Megan crossed her arms over her chest, her lip curling in disgust. "He was hardly a brother to us. He was always high, always causing problems. He didn't care about us, so why should we care about him?"
———————————————————————————————————Maya's heart sank as she heard the sound of footsteps and voices approaching the room. She and Megan both tensed, recognizing their parents' voices even before the door opened.
Lane Bishop entered the room, a scowl on his face. Katherine followed behind him, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and disappointment.
Maya's stomach churned as she saw her parents, her father's presence instantly causing her to feel small and vulnerable.
Lane glanced at Megan, his gaze cold. "What's going on in here? Why are you both in here talking?"
Megan shifted awkwardly, her earlier nonchalance replaced by a hint of fear. "Nothing, Dad. Just...talking."
Lane's eyes narrowed as he looked between his daughters, sensing tension in the room. "Just talking, huh? What were you talking about?"
Maya swallowed hard, her heart racing. She knew what she had to say, but the words stuck in her throat. "Lane, we need to tell you something."
Lane's gaze shifted to Maya, his eyes cold and calculating. "Oh? And what's so important that you had to wait until now to tell me?"
Katherine placed a hand on her husband's arm, attempting to soften his demeanor. "Lane, please. Just let them speak."
Maya looked at Lane and said "Lane it's Mason."
Lane's expression darkened at the mention of Mason's name. "What about him? What has that boy done now?"
Maya took a deep breath, bracing herself for the reaction. "Lane...it's worse than that. Mason...he's dead."
Katherine gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. "What?"
Lane's eyes widened, his face going pale. "What the hell do you mean, he's dead?"
Maya's voice shook as she repeated the words. "He was in a car accident, Lane. He died from his injuries."
Lane's expression hardened as anger flared in his eyes. "A car accident, huh? Typical Mason. Always making bad choices, never taking responsibility for his actions."
Maya bristled at her father's harsh words, but she held her tongue, knowing it wouldn't do any good to argue with him.
Katherine stepped forward, her eyes filled with sorrow. "Lane, please. He was our son. Even if he made mistakes, we should still be grieving his loss."
Lane turned on Katherine, his eyes blazing with anger. "Grieving? Why should we grieve? He was a worthless druggie, a disappointment to this family. We're better off without him."
Katherine recoiled at Lane's words, her own heartbreak clearly etched on her face. "Lane, how can you say such things? He was our son. He was your son. He made mistakes, but he didn't deserve to die."
Maya clenched her fists, her emotions conflicting. She knew her father was harsh, but she also felt a pang of loss and grief for her brother, despite their strained relationship.
Lane scoffed at his wife's words, his anger undisguised. "Deserve has nothing to do with it. He made his choices, and he paid the price. We should be focusing on the family we have left, not wasting our time and energy on a boy who couldn't even take care of himself."
Maya looked at her father and said "I am going to go check on someone Megan you got our parents."
Megan nodded silently, her eyes filled with sympathy for her sister.

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PLAYING WITH FIRE
FanfictionPart one of the Playing With Fire series Warning ⚠️⚠️Mentions of Mental Abuse and Depression and other mental health issues and Physical abuse and Drugs and Fluff and Smut A romantic story that explores the blossoming relationship of Maya, a dedica...