Soft || 18+ Reverse Harem ||

60 - Bubble Wrap

. . .

Dahlia

I was twitchy on the ride back to the ship, too many questions rattling in my mind. It couldn't be what I was thinking. But I hoped it was. I really hoped it was. Even the possibility of it made breathing easier. It would make sense. It would make so much sense.

Hedeon stopped the car in front of a bakery, one of the best in town. Hedeon hadn't said a word yet, only stared at me worriedly, and then drove with his giant hand on my thigh, rubbing it in a soothing way that soothed me. "Let's get something to eat," he said, getting out and opening the door for me. He extended his tatted hand towards me, raising a questioning brow when I didn't move.

"I want to go back." Then I eyed the bakery, the people walking out of it with boxes of wonder in their hands. "I guess a few donuts can't hurt."

"And cupcakes," he said as he pulled me out. He knew just what to feed me to keep me happy.

"And cupcakes." I nodded because cupcakes were life.

. . .

Lucian Monet

I picked Vaness, who had sneaked into my bathroom when I showered, up and walked out of my room, letting her snuggle into my neck while purring. I walked to Dahlia's door and knocked. She had locked herself in there with all the cupcakes, like a greedy little thing, as soon as she came back. Hedeon said she was looking for something in Noah's journals as he stuffed his face with donuts.

"I'm busy!"

"You need to eat lunch."

Vaness meowed hearing lunch.

I heard Dahlia's exaggerated sigh through the door as she opened it. She looked up at me, her glasses on her nose and her hair a beautiful mess. Her eyes were red. I frowned.

"Hello, baby," I said, already planning to make her tell me what was wrong.

"Hello," she mumbled. "I am not hungry."

"Then just accompany me."

"You will make me eat."

"Just a bit." That may have been a lie.

She walked out of the room and shut the door. Bobby appeared out of nowhere, probably summoned by the word 'Lunch' and jumped in Dahlia's arms. Dahlia kissed his giant face. He looked right at me as she did. Arrogant little prick.

I made Dahlia eat, a bit more than just a bit. Andros had cooked. Hedeon and Alexandre were busy turning the town upside down. They'd eat later. Dahlia would make sure. We made her eat, she made us eat. She could be really persistent and she said it was 'only fair.' We had been used to skipping meals before she came along.

"What are you looking for in your uncle's journals?" Andros asked as he finished eating. He was sitting across from her in the dining room. Dahlia was petting Bobby's head, looking to be lost in thought.

"Noah and my mom were the first to date," she said, blankly as if giving an uninspiring speech. "They were together for a while. Mom is older than Dad by five years. Noah and their mom were of the same age and went to the same school. They dated for a while, but then the bullshit with Cynthia happened. Mom thought Noah had cheated on her with Cynthia. Noah was...ashamed to tell her what actually happened. They broke up. Mom got together with Dad and instantly became pregnant with...me."

Didn't fucking know that.

She was rubbing her hands on her arms. I pulled her onto my lap. She didn't protest. I brushed her hair away from her face. "Dad thought I was Noah's. Noah did too. He wrote that he was so happy. Dad wasn't. He was furious. He wanted mom to abort me. But she didn't. I was born. Dad hated me. Noah loved me. All were so convinced Noah was my father they didn't even get a DNA test."