From sixteen, the crowd was down to fifteen. The Rocland’s were just as confused as Sienna when they noticed that one of them was missing. They looked at the two girls that were absurdly clinging to Mrs. Miller and dozens of questions skirted through their minds.
But, rather than ask the questions, they slowly sipped the lemonade servants had distributed and tried not to look guilty of any cri.
Since the outdoor table was broken, they were just sitting on chairs in a semi circle. Sienna, Soren and Mrs. Miller were sitting in a center position in front, where the Roclands could see them for clearly.
Sienna cleared her throat "All right, let’s begin with nas. If we are going to untangle this web, we need to know who you are."
The group shifted uncomfortably, At last, an elderly man with thinning brown hair and weary eyes spoke. "I am your grandfather, Corven. This is your grandmother, Byra." He gestured to the elderly woman beside him, who kept her gaze fixed on the lemonade glass, cheeks flushed with sha.
Sienna nodded slowly. "Grandparents. Noted."
Next ca the tall woman she had spoken to before, the one whose hair had been wild. Now, it was combed, showing streaks of gray. "I am your aunt Linera," she said, voice steady. "Beside is my husband, your uncle Daren. Next to him is your aunt, Selra and her husband Jorik. The ones at the end are your uncle Christo and his wife Numia."
Sienna looked at the children. "And the rest?"
Linera sighed. "The two girls in your mother’s embrace are Mira and Suri." She glanced the at he little ones who were curled against Mrs. Miller, calling her "mom" with stubborn devotion. "That is my daughter Jan and my son Dan, Selra’s son Dalton and her daughter Kria and Christo’s son, Corven junior. They are your cousins."
The children were all teenagers. Mira and Suri were the youngest. Suri was the youngest of the group.
Sienna nodded. "Fine. Nas are done. Now tell , what exactly is it that you are all seeking from ? We have already covered the part about your expulsion. I still think I am owed an explanation on what exactly it was that Paris did but I won’t demand for it. I would rather know your expectations."
Her grandparents shifted, faces pale. Byra dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief that almost looked like a rag. Corven opened his mouth and closed it. The elderly couple just seed to ashad to speak.
The silence stretched until Aunt Linera broke it. "As you can see, there is a lot of embarrassnt in our group. We don’t know how to begin asking for help from you because 48 hours ago, you did not even know we existed."
"Actually its more like fifteen hours ago." Soren snorted.
Aunt Linera grimaced. "Honestly, I don’t want to draw this out. The sooner we know where you stand, the sooner we move on and find another option. We were hoping that you would take us in for a while."
Numia opened her mouth but Selra noticed quickly and she pinched her. It was for that exact reason why she had been sat next to the woman: to stop her from blurting stupid nonsense.
Grandma Byra raised her finger and gestured at Mira and Suri. "Child, before we get anywhere, I want to ask about Hana. Where is she? Why are the girls here with your mother?"
Mrs. Miller’s face hardened. "Because their mother abandoned them. Hana is gone, she left the girls with , full custody and everything."
Byra gasped.
The other Roclands were shocked, even though they remained silent about it. The proof was their in the eyes.
"What does that an?" Linera asked.
"Exactly what you heard." Sienna said, sighing. "I am guessing that while the rest of you were not aware of the existence of my mom and us..." she gestured to Soren, "Hana knew. I don’t know if it was because Paris died or you were expelled but Hana prepared legal docunts surrendering custody of the girls to my mother.
She has and my husband Elias listed as their family as well. In case my mom can’t take care of them, they go to ." She snorted.
Byra’s stomach twisted as she looked at her granddaughters. "She said she was taking them to use the bathroom! So she just brought them here and left them with you! Just like that?"
Mira, the nine year old, lifted her head, eyes flashing. "She said we would be a burden to her and her and the beast man she is going to marry. She said first mama will take care of us."
Suri whimpered, clutching Mrs. Miller tighter. "Don’t let us go, mama."
"What husband?" Corven screeched angrily.
Mrs. Miller comforted the girls, who were startled. "It’s okay, sweetlings."
Voices ringing with disapproval rose among most of the Rocland’s. The aunts tried to check on the girls but Mira and Suri would not let go of Mrs. Miller.
"I knew that bitch was up to sothing." Numia shouted, "I just knew it. I said it when she didn’t return and I told you all that we should all go looking for her. Do you see what’s happening now? She is gone and she dumped her kids on us like garbage."
Suri whimpered.
"You, shut up." Mrs. Miller barked at Numia. "They are not like garbage."
"Did any of you know about this second marriage of Hana’s?" Corven asked the rest.
They were all puzzled.
"I knew that bitch was up to sothing." Numia laughed. "I knew it. She didn’t complain at all on the journey over. When we were leaving everything we had, she didn’t even cry. As it turns out, she already had a plan B. Well, I want my own plan B." She jutted her finger at Sienna. "Your father screwed us over, I demand...." Linera leaped out of her chair and jumped on Numia, sending them both crushing to the ground, along with a chair!
User Comments
0 comments from readers