Forced to Play Family

Traumatizing

Scarlett's Pov  

My eyes widened as I inhaled deeply to calm my racing mind. This wasn't the time to panic. I need to stay calm. 

“Like… like a little baby brother?” I whispered. 

Dad hesitated. “Um, a little older than that...” 

“A toddler?” 

“No, Scar-” 

Something suddenly clicked in my mind. “You left her when I was a kid… my brother must be around my age or older…”  

Dad slowly gave in a nod. “Yes.” 

“Who is it?” I asked quietly as a very horrible scenario started playing in my head. “It's not someone I've met here, right?” Because none of those men deserve to be called a brother. 

“They-” 

Horror gripped my insides. “They?” 

My whole life feels like a lie with each secret he shares with me. My own father hid the truth of my existence. He never told me what I deserved. 

Dad had a clear guilt on his face as he mumbled, “You have four brothers.” 

I placed a hand on my mouth in disbelief. “You left four of your kids?”

He inhaled a deep breath and looked away from my judgemental gaze. “It's complicated, Scar. If I had a choice, I would've never chosen to leave my wife and sons.” 

I feel something hit me and in an instant I just believe him. It always just took one heartbeat, a single second, just one honest sentence for him to convince me of his words, to convince me to do whatever he wants. 

I've always trusted him blindfolded. Even now that I know the truth he’s been protecting me from, I still trust him. Because at the end of the day whatever he does is the best for me. 

I didn't want to hear further but curiosity wasn't allowing me to drop the topic. “What's their age…” 

“Eighteen, twenty, twenty five and twenty seven.” 

“No way!” I threw my head back and closed my eyes massaging my temple.  

I never liked older siblings. Never in my wildest dreams wished for them. They're controlling and arrogant. But now suddenly I have four —that too brothers. 

“I know this is overwhelming-” 

“Overwhelming?” My head snapped to him again. “This shit is traumatizing, dad.” 

“Scar-” I didn't allow him to comfort me right now. I'd rather have answers. 

“All four of your sons are from the same woman?” 

“Yes. Genesis and I were- are” That doesn't sound right. “married and have five children, including you.” 

“Oh god.” I sighed. “It's weird to think you married such a disgusting woman.” 
 
“She’s not a disgusting woman, Scar.” He said with a resignation in his voice at my persistence of her rightful image. “When you get to know her you'll change your opi-” 

“I don't want to get to know her. We'll never meet her ever again.” I said with finality.

Before he could put a good word for her again I asked, “What about your sons? Where are they? Are they like their mother?” 

“So um…” His hand subconsciously landed on her calves as he massaged it deep in thought. “You know Theo, Mateo, Jude and Noah…” 

I had a hard time placing Jude and Noah until I remembered the unforgettable words of my so-called mother telling Connor to take me to them to be rap-