Forced to Play Family

Rules

Scarlett's Pov

My breath hitched at the possibility of some disgusting traditions of this household that I'll need to follow as a forced member. These people are crazy, any rules they follow would be just as weird. 

What if they would make me drink blood? Or torture people? Or make me cut myself to impress some deity they worship? 

“If it's the usual… no going out without informing, in bed at eleven, no skipping meals etc etc,” Dad drawled out. “You don't need to repeat it. Scar already follows these.” 

Genesis gave a tight lipped smile to my father. “No. We've decided on some new rules for the… unusual circumstances.” 

“Let me guess, I’m restricted from entering the offices?” Dad mocked. 

I still don't understand how dad’s so chill in this situation. I want to trust him because he knows them but my soul’s too fearful to be convinced. 

“Well for starters,” Theo didn't like his attitude and took it upon himself to introduce the rules. “You can't meet her alone. Either one of us or Connor has to always be present in the room.” 

All my plans to somehow convince dad to run away with me again or at least figure out what happened in the past, went down the drain. 

I cursed this whole family for the stupid rule. But only in my head since I can't afford to utter a single word of disrespect against them in their presence. 

Dad scoffed. “Because I might try killing her?” 

“Because you might try persuading her with your lies.” 

If their concern is that I’ll find out things to hate them for, then they don't have to worry about it. I've already endured and known enough to never ever have the tiniest bit of love for them in my life.

I wanted to correct Theo that my father doesn't lie. Even though he had kept me in the dark my whole life, he never once told me a lie. He refused to answer my questions rather than tell me a story that's false. 

He always believed we should be completely honest with each other and we both followed that rule very seriously. 

Dad rolled his eyes and fed me another bite before taking one for himself. It was clear he didn't appreciate the rule but he chose to not protest against it.

“Noah,” He called, pushing his empty glass towards him. 

Noah paused looking between dad and his outstretched glass. He rolled his eyes and resumed refilling his own glass before filling dad’s with red wine. 

For some reason he then turned to me and asked, “Do you drink?” 

I didn't know if it was a trick question but in any case my answer was no. But since I had trouble speaking in their presence I just shook my head, hoping it doesn't come off as rude. 

“She isn't allowed to, until eighteen.” Dad answered for me.

“So you did something right.” Noah muttered under his breath before placing the bottle back on the table. 

“Your brothers followed the same rules.” I didn't understand why Genesis thought it necessary to tell me that but she did —that too with a fake polite smile.  

“Scar will take the room upstairs, next to mom’s and…” Theo looked at dad with a smirk itching his face. “You will stay your nights in the cell.” 

My stomach dropped at his words. I planned to stay silent through the whole conversation unless directly spoken to. But I couldn't help myself from protesting for my dad.