19| 𝚅𝚘𝚒𝚌𝚎𝚜

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Sorry for not updating in a few days!  I've had a hectic weekend.

Note: the words in italics are Dove's thoughts and the words in bold and italics is sign language.

I'm not sure if this is triggering to anyone, but there will be self deprecating thoughts in this chapter.

Enjoy! 😘

Dove's POV
Age: 10
Location: Ricci's Mansion, New York

"They don't hate me. Why don't they hate me? They should hate me!" I exclaim frustratedly as I pace the length of my bedroom.

They should hate you. You don't deserve their love.

I inwardly groan. Stupid inner voices have come back. They haven't showed up for the past couple days. I was hoping it would stay that way.

After Alex shot Craig, Ella and I came up to my room to change our clothes.

"They don't hate you because you're badass," Ella says, exasperated. "I already told you. Nothing you say or do will make them hate you. They love you too much."

Their love will be your downfall.

"Why?" I ask, ignoring the soreness in my throat. I'm not used to talking this much.

"Because they're your family, Dove. You did what you had to do to survive. And sure, you're not like normal kids, but who wants to be normal?"

A knock at the door makes me stop pacing.

"Come in!" Ella calls out.

Daniel opens the door. He glances at our new, clean clothes. "Dinner's ready."

"Okay, thank you," Ella says. Daniel nods, standing awkwardly at the door before turning around and leaving.

"No talking again?" She asks. I press my lips together and shake my head. Ella nods and loops her arm around mine and we walk down to the living room together.

When we enter the dining room, everyone else is already there.

My father is seated at the head of the table. Donna is on his left and Vincenzo on his right.

I follow Ella to the two free chairs next to Donna.

The maids bring out the food, mashed potatoes with steak. My mouth starts to water as the smell wafts into my nose.

When I look at my plate, I realize there's no way I'll be able to finish this.

I feel someone kick me under the table. Looking up, slightly annoyed, I see the triplets grinning at me. Dante  gestures to my plate then to himself. I smile slightly when I realize he's telling me to give him what I can't finish.

Thank you, I mouth to them. They wink in response and turn back to their conversation.

Dinner goes smoothly. No one really talks to me, but I don't mind. I get to listen in on other's conversations.

I manage to finish half of the food on my plate before I feel like I'm going to explode. Dante meets my eyes and cocks his head to the side in a silent question. I nod and subtly slide my plate across the table to him.

"Do you not like the food?" Celia asks suddenly, seeing that I'm pushing my plate away.

Look, you've made her sad. Imagine what kind of damage you would do when angry.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 ✍︎Where stories live. Discover now