“There she comes, the daughter to Mr. Starling”

The whole media team swings into action with lots of cameras and the journalists holding on to their microphones. I purse and think to myself. “Is this really life?”

“Miss Emma Sterling, your father was accused of several crimes including, fraud,sexual assault and manipulation of government properties before his death. Can we know how true this is?”

“Emma Sterling we also heard that the court seized major documents,companies and properties owned by your father until he is proven innocent “

“How do you feel about this news? And now the king’s family have taken over the legacy the Sterlings once owned “

All the questions floods in all at once. My head starts to spin as I think of my poor dad. Surely, he didn’t do non of these.

“Stop! How can you people accuse our father that way? You should get your facts right!”

Daniel’s voice echoes.

“Move out of the way now”

“Mr. Daniel Sterling we are only stating the obvious, I mean how could the starlings have so much wealth and stay at the top for years. It’s clear your father tampered with government money “

“What did you say!?”

Daniel turns around in anger and lunches a punch on one of the male journalists creating a scene.

Daniel, let it be. We know dad is innocent and I won’t rest until I prove that. Don’t waste your time trying to prove a point to ignorant people.

We then move to the car.

My phone rings and I get it.. it’s my boyfriend Bryce. Hello babe, how are you?

“Hii, my Angel. I saw the news and just thought of you. Honestly, I’m so sorry as to how things are turning out . Please don’t be affected by it. I know it’s all a lie”

Bryce, what news?

“Haven’t you seen it?”

No, I’m confused,do you mean my father’s accusations?

“Not that babe. Hmm. The news headline reads that the Starlings properties previously claimed by the government have now been sold out to the Kings family and the remaining properties will be moved to the government’s name if your dad isn’t proven innocent”

What!

I scream at the top of my voice making the driver stop the car.

“What’s wrong?”

Daniel asks.

Read the headlines. I reply with tears rolling down my cheeks.

“What! This cannot be happening. Why will the government sell off dad’s hard earned properties without even knowing the truth?”

Daniel this has to stop.

My phone rings again I sit in silence not wanting to answer it knowing another bad news might just come running.

Daniel sees my mood and gets the phone for me.

“Yes who is this”

“I’m I speaking with Miss Emma”

“I’m her brother, how May we help?”

“What!”

Daniel screams even louder than me this time.

What could be wrong.

“Mum”

What about mum Daniel?

“The call came from the hospital, she had a severe heart attack and Sophia rushed her to the hospital “

What?

“Driver to the hospital now”

We get to the hospital, Sophia is standing at the room waiting for the doctor to come out.

Sophia how’s mum?

“Emma, she’ll be fine but I don’t think she should be home anymore”

Why?

“I really see the whole situation concerning your dad’s death and the accusations affecting her severely”

“Sophia is right” The doctor comes out.

Doctor how’s mum?

“Miss Emma, your mother is in bad condition. She seems traumatized but her health should be better if she goes away from the whole place causing her pain.”

“You mean like a vacation?”

Daniel cuts in.

“Yes Mr. Sterling”

The doctor excuses himself.

I’ll go and see mum.

I walk into the room looking at my mum’s condition only breaks me.

“Emma”

Mum. You’ll be fine don’t stress ok? The doctor said you need some rest and a good vacation.

“No, I’m not leaving this city until my husband gets justice and our family’s reputation comes back alive “

“Mum don’t say that now”

Daniel walks in with Sophia.

“Look mum we will arrange a trip for you and that’s that. You need to cool your head. I, Emma and Sophia will handle the whole thing.

After the whole discussion and mum going back and forth with not wanting to leave us alone here. We head back home.

I sit at our kitchen table staring at papers I was never supposed to see.

Bills. Bank letters. Late notices my mother had been hiding in a drawer like they would disappear if nobody looked at them

. One week we were still getting invited to the same parties. The next week phones went quiet. People who used to smile at us suddenly had “other plans.” The Sterling name, the one I grew up thinking meant something in Los Angeles, was turning into a joke people whispered behind their hands.

“We’ll figure it out,” I told my mum.

“I don’t know how this time, Emma.”

Daniel walked in with his phone still in his hand. My brother had been on calls since the hospital. “I might have something. Adrian King offered me a job at King International. Real money. And he asked about you.”

I looked up. “About me?”