Chapter 9: Meeting Her Father
"Anne..." her mother whispered, her voice cracking with anguish as she reached out to touch her daughter. "Listen to me, please... I would never harm you, you know that. Your father and I love you more than life itself. Please, Anita..." She reached out a trembling hand, but Anita recoiled, her eyes blazing with hurt and betrayal.
"You call this love, Mom? Your husband broke off my engagement to the man I’ve always loved. Was that love? You both are manipulating me into a loveless marriage with Richford? Is that love, mom?" she choked back a sob as her voice rose, filled with indignation, "You know I cannot stand him, yet, you want me to spend the rest of my life with him!"
"He loves and respects you, Anne." She took Anita’s hands. "Marriage takes more than love to work. Richford will protect you. He’ll—"
"Protect me from what? The only protection I need is from you all!" Anita yelled, snatching her hands from her mother’s as she forcefully wiped the tear that had slipped down her cheek.
"Let me make this clear once and for all. If a hair on David and his family’s head is harmed, I’ll make sure you all pay for it. I’ll make sure you regret it."
She took a deep breath, her chest heaving with emotion, voice cracking and trembling as she struggled to regain control. "I’m warning you, Mr. and Mrs. Reginald White. Stay away from David and his family. They’re off-limits. I will not let you bully them like you did to my ex-fiancé." With that, she turned and walked away, and that was the last time she set foot in the White mansion.
Anita blinked back her tears as she found herself standing in the corridors, gazing at the rows of family portraits. They were portraits of her parents, grandparents, and forefathers.
The White estate wasn’t built by her father, rather it was a legacy passed down through generations of Whites, a symbol of their wealth, power, and prestige.
Anita’s eyes wandered over the familiar faces, her gaze lingering on the portrait of her great, great-grandfather, the founder of the White empire.