The Traps of the Black Swan (Book 2)

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The little arms hugged Tia back as she tried to correct Tia, speaking sweetly, "Aunt Tia, I am not little anymore. I am nine years old."

Tia softly chuckled, pulling her away from the embrace. "You are still little for me, Little Peanut..." She brushed the tears away from her face.

The little girl pouted for a second and whined, "Peanut size is this small." She used her thumb and forefinger to show the peanut size before spreading her arms, "I am this big." Then she giggled, making Tia smile.

"Iris..." A lady's voice interrupted them.

Iris turned around and responded to her mother, "Yes, Mom..." Then she held Tia's fingers and gently tugged her to make her stand.

Iris took Tia inside and let her meet everyone. Iris's father smiled shaking her head, "The little chipmunk has grown up." When he had married the doctor, Tia was just seventeen.

"Brother-in-law... I am sorry, I made you all worried." Tia apologized as they hugged sideways.

He and his wife were indeed frightened thinking how could she survive alone and what if she meets the wrong people. They had lived through thinking about it for many years.

Breathing in relief, all they cared was she was doing good without them, "It's alright. Even if you don't want to visit here, come to your sister's home. Our door is always open for you."

Iris, who heard her father welcoming Tia to their home, happily added, "Aunt Tia, we can share our room. I have so many toys to play with."

Tia nodded at her brother-in-law as she chuckled at Iris. She gently pinched Iris's chubby cheeks.

Tia always knew that she could have gone to their place. Her brother-in-law and sister would have looked after her better than her father. But she didn't want to be their problem and her father would have found it out sooner or later. Hence she never dared to reach out to them.

Then the sisters hugged, they had spoken a lot in the banquet so they had nothing much, "Mino?" Elder Sister asked.

"He is here. He got an emergency call." Tia responded.

Iris tugged her father's pants and pointed to the door, "Dad, shall I bring Aunt Tia's friend inside?"

Tia wanted to say it wasn't required so that he could attend to his matters patiently. But Iris, who had seen Mino from the balcony, excitedly skipped out to bring the uncle who hugged her Aunt to bring her out of the car.

Tia saw her mother, her mother never forced her but she also didn't support them. Mrs. Wells was always quiet in front of her husband even if she felt whatever he was doing was wrong. Tia never blamed her because her father was very dominant and controlling.

If something goes against his wishes, then he will scold you harshly until you do as he wants to get rid of him. He makes their life restless and always on their toes. Due to him, her behavior was pathetic with outsiders, venting her frustration.

Her father was a true dictator and Tia knew who could seal his mouth shut, Mino. Nonetheless, she didn't want him to get tired of the Wells family matters as she had left them long back.

"Mom!" Her voice sounded feeble before they embraced each other and burst into tears. Tia tried to have control but her mother cried all the stored tears out repeating she missed and worried for Tia.

The cry alerted two men. One entered from the backyard and another from the front door, holding Iris's hands.

Mr. Wells, a tall mid-sixties man went inside. There was no worry but deep frowns as if the cry had disturbed his peaceful time.