Why do I feel this way?

Part 41: Dear Heirs

It had been several days and there had been no sight of Roger. Autumn and Reece had expected to see him at least at head office if not at the nursery. The two decided to drive over to their childhood home and see if they could figure out what happened.

I hate this place. The beautiful exterior masks the horror that filled the inside. The walls filled with the essence of Autumn's and my cries of pain.

As they pulled up, they saw that Roger's vehicle was gone. They walked in and began wandering through the house. When they entered his room upstairs, the closet was empty and the drawers were open and bare.

Autumn's face blanketed in confusion she glanced at her brother, "Reece... um... what do you make of this?" Reece slightly jerked his head back then began shaking it back and forth, "I don't know Aut. Let's see if we can find any clues as to what happened."

Even though Father did awful things to me and Reece. He is still our Father and a part of me just wanted to know what happened. I think a weight would fall off of us knowing.

The two roamed each of the rooms ending in the kitchen. By the coffee pot, was a letter that looked to be in Roger's handwriting. The siblings looked at each other with looks of hesitation before walking to the counter to begin reading.

Their hearts began to race, palms sweating and an odd laser focus settled on them as they read and listened to the letter.

Dear Heirs,

I expected it would be you two who'd come looking for me after my absence. Unfortunately, I've found myself in a situation that requires my immediate departure. Staying would have been dangerous—for me—so I made the only logical choice.

You may feel compelled to search for me or demand answers, but let me be clear: that would be a waste of your time. If I wanted to be found, I would have come to you myself. The truth is, you are the reason for this inconvenience. From the moment you were born, I knew you would only bring trouble.

You never learned the lessons I tried to teach you. So, here's one last piece of wisdom: survival comes first, and blood ties mean nothing in the face of self-preservation. Put yourselves first, and don't let trivial sentiments cloud your judgment or derail your future.

That's all there is to say.
    Your Father

Reece finished reading the letter as he scoffs to punctuate the end. The siblings look at each other and Autumn diverts her eyes to the side, "That's our 'doting' father in true form. Showing his love for us." Rolling her eyes, returning them to make contact with her brothers.

Autumn lays her head on her brother's chest as they embrace each other.

The two weren't much for showing emotion or physical touch, but at this moment they both needed it. This moment felt like a turning point— freedom.

The relief that fills my body is intense. I lay my head against my brother for comfort. He really has always been a safe place for me— even though father tried to keep us divided for so long.

Could this be their chance to truly begin a journey of healing from the trauma they have hidden for so long?

Poor Aut, she is too good of a soul to have had the childhood she endured. I wish I could have done more to protect her, but I did the best I could... Now we can process the past and begin to live a future free from trauma— free from destructive coping mechanisms.

They left the house with the letter and drove over to Vivian's place. They had called Vivian to tell her they found something and needed to talk.

A knock filtered through the air landing loudly in Siobhan and Vivian's ears. They held their breath as they walked to the door letting the Knight siblings in.

What did they find? It must be important... for them to come straight here. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The life of love with Viv that I crave so badly could be effortless— that's my hope.

The two women hold hands as an attempt to ground themselves as they ask, "What did you find?"

Showing the note to the stressed couple, they let out a sigh and waited in silence while they read.

Gasps rang out and brief pauses stilled the air as the two made eye contact throughout reading the letter. The atmosphere heavy around them as if a weighted blanket has been draped over them.

Vivian's mouth dropped open one last time, "Well he certainly was a 'loving' father, huh?" Her eyes were rolling and face fixed with an astonished expression. She was truly surprised by the detachment in the letter and her imagination flashed with what the siblings' life could have been like.

Siobhan broke through the tension with a whisper, "He is gone... he is really gone. Finally."

A shaky breath pierced through her lips as a slow stream of tears fell. Vivian wrapped her arms around Siobhan as she held her closely for a moment. She pulled away and kissed her softly, "I love you, Bon." The blonde smiled as she echoed, "I love you, Viv."

The moment was interrupted with Autumn gagging and Reece calling out, "gross!" The two women snapped their heads towards the two glaring at them. They both let out annoyed, aggressive sighs, "Right. Reece, Autumn, thanks for the update. We will see you at the nursery soon. I think my sweet boy can finally come home!"

The Knight siblings called out a goodbye as they drove away.

"Viv, I need to reach out to Bennie. I have to know what is actually happening. He said that Roger was 'taken care of'. I just want to know exactly what that means."

I really wish we could just cut ties with Bennie already. I just don't trust it— don't trust him.

A few hours later, the two meet Bennie back at the docks.
Vivian and Siobhan stand at the dock waiting for Bennie.

They look at each other and can see the clear hint of worry etched in their eyes. They feel each other's heart racing as they hold hands. Once more they turn to each other and connect their lips for a sweet kiss, both women feeling the warmth that seems to dissolve a small part of their anxieties.

"The letter was convincing, huh?" Bennie smirks as he takes a drag of his cigarette.

The women look at each other in confusion as they both turn back to Bennie, "What do you mean convincing?"

A menacing chuckle escapes Bennie's lips as he whispers, "A hand stilled by the depths cannot hold a pen."