The Forsaken Heiress: From Outcast To Dominance

"No, no, Mom... You can't do this..." she shook her head, lips quivering. "You can't..."

Mid sentence, Emmaline's voice broke as she complained, tears streaming down her face nonstop.

She looked so pitiful and dejected, that people would think that her own parents were bullying her.

"It is my birthday in two days, so why should I get engaged to that disabled young master? And not only is he disabled, he is also rumored to be ruthless?"

Emmaline looked at her father. By her right side, Mr. George looked equally as distressed.

"Father, do something!" She sobbed even harder. "Mom!" She looked at her mother, Liliana, who flanked her by her left.

But her mother is just as speechless. They couldn't do anything. Even though they had anything to do, they couldn't possibly go against the most powerful family in New York City.

The Ashfords.

"Sweetheart, I wish there is something we could do, but as it stands now, our hands are tied. But I promise you that aside that, whatever it is you need, your mother and I will make sure to provide it for you."

"And the wedding will take place when you turn 20, so the only thing is to get accustomed to him." Her mother encouraged her, distressed.

She was crying with her sweet child, as if getting married to the young master, Evan Ashford was getting married to death itself.

Emmaline's parents loved her so much that they are willing to give their life for her. It's just that this situation was totally out of their control.

"But I don't want anything!" Emmaline half yelled. "Please, mom... dad..." Emmaline sobbed. "Do not give me to him."

But they could only squeeze her hands in reassurance, making her sob even harder.

They all looked up towards their home phone when it rang. It had kept ringing, and when it didn't stop, Liliana, signaled the head maid to bring the phone over.

Lyla immediately went over and carried the phone to the family of three. Liliana picked the phone and placed it on speaker.

"Hello..."

What did she think? It could be a random person, right? Or a family friend. However...

"Is this Mrs Liliana?" A feminine voice called from the other end.

For some reason Lilliana couldn't place, she suddenly felt a gnawing sense of unease creep through her.

"Are you still there?" It was only after the voice spoke again did Liliana snap out of her daze.

"Who is on the line and how are you able to get our land phone contact?"

"Oh thank goodness!" from the other end, relief flooded her voice. "I finally reached you. You must be Mr. George, right?"

George frowned. How is it that this person knew them perfectly well, but they didn't? It was difficult to get their house phone. Only close friends are able to get it, but this person was able to obtain it? Who was she?

After a moment of hesitation, the voice continued again. "It is me, Seraphina."

"Yes, Seraphina. How many we be of help to you? And how are you able to get our house phone?" George asked, cautious.

Even though this person was just a girl, he didn't trust that she didn't have a motive for calling them, hence he was skeptical and careful not to divulge much information.

"I got your number because my mum gave it to me and she asked me to call you."

"And who's your mother?"

"Her name is Rosamund."

"And where is your mother?" George asked.

The conversation felt like a question and answer session. And George also noticed how the girl tactfully deflected his first question. But he couldn't help but wonder how this woman, Rosamund, was able to get their house phone.

For a moment, the line went still. Too still that he was becoming agitated. If she wasn't going to say something, why then did she call them?

And to think that they were in the middle of a conversation with their beloved daughter. At that thought, he glanced at Emmaline, was also paying attention to the conversation.

The girl still didn't answer, so he thought to hang up. But then, the girl spoke again.

"My mother is...dead."

There was a hint of melancholy in her voice, as if she was suppressing her voice from breaking into a sob.

A pang of something he couldn't decipher hit George like a storm even though he didn't know the girl.

"And why are you telling us this?" It was Liliana that asked this time.

Her voice was edged with a mixture of irritation and anger.

"Because..."

As if a bucket of ice cold water had been emptied on Liliana's head, she froze, overcome with shock.

By the side, Lyla, their head maid froze as well, their heart beating frantically as her eyes flickered over to Liliana. She stood rooted to the spot, like she had heard the voice of a ghost!

Gods! Have the past finally caught up with them? Maybe... have they been-

They looked at Emmaline and her face looked ashen and drained of color as if the world was coming to an end. It was as if her life was finally coming to an end.

"Mom... Dad..." her voice broke.

She looked at both of them, each with a different expression on their faces. "Say something mom! What I have just heard, is it true? Someone tell me that that girl just lied."

But they all stayed rooted and mute. Until George slowly looked at Liliana who looked much like a statue.

"Yeah, say something, Liliana. Is she lying?" George's voice was low, but weighted with a demand for an explanation.

For a moment, the sitting room felt charged. The discussion about Evan had been forgotten and so was Emmaline's birthday.

The call had been disconnected but yet, the only thing that still echoed in each and every one of their heads right now is...

"Because... I'm your daughter, mother. Because I'm your child."