After Their Story Began

Chapter 64

Aleksandr's POV

It's been a month since both college tours.

Alessandro was reprimanded harshly by the judge for carrying a firearm around the kids. As a punishment the judge reduced his visitation to one supervised Friday a month.

The boys have been missing Mabel but since I let them visit her they haven't complained.

Since we've gotten back, I've been putting a huge emphasis on family/sibling bonding.

"What's Mabel been up to?" JJ asks

"She's been working and going to school." I answered

"You can invite her back." JJ told me

"Are you comfortable with her being back?"

"Totally." She looked away

"You're a shit liar." I chuckled

"Look I can avoid her if anything. I just feel bad because I know the boys really miss her."

"It's fine Adriana. We still get to visit her outside the house." Joey explained to her

"Cool."

"She's also really sorry for how she treated you. You two should have a girls day together."

"That sounds dreadful."

"Don't you have to buy a prom dress? That'll be the perfect bonding activity." Alessio pointed out

"Boys don't pressure her. She'll talk to Mabel when she's ready."

"I mean he does have a point. Dad can you invite Haru and granny for me? It'll be easier to make up if everyone is there."

"I'll let them know."

"You should also open up to mom more. She was only inconsiderate before because she doesn't know what you've been through."

"I shouldn't have to share my trauma for her to treat me decently."

"Adriana only has to share what she's comfortable sharing." I backed her up

"Thanks dad."

"I don't feel like it's fair that mom had to leave because she was closer to me and Joey."

"That's not why I made her leave."

"Then why?"

"It wasn't only her but the artifacts too. They were constantly blaming Adriana for Alessandro's temper. When you two got drunk, Adriana was scolded and punished by my father for not stopping you two. Mabel was upset with Adriana because she doesn't understand why Adriana is so confrontational all the time. Everyone excuses your shitty behavior but not hers. Since they can't treat you fairly I ban them from the house until JJ is ready for their apology."

"Why didn't you tell me? I would've told them to stop." Sunny asked her

"I wanted to avoid causing more drama."

"So you were gonna endure their shitty comments forever?"

"Not forever. That's why I'm studying abroad. I wasn't planning on visiting once I moved so I wouldn't stress anyone out."

"So you were gonna runaway and ditch all of us?"

"I'm barely around anyways." She shrugged

"Barely around and not being around at all are two completely different things. I miss you all the time and we live together. Do you know how hard it's been to wrap my head around you leaving me? Do you even want to study abroad?"

"I'm coming around to the idea."

"Are you an idiot?" Joey asked

"You're my baby sister. I spent years thinking about all the ways I'd look out for you if I got to see you again. I'm sorry I didn't realize how bad they were treating you. Nothing that happened was your fault. No one else was in that mansion with us so they can't comment but everything you've done so far has been to protect us. Alessandro doesn't even look at me thanks to you. I know you instigate conflicts with him and Charlotte so they don't say mean things to me. I don't dread visits thanks to you. I get to enjoy my time with the guys freely knowing you're there to keep me safe. There are methods to your madness. If I knew mom was saying stuff like that I would've stepped in. Please promise to visit during break. I can't lose my baby sister again."