Chapter 4 A Family's Betrayal, Her Bestie's Advice

I removed my sunglasses, observing the home I'd left for four years.

It was still huge and spoke of wealth. Lots of it.

It was even bigger than the one I'd lived with Dylan. I heaved a sigh. It was all mine. One of the things I had left of my dead parents.

My phone rang.

"Hey, Lina."

"Are you home now?" She had called nonstop ever that since morning I'd abruptly ended the call.

But I had briefed her through texts when I had my things packed.

"Yes." I spotted my aunt. My dad's younger and only sister. The only family I had left. She appeared surprised to see me. "I'll call you back, Lina. Let me talk to aunt Georgina."

"Okay. Say hi to her for me."

"I will." I ended the call and hastened my steps to the large porch. "Hey, aunt." I hugged her, enjoying her familiar scent.

My aunt had been my biggest support system when I had lost my parents seven years back.

"What are you doing here? What about your husband?" She questioned, looking concerned. "Are you fine? Your eyes, they're..."

I broke down into sobs. "He used me, aunt Gina. H-he..."

"Calm down. Let's go in." She led me into the house, walking past the general living room, proceeding towards the family living room.

She told two maids to go get my things from the car and instructed another to get me something to drink.

I sniffled and settled in her arms. A bit comforted, I told her everything.

By the time I was done, she was quiet.

I frowned. "Is anything wrong, aunt Gina?"

"You have to return to your husband's house." Gone was the sympathy from her face, replaced by a hard, unsmiling expression.

"Did you not hear what I just said, aunt Gina. Dylan..."

"I heard everything, Venice." She cut me off a bit harshly. "But you have to do whatever you can to fix your marriage. You can not stay here. I thought you are here for few days visit and you'd be gone."

"What is happening, aunt Gina? Why are you acting this way?" I was completely perplexed.

I didn't expect this from her at all.

"Listen to me Venice. You have nothing to return to, not even this house." Her tone got colder.

Nerves knotted tighter as apprehension had me breaking out in cold sweat. "W-what do you mean by that?"

"Everything is now under my control. In my name." She divulged, meeting my confused gaze with a hard stare of hers.

"Everything? I-I don't understand."

Without another word, she went out of the room and returned almost immediately with some documents. "Read."

I collected the papers, sinking deeper in confusion, and opened to read. A shocked gasp left my lips. "You legally changed ownership of Thompson empire?"

"I am a Thompson, am I not?" She sat back down, unperturbed that she had just rocked my world and not in a good way.

"But Thompson empire is mine. My parents left it to me before their death!" I was on the verge of tears, my voice shook badly.

"Crying will solve nothing. Just go back to your husband's house and remain there. There's nothing left for you here." She threw casually at me.

I stood for what seemed like forever, trying to understand what the hell was happening. If this was some kind of dream and I'd wake up from it.

"Why, aunt Gina? Why would you do this?" I queried through tears. "Where do you want me to go to? This is my home. My right. My inheritance. You had no right, aunt Gina!"

"I have every right, Venice! This house, the companies and everything else that makes the Thompson empire belonged to my brother and now it is mine." She snapped, rising to her feet.

"If he wanted you to have them he would have given them to you!" I retorted, suddenly angry.

Tears still poured and I hated it.

The maid brought a glass of drink for me.

"Take it back, Felicia. My niece will not be staying for long." She ordered the maid who quietly pulled herself from the scene, taking the tray containing the drink my aunt had asked she bring for me.

"Why? Why? Why would you do this?" I continued my query, unable to control my tears.

This level of betrayal was the hardest to take. My own family could do this to me?

"Why not?!" She queried back very harshly. "How could Fred leave a billion dollar empire for a girl of sixteen to manage?! And while I'm alive?!"

"Did he not give you money when he was alive? He opened three different businesses of your choosing for you. Built a house for you! You have money, why are you doing this?!" I yelled, frustration and anger clashed within me.

"It's nothing compared to what he left for you!" She yelled back.

I didn't even know what else to tell her, I collapsed on one of the sofas, sobbing hard.

"Get up and leave!" She ordered.

"I will do no such thing! This is my house! Thompson empire belongs to me, aunt Gina!" I said defiantly.

"Very well then. I'll have you thrown out." She left the living room.

Stubbornly remaining seated, my head whirled. I didn't even know what else to do. I stared at the documents, the signature and seal were authentic.

I had no proof the company used to belong to me. Even if I decided to take it up legally, she would win me hands down.

Dad had left her in charge until I was nineteen before I could take over. But it had delayed because I fell in love, twice, and forgot all about my inheritance.

Now I was regretting that decision.

"Take her out and do not open the door for her." Aunt Gina was back with two guys behind her.

They were dressed like goons. Where had she gotten them from?

"No, I won't leave." I tried to fight but they were no match for me.

Before I knew it, I was standing outside my own gate with my bags thrown at me. Even the car I'd come with was inside the large compound.

Sobbing hopelessly, I called my best friend to come get me.

*************************************************

"How could aunt Gina do something like that?! And to think I used to like her for being sweet and kind to me." Alina pouted angrily, rubbing a comforting hand on my back.

"I need to get my properties back, Lina. I have nowhere else to go. Dylan is my past now." I was no longer crying but I was bleeding inside.

I had been hurt by those I never thought would.

"There's only one person who's powerful enough to help you get your properties back." She suggested moments later, after a thoughtful silence.

"Who?" I paid her attention, ready to meet whoever it was.

"Don't kill me if I say his name." She said apologetically. "But it's Will, your ex."

"What?!" I rose from the seat and paced her living room.

"I know he's the last person you'd like to meet and he..."

"Don't say it." I raised a palm to stop her from going further.

I was yet to tell her about the one night stand. It wasn't important to me though. It was a mistake that was never happening again.

"You know he's the only person powerful and rich enough to pull strings. He's the richest in the country, I might dare say the continent even. Your family comes second to his wealth and power, bestie. Just do it."

"No, I won't! Will Sanders is bad news."