Chapter 3

Aliyah's POV

I still couldn't believe that Carlos kissed me. And the crazy thing was that as soon as he kissed me, he left. No words, no apology, nothing. He kissed me because he wanted to and I couldn't deny that I didn't like it.

I had moaned into the kiss when he pulled me closer by my waist, and my nipples hardened when they brushed against his chest. And then, he just pulled away and left me feeling dazed. For a moment, it helped me stay distracted.

But then the weight of everything crashed on me and seeing the wedding dress in my room made it even worse. So I broke down in tears and cried. I wanted to call my best friend but she was out of town and wouldn't be returning till tomorrow morning.

After crying for hours, I finally pushed myself off the floor and freshened up, ignoring how swollen my eyes looked. No matter what, I was calling off the wedding and I had to tell my parents about it.

Getting them to understand me would be hard but I didn't care. I wasn't going to spend the rest of my life with a cheating, lying bastard who didn't deserve me.

Unconsciously, I thought of Carlos, how good it felt when he kissed me like he had been starving for my lips. How his hands felt wrapped around me. But I quickly shook the thought out of my head.

It was impossible between us. He was way older than me. It was considered… forbidden. Too forbidden.

I finally left the house and boarded a cab to my parents’. I had left my car at Mike's house earlier. The moment I arrived, I could hear them celebrating about something I had no idea of.

What was the good news? Maybe something that could make me feel better.

However, as soon as I pushed the door open, I saw Sylvia with my mom, and she was helping her into what looked like a wedding dress. She was getting married and she slept with Mike?

That was when I noticed Mike standing beside her, a look of satisfaction on his face as he stared at her.

No. No, no, no freaking way.

“What is going on here?” I asked as I walked in and everyone froze, turning to me like I was some kind of unwanted guest.

“Aliyah.... You're here.” My mom said flatly and Mike looked away as the realization dawned on me harshly.

“You knew? You all knew that Mike and Sylvia were fucking behind my back?” I asked in disbelief and my father remained seated like he didn't care that I was there.

This was how it always was. Sylvia was the golden daughter while I just existed. I should have known. How did I not suspect a thing?

“You don't want him anymore right? Then let Sylvia have him.” My mother said as I gasped in disbelief.

“Mother, what are you saying?”

“I'm saying this wedding must happen tomorrow, with or without you. And Sylvia is willingly ready to take your place. So what's the fuss about? Besides, you already said you didn't want him anymore, right?” She replied nonchalantly and I took multiple steps backward in disappointment.

How did I call them my family?

“I should have known you all planned this. You've always wanted me out of the way anyway. I hope you're happy.” I muttered and my father finally moved, turning to me.

“You've not been useful to us anyway,” He said and I froze. “Sylvia is better than you in every way. I'm not surprised you couldn't even keep a man to yourself.”

“Dad… how can you say that?” I asked with tears forming in my eyes and my mother tsked in amusement.

“You're welcome to attend tomorrow, Aliyah,” Sylvia said making my blood boil as I stared at her. “After all, you don't want a cheater and a liar. You should be happy for me.”

“Go to hell, Sylvia—”

“Aliyah, get out.” My mother interrupted me and I scoffed.

“You too. All of you, go to hell. You'll regret doing this to me—” My words were cut short when my mother slapped me. Hard.

“You're just a stupid child that I adopted. Stop acting like you deserve more than we're giving you” She spat and I froze. “You have no right to come here and be ungrateful, you brat.”

“I'm… adopted?” I asked in shock and she sneered. “How many more secrets will you hide from me?”

“Just leave, Aliyah. Stop causing trouble.”I heard Mike say and I let out a bitter laughter that had my mom stepping back in confusion.

“Causing trouble? You cheat on me with my sister, you're getting married to her, I'm adopted, and I'm the one causing trouble?”

“You're the one who left acting all smug earlier.” He said, stepping forward. “You could have begged me to take you back and I would have listened because I love you. But you left with my grandfather.”

“Begged you? You cheated on me and I should have begged you? What are you, God?” I asked in disbelief and he scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Well then, you can go marry my grandfather. You stubborn bitch.” He groaned and my eyes widened in shock

“Get out, Aliyah. Don't even show up at the wedding tomorrow so you don't jinx it.” My mother spat, and with that, she pushed me out and slammed the door in my face.

I immediately rushed out of the apartment and hailed a cab to take me back to Mike's house. Getting there, Carlos wasn't there so I got into my car and drove to what I was sure was Mike's family house.

Arriving there, the house was empty, making my shoulders slump in disappointment. How would I find him again?

“Aliyah?” I heard a voice from behind me and I spun around immediately to find Carlos standing at the top of the stairs. “What are you doing here?”

“Marry me,” I said immediately he came downstairs and he froze in confusion.

“What?”