Chapter 27
When the news of my engagement with Damien was making rounds in the elite class, my biological mother was attending a tea party completely unaware.
Margret Winslet was surrounded by rich and powerful women from all walks of life…politicians wives, billionaire daughters, and old–money matriarchs when the news finally reached her.
“I had no idea Miss Lavina was engaged and to Damien Stone, no less! My husband saw him and he was completely recovered.” one of them said.
“Did you see the invitations? It was carved with actual gold foil as the boundary and there was a luxurious black swan feather inside each invitation…”
“I envy Miss Lavina, god knows how much money will the most handsome bachelor would pour over his beloved fiancee.”
“Oh yes!” another woman chimed in, holding out her phone to show a glittering snapshot. “My invitation was delivered with a luxurious pearl necklace from south, they are gifting one to every one of the invitees!”
“It’s the engagement of the century! Lavina Winslet truly pulled off a miracle…who would have thought that after all that Hamilton drama where the reporters said that she was Alexander Hamilton’s secret wife she turned out to be involved with Damien Stone?”
“Alezander Hamilton is also in news but….uhm not for good reasons….looks like he was seduced by a lowly woman.” The women looked at Margaret with slight disdain in their eyes as she was the one who always brought Stephanie with her calling her the ‘golden child‘ while I was rarely let out of the house.
Feeling the contempt from the ladies Margaret’s teacup trembled in her hand.
One of them said in slight mockery “Of course, you must be so proud, Madam Winslet… even when you were so prejudiced against your own biological daughter and favored a maid’s daughter with such dirty deeds, Miss Lavina is still your biological child and all.”
There was a pause.
A too–long pause.
“I…of course,” Margaret said stiffly, blinking too quickly. “Yes, we are… all very happy.”
“So I assume, you must be attending tonight?” one asked with a twisted smile. “You must have received your invitation early, I assume?”
Margaret set her cup down with a clatter. Her palms had begun to sweat beneath her gloves. “… I just remembered something urgent. Excuse me.”
She rose abruptly, offering a forced smile before hurrying out of the gathering filled with hushed whispers of how she failed as a mother.
The front door of Winslet Manor flew open.
“Has any courier arrived in the past two weeks? From Stone Enterprises?” she asked the butler breathlessly.
“No, madam.”
Margaret stormed to the living room before checking every nook and cranny of the house….even
Chapter 27
2:40 pm
asking the servants to sort the thrash
Nothing.
Her breath caught.
No invitation for them.
It was them she was startled by the door slamming shut behind her.
My biological father Frederick arrived, his tie half–loosened as a mixture of rage and some strange tiredness reflected on his face.
“The Romano family… the entire Ortega group is attending that engagement party tonight….” he muttered furiously. “Half the De Luca board is going too. And they just watched me like a fool who lost his family….no one…no even a single person told me my daughter was getting engaged.”
Margaret looked up, her voice filled with emotions. “Do you think she… forgot us?“”
“No……Lavina….didn’t want us.” His hand ran through his graying hair. “We need to ask one of her friends. Someone must know something. One of those girls she grew up with… what was her name? Clara? Emma?”
Margaret stilled.
Frederick’s face paled.
They looked at each other.
Neither of them could name even a single friend of mine.
Not my best friend or even a college roommate.
Not even a teacher.
Because they never cared enough to ask.
They never thought I had anything worth remembering.
In a frantic impulse, Margaret rushed to the study. She dragged out an old beige file marked in fading ink, the only belonging of mine left behind thrown in my biological father’s study like.
thrach.
[Lavina Winslet – School Documents.]
She hesitantly placed it on the table before opening it expecting warning from school and expulsion notices or low grades that would bring them shame.
But instead it was littered with certificates–First Place. Valedictorian. Regional Economics Quiz Champion. All–State Debate Finalist. Music Scholarship. International Business Olympiad Runner–up.
Then a lone photo of me with a shining gold medal around my neck at the graduation without anyone by my side fell down making my father pick it up with trembling fingers.
And soon they saw a letter from The London School of Management and a full scholarship and a note of high distinction.
And finally, a hand–written letter from my professor:
“To whomever this concerns, Lavina is one of the brightest minds I have ever taught. The child’s determination and hardwork with the gentle kindness she displays is a gift.”
2:40 pm
Frederick sank into the chair.
He looked shattered.
Margaret gripped the edge of the desk, her face pale.
“But Stephanie said… Lavina only got in because we paid. That she had… average grades… tha she always skipped classes…”
Frederick stared at the records.
Stephanie had lied.
And they, the parents who gave birth to me believed the golden daughter’s words without eve giving the quiet one a chance.
‘That wretched girl Stephanie snatched everything from us! I thought… I thought Lavina was just aimless. That she only dressed in black and sulked for attention.” Margaret Winslet whispered.
‘I didn’t even go to her graduation. She said she would send pictures… I never looked.”
‘I never once attended a parent–teacher meeting” Frederick muttered. “Not even once.”
Margaret’s eyes filled with tears.
They turned to the empty chair in the dining room…the one my mother always set half–heartedly sometimes forgetting to add a fork or spoon.
Tonight, it remained untouched because I no longer recognised them and refused to be their daughter.
That wench destroyed our family! Took our Lavina from us!”
No matter the excuse, there was no reason to forgive them anymore.
