Bound By Lies

Scarlett's Point of View

After Asher left, I couldn't get a wink of sleep. The baby cried all night, likely due to hunger or because she sensed that her mother had passed away.

I had to take care of her all night by myself because my mom and dad were preparing for Scarlynn's funeral, and Asher only came in the morning, apparently overwhelmed with work.

All his actions demonstrated just how much of a jerk he was, and unfortunately, I had to endure his presence.

Just as the nurses were taking the baby for her bath, the door to the ward opened, and Asher walked in.

I gritted my teeth, striving to control my emotions. The baby had kept me at a distance, but now it was just the two of us.

"Good morning, my love. Did you sleep well?" he asked, a faint smile gracing his lips.

He placed a bouquet of flowers on the stand alongside a box of chocolates.

He sat at the edge of the bed next to me, leaned closer, and was ready to kiss me on the lips, but I turned my face away.

"Good morning," I forced the words out. "I didn't get a wink of sleep; the baby cried all night," I admitted honestly.

The truth was that I absolutely would not allow him to steal my first kiss. At this point, I regret never having had a boyfriend; the mere thought of him being the first guy to touch me made me feel nauseated.

"I should have been there for you, but I had a lot of important work," he said, and I shot him a glare.

"More important than your own family?" I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes.

I am uncertain about how he treated my sister, but I suspect he must have abused her both physically and emotionally.

"What is that supposed to mean?" he asked, glaring at me. I met his glare with one of my own.

"Of course, your work is more important to you than your own baby. Shouldn't you have stayed here last night to take care of her? I just lost my sister, and I had to stay up late caring for the baby all alone," I retorted, unable to contain my anger.

It was evident that this man never loved my sister; he was merely feeding his ego and indulging his obsession. Asher let out a chuckle.

"So, you know how to talk back to me now?" he questioned, his cold gaze fixed on me.

I stared back at him. "Is your ego bruised? Do you want to cry? I can offer you a tissue if you need one. You can wipe your tears with it," I retorted.

I was not Scarlynn; I will not tolerate his nonsense. I just hope he does not notice that I am not her.

His brows furrowed, deep lines etched into his forehead as his anger intensified. I couldn't care less about his fury or anything else. I was determined to ensure he faced consequences for being the reason my sister lost her life.

Before he could utter a single word, the door to the ward swung open, and the nurse entered with the baby. "She fell asleep right after the bath," the nurse informed me as she handed the baby over to me.

I gently took her in my arms and held her close. "Thank you," I said, forcing a smile at her.

"Go and tell the doctor to prepare for a discharge later; we are leaving from here," Asher said.

I furrowed my brows, trying to make sense of his words. "What do you mean we are going home?" I asked, unable to contain my confusion. I can't just leave without attending my sister's funeral; that would be impossible.

"I mean exactly what I just said. Get ready; we are leaving in an hour," he said as he got off the bed.

"I'm not going anywhere without attending my sister's funeral, and you can't force me," I replied firmly.

He was being utterly ridiculous; how could I possibly leave like that?

"You might as well attend your entire family's funeral. It can be arranged if you wish; I'm sure it will be an entertaining event. Get ready; we are leaving," he stated sternly before turning and exiting the room.

I felt tears pricking the corners of my eyes, but my anger prevented them from falling. How could he have blackmailed my poor sister? He was utterly emotionless. I gently placed the baby in her crib; she was fast asleep.

I was trying to remain calm. The nurse left the ward just as my mom walked in. I couldn't help but burst into tears upon seeing her; I lost all composure. She pulled me into a tight hug, gently stroking my hair.

"Mom, I can't live with this man, let alone marry him. He has no emotions at all; he is nothing but a monster who killed my sister," I sobbed, tears streaming down my face and my whole body trembling with both rage and grief.

"You have no choice, my dear. You must go with him, raise your sister's child, and keep us all safe. He won't hesitate to kill us all," my mother said, her voice trembling with sadness.

"Mom, my life will be over. We should tell him the truth now; maybe he will understand," I urged her. I had no issue with raising Scarlynn's baby on my own; I simply couldn't marry that monster.

"Scarlett, telling him the truth would mean our death and the innocent baby's death. Is that what you want? Do you want all of us to die?" my mother questioned, pulling me out of the embrace and glaring at me.

"What will happen to me if he discovers the truth?" I replied, tears welling in my eyes.

They were simply being selfish, casting me into a sea teeming with large sharks.

"This is why you should never let him discover the truth; he won't think twice before killing you," my mother shot back.

I was left speechless, and all I could do was cry my heart out. I had just lost my sister, and facing this reality was unbearable. I felt suffocated, and I thought I might die-not because Usher would kill me upon discovering the truth, but simply from the weight of my grief.

"Start getting ready because Asher has informed me that you will be leaving in an hour," my mother said, her tone now cold and devoid of emotion. She is so selfish; she doesn't care about her own daughter but is more concerned about her own life.