Page 38 of Heartbeat

“You okay,babyDove.” I smiled as I bumped her shoulder softly. She hated to be reminded that she was the baby, even though she definitely acted like one.

“I’m fine.” She sighed as she looked up at me with big doe eyes. “Is Daddy really going to be alright?”

“Yeah, he is. You know he’s too mean to die.” I smiled, and she chuckled.

“All of this made me realize how much of a bitch I’ve been to you, Raven. I’m sorry. I just had some misplaced anger.” Dove’s eyes were brimming with tears.

“Misplaced anger from what?” I asked curiously. It seems like Dove had been angry at me for a very long time. I never even stopped to consider why she was mad. I just assumed it was teenage angst, and I got in the habit of ignoring her behavior when it continued.

“I should be pissed at Robin and Daddy, and I am. But you don’t know the truth, so I shouldn’t be upset with you.”

“Okay, I know we don’t always get along, so we don’t talk much. So you don’t realize how irritating it is to listen to someone talk in circles. I need you to spit that shit out. Whatever it is you’re trying to say. Say it!” I growled the last two words; I could blame it on my hormones, but I was always short with Dove. She once again clutched her imaginary pearls.She was so damn dramatic.

“Well, damn! Who pissed in your cereal.” She chuckled. When I pursed my lips, she continued, “I was mad because Robin has been manipulating you since forever, and you’re so blind. You worship our big sis, and it’s sickening.” I frowned, but I didn’t interrupt her. She obviously had an entirely different perspective of mine and Robin’s relationship.

“There are so many examples of your willingness to turn a blind eye to Robin’s controlling you, but I’ll start with the big ones first. Daddy didn’t like Fred, Robin suggested setting him up with Felicity. In the meantime, she constantly told you how horrible Fred was and how he only wanted your money. You know what happened next.” I was shocked. Why would she do that to me?

“I can tell by your face you’re surprised. I only know because I like to snoop, and I heard several of their conversations. Neither of them knows all the shit I know about them.” Dove shook her head.

“Anyway, they set you up with this marriage bullshit. It’s about the family, not the hospital. The hospital is fine. Robin just didn’t want to get married because she’s entitled and spoiled and thinks she should pick her husband.” Dove rolled her eyes.

“But, shedidpick her husband,” I responded, finally interrupting my sister.

“No, the fuck she did not.” Dove rolled both her eyes and neck with an attitude. “That heffah isn’t married to Quinton, that was a bald-faced lie. They’re not even together anymore. She set you up.”

“But the baby?” I could feel my blood pressure rising from my anger.

“What, baby?” Dove gave me the side-eye, and I felt sick to my stomach.

“Daddy knew she wasn’t married or pregnant?” I asked, feeling totally betrayed.

“No. Not at first. But the shit backfired when Daddy found out. That’s why he wasn’t talking to his most precious daughter. Robin betrayed him and made his word to the others bullshit. He was going to make her marry Cullen, but I was already promised. So the bitch got her way in the end.”

“Marry Cullen?”

“The McGregor’s are a powerful family. Daddy made arrangements with them too.” Dove responded with a shrug like it was no big deal.

“Two arrangements! What the hell is going on?” I was confused and pissed all at the same time.

Dove sighed. “Pay attention as I say this slowly. Daddy lied about the hospital being in financial trouble to set up the arrangement. Robin lied to get out of the arrangement.Youwere supposed to marry Cullen, but you decided to play captain save a hoe and married Lennox instead. Now I’m stuck with Cullen’s conceited ass because Daddy didn’t find out about Robin in time.”

“Damn! I got bamboozled.” I shook my head. I felt betrayed, but at least I got Lennox. Poor Dove got Cullen out of the deal.

* * *

I was still reeling from the information that Dove spilled. I couldn’t believe my big sister had played me all these years, and my dumbass let her. I admired so much about her, and she treated me worse than Daddy. At least Alejandro was outright with his ill contempt, Robin was worse feeding me the love I desired but secretly hating me.

I just couldn’t comprehend why they hated me so much. Now that I knew why Dove acted out, I could understand her frustrations. She is only twenty-one, so I’ll give her a pass on her maturity level. She could’ve told me a long time ago why she was so upset, but it wasn’t entirely her fault because I could’ve asked.

When Lennox sent word that Markos would be picking me up to take me home, I knew that it was serious. Markos was one of Ainslee’s most trusted men. And he was not to be fucked with. So when he arrived at the hospital, I asked him to take a little detour to my sister’s apartment. It was time for Robin and me to have a conversation.

When we arrived at her downtown building that looked so much like ours, it dawned on me that Robin was as spoiled as they came. Before I moved in with Lennox, I stayed in a modest apartment that I paid for. Although I never asked my parents for help, my father made it abundantly clear that I was on my own when I went to college. Although I received my money last year, I decided to keep my place that I had worked so hard for.

However, Robin got to live in luxury that my parents paid for because she went to medical school and had enough on her plate. I never thought anything of it because I agreed. Medical school was difficult, and if Robin didn’t have to worry about bills, then she would do much better. I accepted that because I chose a career that my father didn’t agree with that I had to make it on my own. Looking back, it was unfair, but life was unfair. My father treated us differently, and I accepted it because it had always been that way.

I should’ve spoken up for myself, but I never wanted to rock the boat. I just wanted to feel the love that I saw my sisters getting. And I ended up placing myself in the doormat position. I should’ve done a better job of protecting my peace, but you live and learn. I would no longer be pushed to the side. So here I was knocking on my sister’s door.

When Robin sleepily answered the door without asking who it was, I knew that she wasn’t expecting me. Robin’s light brown eyes widened, and her mouth hung open in shock.

---