CHAPTER ONE

Mom, I called out as I pushed open the front door to my house. Mom I've got good news for you. Mom, I called out again. Eve, I turned to see my mom standing close to the window looking cold and distant as usual. I was startled however to see my father standing beside her. Dad, you are here I asked as far as father and daughter relationship go me and my dad have none. Eve my mom called me again sit we have to tell you something.

We? mom I don't understand what's going on I asked as I sat down. Your dad and I decided to go our separate ways. I've found someone I want to spend the remainder of my life with and your dad well he has another family of his own. So we've both decided to end things.

I gaped at them with my mouth hanging open are you kidding me I shouted. Looking at their countenance I understood the seriousness of the conversation. Dad, I said all these while you haven't been around I practically grew up without a father thinking you are out there fighting to keep our kingdom safe whilst you were with your other family tell me, father, what is going on?

My dad looked at me with a complicated expression heaving a sigh he said my name is not Caleb Hale but Caleb Langston. What! I shrieked so you mean my last name is Langston, not Hale? wait a minute Langston there is only one Langston family in the whole of Aegalia please tell me it's not what I am thinking. I'm afraid it is my father said. I fell in love with your mother while she was working as a helper for my family due to her background my family was against the relationship from the start I was later disowned for marrying her against the wishes of my family. A year later I realized I couldn't live the life of a commoner so I went back to my family unbeknownst to your mother with the excuse of me being a soldier working for the king. My family took me back and I got married to lady Elizabeth Castel. Although living the life I wanted and despite being married to someone else a part of me still loved your mother and not wanting to hurt her feelings I kept everything a secret and continued seeing her. Two years later she found out I was married and decided to end our relationship only for her to find out that she's pregnant. She and Elizabeth gave birth a day apart with you coming first and Elizabeth birthing twins a day after. Although I already have a son with Elizabeth for your sake your mom and I decided to stay together till you are of age to know the truth.

Dad what you are trying to tell me is that I have an older brother and twin sisters and that I'm a product of a marriage that shouldn't have taken place not only that I'm a Langston a child of one of of the ten most prominent family in Aegalia is that it? Yes Eve that's it your mom and I agreed it's time for you to know the truth so we all can finally know where we belong. Where we belong you say, father? let me ask you where do I belong because according to your story I was never meant to be a Langston. And you mom I've always wondered why you're so cold and distant towards me not knowing that apparently, it seems I represent the love you once had but lost for that reason you held me accountable for my father's infidelity and betrayal towards you. Looking at me my mom said you are eighteen now thus an adult you can take care of yourself now there is no need to continue keeping up the act for your sake we've been playing this game for eighteen years we can't continue anymore and we both have families now. So what about me I asked with tears streaming down my face is it my fault that all these happened? what do you want, for me to thank you for lying to me all these years or for putting up the act of a dysfunctional family with an absentee dad and a cold mom did any one of you stop to think of what your actions will do to me how it will affect my life so now since you both have it all sorted out what then will happen to me. Now we leave and return to our individual lives my dad said already leaving he got to the door turned and said though my wife and family are aware of your existence they want nothing to do with you so please from now on do not acknowledge me as your father and don't look for me. He left after saying that although I and my dad were never close he wasn't always around and the few times he's around I rarely ever see him he never played with me or called me pet names the way fathers do however my heart went cold the moment he uttered his last words and I couldn't help but call out his name the moment the door closed. Feeling alone betrayed and angry I turned to look at my mom who was also leaving what's his name and how long has it been going on I asked her she stopped turned to look at me and said I've been dating Mr. Andrew the dressmaker for five years now I was shocked but not too surprised I've always felt that their friendship was too friendly despite their overly friendly friendship Mr. Andrew has never acknowledge my existence despite being a dressmaker Mr. Andrew happens to be a renowned dressmaker with the royal family as patrons and people coming from far and near to patronize him especially the elite the poor only get to rent the leftover so Mr. Andrew is rather influential as for him falling for my mom well my mom despite her shortcomings is a real beauty with doe-like eyes and well proportioned facial features not to mention the jet black waist-length hair she is quite the head-turner looking at her I noticed she has changed a lot gone are the raggedy clothes and sallow looking skin instead all I can see is a woman who can easily pass off as a member of elite society it's crazy what the right amount of care and good clothes can do however I recalled that Mr Andrew is a widower with two kids a boy and a girl with the boy two years older than me and the girl a year older than me looking at my mom I asked so you rather take care of two children that are not yours than take care of your own child i said in bewilderment she looked at me and said they are poised, well mannered and cultured most importantly they don't remind me of my past. I looked at the woman with whom I bore the same resemblance with the only difference being the age gap and me having white strands of hair together with the black, looking at her I was at loss for words I mean what am I supposed to say. Goodbye Eve and don't ever come looking for me with that being said she left.

Feeling empty and devoid of any emotion I fell to the floor looking at nothing oblivious of my surroundings my mind a jumbling mess. After what felt like ages but was merely hours I regained some semblance of sanity and looked out the window only to discover it was already very late. I staggered to my room and collapsed on my bed willing my body and heart to normalcy. With a clearer head, I stared at my ceiling with the events of the day playing before my eyes I was calm as I replayed the event of the day and realized that I've been abandoned by my parents and the ties binding us permanently and thoroughly severed. With a calmer mind and a heavy heart I told myself I will be fine and that all is well. Tomorrow is a new day and it brings with it promises blessings and opportunities with that thought in mind I slept off.