Chapter 2: The Tale of Three Sisters

Fifteen Years Later --

The dimly lit restaurant buzzed with soft jazz melodies, setting the mood for the evening, but Grace’s attention was on a mysterious stranger sitting a few tables away. With her piercing blue eyes, she caught him stealing glances at her, but tonight, her heart wasn’t in the game of seduction. She took a sip of her wine, the familiar taste failing to soothe her restless soul. Her marriage to Todd had become a dull routine, and their open marriage only left her craving something deeper, something more intimate. Her thoughts persistently wandered to the one man who had always been her rock—her father, William.

“Damn,” she whispered, her eyes narrowing as she felt a surge of frustration. “It’s been ages since I felt truly alive.” Grace, a stunning woman in her twenties, had a mesmerising presence. Her silky brown hair cascaded around her delicate features, accentuating her deep blue eyes. The black dress she wore hugged her curves seductively, showcasing her seductive figure. She knew her allure, having mastered the art of seduction, but tonight, her mind was preoccupied with her sister Kate and the secret they shared.

As she sat there, her thoughts drifted to the reason for their clandestine meeting—Maya’s impending initiation ceremony. In just eight short weeks, Maya would celebrate her eighteenth birthday, and with it, the ‘Safe Sex Act’—a family tradition that marked the transition to her adulthood. Grace recalled her own initiation, a blend of excitement and uncertainty, a memory that still sent shivers down her spine.

Grace’s mind raced back to her initiation night, a night that had left her conflicted and confused. It had been a decade, yet the emotions remained raw and vivid. She remembered standing outside her father’s bedroom, her heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and uncertainty. It wasn’t that she didn’t love William; he was a devoted father, always prioritising his daughters’ happiness. But the idea of having sex with him repulsed her, especially after the tragic loss of their mother, Susan. William, once a handsome and vibrant man, never took care of himself. The once-chiselled features of his body were now obscured by excess weight, a far cry from the strong and attractive man she remembered from her childhood.

Grace cleared her throat, her voice shaking as she spoke. “Dad, I...” The words caught in her throat as she struggled to express her uncertainty.

William, sensing her unease, pulled her into a comforting hug. “Hush, sweetheart. It’s alright. I understand if you’re nervous. We don’t have to go through with this.”

Grace’s eyes reflected a mix of emotions—relief intertwined with confusion. “But Dad, what about the Zealous officers? Won’t they come to inspect? I don’t want you to get into trouble because of me.”

With a gentle smile, William reached for a small pill and an unusual looking dildo from his nightstand. “Don’t worry, my dear. Take this pill, it’ll help you break your hymen without any pain.” He held up the dildo, his voice softening, “And this ... it’s got my semen in it. Use this, and the Zealous will find evidence of us in your vagina.” He paused, his expression filled with tenderness. “And we won’t have to actually...”

Grace’s cheeks flushed at her father’s directness, but then her mind raced with concerns about the initiation ceremony. “Daddy, is this really safe? What if we get caught? They could send us to jail or worse. Remember what happened to Jill and her dad? She had to get pregnant with his child to prove their love.”

“Daddy, maybe we should just do it,” she whispered, her voice breaking as she looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes. “Mom made me promise before she died that one of us would take care of you. As the eldest, I feel it’s my duty to take Mom’s place and be your...” Grace’s voice trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

William, seeing the turmoil in his daughter’s eyes, gently placed a finger on her lips, silencing her words of self-sacrifice. “Shh, honey, relax,” he said, his voice warm and reassuring. “First, I release you from all those promises. Your mother and I wanted what was best for our family, but never meant for it to become a burden.”

Grace’s heart melted at her father’s words, feeling a wave of relief. “But Daddy, I made a promise, and I can’t stand the thought of letting you or Mom down. I want to take care of you.”

William smiled tenderly and cupped her cheek with his hand. “I know, my dear, and I appreciate your devotion. But I want you to create your own path, find your true love, get married, and have children of your own. That’s what will bring me the greatest joy.”

Grace’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as her father’s words resonated deeply within her. She had always dreamed of finding her soulmate and building her own family, but the promise to her mother had been a constant source of guilt and conflict.

“Thank you, Daddy,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Your words mean more to me than you can imagine.”

William’s expression softened, and he pulled her into a tight embrace, his strong arms offering solace. “You deserve all the happiness in the world, honey. And I want you to live a life free from the shackles of this promise and the madness that surrounds us.”

After a moment’s thought, Grace spoke softly, “But Daddy,” her voice hesitant, “what if I want to honour Mom’s wish and still find my own happiness?”

William held her at arm’s length, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Ah, my dear Grace, always looking out for everyone. Very well, then, I’ll make you a deal.”

Intrigued, Grace raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips. “A deal, Daddy? Do tell.”

William’s eyes sparkled with playfulness. “When I release you from your promise, I want something in return. I expect you to give me grandchildren. And don’t you dare stop at one!” he added with a wink. “I’m counting on at least five grandkids from you, young lady.” Grace laughed, her tension melting away as she hugged her father tightly.

“This pill is completely safe, my love,” he assured her, his voice warm and soothing. “It’s provided by a secret organisation, and many families are using it without any problems. Trust me, everything will be fine.”

Grace’s thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of her sister, Kate. Her red hair shimmered under the soft lighting, and her blue eyes sparkled with life. She exuded confidence as she approached their table.

“Hey, Sis!” Kate’s voice snapped her out of her daydream.

“Hey, Kate,” Grace responded with a warm smile, embracing Kate in a quick hug. “Where’s Maya? Is she running late?”

“Yeah, she texted me, stuck in traffic, but she’ll be here any minute,” Kate said, her vibrant blue eyes matching the colour of her form-fitting dress that accentuated her voluptuous curves. “So, what’s the occasion for this sisterly meet-up?”

Grace hesitated, her eyes darting towards the restaurant door, waiting for Maya’s arrival. “Well, you know Maya’s sweet eighteenth is around the corner, and it’s time for her initiation ceremony.”

Understanding dawned on Kate’s face, and she leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Oh, right, the big day! How’s she holding up? Is she nervous?”

“Yeah, she’s a bundle of nerves,” Grace admitted, her voice soft. “I wanted to talk to her about it, you know, considering our experiences.”

As they settled into their seats, Grace and Kate caught up on their lives, sharing their marital woes. Grace opened up about her open marriage with Todd, her eyes revealing a hidden sadness.

“I’ve been seeing other men, but it’s not fulfilling,” she confided. “I miss the intimacy, the emotional bond. I guess I’m searching for something more meaningful.”

Kate listened intently, recognizing the parallels in her own marriage to Lucas. “I’ve been thinking of shaking things up too. Maybe I should try an open marriage like yours. Do you think it could work for us?”

Grace shook her head, her expression filled with concern. “Be careful, sis. It might not be the solution. It hasn’t fixed my marriage, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Grace’s smile faded as she reflected on her own unfulfilling relationship. “I miss the affection, the real connection. I feel like something’s missing.”

“Me too,” Kate whispered, understanding her sister’s pain.

A waiter approached, taking their orders, allowing them a moment to continue their heart-to-heart. Grace’s thoughts wandered to their parents, and she shared her musings with Kate.

“You know, I often think about Mom and Dad,” Grace said, her eyes distant. “The way they loved each other ... It was so intense, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other for a second?. I sometimes wonder if I’ll ever find that kind of love.”

Kate squeezed Grace’s hand, offering silent support. She, too, yearned for a deeper bond, something beyond her comfortable marriage with Lucas. “We’re hopeless romantics, sis. Maybe we aim too high. But I get it. I crave that soul-deep connection too.”

Grace’s breath hitched, her eyes filled with uncertainty. “Do you ever wonder what if we had chosen differently? What if we had accepted Dad’s proposal?”

Kate’s eyebrows knitted together in surprise. “What are you saying?”

Grace lowered her voice, as if sharing a forbidden secret. “We didn’t have to say no to him, Kate. We could have ... I mean, what if we had told him we wanted him? What if we had become his wives? I sometimes question our decision. I yearn for that deep, soul-stirring love, Kate. And I know it’s crazy, but I wish I could find that with someone like Dad.”

Kate, always the practical one, shook her head. “Grace, you’re being irrational. Dad is an amazing father, but he’s not our type, especially compared to Todd or Lucas. I could never be with someone I’m not attracted to, he’s old and...”

“Fat?” Grace offered, her voice quiet. “Yeah, I know he’s not the most handsome or young, but after being married for five years and being with so many men, I’m realising looks aren’t everything. It’s the emotional bond I crave.”

Kate fell silent, searching for the right words. She saw the conflict in Grace’s eyes, the longing for something more.

“What if Maya makes the same mistake?” Grace’s voice trembled. “What if she rejects Dad and ends up unhappy like us?”

Grace’s mind drifted to her first time with her boyfriend, rushed and disappointing. She knew that if her father had been her first, it would have been a tender and loving experience, just like their mother’s.