Page 130 of Three Stepbrothers Save Christmas

“We discussed that on the way home. We think we tell Mum that she can have everything that’s there on the grounds she never contacts us again for anything. As far as we are both concerned she has run off with Henry to live in the states full time.”

“We found Henry’s paperwork, and he has left everything to her anyway. Verity gets nothing now she is over twenty-one,” Ethan explains as his hands curl into tight fists.

“We found a lot in the safe that we will need to be careful with. For Verity’s sake.” The three of us share a look, and Ryan knows it’s not going to be anything good. I know I should tell him now, but I’m too tired. Now I am finally home and can relax; exhaustion is taking over. One look at Ethan, and I can see he is feeling the same way.

“It’s been a fucking shit long day. I say we put a pin in this until tomorrow. I think Verity needs to be present for this conversation,” I sigh as I push myself away from the counter I’ve been leaning against. “I’m going to check on her before going to sleep.”

I walk towards the door and open it quietly. I know the guys are behind me as I stand at the lounge door to see our girl curled up under a blanket. Her doll lying on the floor beside her.

“You guys go to bed. I’m going to chill out in the chair for a bit. I need to unwind before I sleep anyway.”

We say a quiet goodnight before the two of them head up the stairs to their own rooms.

For a moment, I consider picking her up and carrying her to my bed. But I’ve learnt that she can’t go back to sleep once awake and I know she will need her rest. Especially if she hasn’t been asleep long.

Quietly I walk over and pick her doll up before placing it beside her again. Pressing a kiss to her head, I tuck the blanket in around her and watch as she snuggles back into her doll before heading to my favourite chair to sit and rest my aching head.

Today did not go as planned, and I know tomorrow won’t go much better. Once again I have to tear open my girls world and give her even more information about the man she thought was her father, and the extent of what he was willing to do to make sure she didn’t get a penny of her money. If he weren’t already dead, I would kill him, even though I know she would ask me not to. He never did deserve her, and what I learnt today proves just as much.

Watching Verity sleep soundly for the time being helps me to relax. No matter what she learns, we will work together to give her all the support she needs and to make sure she never doubts how loved she is again. Together, we will show her she is finally listened to and respected.

67

Verity

I woke up to find Travis asleep in his recliner chair. I lay there for a while, watching him sleep soundly. If he arrived home at four as he said he would, it means he’s only had two hours sleep. As tempted as I am to curl up with him so he can wrap me in his arms and tell me he’s okay, I don’t. Instead, I walk over to place a blanket over him. He groans slightly in his sleep but doesn’t wake.

I tiptoe out of the lounge and quietly head upstairs to Ethan's room, desperate to see that he’s home too. I know Travis wouldn’t have left him there, but until I see him with my own eyes, I know I won’t relax.

Creeping to his bedroom door, I hear him snoring lightly inside. Finally, I relax knowing that all three of my guys are home where they belong and pray that will be the last time we are a part for a while.

I really hope everything’s sorted at the house and all the drugs have been removed. I hate the idea of them being in Mum's favourite space. It’s as if he’s found another way to taunt me and ruin something else that means so much to me.

All the misery and heartache I have felt over the years, longing for him to accept me and be the dad I wanted, was for nothing. The years I spent doing anything that would make him proud of me, for what? To be told he hates me? That he never wanted me? All of that to find out I’m not even his!

My throat starts to burn and eyes fill with tears at the thought of the man who raised me. I don’t want to cry for him. I have given that man everything since the day I was born. Mum always said I was a Daddy’s girl, and I thought I was loved by him. I believed that he cared.

The deep seeded pain I’ve been trying so hard to push down is starting to burn inside me and I know I’m on the verge of breaking.

“Nobody wants to see you cry.”

But when I go to hide, I realise there’s nowhere for me to go. I look towards Travis’s room and know it’s not mine. All three of the guys are asleep, and I don’t want to wake them. Every part of me wants to be alone, to hide the pain from everyone. To once again do as I was told time and time again.

For the briefest second, I think about the razor I know is hidden in Ethan’s room. He thinks I don’t know about it, but right now, it’s all I can think about. I know if I can cut myself, even just the smallest amount, it will distract me from this pain burning inside of me and let me think, just long enough to let me breathe.

My legs try to walk to his room, to the wardrobe where the razor is hidden, but I fight against the subconscious decision to do it. Instead, I feel myself lowering until I sit on the floor, leaning against the wall. Closing my eyes, I try to breathe through the panic that is building in my chest. I don’t want the guys to see me like this. I know they would never judge me or make me feel the way my father did. But I’ve shown so much weakness to them, more than I have ever shown anyone. It’ so hard to be vulnerable in front of others after hiding all your pain for so long.

But as my chest tightens further, making it near impossible to breath I know I need help. Looking to Ryans room I see him lying in bed, fast asleep. I want to be there, in his arms.

“Bear,” I gasp as the first tears start to fall. My throat too constricted to release more than a small groan. He stirs a little, but not enough to wake.

“Papa.” The tears start flowing, and all the things I’ve been pushing deep within me come to the surface like a tidal wave. In the space of seconds, I’m hit with every emotion you can imagine. For the first time since the day I lost her, I find myself longing for my mum to appear, just for a moment, so I can tell her I love and miss her. So she can tell me it is all going to be okay. The pain engulfs me as a sob escapes. Clinging to my doll a sob breaks free as I gasp for some much needed air.

I hear Ryan curse as the sounds of movement from his room get closer.

“I’m here, Kitten. I’ve got you.” He picks me up in his strong arms as I lean against his chest and cry. Lying us both on the bed, he holds me tight.

“Let it out, Little Kitten. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

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