Teach Me (18+)

Chapter Forty Seven

Gianna's Point Of View

"Gianna?" my mother voice echoed in my ears. "You came." She smiled, pulling me into a hug, which shot pain through me.

I felt Eden step forward, and my mother's arms dropped from around me. "I'm sorry, are you okay?" My mother asked to which I nodded.

She was dressed in a black sleeveless blouse that exposed her arms, a leopard print skirt flowed down her legs stopping at he soft slippers she wore. Her dark hair had streaks of gray through it. Her hazel eyes glowed under the setting sun as she stared between my dark eyes.

"Come in, I have dinner ready," My mother said opening the door wider.

Eden and I walked in, the house smelt just as it did when I was growing up. The cashmere woods scented plug ins where in each outlet of the house as they used to be, the tiled floors were freshly mopped.

"Where's dad?" I asked as we walked through the large open entry way, Eden following directly behind me, the scent of her perfume filling my nose.

"He's in his room," My mother said leading us into the dinning room. "Delanie and Giselle are out by the pool, Demarcus is at work but he should be home soon."

I nodded softly and followed my mom out to the patio where my two sisters were, Delanies eyes lit up once she saw me, running over to me for a hug.

"Gianna!"

Delanie's voice hit me a second before she did.

She crashed into me without hesitationarms wrapping tight around my shoulders, the kind of hug that used to feel like home without question.

Now

Now it hurt.

A sharp, breath-stealing pull tore through my side, and I couldn't stop the small gasp that slipped out.

"Del" I tried, my voice tightening.

Eden was there instantly.

"Heyeasy," she said, her tone calm but firm as her hand came to my waist, steadying me without making it a scene.

Delanie pulled back just as fast, her eyes widening.

"Oh my GodI'm so sorry," she said, her hands hovering like she didn't know where it was safe to touch. "I forgotyou wereare you okay?"

I nodded quickly, forcing a small smile even as the pain lingered.

"I'm okay," I reassured her. "Just... not as durable as I used to be."

That earned a weak laugh from her, though the worry didn't leave her face.

"You look..." she hesitated, scanning me. "You look good. Just" she gestured vaguely, "fragile."

"Everyone keeps saying that," I muttered.

"Because you're acting like you're not," Eden added quietly beside me.

I shot her a look.

She didn't even pretend to be sorry.

Giselle approached slower.

Always the observant one.

Her eyes took everything inthe cardigan, the way I held myself, the subtle way Eden stayed just close enough to catch me if I tipped too far in any direction.

"You came back," she said simply.

Not surprised.

Not overly emotional.