VIOLET

I sat on my window seat, watching the rain fall and hit the window. I already felt unwanted here; Xander's eyes told it all. The room was a bit dark, almost like my old house.

I shifted my position and felt a stinging pain in my rib. I hissed and jumped off the bed, biting back a yelp. I needed to take care of this. I went to the bathroom and turned on the light.

I lifted my shirt and saw a dark purple bruise spreading across my ribcage. The sight of it, along with the other scars that marred my skin, made me feel incredibly ugly.

Ugly and worthless. The open wounds that were still bleeding and infected only added to my sense of self-loathing.

I rummaged through the medicine cabinet and found some antiseptic cream and bandages. Carefully, I applied the cream, wincing as it stung my skin. I wrapped the bandage around my torso, securing it tightly. Then, I took a piece of cloth, dabbed it with alcohol, and pressed it against my wounds. The pain was intense, and I let out a small scream. After applying more bandages and making sure my ribcage was properly secured, I returned to my room.

It was still morning, around 9:30. I decided to take out my diary from the bedside drawer. This diary was a gift from one of my first friends, Olivia. She was the only friend I had back in middle school. Before she moved away, she gave me the diary as a parting gift. It still had the bright pink sticky note attached with her message and phone number. I missed her a lot.

Olivia was a sweet girl. I had confided in her about my life at home, and she had shared some of her own experiences. Her father was a drug addict and was rarely home, leaving Olivia to fend for herself. Her mother was a kind woman, and Olivia had a sister named Heaven. Whenever my parents kicked me out, Olivia and her mother welcomed me with open arms. A month after we became best friends, Olivia's father died in a street fight.

This tragedy allowed them to move to a new house, and they relocated to California, which is why Olivia had to leave.

Olivia always listened to my stories, and I tried my best to be the perfect friend for her. Her mother, Tanya, made the best sandwiches, and Olivia would always bring an extra one for lunch. The three of us—Olivia, Heaven, and I—would sit together and talk during lunch.

We promised to keep in touch, but as time went on, school and life got in the way. The last time we interacted was about three years ago.

I know, i could still text her. But. I don't even know if she would remember me. I'm scared of losing her. She might have just forgotten about me, hell even might hate me.

I hesitantly took out my phone and went to my contacts. Olivia's number was still there and it brought a smile to my lips.

I Clicked on her contact and read through some of our past conversations, before typing in a small message.

♥Liv ♥

♥Liv ♥: I know, and Iam sorry. Vi, you will find a bright side of life soon, and i know it. Have hope. For now, I'm leaving ill text u as soon as i land! xx liv.

Me: I love you too, Safe flight, xoxo

♥Liv ♥: I Made you a playlist. Listen to it whenever you feel left out. And write your feelings in the diary, don't be bottled up. Look for the brightest star in the sky and remember I'm proud of you vi.

Me:Shut up liv, i know. :)

♥Liv ♥: Love you too, now i gtg!

Last seen: November 2020, Tuesday

Me: Liv? It's me Violet.

♥Liv ♥: VI!? OH MY GODD VIVI I MISSED YOU SO MUCHH! 

Me: Oh Livie, why didn't you text me after u landed. Im bawling my eyes out.

♥Liv ♥: I'm sorry vi. Heaven broke my phone by accident but didn't change my number. I forgot urs, i mean i felt shattered. I missed u i cried for days. How's life? :) half smile, half sad :(

Me: Dead. Found my bio brothers. 6. Got home last night.

♥Liv ♥: WhAT!? OH MY GOD IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!

♥Liv ♥: How are your scars?

Me: I.. Its fine. But i think my rib is broken liv.

♥Liv ♥: :(((((

Me: Ill text u later livie. someones knocking. say hi to tan and heaven

♥Liv ♥: will do, Okay vi. Text me later. Love u

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I shut my phone off with a smile. She remembers me. I then walk to the door and open it seeing its My look-alike-brother, roman. For some reason, while he is around it feels like. A huge part of my piece is connected. I let my weird thoughts flow away.

"Hey angel. How are you?" He asks. 

"Iam good." I reply nervously. "Why are you nervous?" Roman asks my looking into my eyes. I shake my head as a no. 

"Hm. Okay then. Well, i came to take you to Lucas office. He and your brothers have somethings to say. Follow me," he says, raising his arm in the process. I flinch a little and beg that he didn't say it, and i realized he is holding his arm out for me to take. 

I take his hand and we both take the elevator upstairs, leading to the third floor. The elevator dings, indicating we arrived and we step out and walk through a hallway with frames and paintings hung all over the walls. The walls are grey and dark, a huge chandelier hangs above.

There are lots of guards around, each on the side of every door.

We reach to a door with My elder Brothers's name on it and Roman swings it open and Iam met with chattering of my brothers. The chattering immediately becomes silent, and everyone looks at me.

My grip on Rome's hand tightens. Wait, rome?

"Dude, you're scaring her.." Lorenzo states, motioning to Luca who clears his throat sharply.

"Violet, have a seat. " He points at a chair that is separated away from the rest.

The place is dimly lit, the interior is black, and the boys are piled up on the couch. A table is in the middle and i sit down at the corner where my chair is.

"So, we would like to discuss somethings, boys, apart from me Dante and Elijah get out." He motions at the boys. They all walk outside leaving me alone with my three brothers. I could feel Alessandro's burning gaze as i stare down at my lap and pick my skin. I feel someone separate my hands I look up to be met with Luca's eyes.

"Principessa, don't do that." He says in a stern voice. He grabs my arms and motions for me to sit at the sofa along with them. I'm in the middle.

"Right. So, we have some rules we would like you to follow. First of all, you would respect all of your brothers, including Xavier, and Roman, even if they are the youngest boys. Second, you would not talk back, and you should not swear or show attitude. If you do, you will get a punishment," 

Elijah says in a deathly calm voice. It sends shivers down my spine. His eyes are dark.

"Third of all, you will have to eat your meals right. Dinner, breakfast and lunch. Even if it's just a small proportion. Fourth, you are never allowed to go to the third floor. Never. Unless any of your brothers tell you to. Thats all angel, i hope you remember them. Oh, and also, no boys." 

Elijah finishes with a small smirk. I huff and try to act mad, but a smile creeps up to my face. 

I nod. "And Sorella? Remember that we all love you. We are more than happy to have you back." Alessandro says.

"But Xander hates me." I manage to mumble. My eyes feel glassy.

"No love, he does not hate you. He is just as shocked, give him some time. He is the tough one, he was the closest with you. He always loves you; he still does." Alessandro wipes my tears away, forcing me to look up at his face.

He then embraces me into a hug and i stiffen. He seems to notice this so he pulls away and apologizes.

"Sorry. I, Elijah you can take her back." He speaks. I get up and follow Elijah outside. We go downstairs to the kitchen and to the living room.

He goes to a sofa and pats the place next to him. I sit next to him and i observe the place. It's beautiful. The interior is black, there is a small chandelier above. Black is beautiful.

It represents the dark days, the dark clouds, The days i dreaded and i just find it so calm. 

(Ill upload the pic soon)

'I love this place' I thought. I shift and close my eyes for a second. When i open my eyes, i see Elijah staring at me with amusement. "You really do?" He asks me. 

'Didi say that out loud?' I think again as confusion spreads over my face. Elijah chuckles. 

"Yes, you said it out loud." He looks at me again. I shrug. "Yeah, it's nice. I like black."

"Hmm." He hums and zones out. Then he suddenly jumps up from the sofa making me flinch again. 

"Sorry, i didn't mean to scare you," He smiles sheepishly. "But since you said it, here, follow me." Elijah stands up and goes to the elevator once again. 

What?

We arrive at the 2nd floor, which is identical to the third floor but its more lit. We turn to the left and stop at a door, he opens it and lets me inside.

My jaw drops as i stare. It's a small office, like room, a small gray sofa bed, two candles and inside there is another room leading to a room with a desk and shelfs filled with books.

"It's an extra room we have. You can have it." He grins at me. "N-no. It's too much." I give him a stutter. "No, angel. I know you love reading, and even if something happens, this room is hidden up here. You can always come here."

I step outside and see that the room is at a corner, and the door is blended in with the wall.

I sigh in defeat and nod at him, grateful for this. "Thankyou." I say with a smile. A genuine one. 

I haven't smiled like that in years.

"Anything for our princess." He puts his arm around me and gives me a huge smile. And surprisingly, i don't push it back. 

"Would you like to stay here or your room?" 

"Um, maybe I'll bring some of my stuff here for now and stay here for a bit." I reply. "Alright. You can go to your room and bring back your stuff. I'll be downstairs."

He closes the door and i collapse on the sofa. I have two rooms. I finally feel a sense of belonging. But then my parents' words float back to my mind.

'worthless'

'you were born to suffer'

I shake off the thoughts and exit the room and look around trying to figure out where my room is.