Chapter hundred and twenty four

Dallas

I didn't get the chance to ponder on Xavier's words before he parked the car by the side of the road, just a stone throw from the house. It was probably so the twins won't sense our arrival.

I stared at him, my brows knitted in confusion, but he didn't say anything else. His face was drawn as if he hadn't meant to say what he said, but it was too late. He drew a long sigh.

“I don't understand.” I muttered when it was clear he wouldn't proceed on the topic.

He opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by the shrill sound of a phone ringing. I fished out my phone from my pocket. The caller ID showed Ethan.

“It's a long story. I'll tell you after we get this over with.” Xavier said quickly.

I could sense the tiny bit of relief in his voice at the interruption. I gave him a simple nod and answered Ethan's call before it goes into audio mail. I put the call on speaker.

“I activated the recorder in the tracker. I've checked the cameras near the house. Nothing weird has happened so far. It's safe to assume the twins are not planning anything crazy, but be on alert just in case.” Ethan said.

“We're going in.” Xavier said and gave me a nod. I gave him a tight smile.

“Be careful.” Oliver said. He must be beside Ethan then.

“We will be.” I ended the call after that and took a deep breath.

This could go very wrong. It could even be a dead end. But it was the first and only step we could take right now.

“You're ready?”

“As ready as I can ever be.” A new surge of confidence coursed through me as those words left my mouth. I shook away the remnants of doubt and stepped out of the car.

Xavier and I strolled to the house. Truth to Ethan's words, it doesn't look like any major activities are going on. It doesn't even look like anyone lives there.

The last time I came, I was so focused on grabbing the car keys that I didn't look around. But now, i couldn't bring myself to.

My mother dedicated so much to make this place feel like home. I'd tried to keep that up while I was here. But they didn't even try to do anything. The whole place looks so…sad.

Maybe I made a mistake in handing it over to them. Maybe I should have thrown them out and continue maintaining this place. I'd handed over the last of my mother's memory to them because of my stupid kind heart. I shouldn't have cared where they'd end up.

I swallowed down the regret. This wasn't the time for it. I pushed the door to the living room opened, not bothering to knock. The door opened with a loud creak.

The living room was in even worse state than the front porch. A disgusting smell, presumably from the rotten foods in the kitchen, hit my nostrils immediately I stepped in.

The couch were torn and marred with oil stains. A box of half eaten pizza lie on the coffee table. Rats squeaked with each step we took.

God, when was the last time anyone bothered to clean up?

I whirled towards Xavier, opening my mouth to apologize about the pitiful living condition of my step sisters, but his eyes was fixed on something.

I followed his line of sight and beheld a white envelope I hadn't noticed before. It was dumped carelessly on the coffee table, beside the pizza box. Obviously, they hadn't expected anyone to come here.

From here, I could see the letter ‘C’ inscribed boldly in black. Xavier seem to notice it too as his brows furrowed.

I was about to ask him if he thought anything of the envelope when I heard hurried footsteps descending the wooden stairs. The stairs creaked so loudly that I assumed it would give out under the approaching footsteps.

“Hurry the fuck up! We're gonna be late!” The voice was no doubt Sylvie's.

She finally appeared with her ridiculous high heels, dragging a packed box down the stairs. She halted as soon as she saw me, her face went white, with what was obviously fear. Her eyes further widened as she beheld who stood behind me.

“Going somewhere?” I asked, my eyes darted to the box she was struggling with.

She finally shook out of her shock and sneered at me.

“What are you doing here?” she seethed.

“I don't have a reason. It's my house. I can come whenever I want.” I shrugged.

“Now answer my question. Where are you going?” My voice was a little louder now and firm.

“None of your god's damn business.” She snarled.

Xavier tilted his head to the side and pinned her with a glare, the portrait of a predator. I would never want that look leveled on me. I smirked satisfied as she flinched at the intensity of his gaze.

She sighed. Stephanie's footsteps echoed throughout the house. She also had a packed traveling bag in her hands, though hers didn't seem as big as her sister's. She fell into the same shock as she beheld who was with me.

“Why is she here?” Stephanie asked her twin sister.

I rolled my eyes.
“Honestly, it's like the both of you share a brain cell. Can't you come up with more creative questions?”

“You took the car the last time you came. There's nothing left for you to take.” Stephanie seethed.

“Who said I came to take something?” I smirked, satisfied at the confusion on their faces.

I could see Xavier moving towards the coffee table from the corner of my eyes. The twins shared an alarmed look. Whatever was in that envelope has got them really scared. I have a horrible feeling that it has to do with their father.

Xavier picked up the envelope, but there was nothing in it.

“What was in it?” I questioned, still keeping my eyes on them. I made sure to note all of their moves.

“Nothing that concerns you.” Sylvie said, but her eyes were on Xavier. She seem to comtemplate whether to snatch it from him or not. Thankfully, they both had the good sense to stay away.

“What was in it?” Xavier's voice was firm and unfriendly as he spoke. His expression was equally intimidating that I was glad it wasn't directed at me.

Stephanie looked at her sister and winced. Sylvie curled her fingers at her sides. Her gaze darted around as if avoiding that scary look on Xavier's face.

“An invitation.” She finally said after few minutes of silence.

“To what?” He pressed on, his gaze still on her.

“A party.” She said quickly.

Xavier raised the envelope so we could all see the ‘C’ inscribed on it. He arched an eyebrow as if to say ‘really’.

“The person who invited us is named Carla.” Stephanie supplied.

The two of them exchanged a look but said nothing.

“And that's where you're going with this much luggage?” I asked.

They exchanged another look.

“We were planning on staying with her for a while.” Sylvie glared at me.

“And where does the Carla live?”

“Manhattan.”

“Vegas.”

The both of them said in unison. I pressed my lips together to hold my laughter.

“She lives in Manhattan but the party is in Vegas.” Stephanie clarified.

I didn't understand how neither of them sensed their foolishness.

“Who sent you this?” Xavier asked again in the cold, terrifying voice of his.

“We told you. It was–”

“Who sent it?” Xavier cut Sylvie off before she could finish her lie. She visibly shook but managed to keep upright.

Neither of them gave us an answer. It almost looks like they'd piss themselves. I took a step closer to them, my vision red with rage.

“Is it Lucien?” I spat out his name, disgust churning in me.

They went rigid, their eyes widened in shock. I didn't know if it was because I'd found out their father was alive, or because they didn't know he was alive. But I didn't care.

“Dad is dead.” Stephanie regained herself and whispered.

Sylvie pushed away from her sister and stalked towards me, her eyes bright with rage.
“You killed him. He died months ago because you pushed him down that cliff.”

They didn't know then.

“And now you come to rub it on our faces because you got away with it?” She yelled.

Since they didn't know, it didn't seem wise to announce to them that their father was indeed alive. One look at Xavier and he shook his head slightly.

“Well, good luck.” I pivoted on my heels before she could reply.

I hadn't taken more than a few steps when Sylvie said,

“No wonder your father abandoned you. After all, your whore mother fucked a married man because of money.”

I whirled towards her, my head spun with rage.

“What. did you. just. say?” I forced out.

Stephanie had the decency to look frightened as she hurried towards her sister, but she wasn't fast enough.

I stormed towards her, blinded with rage, and my fist connected with her face.