Page 49 of Three Stepbrothers Save Christmas

“Do I even want to ask?”

Ethan and Verity look to me as Travis looks over from the oven.

“Ryan, save me!” she calls out as Ethan returns to tickling her. “Ethan! Don’t!” she cries out as he laughs. “Daddy!”

“Well, that’s not going to get old fast,” I chuckle, walking past Travis and head to the coffee machine. “She seems a little better,” I add quietly.

“She had a rough night, but she’s getting there,” Travis replies, looking over his shoulder as Ethan helps Verity off the floor. She pushes him away, but she’s smiling, and that’s the main thing. It was her going to Travis that I heard in the night. I’m glad she didn’t struggle on her own, at least.

“So, what’s everyone’s plans today?” I ask, leaning against the counter as Verity takes a plate of food from Travis. I notice the rag doll beside her on the breakfast bar and smile to myself as I sip my water. Who would have thought one doll could help someone so much?

“I want us all to chat about what will happen around here. We need to consider a few things as a family,” Travis answers, pushing a plate towards Ethan.

“I was thinking the same thing, so sounds good to me,” I point out as I look to Verity, who is chewing on her bottom lip, suddenly looking less happy than she was a moment ago.

“What’s up, Little Kitten?”

Verity looks at me and shakes her head before returning to her food.

“Why don’t I believe you?” I sigh before walking over to her. “If there’s something you would like to do, just say, and we will fit our plans around you,” I add, running a hand up and down her back.

“It’s just … It doesn’t matter. This is more important,” she mumbles before forcing that smile.

“I thought we agreed you would be honest with us and say what you need and want. That fake ass smile doesn’t work on us, Baby Girl,” Ethan says beside her. I see her looking behind me; I turn to find Travis giving her his serious look. That man had no problem slipping into the daddy role.

“What were you about to say?” he asks.

“It.” Verity stops, and I can see she’s struggling with whatever is playing on her mind. “It involves something I’m not meant to tell you about,” she answers as she starts picking at the jumper she’s wearing.

“Sweetheart, has Henry asked you to keep stuff from us?” Travis asks, leaning on the other side of the breakfast bar. Verity nods, still unable to look any of us in the eye.

“What kind of things?” I ask as I run a hand up and down her back again.

“Mainly small things that aren’t even important. But then there is this one which is kind of big, and I don’t know what to do.” Her voice wobbles slightly as she struggles to decide what to do for the best. She looks at Travis, and I know it’s her way of asking him to decide for her.

“If you think it’s important, then you can tell us, and I will deal with any repercussions from Henry.” Travis reaches over and cups her cheek. “No matter what you tell us, even if he tries to cause you any upset for it, we will always stand up for you. Do you understand, Sweetheart? You are who we will protect, no matter what your father says and does.”

She looks into his eyes momentarily and nods once to show that she understands.

“You remember me telling you about my Auntie Trisha?” she asks quietly.

“Your mum’s sister?” Ethan asks. Verity nods as she goes back to picking at her jumper nervously.

“It’s her birthday today, and I wanted to take her some flowers.”

I frown as I look at the others. Trisha was killed in an accident just before Mum met Henry. We only know about her because Verity let it slip once that she once had an Auntie who loved to watch her dance.

“Why couldn’t you tell us that, Kitten? We will happily drive you to the cemetery or wherever you go to pay your respects.” I look to Travis, who is watching Verity intensely.

“She’s not dead, is she?” he asks. Verity shakes her head, and I stare at Ethan over her.

“But I thought she was killed in an accident?” Ethan asks, but Verity shakes her head.

“She wasn’t killed, but she was left with brain damage. Dad put her into a nursing home and told me I was never to see her again as she gets confused, and it would upset me.”

“But you’ve been going anyway and not telling him,” I realise as it all starts to make sense. Of course, she would be worried about telling us. Not only has Henry lied to us about her. Verity has lied to her father and visited even when told not to.

“She can get cross, which is upsetting, especially as she hates my dad so much. She blames him for everything, even though they were good friends before the accident. I do get upset, especially if she is having a bad day. But I can’t leave her in there all alone. No one goes to visit her, but I, and I know she’s sad.” Verity leans into me as I place an arm around her shoulders. “Are you mad at me for lying?” she asks quietly.

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