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My scumbag of a father, who abandoned my mother and me, wants to acknowledge me and my brother again. Because now, my brother is a top-tier movie star, and I'm a rising star in the tech industry. My brother flat out refused. Only I, in a fit of naïve impulsiveness, agreed. That's because he told me there was more to my mother's death and asked me to help him uncover the truth. I believed him. Little did I know, this was just a scheme he orchestrated to make my brother change his mind. And I was merely a pawn in his game, used to manipulate my brother.
Chapter 1
1
My brother got the message and just gave a cold laugh before tossing the phone to me.
"Ivory, you go meet him," he said.
His eyes showed no hint of emotion, like he was talking about something that had nothing to do with him.
My brother, Nicholas Francis, was the hottest actor in the entertainment world right then.
And me, Ivory Francis, I'd just been named the youngest tech mogul globally.
Our sibling duo was the media's obsession.
All of it, thanks to my deadbeat dad.
Fifteen years back, he ditched me, Nicholas, and my sick mom to chase power and status.
He even spread lies that my mom cheated with another guy, and that's how I came to be.
Now, out of nowhere, he sent a paternity test.
Said he wanted to make things right.
Made things right?
What could he possibly offer?
Money? Status?
Or my mom, who'd been gone for years?
2
I'd been with Nicholas since I was five.
He was only four years older, but way more mature.
Plus, he practically raised me.
So I always listened to him.
I set up a meeting with my dad, Damien Francis, at a private club.
He looked a lot older, with gray at his temples.
Gone was the confident, successful businessman from back then.
When he saw me, he stood up, excited, reaching for my hand.
I instinctively pulled away.
He awkwardly dropped his hand, his eyes tearing up.
"Ivory, all these years, I have let you and your brother down. I know I messed up..." he said, choking up.
I watched his performance, stone-faced, feeling nothing inside.
Back when he left, he didn't even glance back.
Now he knew he was wrong?
Too late.
"What do you want?" I asked.
With Nicholas not around, I didn't bother playing nice.
He wiped his tears, looking heartbroken. "Ivory, I know I failed you all. I was blinded by greed when I abandoned you, your brother, and your mom..."
"What's the point of saying this now? My mom's gone!" I cut him off coldly.
He froze, like he didn't expect me to say that. "Ivory, you..."
"Enough." I stood up, looking down at him. "I came here to tell you that Nicholas and I will never forgive you. Stop wasting your time."
I turned to leave.
"Wait!" He chased after me, grabbing my arm.
"I know you hate me, but I had my reasons! Your mom's death wasn't an accident!"
I stopped and turned back. "What did you say?"
"Your mom's death wasn't what it seemed," he said, gripping my hand tightly, his eyes full of sorrow and pleading.
"Someone paid off her doctor to tamper with her meds. That's what made her condition worse and led to her passing..."
"What?!"
My mom had always been frail because of me. Later, she got sicker and passed soon after.
I always thought it was because childbirth weakened her, causing her early death.
But to think there was more to it?
"Who? Who killed my mom?!" I grabbed his collar, yelling.
He shook his head. "I don't know. I was in the dark too. It was only later that I found some clues, but it was already too late..."
He closed his eyes in pain. "Ivory, I know I failed you three. All I ask now is a chance to make it right. I'll find the truth and get justice for your mom!"
I stared at him, my eyes burning with hatred and rage.
I hated him for abandoning us, for making my mom, Nicholas, and me suffer so much.
But if my mom's death was murder, I had to find the truth and get revenge.
"What do you want me to do?" I asked.
"Nothing, nothing at all." He looked at me like I was his lifeline. "All I ask is that you move your residency records under my name..."
I stared at him silently, my mind racing.
Residency records.
I knew what that meant.
It meant acknowledging him, the deadbeat who abandoned his family.
But if I didn't agree, how could I uncover my mom's cause of death and get justice?
"Fine," I said, taking a deep breath and meeting his eyes firmly. "I'll do it."
Damien grabbed my hand, thrilled. "Ivory, I knew you're a good daughter. I knew you'd understand!"
I pulled my hand back, staring at him coldly.
"I'm agreeing only to find out what happened to my mom," I said, pausing to emphasize each word. "It doesn't mean I forgive you."
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