Chapter 320

“Congratulate you?” I stammered. "Mom, just…why?"

Mia's expression softened, a semblance of concern replacing the intensity. "Evie, darling, there's no need to get worked up. It's not as bad as you think. In fact, you and Timothy could be siblings eventually."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, I felt as if time had frozen. Mia's nonchalant attitude toward the revelation left me stunned, the implications sinking in slowly. The idea of Mia and Kamran becoming my step-parents, and Timothy potentially becoming my step-brother, added another layer of complexity to an already tangled situation.

Mia, however, seemed to relish the excitement she perceived in me, her tone tinged with a hint of disgust. "You seem quite thrilled by the prospect, Evie. It's almost endearing how close you and Timothy are. Siblings eventually, isn't that charming?"

The words left a bitter taste in my mouth. The casual way Mia treated the revelation, the twisted excitement she found in the potential family dynamics, unsettled me. The mansion, with its gilded walls and echoing hallways, became a stage for a performance I never signed up for.

"Calm down, Evie. It's not the end of the world," Mia chided, as if my unease were an overreaction.

The maid arrived with the next course, a distraction that provided a momentary reprieve from the uncomfortable conversation.

"You can't possibly go through with this," I exclaimed, my voice nearly breathless. "Timothy and I are dating. It's not right."

Mia, however, dismissed my concerns with a casual wave of her hand. "Evie, dear, Timothy isn't a viable option for a partner anyway. And once the marriage is official, you and Timothy will be step-siblings in name. It would bring shame to our family if you continued your relationship."

Her words struck me like a blow, the implications sinking in slowly. The notion of Mia and Kamran dictating the course of my personal life, casting judgment on my relationship with Timothy, fueled a deep-seated anger within me.

"Shame? What about our happiness? What about Timothy?" I shot back, my frustration boiling over.

Mia's eyes hardened, and a stern expression settled on her face. "Evie, you need to understand the bigger picture. A marriage between Kamran and me is for the good of the family. We can't let personal relationships overshadow the family name."

The audacity of her words left me incredulous. "The good of the family? What about Timothy's case? What about the fact that he might go to prison for a crime he didn't commit? How is this the right time for a wedding?"

Mia shut me down with a dismissive tone. "Evie, this isn't up for discussion. Not with that attitude. Don't speak to me that way."

Frustration and helplessness welled within me. My attempts to reason with Mia seemed futile, and I almost found it purposeful.

"I thought things were going perfectly between Timothy and me before you came along," I retorted, my voice tinged with anger.

Mia's eyes narrowed, a hint of displeasure evident. "Evie, I won't tolerate this defiance. You need to accept the reality of the situation."

I turned to Kamran, seeking a sliver of reason in the chaos. "Kamran, this isn't the right time. Timothy needs our support, not a rushed wedding. Can't you see that?"

Kamran's response, however, only added fuel to the fire. "Evie, a marriage between your mother and me would bring some wholesomeness back to our family name. It's what's necessary."

His nonchalant attitude struck a nerve, and I couldn't hold back the frustration that bubbled within me. "Necessary? What about morality? What about doing what's right?"

Kamran's expression hardened, mirroring Mia's stern demeanor. "Evie, I won't let you undermine the decisions we're making for the family. Timothy's situation will resolve itself, but the family must endure."

Feeling defeated, I excused myself, my footsteps heavy as I stomped through the long hallways. The illusion of a happy future with Timothy crumbled before me, replaced by the stark reality of Mia and Kamran's rushed marriage. I couldn't shake the feeling that I never should've wasted my time going there.

As I made my way toward the exit, the heavy wooden doors looming ahead, Mia's voice cut through the silence. "Evie, wait."

I turned to find Mia approaching with a contrite expression. "I'm sorry for springing the news on you like that. I didn't mean to catch you off guard,” she said.

I scoffed, my anger simmering beneath the surface. "The real problem is you marrying Timothy's father in the first place. Do you even realize what you're doing to our relationship? As if things weren't complicated enough with the murder case hanging over us."

Mia lowered her voice, her tone dripping with condescension. "Evie, Timothy wouldn't be able to get out of this mess, even if he were innocent. So, why not make the best of the situation? You'll reap the benefits of being bound to a wealthy family through my marriage to Kamran."

The shock of her words struck me like a blow, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "This was never about money for me, Mom. You can't possibly think that's all that matters."

Mia's gaze hardened, and her tone turned dismissive. "You're naïve, Evie. Money can solve a lot of problems. It's time you started thinking practically."

"No, you need to call off this wedding. It's tearing apart everything," I implored, my voice tinged with desperation.

Mia looked at me with an air of indifference, her expression revealing no remorse. "Evie, this decision has been made. I won't call off the wedding just because you want to be fragile about this."

Frustration welled within me, and I couldn't comprehend Mia's stubbornness in the face of the chaos she had unleashed. "Mom, you have to understand…”

Mia's eyes narrowed, and a condescending smile played on her lips. "Evie, you need to grow up. Your problem has always been your immaturity. Why can’t you just be happy for me?"

I felt a surge of anger at her dismissive words. "Grow up? This has nothing to do with maturity. You're meddling in my life!"

Mia waved my concerns away with a nonchalant gesture. "As a mother should."

My frustration reached its peak, and I couldn't let Mia's arrogance go unchallenged. "Mia, Kamran is not a man to be trusted. You're walking into this with blinders on. Can't you see that?"

Mia's response was laced with indifference. "Evie, I can handle myself. I don't need your warnings or interference. I’m a grown woman."

"I can't believe you're so blind to the consequences of your actions," I muttered in disbelief.

Mia snorted. "Evie, you're free to leave. Farewell."

Unable to bear her callousness any longer, I left in a hurry. As I drove back to my apartment, the anger and frustration coiled within me like a tempest. The mansion, the marriage, and Mia's suggestion to leverage the situation for personal gain left me feeling betrayed and lost.

Arriving at my apartment, I was greeted by a chill in the air that mirrored the storm within me. The familiar surroundings provided little comfort as I grappled with the harsh reality that had unfolded.

My breath caught when I reached Timothy's apartment door. It was left cracked open, almost in a silent invitation. Dread settled in my chest, and a sense of foreboding gripped me as I cautiously pushed the door open.

"Timothy?" I called out, my voice echoing through the empty space as I entered.