The evening had settled in, casting a soft glow over Roman's backyard as the fire pit crackled gently. Isabella sat beside Roman on the patio couch, her legs tucked under her as she sipped from her glass of wine. Across from them, Jey, Jimmy, and Solo were lounging comfortably, the easygoing atmosphere making it feel like old times.

But tonight was different.

Tonight, there was something sitting heavy on Isabella's chest-something she had avoided talking about for years.

Roman, ever in tune with her, ran his fingers gently over her thigh. "You alright, baby?"

She hesitated, her eyes flickering over to the brothers. She knew she didn't have to explain anything, but after spending the day with them-after realizing just how much she had missed this family-she felt like they deserved to know.

Isabella set her glass down, exhaling softly. "There's something I should probably tell you guys."

Jey smirked. "Oh damn, this serious?"

Jimmy chuckled. "You finally admitting you love us more than Roman?"

She rolled her eyes, though her smile was brief. "No, idiots. It's about... my family."

The playful mood shifted in an instant. Roman straightened beside her, his grip on her leg tightening slightly in silent support.

She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "I know you guys have probably noticed that I never talk about my extended family. My aunts, uncles, cousins... they don't exist in my world anymore."

Solo, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "What happened?"

Isabella swallowed hard, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. "When I got pregnant with Joelle, they... they weren't exactly supportive."

Jimmy frowned. "Not supportive how?"

She sighed, looking down at her hands. "They thought I was ruining my life. That I was throwing away everything I had worked for." Her voice wavered slightly, but she pushed through. "They didn't like that I was with Roman. They said I was being reckless, irresponsible... selfish."

Jey's jaw tightened. "That's some bullshit."

She let out a bitter chuckle. "Yeah. It was."

Roman stayed quiet, his hand moving up to rub slow circles on her back. He had known bits and pieces of this, but hearing it out loud-seeing the pain in her eyes-made his blood boil.

"I tried to prove them wrong," Isabella continued, her voice softer now. "I finished school, I worked, I did everything I could to show them that I wasn't making a mistake. But it was never enough. Every time I reached out, all I got was judgment and disappointment." She swallowed hard. "And when things got rough between me and Roman... they felt justified in shutting me out completely."

A heavy silence settled between them.

Jimmy shook his head, anger flashing in his eyes. "So they just gave up on you? On Joelle?"

She nodded. "Pretty much."

Jey exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "That's cold, man."

Solo, always the most reserved of the group, finally spoke again. "That why you never talk about them?"

"Yeah," she admitted. "I spent so much time trying to earn their approval, and when I finally realized I never would... I just let them go." She sighed. "It was hard, but I had to. I wasn't going to keep begging people to love me when I had a family right in front of me who actually did."

Roman pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Damn right."

Jey leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You know what? Screw them. You got us."

Jimmy nodded firmly. "Exactly. You don't need that kind of negativity, Izzy."

Isabella smiled, her heart feeling lighter than it had in years. "I know. And honestly... I don't miss them anymore. I have everything I need right here."

Solo gave a small, approving nod. "Good."

For the first time in a long time, Isabella felt like she had finally closed a painful chapter of her past.

She wasn't looking back anymore.

She was home.