ELENORA

Why Did you leave me ?

Elenora's Perspective:

"I could clearly see the resemblance between them and me: the same grey eyes and brown-black hair. But could those features be disguises, maybe wigs or contact lenses? How can I place my trust in these individuals who have suddenly reappeared after fifteen years of my life, claiming to be my brothers? What proof do they have to confirm their identity? Do they harbor intentions to harm me? Even in my childhood, Mommy used to make promises, yet look where we are today. I struggle to articulate the sudden wave of familiarity that washes over me. After all, this is the first time I've met them, right?

My mind is flooded with countless questions. If they indeed left me, what motivated their return? Will they abandon me again? Could they pose a threat to me as well? Yet, the most pressing question escapes my lips unconsciously: "Why did you leave me behind?" And with that, my last memory before slipping into unconsciousness is the firm embrace of a pair of arms.

Theodore's Perspective: Flashback 15 years ago.

I am filled with excitement today. My baby sister is about to come into my life, right into the welcoming embrace of my arms. I vow to shield her with my life and share all my toys. Dad, Alex, and I make the journey, while Aunt Mariette, Seby, and Julian stay behind to care for the others. She is my Un Mia Farfalle.

(Flashback ends)

Now, after fifteen long years, as I gaze upon her, so much has changed. I am utterly astounded. Even someone grappling with mental instability would recognize that she is woefully malnourished and likely subjected to abuse. When I reveal that we are her brothers, her reaction is as if we've declared her to be a hybrid of dinosaurs and octopuses. But when she musters the courage to ask why we abandoned her, my heart feels as if it shatters into a thousand pieces. I turn to Alex, waiting for him to provide an answer. Before he can, we observe her faltering, and I catch her securely, the weight of the promise I made years ago weighing heavily on my mind.I notice Alex gesturing for me to enter the house, a structure that seems perilously close to crumbling. Our bodyguards usher our pitiable excuse for a mother inside. Upon entering, we are greeted by a pungent reek of alcohol, with bloodstains and shattered glass strewn about. The eerie silence is shattered by Sebastian's menacing growl, "Where in the world did my neonata endure?"

Sebastian's Perspective:

Observing that the woman remains unresponsive, I resolve to take matters into my own hands. As anticipated, that contemptible wretch cannot ignore me. When we descend into the basement, my heart is heavy with guilt upon finding nothing more than a thin blanket spread atop a cluster of cardboard boxes. Adjacent to them, I notice two additional boxes. The first contains meager 'clothes,' a tattered teddy bear, a diminutive notebook with a pencil, and her torn school bag. Nearby lies another box, brimming with medals and certificates. It's evident that I have a brilliant sister. Julian and Louis would undoubtedly be overjoyed. I glance toward the guards, and even before I can voice my directive, it appears that Alex has intuitively discerned my intent. He issues the same command I had in mind, "Retrieve everything here and take it to the mansion," while gesturing for them to depart.

Turning toward them, I declare, "We may have broken our promise once, but we shall ensure that it remains unbroken from now on," concluding my statement with a meaningful gaze directed at her.

Alexander's Perspective:

Gazing upon my Sorella after enduring so many years of suffering rekindles a deluge of cherished memories. I remember how I used to be her favored brother, the source of unending joy. However, when she was abruptly taken away, that joy was ruthlessly extinguished. In the wake of their disappearance, Father's demeanor grew ever more severe, and it fell upon Theo and me to raise our younger siblings. We clung tenaciously to the belief that removing them from Father's malevolent influence would ensure our princess's safety. Yet, the crucial phrase here is "would be."

I can't help but wonder about Father's reaction upon encountering the first girl born into the family in 118 years. After conducting a more thorough examination, we depart from that wretched place.