“He hit you out of anger?”

I nodded, as I took another sip of my coffee. Patrick and my sister sat across from me at the table in Stephen's kitchen. They had arrived half an hour after I took a shower. Patrick looked extremely pissed while my sister had a poker face.

“He wouldn't do that,” she said softly. “Dad isn't someone to let his anger get the best of him.”

“So you're saying I'm lying?”

The look on her face answered my question. I shook my head in disbelief– my own sister thought of me as a liar.

“Come on Alia I'm just saying, I've done worse shit than you and he never hit me in anger.”

Pushing my chair back, I stood and walked out of the kitchen. I was halfway upstairs when a hand gripped my wrist. Through blurry eyes I stared down at Stephen.

He gave my wrist a gentle tug which made me walk down the stairs until I stood in front of him.

“No need for tears baby,” he whispered.

“Why is it always me?” I asked him softly. “I just want him to look at me like he does to them. I want him to love me.”

“He loves you sweetheart,” Patrick said from our left, “he just has a different way of showing it to you.”

A tear dropped down my cheek as I shook my head again. They could tell me that until they turned blue, I knew he didn't love me like he loved them. If he loved me then why did he hit me? Why did he say that he wished my mom gave me to that bastard? My eyes fell on my sister who stood in the doorway. She gave me a small smile and one I couldn't return.

“Come on, I made you something to eat,” Stephen said softly as he stepped back.

“I'm not hungry.”

“You didn't eat anything yesterday and I allowed that because you were in shock, but I'm not going to allow that now. You need to eat Alia, either willingly or I'll force you.”

I swallowed, but allowed him to lead me back into the kitchen and to the table. Patrick and Taylor refused breakfast but Stephen ate along with me. He kept the conversation up with my brother-in-law and sister. We were just starting to clean up when Stephen's phone started ringing. I watched him silently as he picked it up.

His face converted into one of anger as his body tensed. Our eyes locked and I could tell whatever that person was saying was something he didn't like.

“Thanks Brian,” he muttered before hanging up. “The photos have been deleted from social media.”

“That's good,” Patrick said from his place at the table.

Before anyone could say anything else, the doorbell rang. Stephen pursed his lips. With one last glance at me he made his way towards the front door. I stepped closer in curiosity. The door was opened to reveal a man dressed in a police uniform. He was unfamiliar but the man standing behind him wasn’t.

“Mr. Daniels?” Stephen nodded. “May we come in?”

“What's this about?” he questioned him.

“It's been brought to our attention that you're having sexual relations with a minor,” the officer said softly, his eyes locked on me for a few seconds.

“As you're aware we have to follow up on the complaints we receive.”

Stephen stepped aside to allow them to enter. My father was glaring at me as he walked into the living room. Behind him a female officer entered carrying a small black case.

“My name is Jack Brian and this is my partner Lucy,” Jack introduced himself and the woman. “Since you're an officer yourself you know how this works.”

Stephen nodded, but said nothing. Sucking in a shaky breath, I stepped closer to stand beside him. Their eyes snapped over to me.

“Alia? That is your name right? You need to go with Lucy. She'll explain everything to you.”

“You can talk in the spare bedroom,” Stephen said softly.

He glanced down at me briefly. He wanted them to stay out of his bedroom. I nodded, then turned and led the way up the stairs and towards the spare bedroom.

Opening the door, I waited for her to enter before stepping in behind her. My palms were sweaty and my knees were shaky. What were they doing here?

“Hello Alia, my name is Lucy,” she said softly. “This is something we take really serious. I'm going to ask you some questions and I need you to tell me the truth. You have nothing to be scared of.”

“Right,” I muttered. “What is this about again?”

I took a seat on the edge of the bed as I waited for her to continue. She walked over to me and took a seat beside me before placing the small bag on the floor.

“We received a report that Mr. Daniels is having a sexual relationship with you. We take these cases really seriously– especially where minors are involved.”

“Who reported it?”

“That is something we can't tell you,” she muttered. “Now, how long have you known Mr. Daniels?”

“For about a month now.” I frowned at her. “What does this have to do with anything? Stephen and I are dating. We've been dating for the past few weeks. As far as I'm aware it's okay for couples to be kissing each other.”

“So you do admit that there is something physical between you?”

“Physical.” I frowned at her. “He's my boyfriend! We kiss and we hold hands, is there something wrong with that?”

“No of course not,” she shook her head. “Have you and Mr. Daniels ever… touched each other?” I stared at her. “Has he ever touched you in anyway that made you feel uncomfortable?”
“No.”

“Has he ever forced himself on you?”

“No.”

“Has he ever-”

“No! Stephen is the perfect gentleman. He's never touched me in a way that made me uncomfortable or forced me to do something I didn't want to. Is there anything else?” She opened her mouth but slammed it shut again.

After a few minutes she picked up the bag and then stood. Without another word she walked out of the room. I sat silently for a few more seconds before getting up and following her downstairs.

“Thank you for your time,” Jack said from where he stood by the doo,. “and sorry for the inconvenience.”

Lucy and Jack walked out the door but my father stayed behind. He was glaring at Stephen.

“I won't let you get away with this,” he said angrily. “You will go to jail for laying your hands on my daughter!”

I cried out when he suddenly gripped my arm tightly. He dragged me towards the door and out of the house without a backward glance. No one did anything to stop him– not even Stephen. He just stood there and watched my father push me into the back of his car.

“Honey?” The soft knock on the door followed by my mother's voice made me look up. “Can I come in?”

“Yes,”

My voice was hoarse from hours of crying. I watched my mother silently as she walked into my room and took a seat on the edge of the bed. For a few minutes she stayed silent and just glanced around the room.

My eyes darted past her when my father entered the room and closed the door behind him. He didn't look angry anymore but his body was tense and his face pale.

“I'm sorry for hitting you,” he muttered.

“Sorry isn't going to make me forget or make the pain go away.”

“No,” he breathed, “it won't.”

“Honey we know that you're stressed about school and stuff. We don't want you to do something you might regret.”

“Like what?” I glanced between them.

“Like getting knocked up by that bastard.”

“Michael!” My mom glared at him.

“I've made a doctor's appointment for tomorrow,” he said, ignoring her.

“A doctor's appointment? For what? I'm not sick.”

“We want to make sure that you didn't lie to the officer, and he didn't force himself on you and you're too afraid to say anything.”

I stood from the bed then turned to glare at them. “No. You can't force me to go either.”

“We just want what's best for you,” my father said softly.

“Really?” I let out a humorless laugh. “Where were you when I needed you? When I had my first award? When I had my first netball tournament? I've done everything I could possibly think of just to get you to look at me like you look at my sisters.” I blinked rapidly to clear the tears from my eyes. “Why can't you look at me like that? Why can't you love me like you love them?”

“Because you're not my daughter!”

It took a few seconds for his words to sink in and when it did the room was deadly silently. Our eyes locked briefly before he stormed out of the room and slammed the door shut.

I sucked in a shaky breath before forcing my eyes towards my mother. She was pale now, and her eyes were filled with tears.

“W-what did he mean?” I questioned her. “Was I adopted?”

“No,” her voice cracked. “I'm sorry Alia, I didn't want you to find out like this. I wanted to tell you but-”

“Tell me what?” I didn't care that I was being rude. I wanted to know why he said I wasn't his daughter.

“M-Micheal isn't your biological father,” she finally whispered. “It was a mistake and we don't realize it when it was too late. It wasn't suppose-”

“Who's my father?”

She said nothing but continued to silently cry.

“Who is he?” I yelled.

“Mike,” she looked up at me, “he's your- Michael's brother. I'm sorry Alia! I-”

“Get out,” I pointed to the door. “Get out!”

When the door closed softly behind her I finally allowed the tears to fall. My knees buckled making me realize I was still standing. I stumbled towards my bed and then fell face first into it. No wonder he hated me to much! My mother had an affair with his brother.

His own flesh and blood.

I groggily opened my eyes as I heard my phone ringing. My room was filled in darkness except for the light from my phone. Letting out a low moan, I slowly turned onto my back. I fell asleep in a really awkward position.

The phone stopped ringing making me sigh. I wasn't in the mood to talk to anybody at the moment. Nothing could make me feel better at the moment– not even talking to Stephen.

When my phone started ringing again, I sat up with a groan. Stephen's number flashed across the screen. My thumb hovered over the button for a few seconds, but I declined the call. I typed a quick message to him and then switched off my phone.

I'll talk to him once I get my emotions in check.