Chapter 36 – Happy Family Reunion (Kalenah POV) pt.2
When you find out that someone has deceived you beyond belief and expectations, I'm not sure but for me my own reaction would be to deny the truth despite it standing right in front of me, punching my wife and mother of my children. But that would only happen if I hadn't known the minor truths that came with Faith, the details I knew not as her step in guardian but as someone that was meant to be her therapist. With Leslie calming down Genesis, and all of the children coming to gather around Cynthia, I noticed two people who didn't have that same reaction.
The first was Naomi and of course considering this was a family issues that could explain why she wasn't checking on Cynthia. However the person I would expect before Leslie, Lydia and Lia to be catering to his mother – Andy – wasn't. Instead his eyes seemed to be gazing at the spot Faith once stood with unseeing eyes.
"Are you okay?" Took a step towards him, worried.
Blinking confused, he stared at me, his face ashen, "She – she's real? Fay is real?" and my heart broke all over again, not just for Faith, but for Andy as well.
"She – I didn't make her up?" he squinted, his head cocked to the side, one eye closed as the lines on his forehead deepened as growing frown.
"That girl is – is – must be an imposter!" Danny stood leaving Cynthia coming over to stand by Andy, resting a hand on the young boy, but he shrugged him off, "No – she – that's Fay," Andy whipped his head from side to side.
Danny, in a slower identical movement, "Fay was an adult – she was captured with your mom-"
Wide angry, boiling green eyes snapped open, "No she wasn't, Fay was small, she wasn't a grown up," Andy snapped, leaving no room for argument. "All these years, I thought I made her up," the ire gone and leaving behind a pitiful moan.
"Your mother – she – she believed that Sophie-"
"Fay."
"Faith." Andy and I interjected simultaneously, correcting Danny.
"There was no Sophie, Faith's name is Fatima Safiya Ashlynn," gazing at his eyes, his facial expressions I could tell none of those names meant a single thing to Danny letting me know that Cynthia had never once tried to come clean to her own husband. Which still left me wondering; why had Cynthia abandoned Faith?
"Danny... she lied to you, to us all," Jonah came forward to his own son, "She – you don't know what that poor girl has suffered because of your wife," Jonah's words harsh and direct, a father chastising his son.
"Dad – Cynthia wouldn't – it's all a big misunderstanding-"
"How can that be true Danny? Look at Andy right now? Are you calling him a liar as well?"
Grasping at straws now, "How do we even know that child – the girl – is related to Cynthia?"
"First that girl, her name is Faith, use it..." my anger building as his denseness seemed to multiply by the second, "second, she is the one that pulled my Talia out of a burning dorm room" Andy's eyes widen finally making the connection, "and third, we love you, but when you're in this house, you're in Faith's home, please respect that and if you can't get out," monotone and only getting worse, I let him know exactly where his family stood right now.
"She left Faith in Denver, Danny. She escaped with Andy, and purposely left Faith behind... in the same place that left her in the defeated and damaged position you found her in Danny! Then to gain your sympathy, she pretended that her own child had been murdered... you want to know why Faith punched her?"
"Her own mother abandoned her, left her to be beaten and tortured daily, on purpose, but then decided to play mom to your daughters..." his mother – Mary – came forward.
"So what? We aren't family anymore – you replaced us because a teenage girl is angry with Cynthia? This girl," I growled under my breath halting his insulting recognition of Faith, "Faith, she isn't your grand child or your nieces and nephews, so now your real family, my kids you're just pushing them aside for her?" the gasp that came from Andy himself was the loudest reaction.
"Fay may not be their family, but she's mine," he pointed to this chest, but the hurt that laced his tone was blatantly obvious, "And do you care less about me because my blood isn't the same as yours?"
Face surprised and trying to backtrack, Danny responded, "I didn't mean it that way," he sighed loudly.
"She's been living here for how long?" he turned to face Ansel and I but we remained silent, "Months? And you guys never once thought to warn us?"
I ducked my head, unsure.
"Warn you? Faith wasn't something bad that happened to you, Danny, more like the other way around. Cynthia left her, escaped and left her behind, then welcomed your girls with open arms... if anything we were protecting Faith, from your family. Because while your girls know Cynthia as their mom, to our Faith, she's just the woman that left her to suffer, to die."
Yawning loudly, Stella rests against Lydia, easing some of the tension and focus in the room, "Lydia can you put Stella and Danny down in the spare room-"
"You can't stay here Danny," I said regrettably, but not enough to change my mind. His eyes flashed with disbelief, before landing on Ansel but my husband just shook his head, "Danny this is Faith's home, we won't – Kalenah and I aren't going to do anything that could deter any progress she has made," Danny cocks his head to the right when the word progress is mentioned. Expecting more information, he remained silent but he wouldn't be getting more than he had.
Groaning, Cynthia was starting to come too, movement below her lids, and then finally she began blinking, seeming completely flummoxed. Just as Naomi's phone buzzes in her hands, she puts the phone to her ear, and before the person calling could speak, she spoke in her native tongue, swiftly, before hanging up the call.
"Sorry, my parents, just checking that we arrived safely," Giving me a small smile, I nodded in understanding my eyes went back to Cynthia, as did Naomi's and everyone else in the room. She had already tried lying, approaching Fatima like she was some long lost child that she didn't leave behind.
"Thia? Sweetheart?" Danny cooed while we all observed, trying to lift her head from the sofa and looking around Cynthia finally focused her attention to just Danny. "Where – where is that abomination?" my brows furrowed at her words, and I couldn't utter a single sound even if I tried. Glancing at Ansel, wondering if he had heard the same word that I had, because surely, I wasn't expecting this – or that word.
His eyes wide, confused we look back towards Cynthia, "You mean Sophie?" Danny asked his voice laced in confusion. Blood dried to her face, Cynthia snorted, "Her name isn't Sophie, I lied, her name is Fatima Safiya Ashlynn – I thought she would die where I left her," she actually shook her head in disappointment.
"Cynthia... are you okay?" Danny questioned wondering what was wrong with her responses; she had never behaved or acted so callously. "I'm fine, disappointed that Fatima escaped after I left her to die."
Rubbing her face as though she hadn't said anything, Cynthia looked towards Andy who was shaking his head, "Why – why did you leave her?" his voice barely louder than a whisper.
"Because she was the reason we were sent here Andy, Wyatt and those other leaders tricked me – said I would be having a little girl that was Royal, would lead one of the communities in Zedwood, but instead he impregnated me with an unwelcomed specimen in our realm, then when it was found out, I was punished for just carrying the abomination, punished and sent here with you and her. And of course we were captured right away," Cynthia spoke haughtily.
"They thought she was something special, but Alpha Monet would give us small quantities of food, trying to keep us weak, but I would eat her share, getting stronger right under their nose," her tone bragging, proud of what she was saying while everyone in the room remained stunned silent. There was nothing we could say as she continued speaking, her indifference chilling the room.
"How did she end up here anyways?" I was shaking in my place, barely holding on to my rage and Cynthia's uncompassionate tone towards Faith was staggering, "I mean those leaders that betrayed me told me to keep her safe but, I left her where she belonged... how'd you end up with her?"
"Is – is she being serious right now?"
Danny seemed to go ashen on his own, his skin nearly gray, "Can – can the kids stay here – Cynthia and I will get a Hotel room in town-"
"Danny, I'm sorry but they can't stay here, I meant what I said, this is Faith's home-"
"See – she's even ruining this family now," Cynthia laughed mechanically, "She's only going to bring trouble to your family, at three years old she ripped me from my life, my world – who knows what she's capable of now thirteen years later."
Mary stepped forward, her eyes filled to the brim with unshed tears, "The children can all stay with me – lets go sweethearts," she cooed lifting Danny Junior, while Leslie and Lydia grabbed Stella and Genesis. Naomi following Leslie, leaving Andy, Danny and Cynthia with the rest of us, and then it was strange, blinking confused, looking around, Cynthia seemed to be as disoriented when she just woke minutes ago.
"Where's Fatima?" her voice caressing the girls name softly, laced with deceit that I could now differentiate, my hands were clenching at my sides with the effort it took not to wrap them around her neck.
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Javier Junior POV
Sitting in the commons area of Taylor and Devin's room, Devin picks up her phone tapping the screen before lifting it to her ear. Busy with putting together a weak resume, I glance up at her a few times, catching her frown and hunched shoulders.
She was probably calling Brennan, I assume and aware of their breakup I keep my opinion to myself. Texting with Talia, her behavior the last few days still off.
"Is – are you texting with Talia?" Devin asks me in a soft tone, unsure. Shy.
Frowning, my brows furrowed I nod, "why?"
"She's not picking up my calls or responding to my texts," Devin says downhearted. I place my phone on the table, observing Devin, and the frown on her face. "I – I'm – has she said anything to you?" Devin's insecurity shines right through and I frown grimly.
"No."
She nods, faking a smile. "Okay so she's just ignoring me because Brennan and I broke up."
Wisely, I keep my mouth shut.
A part of me though could not help but be furious at the situation, especially when dad and Ansel had sat us all down for a talk. Making sure we understood that beginning relationships with Devin and Talia, and them with us, was something we should not do on hormonal whim.
We were family friends first. Our siblings interacted with one another. Should our relationships not turn out the way we hoped that didn't mean we should expect all contact between one another to cease.
"Do you – do you think she's upset about-" Devin starts to ask but oddly she stops abruptly.
I knew Talia, like I knew Devin.
Scratching the back of my neck, I observe Devin, the way she becomes consumed with her text and notebook.
"About what Devin?" Talia had been upset, but how would Devin know that? "What would she be upset about?" I demanded to know. Watching Devin and partially glaring, "Did you..." I scan my mind for reasons. "Did you ask her to talk to Brennan for you? To take you back?"
I could see Devin trying to pull Talia into her relationship with Brennan.
Devin's eyes fill with tears immediately. Her reaction, I take as my response. Shaking my head, I huff, frowning.
"God Devin, why would you put her in that position?"
Pushing away from the table, Devin's eyes widen and she wipes away the fallen tears. "So it's okay if she ignores me?" she asks with a shaky voice.
"She's my best friend," Devin says a bit calmer, "but I didn't ask her to help – help me with B-B-Brennan," she stammers, chest rising and falling quickly. I gaze at her for a long time, staring into her eyes, searching for the truth.
When she finally breaks eye contact, rubbing her eyes, I blink looking away from Devin.
She might not have asked Talia to speak to Brennan for her, but Devin was wearing her guilt on her sleeve. The only two questions I had now were what happened? And second, did Talia's change of behavior have to do with Brennan and Devin?
The larger part of me had to say yes.
As far as I knew Talia couldn't remember anything from the fire. She was home healing, surrounded by family and though she said she was fine, I couldn't quite accept it in my heart or turn off that small voice inside that was shouting, 'she is not fine!'
Lost in my own mind, I stop focusing on Devin who is right there in the room with me. Startling me, she groans, "Javi can you get me my eye drops?" the words are mumbled but I understand her despite that.
Pushing away from the table I go in her and Taylors room, searching the tops of their dressers not finding anything. When I still haven't found anything, I decide to check their closets. Pulling out their suitcases – maybe she hasn't unpacked it yet... I think as I pull out the silver suitcase, checking the top pockets.
I find a few clothes unpacked but when I search underneath this black compartment, I stop. Frozen my eyes widen at the item beneath the piece of fabric. Taking the stack of money from it's hidden spot I rest back, picking it up in shock.
My thumb goes over the side as I try to figure out whether it was real and why – "Devin!" I shout pushing the money back into the suitcase, zipping it back up and pulling it out onto the carpeted floor.
"Devin!" I holler, panicked.
When she stumbles into the room, still rubbing at her eyes, blinking, I jump up and shut the door behind her. Whipping around, I stalk back to the suitcase, ripping it open.
"What the hell is this?" I point down at the money, below the flap. Devin squints, shaking her head, "Why – that's not mine," she says looking around the room.
Scooting down, I push the black flap to the side, my heart pounding. It's all I can hear, as the blood rushes through my veins.
"This – this isn't yours?" I hold up the stack of one hundred dollar bills. As Devin squints, I see when she realizes, makes out that I'm holding a stack of money.
"That – that's not mine," she swears, shaking her head. "That's Taylor's suitcase, not mine!" she says. Her voice holding some disbelief mixed in with shock and awe.
"How – how much do you think there is?" her tone filled with wonderment. I frown dropping the money back, and zipping up the suitcase.
"It's – it's not yours?" I ask again.
Shaking her head, Devin frowns, "No where would I get that-"
"And the same for Taylor," I interrupt my sister, "Where would Taylor get that kind of money?"
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Theories on the money?
Who else wants to strangle Cynthia?