TW: Self-harm is alluded to in this chapter

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"We're home," Viola called out.

   "Hey, guys, how was your day with aunt Yeji?" Hyunjin asked.

   "She took us shopping!" Faye said.

  "Got us clothes and toys," Aries said.

   The door opened and Yeji came in with several bags.

   "I spoiled them today. They haven't eaten dinner, but they've had ice-cream," Yeji said, setting down the bags.

   "You, my dear sister, are amazing," Hyunjin said.

     Yeji smiled, "Thank you. Okay, I had fun with you guys today, I love you, bye," she said.

  "Bye. Love you," the three said.

   Yeji left with a wave.

   "Daddy, we want to show you what we got!" Aries said.

  "I would love to see what you guys got, but for now, us three, are going to go and get some dinner," Hyunjin told the twins.

   "What about me?" Viola asked.

   "Your papa and you, need to talk. Listen to what he has to say, actually listen none of the half listening, okay?" Hyunjin said.

   Viola pressed her lips together, "Okay,"

   "Alright my little ones, let's go  get dinner, we'll stop at menchie's for dessert," Hyunjin told them.

  The two jumped slightly in excitement.

  Hyunjin grabbed his keys and opened the door, the twins walking out first.

  "He's known for months that something has been wrong with you, he knew before me. When Mars came into the picture, his mind couldn't help but snap to that bad place, because of everything he's been through with people he's dated and with his own family.

   You guys are a lot more alike than you think. Both stubborn and strong willed in your own ways and that clashes quite a bit. You both need to try and understand each other," Hyunjin said.

    Viola nodded.

    Hyunjin kissed her on the forehead then left the house.

  Viola took a breath and walked further into the house.

   Felix was sitting on the couch, legs crossed under him, he was looking down at his hands and picking at his nails.

  "Hey," Viola said softly.

   Felix looked up and smiled a little, "Hey, hun, how was your day out with Yeji?" He asked.

   "It was good we bought some stuff. Dad said you wanted to talk with me,"

Felix nodded and patted the free space on the couch.

   The girl took her shoes off and walked over and sat down.

   "I am going to admit something, your dad and I did something we probably shouldn't have, but we were scared and worried which doesn't excuse it, however we didn't know what else to do,"

   "You went through my room?" She asked almost nervously.

  "No. We asked Eden to look into Mars and Yeonjun to tap your phone," Felix said.

  "Oh... you know you could have just asked Mars about himself... he wouldn't lie,"

   "We were worried parent mode and it just kind of just made sense for us to do it that way,"

   Viola hummed.

  "I'm sorry. I haven't been the nicest to Mars nor to you. I'm also sorry for not hearing you when you tried to talk about him," Felix said.

   "I'm sorry too, for what I said and how I have been acting... I never meant any of it... I just... I wanted you to hear me, but I didn't know how to say it," Viola said.

   Felix took a deep breath, "Viola, when Yeonjun tapped your phone he read some of the messages between you and Mars... why didn't you tell us that stuff was going on at school?" 

   "The school told me they called you guys, so I thought it would stop or you would have me change schools, but when nothing happened I thought you never cared,"

    "Vi, we will always care about you. I know it has been different since Faye and Aries came into the picture, but never ever will our love for you change,"

  Viola sniffled, "I know... it... you guys have just been so busy with work, with adopting them, with the wedding, and it just felt like you had no time for me, so I just kept to myself.
 
  Obviously I have Chris and he know so much stuff and I also have Mars, but talking to them isn't like talking to you and dad," she said.

  "Baby, it doesn't matter how busy we are, if you need to talk to us, do it. If it is the middle of the night and you need one of us, come and wake one of us up," Felix said.

    Viola looked at her hands and tugged at her sleeves.

   "How upset is dad?"

  "With you? Not upset. With your school? He is a lawyer who knows other lawyers and who knows Fbi agents, all of which care for you, therefore, it won't be a happy ending for the school,"

   Viola laughed a little.

  "What is going on in your head?" Felix questioned.

    "I called Hyein because of the bullying and because I didn't know what to do. One of the days after the engagement party when I was with Chris at the mall we ran into the girl... the day I was with Hyein, the girl messaged me because she saw me with Hyein," Viola said.
 
    "What did she say?"

    "The was a moment in the mall wear I had my sleeve rolled up, it was just for a minute, but she saw. She only knows who Hyein because she saw press photos from the book tour... she said if I mentioned anything to Hyein she'd tell everyone,"

    Felix pursed his lips and blinked a couple times, "When did it start?" He asked.

   "After the bullying got physical... after the second time I reported it and they said they called you for a second time. I felt like I needed some type of control and I had remembered what Juni had said when talking to you and what you had said," Viola said.

   Felix closed his eyes for a moment, "I thought you were sleeping. You heard all of that?"

   Viola nodded.

    "Vi..."

   "I know I shouldn't have done it but I didn't know what else to do,"

   "Next time you feel that way come to someone and tell them, so they can help, okay?" Felix said.

   "Does dad have to know?" Viola asked.

   Felix bit his lip, "He should know... but if you aren't ready to tell him, I will talk to him. Does Mars or Chris know?"

   Viola shook her head, "I was going to tell Mars, but I was scared to,"

    Felix nodded.

   "Are we okay?" Viola asked.

   "Always," Felix said softly.

  Viola turned and hugged Felix.

   "Thank you,"

  "For what?"

   "For being my papa... for always understanding..."

   "Thank you," Felix said.

"For what?" Viola asked.

  "For being an amazing daughter... for knocking sense into me when needed..."

   Viola let go and sat back in couch.

   "I'm grounded later, aren't I?" She questioned.

   "Yeah, two days, no phone, no tablet, no computer, no TV, no Mars or Chris," Felix said.

   "Wait, so does that mean I can stay with Mars?"

  "We aren't a fan of the age difference, but we know that you both care for each other deeply and actually like each other. We do, however, need to talk to him, apologise, you know,"

   "Dad isn't going to like go all like dad on him right?" Viola asked.

   "Oh no, he will, he may even drop the fact that one of your aunts is part of the Fbi," Felix said.

  Viola groaned, "I hope he at least gets me extra gummy bears in my ice cream,"

   Felix laughed softly.

Small steps at a time.