Hiding the Heirs from My Boss

KARMA

The house was empty and a complete mess, so instead of resting as I had planned, I started cleaning. I peeked into my cousin’s room, but it seemed she hadn't come home yet.

Therese has always been promiscuous. She just turned eighteen, and she’s already sleeping around. I’m not even sure if Roger was her first. Even during high school, she was always hanging out with different guys.

After cleaning, I started a load of laundry and boiled water for coffee. The fridge was empty, and the only thing in the cabinet was a single pack of noodles. Fortunately, there was still some rice left to cook. I needed to eat. I hadn't had a real meal since yesterday. My stomach throbbed with pain. It is a reminder that I had chosen to drown my sorrows in alcohol instead of food.

You're reckless, Beryl. Just reckless! I scolded myself. To keep from spiraling into thoughts of my own foolishness from the night before, I threw myself into cleaning the rest of the house until I eventually fell asleep.

When I woke up, it was evening, and the house was still dark. Auntie and Therese weren't home yet. It seemed my cousin had no intention of returning. Perhaps she was already moving in with Roger. Fine, I thought. Let them. Karma will find them, and I’ll be there to applaud when it does.

I was reaching for the light switch in the living room when the lights suddenly flickered on. Therese and I both jumped, startled. We stared at each other for a heartbeat before my anger boiled over.

"You!" I hissed.

Before I could even get close, she swung at me. We ended up on the floor, pulling each other's hair and rolling around.

"You're a backstabbing slut! You flirted with my boyfriend!"

"Is it my fault I’m prettier than you?" she shot back. In a fit of rage, I kneed her in the groin—a little gift for messing around with Roger.

"Ouch! f**k!"

"Give yourself a rest! You're going to loosen up if you keep this up!" I shouted. The words were nasty, but I couldn't control myself. She was the one who betrayed me, yet she had the audacity to be bold about it.

She scratched my neck, so I kneed her again.

"Just accept it, Beryl! Roger doesn't love you. He wants me because I'm younger, fresher, and more attractive!"

"Younger, maybe. But fresher? Girl, you’re just barely an adult and yet your body is already worn out. You’re used up!"

"Better that than being an old maid!"

"Oh, I'm an old maid now?" I slapped her across the face and shoved her head back.

"Stop it! Let me go!" she screamed. We were still grappling when my aunt’s voice cut through the room.

"What is going on here?! Stop it, both of you!"

"Tell her to let go," Therese whimpered, but she wouldn't release my hair, so I didn't release mine. She winced as I tightened my grip on her scalp.

"You let go first," I threatened.

Auntie ignored us and walked into the kitchen, returning a moment later to douse us both with a basin of water. We finally broke apart, gasping.

"What are you fighting about?! Beryl, why are you attacking a child?"

"A child? She’s old enough to be making babies!"

"Beryl, watch your tone!" Auntie’s face was flushed red with anger.

"It’s true, Auntie. Yesterday, I caught her at Roger’s condo!"

Therese went silent, pressing her lips together.

"Is this true?!" Auntie demanded. But her reaction wasn't what I hoped for.

"Yes, Mommy. But it’s not my fault Roger liked me!"

Auntie gasped, but as I expected, she didn't ground her daughter. Of course not for this traitor was her own flesh and blood. "Tell Roger to come here," Auntie commanded.

"Why, Mommy?"

"Just get him here! And you, Beryl! Just let your cousin have him. He wouldn't have gone for her if he truly loved you."

"What are you saying, Auntie?"

"Roger needs to marry Therese."

My blood ran cold. Roger is wealthy, and I knew exactly why Auntie was pushing for this. She never cared about Therese's previous teenage flings because there was nothing to gain from them. This was about money.

Roger arrived looking pale and nervous. When Auntie dropped the bombshell, he looked like he might faint. "You need to marry my daughter," she said bluntly. Roger swallowed hard, stealing a glance at me. I looked away.

"We've been together for three months," Therese added proudly. Roger could hardly speak. He just kept looking at me.

The rest of the evening was a blur of Auntie and Therese planning a grand wedding. They discussed guest lists and venues as if I weren't even in the room. I stayed silent, seething, reminding myself of my own "foolishness" with the stranger the night before. I realized then that I could move on from Roger mostly because I had already crossed a line I could never uncross.

Therese wanted to move into the condo immediately, but Roger refused, using his "conservative mother" as an excuse. When he finally stood to leave, he looked at me again.

"Beryl, just accept it," Auntie said. "Nothing ever happened between you two anyway, right? Think of yourself as the bridge that brought them together. That’s just life, dear."

I forced a tight smile. "Yes, Auntie. I'm fine. They deserve each other."

***

The weeks that followed were a nightmare. I applied for a new job, desperate to save enough to leave Auntie’s house. I still helped with bills and groceries, but every afternoon I had to walk past Roger and Therese cuddling on the sofa. Roger clearly wanted to talk to me, but Therese never left his side.

Eventually, the engagement became official. Roger’s parents were shocked it wasn't me, and they clearly disliked Therese's provocative style, but they gave in.

Then came the wedding day. I didn't go. I wasn't being bitter. I just didn't have the heart to be a hypocrite. I went to work and came home exhausted, only to be met with a slap to the face from Auntie.

"Auntie!" I gasped, clutching my cheek.

"Did you talk Roger out of the wedding?!"

"What? No! Did it not happen?"

I looked at Therese. She was still in her wedding gown, her face swollen from crying.

"Stop lying! Roger called and said he can't go through with it because he still loves you!"

"I was at work all day," I said flatly, looking Auntie in the eye.

"You ungrateful child!"

"I’ve already paid my debt to you, Auntie," I said, my voice steady. "You took me in at seven, but you treated me like a servant. I paid for every grain of rice I ate. I worked throughout high school because you wouldn't give me an allowance. You gave me a roof, but you never nurtured me. I loved you anyway, but I'm done."

"Get out!" she screamed.

I went to my room and packed my things. As I headed for the door, Therese blocked my path.

"Mommy, if you kick her out, she’ll just run to Roger! Beryl, please... let me have him. I'm pregnant!"

I looked at her, feeling a mix of pity and disgust. "Go ahead and overthink it if you want," I said. "But next time, try keeping your legs closed so you don't end up in this mess."

The words stung even me as I walked out the door, knowing I was carrying a secret of my own.