KALIA
"Kalia!" I overheard the annoying but persistent voice of my stepmother from across the living room calling out to me.
The unbearable irritation in her voice was also present even though she tried her very best to mask it so that it doesn't show.
"You don't intend to spend the rest of the day opening up the door now, do you?" She asked and instead of replying, I stepped aside to let him in, trying to mask my own surprise as well.
I'm still shocked from the fact that Callum had a brother. Where was he hiding and why didn't anyone speak about him?
"Come in." I held the door open and gestured with my hands for him to enter and he immediately followed.
Judging by his quizzical expression, I could tell that he had a lot of questions and was quite confused about the whole thing but he never said anything to me in regards to it. Maybe he was still trying to process everything just like I was.
Great! Not only was this man the brother of my Ex-husband, he was also the stranger that I had knocked down yesterday with my car. Another person to join in the family's drama. What an amazing day it is for me.
"Darren!" His father stood up from his seat and went on to embrace him as soon as we walked into the dining room.
I located my previous position on the table and lowered myself on it quietly.
Everyone watched the exchange between father and son but what was strange was the fact that I also noted that not everyone was quite happy about it.
Callum's mother looked very upset and angry whereas Callum on the other hand, looked like someone who was almost on the verge of flaring up.
I didn't understand the power dynamics going on in front of me but for once, it was fun to watch Callum this upset for whatever reason. I couldn't help but smile to the fact that he was pissed off.
I have been married to him for two years in my past life and sadly, this was the only time that I was genuinely happy because he was in pain.
Our faces met briefly and I didn't even try to hide the fact that I was subtly mocking him. He furrowed his brows at me but i looked away.
"Everyone, this is my first son, Darren." His father introduced him to us. I could hear the pride in his voice as he spoke about him whilst patting his back affectionately.
"He was out of the country for business for a while. I didn't think he'd make it because his flight was delayed but he did so, I had invited him here to be a part of this celebration."
His flight must've been delayed in my previous life too. That's why he wasn't able to attend but since he's here, it only means that I'm slowly changing my future so things are playing out a little differently from before.
"Good day everyone." He greeted in a husky and deep masculine voice just like the one I had heard this morning. I know that it was totally unrelated but he sounded really good.
"Welcome Darren." My stepmother stood up to greet him. I never knew that she could be this polite.
"Join us and please have a seat." She pointed at the empty space next to where I sat and he took it. I shifted a bit farther away so that we weren't in close contact with each other.
I was still reeling from the fact that he was my Ex-husband's brother and I didn't want to raise any suspicions so that no one realizes that we have met before.
"Hello." He greeted me with a smile. I stared at his face briefly and slowly looked away. I don't understand why he was trying to make conversations with me when I'm not even interested.
"Hi." I forced a smile that didn't reach my eyes. I just wanted everything to be over and done with so that i can leave this suffocating table. It's already bad enough that I have to suffer through this ordeal for the second time.
"Hi Darren." Celyn greeted shyly as she stretched out her hands to him for a handshake. "My name is Celyn. I'm honored to make your acquaintance."
He nodded at her with a warm smile and I saw her cheeks flush as she stole subtle glances at him. I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me that she was attracted to him. It's so easy for her to get attracted to anyone, isn't?
She's not even ashamed that she's smiling sheepishly at the brother of the man she's currently having an affair with. The lengths that this girl was willing to go baffles me.
"Congratulations on your engagement, brother. Father filled me in on my way over here." He said to Callum who looked away uninterested. "Why is everyone quiet? Why aren't we celebrating?"
"Because that girl," His father pointed at me, his anger surfacing like it never left. "She has called off the marriage without any reason!"
"I can already imagine the tabloids and headlines that'll suffice when this issue is leaked to the media and how it'll ruin our family's name." He complained even more.
"I should never have approved of this marriage when your brother insisted on it. Just look at where it has gotten us now."
Just hearing his father say that opened up my wounds and stung my eyes with tears.
I wasn't crying because I still loved Callum. I was crying because I regret all my decisions.
I had dedicated my life to loving this man and he repaid me by hurting me, by breaking me to the point of no return. I gave myself to him piece by piece only to watch him wreck me and ruin me beyond repair.
Excusing myself from the table, I walked outside the main house through the backdoor to get some air.
When my emotions were a bit on check, I decided to head back to my room to rest because I was already too exhausted but just as I was about to leave, I heard whispering voices around the corner.
Curious, I traced it to the parking lot. It sounded a lot like Callum's and I was right. He was in a heated conversation with his mother. Still rooted on the spot, I hid myself nearby to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"How could you allow father bring that man over here for tonight's dinner celebration?" He snapped angrily at his mother who was desperately trying to calm him down before he spiraled out of control.
"I didn't allow him. He did it on such short notice. Even I was surprised when i heard that he would be joining us today." She answered.
He fisted his hands and punched the wall in rage. I flinched from his reaction. Why was he angry that his own brother was here at his own celebration? Does that even make any sense? Aren't they family?
"Kalia has already called off the marriage and he was here to witness it all." She complained bitterly. "Who knows what father might discuss with him after all this is over."
"Control your temper Callum!" His mother half yelled at him.
"I will not have you ruin everything that we have worked so hard to build to this point. So what if he's here? He can't do anything to take your position do you understand? You are also your father's son and you have a right as his child just like him." She assured him.
Everything they had built? What was she talking about? Was she also involved in the conspiracy surrounding my death? Did she know about it all?
I've always suspected that his mother never liked me but would she go to that extent?
"That stupid girl has already ruined our plans and we can't afford to get on your father's bad side anymore so just pretend to be family or brothers at least for a few more days until he leaves the country and that's it." She requested.
"He's not my family and he'll never be my brother." Callum snapped furiously. "He's the son of that woman and you know how father feels about him. I'm literally invincible whenever he's around."
"He's always hogging the spotlight. Father loves him and he never tries to hide it so how do you expect me to pretend to love something that I loathe and despise with my entire being?"
"Which is exactly why you have to pretend so that you can win your father's love and bring him over to your side as well." She touched his arm affectionately.
"We will form another alliance with a good girl from a good pack so you just have to be patient."
"The damage has already been done and It's only a matter of time now okay?" She said with a consoling smile before leading him back into the house and that's when it hits me.
Callum and Darren are stepbrothers which only means that Callum is the second son to his father's empire. No wonder he never mentions his brother and felt inferior around him at the table when he arrived. I guess it's time to use this piece of information to my advantage.