Chapter 16 Her Family

Charlotte tried to sound nonchalant. "You hang out here with them. I'm going to check out the store next door." Sofia nodded understandingly. "Sure, go ahead." Charlotte entered a fancy store and picked a tie for Luke. Right after paying, she got a call from Luke, mentioning some issues at home and asking her to come. He didn't specify the problem, but his urgent tone made her hurry back to the kids' clothing store. "I can't stay, Sofia. Luke needs my help with something." "What's up with Luke?" Sofia was holding a kids' outfit. "He didn't give details over the phone. Let's go check it out?" "Alright, I'll wait in the car with the kids. Give me a ring if you need anything." Sofia quickly settled the bill for their selected outfits and zoomed off in her shiny sports car to Luke's parents' place. Luke was outside waiting. Sofia stepped out to say hi to Luke. "I'll stay out here since it's family stuff. I'm here if she needs me." Peering through the car window, Luke noticed two children in the back seat. "I'll be quick." He then brought Charlotte inside the house. "I'm sorry for calling you here so suddenly." Luke sounded apologetic. "It's fine, let's handle what needs to be done." As they approached the door, a familiar voice caught Charlotte off guard. She was stunned to see her father. Linda, spotting Charlotte, hurriedly pulled her close. "My son has a girlfriend already. It's senseless to keep this up." Blinking in disbelief and thinking she was mistaken, Charlotte was jolted back to reality when Bill called out to her. Standing with Bill were her stepmother, Nora Johnson, and her half-sister, Floriana Hall. "Why are all of you here?" Charlotte moved closer to them. "When did you come back?" The look on their faces was one of utter shock. Luke remained composed. "She's my girlfriend. Is there an issue?" Floriana spoke up, "How can you be Luke's girlfriend?" Charlotte was puzzled. "My boyfriend said he had to take me home for something important, but I had no idea it would involve you." Luke was equally confused. "You know them?" Charlotte nodded. "Yes, this is my father. We haven't seen each other for a long time." In the tension-filled room, Luke's face turned icy, mirroring the sudden drop in atmosphere. His voice carried a hint of anger. "How can you call yourself a father when you've never once reached out to your daughter in her tough times, even barring her from your home?" Bill remained defiant. "She was the one who cheated, bringing shame to our family. How could I let her back in after that?" Upon hearing this, Linda's expression subtly changed. She was shocked to learn that the woman she had grown fond of had a past marked by marriage and infidelity. Luke, foreseeing a day when the truth would emerge but not under these circumstances, spoke to his parents, "Yes, she's divorced, but not for the reasons you think. I've investigated the matter. Once we sort this out, I'll explain everything, okay, Mom?" Linda and Andrew Allen, Luke's father, known for their decorum and wisdom, chose not to probe further, trusting in their son's careful judgment. Charlotte offered Linda a remorseful smile. "I apologize, Mrs. Allen." Linda was wearing a courteous smile. "It's alright. I trust you." Andrew added with reassurance, "Don't fret, we'll take care of everything." Feeling a bit more relieved by their words, Charlotte's anxiety eased. "What exactly is happening here?" Linda explained, "Luke's grandfather and your grandfather were close friends. They arranged a marriage between our families long before Floriana was born. We didn't know about this deal or even about your existence then." Charlotte's mother suffered a severe hemorrhage giving birth to her. When Charlotte was one, her father brought home Nora, who was already expecting. Charlotte had vaguely heard about her half-sister's arranged marriage when she was little, but didn't grasp the details or who was involved. She never imagined such a twist. Andrew let out a sigh. "We intended to discuss breaking the engagement with Floriana, considering Luke is with you. But they've taken the initiative." Charlotte realized the urgency behind Bill's actions now. His sudden visit with her stepmother and half-sister made sense – he was trying to secure the arranged marriage. Floriana, close to tears, confronted Charlotte. "Are you trying to steal my fiancé too? Even though you're Dad's daughter, you're divorced. How can you be right for Luke?" She was almost kneeling. "I don't care that Luke brought you to the dinner. I know he loves me. If you leave him alone, we can forget all this ever happened." The revelation of Bill's company teetering on bankruptcy painted the picture clearer for everyone. His eagerness to push the marriage between Floriana and Luke was a desperate move for financial salvation. But the news of Luke's relationship with Charlotte and his intent to dissolve the arranged marriage threw a wrench in Bill's plans. Charlotte had long harbored resentment toward her stepmother and half-sister. Their presence in her life had been anything but peaceful. "What exactly are you implying?" Nora didn't hold back. "You cheated during your marriage, even had children, and now you're meddling with your sister's fiancé? The audacity!" "You've brought enough disgrace to our family. Can't you refrain from causing further chaos?" Bill's words were laden with disappointment. To Charlotte, Bill's use of "our family" felt like a deliberate exclusion, each word piercing her heart. She regretted coming with Luke, realizing that escaping these rumors and judgments was a futile endeavor. Luke, determined to prevent further misunderstandings, clarified everything he had discovered. "I will not marry Floriana. Additionally, Charlotte's children are mine, and she will be my only wife. My parents have already expressed their support. Please refrain from defaming my fiancée, or I will take legal action."