Strings Attached

Chapter Twenty-Two

Things were really awkward since the moment we walked in.

Well, they had been awkward ever since the moment Dad had picked us up, but they became even worse as soon as Brianna and I crossed his house's door.

Brianna was very excited, but I was indifferent to it all. Dad had already hurt us big time.

As soon as we entered the house, Sophia gave us a smile, but it did not seem to be genuine.

I simply rolled my eyes as Brianna smiled back at her.

"Hey, girls," said Sophia enthusiastically.

"Hi," said Brianna shyly.

I ignored her. I had not liked her ever since the day she had gone and told my mom that she was screwing my dad.

Dad smiled. "Hi, honey," he said. He walked towards Sophia and kissed her on the lips.

They disgusted me. How could they be so casual about it all when they had completely ruined our family?

"Do you girls want to meet Baby Carlos?" asked Sophia as soon as she pulled away.

"We do!" exclaimed Brianna, smiling brightly.

I stared at Sophia's growing mustache firmly. What did Dad see on her? The only thing she had in her favor were a pair of big fake boobs, which my dad had bought her as soon as she had the baby, but the rest of her was completely disgusting.

I hoped my little brother did not inherit any of her facial features.

I had always been told that I resembled my dad, and Brianna had been told that she resembled Mom. I had always considered Brianna prettier than me, but having Dad's face was a blessing compared to having Sophia's ugly face.

"Follow me," said Sophia as she made her way upstairs.

Brianna smiled at me and started walking behind Sophia. I sighed and did the same.

Once we were upstairs, Sophia entered the first room to the right and motioned for us to follow her. We did, and we were led into a small room with a blue baby cot. I could see the small silhouette of a baby inside it, but I could not quite see him from where I was standing.

Brianna's eyes lit up, and she rushed to the baby cot and asked Sophia if she could hold him.

"Of course," said Sophia, nodding.

Brianna smiled and grabbed the baby carefully, smiling as she saw his little face.

"He is beautiful," she said, smiling. "Hi, baby boy. I am your big sister."

The baby's back was facing me, so I could not really see whether he had his mother's mustache or not.

"He looks a lot like you, Tina," said Brianna, smirking. "Do you want to hold him?"

I bit my bottom lip. "Um..." I turned to see Sophia.

"Go ahead," she said.

I sighed and took the little baby carefully. I placed him on my arms and smiled a little as I saw his delicate face. He looked a lot like my dad. He had my big lips and my brown eyes. I could not believe how much he looked like me.

"Hi, Carlos," I muttered, caressing his tiny cheeks with my thumb. "I, um...I am your other sister."

I did not know what else to say. It was not the baby's fault that my dad had left, but seeing him made me remember how painful his departure had been all over again, and I could not help feeling jealous because this baby actually had a dad and a mom who loved each other and loved him.