Leanna Book 4: Chapter 14

Leanna Book 4

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This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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WARNING!

MATURE CONTENT and VULGAR words not suited for young readers below eighteen (18) years old.

Chapter 14: Trust

“Leanna!”

Estela grabbed my arm, stopping me.

“Where are you going?”

“I . . . I . . . don’t know . . .”

I feel so lost.

Estela stared at my crying state for a whole minute before she pulled me into a room.

I was a total wreck at the moment. I was not thinking straight. My brain froze in the realization that Cain and I –– are over.

“Sit here.”

Estela sat me on the bed and brought me a glass of water, which I absentmindedly drunk.

. . .

I didn’t know how many minutes went by that I just stared at the floor like a crazy person. The only sound slicing the silence was my occasional hiccup.

“Did you calm down?”

Estela’s soft voice made me gaze at her. Then I roamed my eyes. I was in a rococo inspired bedroom. Everything was in shades of white and felt like I was in heaven. The colors somehow made me calm.

I nodded.

“Good. I wanted to say a few things. I want you to understand our family before you make any decisions.”

Estela breathed a mouthful of air and explained without waiting for my reply.

“My family has been preserving our bloodline since age immemorial. My grandparents like to call it ancient. My family values traditions and preserving our lineage like my previous ancestors have done. They didn’t put those conditions without reason. In the past, the Vlad and the Fay’s were a big family until it declined.”

She paused for a moment, hesitation crossed her face before she continued. “The reason was, brothers and sisters killed each other for the family’s position and fortunes. Both our grandparents suffered from the same predicament, and they both came out victorious after a bloodbath with their own kin.”

Estela stopped. My reflection on her eyes mimicked the horrible expression on her face.

“But . . . I thought . . . your father has a brother.”

Estela squeezed my hand and flashed me a sad smile.

“Uncle Hardin is not a Fay. He’s my father’s personal guard. But my grandparents decided to make him act as the firstborn to protect our father, so everyone’s attention is on him and not on our father.”

I glanced at her with denial written on my face.

“So, Cain lied to me?”

“Don’t think about the lie. Think about the reason behind it. He did it to protect you. I’m not even supposed to tell you this since you’re not married into our family yet. No one knows this secret except our family.”

“W-what . . . what are you?” I was going to ask, ‘what are you talking about,’ but my words fell short as I swallowed my choke.

Estela’s expression seemed like she was trying not to cry as she forced out a smile.

“I can’t tell you much. They’d kill you if you know too much.”

. . .

“A-Are you . . .” I cleared my throat and continued, “Are you also bound by these conditions?”

“No,” Estela replied in an instant. “Since I’m going to take up my husband’s name, from that day, I will no longer be a Fay. However, I am an assurance that if something happens to my brother’s heir or to my brother, which is unlikely, the next in line will be my boy.”

“That’s ridiculous. All of this is just ridiculous!”

I said between dry laughter. I couldn’t believe there was still a family like this left in this world. I mean, I could understand about the whole preserving the bloodline thing, but restricting childbirth? Well, yeah, I know having a big family could be a pain, but I think it’s just a matter of disciplining and guiding the kids.

. . . Right?

“Leanna, I know it sounds ridiculous to you, but that is how we live. I’m sorry we didn’t tell you. We are just trying to protect you.”

I smiled bitterly at myself. “Will they kill me when they knew that I broke off with your brother?”

Estela looked at me with horrid, bulging eyes.

“Y-you . . . You broke off . . . You’re leaving my brother?”

I didn’t like the words of her accusing tone, so I snapped at her.

“Tell me, Estela. What more ‘secrets’ will I know once I married into your family?”

I snorted when she didn’t answer.

“It’s better to leave now than to regret it later.”

. . .

“Leanna . . . I know my family has many secrets. I know my brother is not a saint. He has done many things –– unforgivable things. And I know he will be compelled to do those things again when necessary.”

Estela held my hands and looked me in the eyes. “But what I’m sure is . . . my brother loves you so much and won’t ever dream of hurting you.”

. . .

When I didn’t answer, Estela went down on her knees, and I blank out.

“Leanna, I’m begging you . . . Trust my brother . . . Trust your future to him.”

. . .

Trust my future to him?

For some reason, those words gave me unbelievable comfort like a fuel giving me energy.

Trust your future to him.

Did he ever let you down?

I puffed a laugh at my own thoughts and hugged Estela.

“Thank you.”