SINBOUND

VI

ENZO POV
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I winced as I saw Lilin storm off with a crying Ares. Riccardo scoffed in disbelief.

"Are you kidding me? She's being so dramatic!" He groaned, shaking his head.

Armani grabbed his collar and shoved him. "She's being dramatic? Listen to me close, boy. I am your older brother and you respect me. You respect your father. You respect your brothers. So why shouldn't that extend to them? Why is it so hard to show them decency? Is it their fault that they exist? That dad made a mistake? What did they do to you specifically?"

Riccardo's eyes widened. "I — they literally came here and leech off of dad. Tell me otherwise. Have they been grateful for anything? Have they said thank you once? Do you see their mannerisms? They act ghetto! They act poor!"

"Their mother just committed suicide and they found the body. They're grieving. You think they're worried about their mannerisms? They've been so grateful this entire time. You can't judge somebody from knowing them two days. If you want to be angry at somebody, be angry at dad. It's not their fault." Armani let go of his collar and shoved him away, scoffing, "Unbelievable."

"Wait, that's how their mom died?" Carlo asked, face pale. "Damn. That's...insane. I feel horrible."

My stomach dropped as I processed the words. They were going through so much and everybody was giving them hell for it. I silently got up and walked past the others unnoticed, making my way upstairs.

I hesitated by Lilin's door. I could hear sobbing inside, but it slowly turned into laughing and giggling. After a second it died down and I waited before raising my hand and knocking on the door.

Lilin's voice came from the other side, telling me to come in. I slowly opened the doorknob and closed it behind me to see Ares asleep on the bed and Lilin lying next to him, gently stroking his hair.

"Oh. Hey." she looked up to me, her face giving away nothing.

I came and sat by her, testing the waters. She just stared.

I grabbed out my phone to start writing on the notes app but she shook her head, holding up her hands to sign.

Did you need something?

My eyes widened. She knew ASL?

I cleared my throat for some reason before signing myself, I just wanted to see you're okay. I'm sorry for my brothers. They're grieving too, you know.

She nodded her head meekly. Did your mother die recently?

I let out a breath and shook my head. No. No, it was a long time ago. Way long ago. I think you being here just reminded everybody. Riccardo has been able to keep himself in check but I think he just broke apart again when he realized who you were.

She sighed. I won't apologize if that's what you're here for. I'm not saying sorry for just existing. It's not right.

I stared for a second before responding. I wasn't expecting you to. I'm here to apologize on their behalf, not for you to apologize. I understand your reaction.

Her eyes glazed over for a second but she signed a small thank you. Ares shifted in the bed and his eyes scrunched shut as he groaned, whimpering. I furrowed my brows.

Lilin sighed deeply again and tried to shake him awake. It didn't work and he continued to thrash around, causing me to jolt up out of the bed. She shoved him now, gently slapping his face until he woke up and snapped out of it.

He sat up, breathing deep, labored breaths. His eyes were wide and his face was ghost pale. Lilin glanced at me before muttering, "get out," but I was frozen in place.

When she noticed I was still standing there, she shooed me away but Ares noticed me. He gulped and quickly hid himself behind Lilin's body, out of sight.

What? Was he scared of me?

"Id appreciate if you left," Lilin said, back to her emotionless demeanor. I slowly nodded and reluctantly left the room, shutting the door tight behind me.

What the hell was that about?
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WC: 696
ragh
diff povs cus I got bored 🔥