Enemies to lovers with a family twist!
Alora Frank has been living her life under the abuse of her mother and father. Hiding secrets and unimaginable pain behind her perfect smile. Except one day she finds her father isn't her father, she had family...
I love this song, and I really think it matches this chapter and how Alora is feeling throughout. Enjoy!
Alora p.o.v
As I retreated to my room, a wave of remorse washed over me, and I spent the rest of the night submerged in guilt. Waking up the next day was torturous, with the thought of everyone's disappointment in me echoing in my mind. I was convinced they were going to cast me out. The realization that everything they had given me - respect, privacy, and most importantly, love - would soon be withdrawn was heart-wrenching. The pain felt different this time, as if I yearned for its absence.
Living with my mother had taught me lessons I hadn't needed to learn. Over the years, I had learned to coexist with pain. It was like an old friend who visited me every now and then, reminding me of everything I had lost. Sometimes it was gentle, sometimes it was harsh, but it always left a mark.
I sat on my bed, caught in a war between my mind and heart, a clash of two worlds, two perspectives.
They're going to punish us.
But they won't do that.
Of course, they will. Don't believe their words. It's all lies.
It's not. You know them. They will never.
You disappointed them, and now they will disappoint you.
They won't. They care!
Why are you so naive? No one cares!
They do!
They don't. They can't because you're not worth it!
They care. They love you!
Can anyone really love you?
I covered my ears to block out the knowledge I already possessed. A silent scream escaped my lips as tears fell from my eyes, despite my attempts to hold them back. I covered my mouth to muffle my sobs, gasping for air. I leaned against my headboard, wondering if I would ever return to this room again, and sat there crying, oblivious to the passage of time. Eventually, the tears ceased. I sighed before getting up to prepare for the day.
A soft knock snapped me out of my thoughts. My trembling hands reached for the handle, and I slowly opened the door to find Lorenzo waiting for me with a smile that calmed my nerves. "Let's go...eat," he whispered softly. I gave him a small nod and followed him downstairs.
My last meal in this house.
I sat down, and everyone started eating. The quietness was comforting, giving me time to gather my thoughts. When I first came to this house, I made a promise to myself that I would never get attached to any member of this house, no matter what relationship we shared. Despite this promise, I had formed bonds with everyone in this house, grown attached to every brick of this house. Now, as I prepared to leave this house, I made another promise to myself, one that could only be broken by death. A promise to live in the memories of this house, of these people.
"Well, Lorenzo and Alora. You two can come to my office once you're done eating, and Lorenzo, don't try to run away again," Dad said sternly, walking away. Neither Lorenzo nor I could eat, so we headed to Dad's office. Lorenzo nudged me forward, and I let out a shaky breath. Before opening the door, I turned around and saw Lorenzo's gentle and comforting smile, which gave me enough strength to walk in.
"Come sit," Dad said as we walked in and took our seats in front of him. Alexander, Vincenzo, and Luca walked in a while after.
"So-" Before Dad could say anything, Lorenzo cut him off. "Dad, did you ditch your date?" He questioned, making Dad gasp. "I- well, shit."
"Why did you come back?" Lorenzo asked, clearly tempted for the answer.
"My kids are always my first priority. I would leave a thousand dates just for you guys," Dad whispered softly.
"You clearly like this person," Lorenzo questioned, intrigued. "Yes, I-" Dad stopped himself as if catching on to Lorenzo's plan. "Don't change the topic, Lorenzo! Anyway, both of you are grounded and on cleaning duty. Lorenzo, you are not using your car for this month, and Alora, you're banned from the library for this month as well. No-" Lorenzo interrupted him again while I sat frozen, waiting for the 'just kidding' that never came. That's it? That was all? But I disappointed them. They have to punish me, so why aren't they?
"But Dad, I need my car. How am I supposed to go everywhere?" Lorenzo yelled, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Not my problem. Ask your brothers for all I care," Dad said, scrunching up his face, making Lorenzo gasp and mumble something along the lines of 'I'd rather die.' My eyes connected with Dad's, and as if realizing something, he told everyone to leave. My heart beat faster than before, and this was the moment for my actual punishment. I waited for the words 'no food and water for a week' or 'a night in the basement' or maybe the beatings. I shuddered as those thoughts swirled around my mind.
I looked up at Dad, only to find him looking at me softly. He got up and walked towards me as I sat there, shaking like a leaf. Dad walked around his table towards me, turning my chair so that I faced him. He squatted down in front of me and gave me a soft smile.
"As a teenager, I can understand that you want to go out there, enjoy and live life fully, but as fun as that sounds, it can sometimes be dangerous too. I want you to have as much fun as you want, but as you know, we own a lot of businesses," Dad said, making me nod. "And some people don't want to see us succeed. Alora, off-topic, but there will always be people that want to pull you down, but if you give up and let them throw you on the ground, then they succeed. And if you react to them, then they also succeed, so the best solution is to listen to the criticism, learn, and grow. That's the best way to shut them down. Now, the people that want to destroy us can go to any lengths to get what they want. They can and are able to hurt anyone to get what they want. Following?" He questioned, making me nod.
"So, wherever you go somewhere, please give me or your older brothers a text just so we know your whereabouts," Dad continued. "Also, no matter what you do, everyone in this house will always love you. We love you too much to see you upset. You're my daughter, my most treasured jewel, my most precious. You're my whole world, Alora, so are your brothers. I can and will do everything just to keep you safe and smiling," Dad said, giving me a loving gaze, making almost all my doubts disappear. "Now let's go. I'm pretty sure Lorenzo is throwing another tantrum," He said, making me chuckle and stand. Dad wrapped his arm around me and hugged me as we walked out of the room.
They do love me, but for how long? Would they still be the same when they find out the truth?
Pushing away these thoughts, I simply just smiled. My smile remained throughout the whole day, while the only thought I focused on was that
They love me!
Author's note
Oof, such a emotional chapter. Well thoughts...?
I wanted in this chapter to show how her past still haunting her :(
Anyway how are you...?
Quote of the day:
Every blessing comes with a curse.
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