I Hope You Will Never Regret

Mr Gray handed over Lily to the Grade 9B class teacher, Mr Sipho Hlophe. He introduced Lily Parker to the class and asked her to sit next to Tiffany Spencer. Tiffany introduced herself smiling and asked, “Lily, why are you joining our school in the third term?”

Lily’s eyes became red and replied, “My parents passed away recently and my aunt, Avery Martins’ mother, moved me here.”

Tiffany comforted her and said, “My condolences, Lily. I am sorry for your loss. Your cousin is very beautiful, and she is very intelligent.”

Lily scoffed and replied, “Avery is beautiful indeed, but she has a vicious heart and I hate her. After my parents’ funeral, Aunt Elizabeth took me back with her to the Martins residence.

However, Avery didn’t welcome me into her house. Also, she refused to help me with my studies. I think it’s because her family is a little richer than mine. Hence, she looked down on me.”

Tiffany was shocked when she heard Lily’s words. She felt sorry for her new friend and said, “Forget about her. Should you need any help please don’t hesitate to let me know.”

Unbeknownst to her, she would regret the promise she made to Lily in the future.

Mrs Martins was harbouring grudges against Avery; she was waiting for an opportunity to avenge herself. She wanted to strangle her, but she was scared of her husband and Bridgette. Previously, she was taught a lesson by Bridgette for touching Avery.

In early October, Mr Martins told his family that he would be visiting the Martins Group branch in East London for a couple of days. He left early on Friday morning with his senior management and his Executive Secretary, Siyabonga Cele.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

He had a scheduled board meeting and a team building with his East London branch managers. The HQ management decided to stay in East London until Sunday.

Mr Martins didn’t take Clayton with him; he tasked him to take care of his daughter, Avery, while he was away. He was scared that she would be bullied by his wife and his niece.

On the same day, Bridgette had a meeting with a client at His Glory Hotel at 6 pm. The client’s wife was a big fan of Bridgette’s work. His wife told him that she wanted a painting as her birthday gift.

Mrs Martins overheard Bridgette telling Butler Bruce about her meeting. She was overjoyed. She called Aiden and Lily to the living room.

She looked at them and said, “There is something I want to tell you. Avery is not my daughter. I swapped her at birth.”

Aiden was dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe his mother’s words. Even though he was still young when Avery was born, he knew that Avery was his biological sister.

His late Uncle Edwin indicated that Avery took after their maternal grandmother. Therefore, it was clear to him that his mother was lying through her teeth.

Also, his father and Bridgette were in the hospital that day. So, it was impossible for his mother to swap his sister.

He looked at his mother and said, “Mom, please tell us what you want us to do.”

His mother smiled and replied, “Avery has humiliated me so many times and I hate her to the core. During dinner, I want you to trip her with your foot and I will do the rest.”

Aiden looked at his mother with questioning eyes and said, “Mom, the relationship between me and my sister is good, and I don’t want to mess it up.

Please don’t involve me in your revenge. Also, Avery is the apple of my father’s eye. Please don’t touch his bottom line.”

His mother was fuming with rage and said, “Should I manage to remove Avery from our lives, I will give your inheritance to Lily.

Why are you refusing to help me? I am doing this for your own good. Do you want to be a spectator and lose your inheritance to Avery?”

Aiden shook his head and replied, “Mom, you are wrong. Even though Dad loves Avery more than he loves me, he is fair.

Also, Avery is not interested in the family business she wants to be a doctor. So, in the future, the Martins Group will belong to me.”

His mother was livid with anger and said, “Your father told me that he will divorce me as soon as you go to university. Do you want your father to marry Bridgette?

Do you think Bridgette will leave the comforts of the Martins family wealth? Don’t be naïve; Avery will support your father and Bridgette’s marriage. Please help me.”

Aiden was quiet for a few minutes, and then he looked at his mother and replied, “I hope you are telling me the truth, Mom. I choose to believe you this once. Therefore, I will help you.

However, I have to warn you. Should I find out that you were lying to me, our relationship will be over.” His mother smiled brightly and hugged him. Then she told them her plan.

Thirty minutes before dinner, Mrs Martins asked the helpers to go to their servants’ quarters to rest.

Then she approached Butler Bruce smiling and said, “Since my husband is in East London, there is no need for you to serve us. Please leave early and send my regards to Aunt Rose.”

Butler Bruce was puzzled because it was the first time Mrs Martins smiled at him. It was clear to him that she was plotting something bad against Avery. He didn’t want to leave Avery alone with heartless Mrs Martins.

He was reminded that Clayton was guarding the Martins residence outside the gate. He smiled back at Mrs Martins, then he took his car keys and left. He parked his car behind his son-in-law’s car.

Clayton got out of his car and went to his father-in-law’s car and asked, “Dad, are you going home?” Mr King smiled at his son-in-law and replied, “Son, the heartless woman chased me away. I have no doubt in my mind that she is plotting bad things against Avery.”

Clayton smiled at his father-in-law and replied, “Don’t worry, Dad. She is no match for Avery. Don’t forget that Avery was trained by me since she was five years old.”

His father-in-law heaved a sigh of relief when he heard his son-in-law’s words. “Send my regards to my daughter.” Clayton smiled and replied, “I will do so, Dad. Drive safely.” Then Mr King drove his car to his mansion.

Clayton walked back to his car and sat inside but he didn’t leave. He took his tablet and watched the movement at the Martins mansion. Last week, Avery asked him to install surveillance cameras in the living room and dining room.

At 6 pm, Mrs Martins asked Lily and Avery to bring the food to the dining table. Lily was walking quickly in front with a bowl of rice. Avery was carrying a casserole dish with hot beef stew.

When Avery passed Aiden’s side, he tripped her with his foot. She was caught off guard and she fell on the ground. The casserole dish shattered into pieces. Fortunately, she didn’t hurt herself.