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Chapter 18: My Truth

TW: This chapter will have mentions of abuse/neglect, so if you are uncomfortable with this topic(s), I would suggest skipping this chapter.

"It is not the bruises on the body that hurt. It is the wounds of the heart and the scars on the mind." -Aisha Mirza

Isabella POV

I wake up to the feeling of warmth and the sound of heavy snoring. I feel a heavy weight on my leg and stomach. I open my eyes, instantly being blinded by the bright light of the sun seeping in my room through the window. I squint my eyes until they fully adjust to the light. My whole body hurts. Maybe I should see if I can find some sort of pain medication.

I look down at body to find the source of the heavy weight I feel on my body and to find the source or sources of the snoring. I have to restrain a giggle that wants to leave my lips at the sight that greets my eyes.

My brothers all pilled up on both my bed and the floor. I'm in between Mateo and Elijah, Mateo with his somewhat muscular arm draped over my stomach. Ilias sleeping at the foot of my bed with his head using my stomach as his own personal pillow with him all curled up into a fetus position, mumbling incoherent words in his sleep. Aww! 

Theo taking up the little bit of space that is left on my bed. With one of his legs draped over Ilias's torso and the other hanging off the bed while his head lay on Mateo's shin. Not to mention his loud snoring. On the floor lay the other 3 of my brothers, even Alessandro, with blankets and pillows making the carpet barely visible. 

Ricardo being another source of snoring. Instead of laying his head on a pillow Leonardo ended up with his head resting on Ricardo's stomach. While Alessandro remained looking graceful and dignified even while asleep. Here I was thinking that was impossible.

My head is pounding. Why did I cry so mu-Oh my god John is back! He was going to hit me. While my family was there, oh now they're really going to ask me questions. What if I tell them the truth and they don't want me anymore? What if they treat me differently after learning how damaged I am? But what if just maybe they do want me even after they learn about how...broken I am. I mean they protected me from him yesterday and slept in here with me to make sure I'm ok, right?-my ramble is cut short-My dress, where is my dress? Who changes me?

I'm wearing one of the pairs of shorts that they bought during our shopping adventure and an unknown hoodie. A groggy voice brings me out of my thoughts as I glance over at my side to see Mateo's dark brown eyes squinting, still adjusting to the bright light. 

"Are you ok, Sole? You look a little distressed." Mateo's morning voice questioned me as he finally stopped squinting his eyes as they got adjusted to the light in my room. (Sole-sunshine)

"Oh, It-um-it's just I was w-wondering, who changed me? And, uh, who's hoodie is this?" I murmured questioningly.

Mateo's face became stained with a tint of red at my questioned as he immediately shot up from his laying position next to me. Causing Theo's head to fall onto the bed swiftly causing him to wake up making cussing under his breath. As he looked towards Mateo and I even though Mateo paid him no attention as Mateo suddenly blurted out, "itwasoneofthemaidsnoneofusIswear."

Theodore looked between me and Elijah with one of his eyebrows raised questioningly. I looked at Mateo waiting for him to repeat what he just said so that maybe this time I could understand him.

"You wanna maybe repeat that mio caro fratello idiota. This better be good since you woke me up because of it." Theodore fumed obviously annoyed that he was awoken from his slumber, muttering the last part. (my dear idiot brother)