still find it hard to believe that Cassie's father is also my father and he has been just a stone's throw away from us all this while. I find it hard to believe that my dad is a millionaire living just a few hour's drive away from us while we have been struggling to provide our basic needs. I bite my lower lip hard to hold back my tears, I am not going to appear weak by shedding a single tear in front of him.

"I tried to look for you but I didn't realize how close you have been all this while," Damon says remorsefully.

I scoff, not buying his cheap lies. "You tried to look for us? No, you didn't because if you did, you would surely have found us."

"I swear I did." He insisted. "But I guess that doesn't matter, it doesn't change the fact that I was never there for you and your mother." His shoulders sag in defeat.

"Why did you leave in the first place?" I whisper loud enough for him to hear.

"I didn't, it was...your mother who left."

"What?" I blink at him in surprise. "What do you mean it was my mother who left? Are you trying to pin the whole blame on her?"

"No, no." He shakes his head. "Have a seat and I will explain everything." I raise my chin higher in defiance. "Please."

I exhale and take a seat in front of him. "Go on and explain."

"My family was strongly against our relationship because your mom came from a poor background and she works as a hotel receptionist. But they had no choice than to accept her when they found out that she was pregnant for me, at that time I was supposed to get married to Cassie's mom. Then one day, your mother left. Just like that, she left without giving a reason why only a note telling me not to look for her. I was so heartbroken, she left with my..." There are tears in his eyes as his trembling voice trails off and he shut his eyes tightly as if in pain.

"No." I deny shaking my head vigorously. "No!" I state firmly. "She can't do that."

"Yes, she did. Cassie later confessed that she offered your mom a huge sum of money to go somewhere far away, to leave, and never come back. It was so painful...It was just a few weeks to our wedding, I thought my parents were right that she was just a gold digger."

I feel dizzy immediately, it feels as if all I grew up believing are nothing but lies. I thought my dad is an insensitive asshole for leaving my mother and I, I never thought...I can't for the life of me hold my tears now.

"Stop Sasha." He says suddenly.

"S-Stop w-what?" I stammer while trying unsuccessfully to hold back my tears.

"Let me conclude my story before you start jumping to conclusions." I nod and he continues. "A few years ago I found out that Jane lied to make me despise your mother and probably stop searching for her."

"What?" My head is throbbing now, it's all getting confusing.

"She hired an assassin to get rid of your mom...and you." He grips the table hard and his jaw locks in anger.

I'm sure my mouth is hanging open as I try to process what my dad just said.

"She was able to escape so she ran for her life and yours."

I can't help but to think that history is repeating itself, it is just that this time it is full of more drama and it is more intense.

"I couldn't stand her after I found out what she did so I divorced her. I remember Cassie crying, begging me not to leave but I couldn't stay not after everything her mother did. I tried everything I could to gain custody of her as she wasn't eighteen yet, I didn't want her to grow up to be like her mother but I failed. I couldn't protect any of my daughters." He drops his head in defeat, that sight triggers some emotions in me, I can't explain it. "I failed in my responsibilities to you and your sister, Cassandra. I shouldn't have left her with Jane."

I can't for the life of me think of her as my step sister after everything she put me through and I know that I may never be able to forgive her. I see a single tear slide down my dad's cheek and before I know it I left my seat and I'm hugging him while sobbing on his chest.

"But believe me when I say that I tried to search for you even before I found out the truth."

And then I remember once lived in California with my mom but came back here after I clocked 10, maybe that was why he couldn't find us the first time.

I watch from afar as guests park their cars and enter the house one after the other, my grip tightens around the staring wheel and I gnash my teeth in anger. So they dare throw a birthday party for Sasha? I'm filled with more hatred and jealousy as I watch the guests pass the security men and walk in with smiles on their faces.

My hatred skyrockets when I see my father enter the house with a gift box after parking his car at the garage. Sasha took Jace, Ashley, and then my father from me. She took my spot in Jace's life, became best friends with my childhood friend and then my father...she has been the one he has been searching for all this while, she is the reason why my father divorced my mother and left us. Look at me, I'm no longer free, I'm wanted and my mom is standing trials for fraudulent activities in our companies.

Without wasting more time, I push the hoodie of my sweater all over my head and put on my shades. I get out of the car and walk straight to the entrance where the security men are.

"Invitation card please." One of them asks as I clench my fist in anger.

"I don't have."

He looks taken aback at my harsh reply but I don't care.

"Okay, What is your name, Miss? Let's check if your name is on the invitation list."

"I doubt it." I try to walk past them but they block my path stubbornly, do they wish to die? "My name is... Cassie Kimberly." I smirk and remove my shades and hoodie.

They are gap at me in shock, I see one of the security men instantly pick up his walkie talkie and the other to brings out a handcuff. I unzip my sweater discreetly showing them the grenades on me. They all gasp and take a step back with fear visible on their faces. I smirk at the clueless guests behind me and walk into the house.