A ROYAL SCANDAL

RONNIE'S POV

There was a deadly silence among us, and Mom had to be the one to intervene.

"Richard, please calm down."

Father glared at her.

"So you're taking her side? Like what she's done is a good thing; this is unacceptable."

Jake let go of my father's hand as he stood in front of me protectively.

"Sir, I just want us to talk in a civil manner so things don't have to get out of control," Jake said quietly.

Father immediately sat down.

"Sir, I really love your daughter, and I would never do anything to shame her. I know that you're angry because we got married in secret."

"I want to assure you that I'll keep her safe and protect her."

"I won't let any harm come to her or our baby as long as I'm here, and I'll make sure to provide for them."

Father seemed to be considering Jake's words. After the silence exceeded for more than three minutes, Father got up and left the living room.

"Mom…"

"You already know how your father can be, Ronnie, and this is a big shock for him to take lightly."

"I'll try to talk to him once he calms down. Meanwhile, you and Jake should definitely spend the night here."

I nodded quietly.

Once Mom was gone, I turned to stare at Jake sadly because I dragged him into this mess.

"I'm so sorry I brought you into this mess, Jake; maybe coming here was a bad idea."

He cupped both of my cheeks.

"This was bound to happen. Ronnie couldn't keep your parents in the dark any longer."

"I hope you understand that."

I sighed deeply.

"Jake, you already saw my father's reaction. He's not going to accept our relationship."

"If I were you, I would certainly take those negative thoughts away because they're not good for you."

We could hear my parents arguing.

"Maybe we should go to my room or go out."

"Sure."

Once our luggage was in my room, we left the house and went to a restaurant to have some lunch.

Halfway through our meal, Jake broke the silence between us.

"You still look worried, Ronnie. What's wrong?" he asked curiously.

"What if my parents want to know more about your background and family? What are you going to tell them?"

Upon hearing this, Jake stopped eating.

"I guess I would have to tell them the truth."

I placed my hand on top of his.

"Jake, what really happened between you and your parents?"

"They disowned me."

My eyes widened in shock.

"What? Why?"

"Because I chose you."

I was puzzled.

"What do you mean?"

"Ronnie, I was supposed to marry someone from a royal family."

He glanced at his wristwatch impatiently.

"It's getting dark; we should go back to your parents' house."

I nodded quietly.

He paid the bill, and we went back home.

Once we were back home, we went straight to bed. The next morning, Jake booked our flight tickets back to New York.

We were leaving this afternoon because my father refused to accept us as long as I was still married to Jake. And since I chose to stay with my husband, he didn't want anything to do with me or our baby.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I recalled his painful words.

"As long as you walk out that door with that man, Ronnie, consider yourself dead to me because you won't be my daughter anymore."

"Dad, please don't make me choose between you and my husband…" I pleaded tearfully.

"I can't let go of Jake."

He stared at me in disbelief.

"Then there's not much left to say to you, Ronnie. You and your husband should leave immediately."

Before I could utter a word, he slammed the door shut in my face, and that was the last time I saw my parents.

It's been three years now, and I still miss them. A smile spreads to my lips as Karliah, my daughter, hands me a flower she picked from the garden.

"Mommy, this is for you."

I wiped my tears away.

"Why are you crying?"

"It's nothing, dear. Thank you for the flower; it's very lovely."

I touched my swollen belly gently. I was pregnant again, and this time we were expecting a boy.

Life in London was good. We had everything; our jobs had very generous salaries, enough to carry us for a year.

Jake and I worked full-time, and we both made sure that Karliah went to the best school.

She was a very brilliant young girl. She was very witty, just like her father.

TEN YEARS LATER

KARLIAH'S POV

I remember arguing with my parents because they wouldn't let me go to a friend's party, which was going to take place at a very fancy club in town.

"Mom, it's not a big deal; just let me go to the party. You're seriously killing my social life right now."

Mom sighed softly.

"Karliah, you should listen to your mother; she knows best."

I folded my arms across my chest.

"I hate you both."

"Karliah," my father warned quietly.

"I won't repeat myself. Why can't you be more like your brother?"

I rolled my eyes at him.

"That's because Dylan doesn't have a social life."

Once my dad turned his gaze back on the road, lights flashed at us brightly, and the last thing I heard was my mother's terrified scream and the taste of blood on my lips.

"Jake!"

"Mom! Dad!"

When I woke up, I was in pain and couldn't move. My vision was still blurry.

Once my vision cleared, I realized that I was stuck inside the car in the backseat.

Mom's lifeless eyes stared at me blankly, and tears rolled down my cheeks.

"No!"

"Mom, please wake up. I'm sorry for sneaking out. I won't ever do it again."

"Daddy, I'm sorry. I won't ever be stubborn again; just say something to me..." I sobbed miserably.

Everything is almost a blur, but I remember hearing sirens in the background and how cold my body felt because I couldn't breathe.