Broken Pieces

CHAPTER {26}

AKARI

My hands were clenched into tight fists, so tight I could feel my finger nails digging into my palm. But i didn't care, it kept me from shaking. I let out a breath and looked around the table, everyone looking at me expectantly.

"It was m-our mother." I began.

"She was the one that gave me the scars, the trauma and panic attacks. It started when I was eight, with punches and slaps. Then when I was thirteen, with whips and-" I cut myself off as I was about to mention the rape. I swallowed hard and looked down at my fists.

"Then when I turned sixteen, she began torturing me. No food for days, cut me open and pour alcohol on my open cuts" I pursed my lips pausing for a moment. I was actually opening up and it felt...relieving? I don't know but it felt good.

"She instilled this idea that I would never be good enough. That love should be the last thing I expected from the world. But I guess the universe decided to prove her wrong and sent me you." I said looking directly at Domenico.

"I'm very grateful to have you. All of you. All my life I was alone and I enjoyed it but now that I have you, I can't imagine ever wanting to be alone again. I may not show it or express it but I'm thankful that you didn't leave me in that house" at this tears brimmed my eyes. I hated being affectionate and now here I was.

I never thought a day would come where I would cry in gratitude. I actually love my family. I blinked my tears away before they could fall and there was silence. I looked around the table from Zachary, who had his fist clenched tightly but the most calmest expression on his face. To Zachariah, who didn't bother to hide his anger, his jaw clenched and brows furrowed. Were they angry at me?

Domenico has his usual expressionless face, Armano looked lost in space as he rapidly tapped the table with his pointer finger, he looked very deep in thought. Alexandros had the same expression as Zachary, fists tightly shut and a calm face to go with them.

I felt a hand rest on my shoulder causing me to tense. I turned to look at the owner, Neiva who had...tears rolling down her face. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that Akari, and by yourself to top it all off." She was full on sobbing now, "How can a mother do such things to her own child?" Her ragged breathing made it a bit difficult to hear her but I caught on to what she was trying to say.

That was until she hugged me and rested her head on my shoulder, I flinched at the sudden action. I didn't know what to do, should I hug her back? Say comforting words? What the hell is going on?

"I hate pregnancy hormones, this is so unprofessional." She said, finally pulling away before my head exploded from overthinking. She wiped her tears and gave me a small smile before looking away. With that I looked away too and immediately caught Domenico's eyes.

He was looking at me with the same look he gave me the first day he saw me at the hospital, he was studying me. "What are you not telling us?" He finally spoke after a moment is silence around the table. My brows furrowed in confusion, what is he talking about?

"You cut yourself off at some point. Why?" He explained, sensing my confusion. Oh. I broke eye contact, they can't know, they won't know. If I tell them they'll send me away, call me disgusting and used. Suddenly all I can feel are their hands all over me, I hugged myself.

"I can't." I whispered but I knew they heard me due to the silence in the room. "Why?" He asks, why did he have to ask? Why can't he just take my answer and leave it be? From the corner of my eye I saw Neiva raise her hand again, "Don't touch me." I said, harsher than I had intended.