Early in the morning the next day, Lilian's phone blew up with many messages and calls, not just from her parents but from her younger brother as well, who was a junior by only 2 years.
[Lilian, you know better than to ignore Dad. Come home and explain why you did what you did. He has access to everything you own, and you know what he will do to you if you show even a bit of a rebellious act. Just be obedient like you always are and answer the phone. I'm already feeling pity for you]
Just like the rest of her family, the younger one was equally arrogant and mean to the original soul. No one spared her.
But the boy was right.
Her father had access to her bank. If he froze it, Lilian was bound to be left with nothing. She had to handle them smartly, and so, she picked up her phone and called someone familiar.
"Hello."
[Hm? What a surprise. Why do you suddenly call me?]
"I need a favor."
[With...what?...]
…
Around noon, 12 pm, she finally decided to pay her family a visit.
Upon walking into the family house, Lilian paused in the living room. Everyone was waiting for her.
Her father, Mr. Marchello, her mother, her younger brother, as well as her elder sister, who, though she did not talk openly, was more than happy to instigate whenever she could. The entire family as a whole truly saw Lilian as a stepping stone to glory.
And what is an easier way than to have ties to Caesar Stoman?
Lilian's face darkened by many layers.
"Ma, Pa."
Neither of them would look at her.
The younger brother sipped from his cup of tea.
The elder sister held a snide smile, amused.
"Go back and beg him," the father said. "Before he announces this divorce himself."
Lilian was silent. They did not take her silence well.
"Didn't you hear your father?!" Her mother shot to her feet. Lilian held many facial resemblances to her. "Do as you are told! Go back and–"
"No."
"And what do you mean no?" This time, her father snapped completely. He rose to his feet and faced Lilian. Though they did not have a resemblance, the ink-dark hair and pitch-black pupils were inherited from him.
"I said no," Lilian repeated. "I will not be doing as you said. I'm not a dog that you can just throw a ball for and ask to fetch."
Her mother blinked.
Her sister, Aria, furrowed her brow. They had never seen her this way.
"You…!" Her younger brother, Micah, snapped. "Are you out of your mind? Do you realize—"
"Yes."
Lilian nodded.
"I know that our dear father is the one speaking to me, but so what?"
"You useless piece of trash!" Mr. Marchello stormed towards her. He grabbed her by the lapels of her sweater and smacked her across the face. "You've lived with Caesar Stoman for far too long, you've forgotten where you came from. What has gotten into you?"
The hit whirled Lilian's face to the side. She stared at the floor for a few seconds before lifting her head.
"It'd be best you let go of me, Pa," she said, grabbing his hand to take off his hold.
Mr. Marcello was confused. "What are you doing?"
"I'll let this one hit slide, Pa. You have hit me one too many times, so this is not a shock. However, that does not mean I will allow you to do it a second time."
"Lillian, have you lost your mind?!" Micah stormed over to her. Yet, before he could sputter again, Lilian lifted her hand and backhanded him across the cheek.
Her fingerprint instantly emerged on his fair skin.
The slap left the boy staggering off his feet to fall to the floor. The shock of it stumped him. He sat there with his palm to his cheek, wide-eyed at this big sister of his who had never once lifted her hand on him.
"You…" He stuttered, "Y-you hit me."
"I did, yes." Lilian nodded. She tilted her head, her expression icy. "You were my little brother, and so you were precious. Everything you did was ignored. But that stops today. Utter another word and I will beat you senseless. Dare me."
"LILIAN!"
"What?!" she barked towards Aria. "You want to have a go too?"
"You–!"
"Give it a try, Aria. See what happens!" Lilian returned her attention to her father. She snarled, "If you so badly desire a connection with Caesar Stoman, why don't you have Aria marry him, hm?"
But then she clicked her fingers. "Ah, I forgot, she's not worth his interest."
"What?!" Aria wheezed out.
Lilian shrugged. "I know you like him. You have always been interested in him, and that's exactly why you've loathed me all these years. It's a shame that you're not up to his standards. He has a lover, you really have no chance. So, why loath me instead of his mistress? I'm out of the picture now, do you think you have a shot?"
"You piece of trash!"
"Yes, yes, whatever. Aiaaa." She sighed, shaking her head. "These dramas, all this nonsense, I'm really done with it."
"And you, Pa," she equally held her father's gaze. "I'm not your dog. For whatever action I take, it'll have to be my own decision. Mine, and mine only. I came here today not because you ordered me to, but because I want to tell you that the divorce is final. Hit me, do whatever you wish, it will change nothing."
She turned around.
"Ah, that reminds me. I also came here for one more thing. From today onwards, I have nothing to do with any of you."
Before they could speak, she added, "Yes. It is as you think. I am cutting ties with every one of you."
"You dare!" Mr. Marchello exploded. "You're cutting ties? What are you without us? You have nothing and you know what I can do to you! I'll give you another chance, Lilian. Get on your knees and apologize for this drama you just put on. I am willing to let it go. Afterwards–"
"I'm not interested," she interrupted, waving her hand. "As for what you will do, go ahead and try, Pa. I'm not as stupid as you think I am."
She spun around to leave. But she stopped again. This time, she looked toward her mother, who'd been silent all this while. "And you, Ma. You were meant to protect her. You promised to. But then you got a taste of fame, much more money, and all these things got to your head, you no longer cared if your child was broken so much she'd try to kill herself. I am disappointed in you, after all, if not in anyone, she saw a bit of hope in you."
Mrs. Marchello's blood ran cold. Her eyes flickered. "I…" She tried to reach forward. For her. But her husband held her back by the hand.
Mr. Marchello scoffed, "Go ahead then. This is your first rebellious act. I'll let you revel in it. Rebel to your heart's content. But you are nothing without us, Lilian. You will come crawling back eventually. Let us see how it goes then. You will surely regret what you've done today."
Lilian sighed.
She no longer bothered with words and left the family house completely. Everywhere was submerged in silence for a long while. The sound that broke the quietness was from Mr. Marchello's phone.
He swiped into his cell, and upon seeing the message, his face paled as his features grew pissed by many measures. "WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE?!"
Aria looked over. "What is it, Pa?"
Mr. Marchello lifted his gaze. "Lilian… t-this wretched girl."
He shook.
"She... she… she transferred all the money in her account. She transferred it away. There… there is not a dime left!!"
"WHAT?!"