Page 54 of Papers Don't Lie

“Esmeray, darling,” he calls for me, relaxing in his seat. “Do you miss home?”

His question catches me off guard, so I can’t help the quick way I straighten my spine. Do I miss home? Not really. Do I like it here? Since I walked inside this house, I've never asked myself this, but the truth is, despite Carter sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong, I’m happy. I feel like I belong in this house that I now call home.

The difference is that here I’m wanted for who I am, not for what I can become or what assets I bring to this family. We might not know each other well enough yet, but I have a feeling his brothers like me a lot after the little surprise I sent him a month ago.

The memory brings a smile to my face. “This is my home now,” I say, and immediately catch the way Kai’s eyes widen in surprise at my words.

His father nods. “I’m happy to hear that, but if you want to invite your family here or friends, you’re more than welcome to. You know that, right? Since this is also your home.”

Friends. What a funny word when you’ve always been surrounded by your sisters and potential husbands instead of building your future. My siblings are my friends, but I don’t think he wants to have five of my sisters at the table. We’re a large family.

“Why don’t you call someone to come over tonight?” he suggests.

“I—I’ll do just that. Thank you, Callum,” I tell him with a smile before excusing myself and walking to my room to grab my phone.

I open the group chat with my sisters, asking everyone to come over. Without my parents though. They text back quickly.

Naveah

Ben and I are celebrating ten years of marriage, maybe another time.

Taylor

Karina has a fever and a doctor just came to check on her. I’m sorry.

Karina is her four-year-old daughter,the cutest kid in the world. I smile, wishing I could visit her more often, remembering how last time, Taylor mentioned how she kept asking when Aunt Esme was going to visit.

victory

I’m out with Ilory, you can come if you want!

A sigh fallspast my lips. I know each one of us have our own lives now and our own problems, but I wish we didn’t meet only when someone is marrying, having a child, or dying. Mom has this stupid rule of hers that we have to put our husbands above everything else, even our family. I don’t agree with that, yet my sisters do.

When I’m ready to take a shower to erase the feeling tugging at my chest, my phone pings with another message. It’s from Raven, who hasn’t stopped texting me since the day she chose Carter over me.

Raven

Can I come? We need to talk.

THIRTY

ESMERAY

“I’m pregnant,” she says as soon as she opens the door, leaving no room forhi, how are you doing, how’s it to be married?

My mouth parts open, and I'm not really comprehending what she’s saying. “What?” I manage to say, my eyes flying to her stomach. She’s not really showing, but she’s always been incredibly skinny as well. “I thought you said you’re never going to have a kid with Jamie. What happened to that idea?” I ask, dropping on my chair with a sigh.

She sits in her seat, fidgeting while picking up the nail polish on her nails as she looks at the ground. “Esme, I told you I hate Jamie more than I hate our parents for marrying me to him, but when you’re married, there are some things you have to do. And that’s what I did until he decided we shouldn’t use protection anymore. Trust me, I did everything a woman could do to prevent this from happening, but once I found out I was pregnant, this child has became my salvation, you have to understand.”

My heart aches for my sister. Unfortunately, Raven didn’t get to have either a friendship or a proper relationship with her husband. At least he doesn’t hit her like Taylor’s husband does, but it’s not any better to be sexually assaulted.

“I’m so—”

“Just listen. It’s not easy for me to tell you this.” She takes a deep breath, tying her dark hair in a ponytail. “When I told Mom I was pregnant, she told me it was the perfect way to make you come home. I thought she was going to tell you and you'd want to be by my side, but insead, she used my pregnancy against me and forced me to work with Carter behind your back. She threatened she’d tell Jamie that the child wasn’t his if I didn’t get you to come home. I initially refused, but after two days of constant pressure from Mom, I realized if Jamie would ever believe that he… this baby would die before being born. Please know that if I really had a choice, I would’ve never done that to you,” she finishes, tears swimming shamelessly on her cheeks.

I can’t help but get to my feet and lean down on my knees next to her, caressing her hand with mine. “Raven,” I whisper, and she bursts even more into tears.

“Believe me, Esme. I hate myself for what I did,” she murmurs, looking at the ceiling to remove some of the tears pooling in her eyes. It doesn’t work.

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