom's voice whispers in my ear, "Trinity, my baby, we need to go home now." But home won't be the same without Dad. Nothing will ever be the same again.
With one last glance at the casket, I let Mom guide me away, into a world that feels dark, empty, and meaningless without Stevan Granger in it.

(present time)

The day after my 18th birthday, my world crumbled when my father passed away suddenly. The grief was suffocating, like a heavy fog that refused to lift. My dad, my rock, my confidant – gone. The thought of living without him was unbearable.
But what's made it even harder to bear is my mother's transformation. She's moved on so quickly, it feels like she's erased my dad from her memory altogether. I know I shouldn't speak ill of my mom, but I need to share my truth, no matter how painful it is.
Grieving my dad's loss has been a lonely struggle. My friends try to be supportive, but they don't understand the depth of my pain. They've lost grandparents, not a parent. They can't grasp the feeling of being abandoned, of being left behind. My mom's behavior has made it harder for me to process my emotions. She's been parading different men through our home, like a revolving door. It feels like she's forgotten about me and my dad's memory. I've felt like an afterthought, a mere spectator in my own life.
I've known about her infidelity since I was 15. She'd threatened to take away my phone and privileges if I told Dad. I kept quiet, feeling trapped and loyal to my father. I didn't want to be the one to break his heart. Now, I regret my silence. Maybe if I had spoken up, things would be different. Maybe he'd still be here.
After Dad's passing, the men kept coming. Different faces, different names, but the same hollow eyes. They'd smile at me, try to make small talk, but I saw right through them. They weren't there for me; they were there for my mom's wealth and status. And she'd fall for it, every time.
Now, she's decided to remarry. Cesar Hawke, a man with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. His surname is a bad omen, a reminder of the darkness that's engulfed our lives. I suspect he's only after the money she'll receive from Dad's life insurance policy. When I refused to support their marriage, she uninvited me from the wedding. Truthfully, I didn't want to attend, but it hurts that my own mother would exclude me from her special day.
The wedding was a lavish affair, with guests I'd never met. My mom looked radiant, but her eyes were empty. Cesar's eyes, on the other hand, gleamed with triumph. He'd won the prize – my mom's wealth and status. I watched from afar, feeling like a ghost, invisible and insignificant.
After they married and Cesar moved in, I discovered I have a stepbrother, Rylan. He is a few years older than me with a warm smile and kind eyes, that make me feel at ease. His presence is calming, like a gentle breeze on a summers day. He gives of good calm and positive vibes which is the opposite than that of his father.
My name is Trinity, and this is my painful reality. I'm trying to navigate this new dynamic, but it feels like I'm walking through a minefield, unsure of when everything will explode.