Scarred ➵zauren

Chapter 7

I pulled up to my moms house and set the car in park before trying to get Ryan's head out of the crook of my neck. He hadn't budged a muscle and I was overwhelmingly worried about him.

"Ry..look at me amor," I tried. He only squeezed me harder and I sighed in defeat.

I stepped out of the car and noticed Liam coming out of the house.

"Laur, are you guys okay?" He rushed over to me, hands roaming over Ryan's back comfortingly while he took in my appearance. "Oh my god, what the hell happened?"

"I need to get him inside, then we'll talk. Can you just grab my stuff from the car?"

"Yeah of course," Liam nodded and walked around the car.

"Oh my god," my mother gasped as I approached the door with Ryan. Normani's mouth was also gaped open and I realized I probably should've checked my appearance while I was still in the car. I probably looked terrible but there was no hiding anything at this point.

"Let me just get him settled and I'll explain everything, please. Where's Kevin?"

"In the living room," Normani responded. It was evident on her face that she was realizing she really didn't know any of the issues I was dealing with at home. She couldn't ever have imagined this.

I walked over to the living room and saw Kevin on the play mat my mom had set up for him by the TV so that he could play when he was younger.

"Tia!" The little one smiled up at me.

"Hi papo," I smiled softly at him as I sat Ryan on the couch and squatted in front of him. "Look Ry, Kevy's here."

Ryan finally retreated from his hold on me and looked around me at Kevin who waved at him cheerily. It was a relief to see a small smile crack on Ryan's face as he waved back. Kevin stood up carefully and waddled over to the couch the funny way any kid did after just learning to walk.

"Yiyan," Kevin grabbed Ryan's hand and tugged it. The name was clearly mispronounced but Ryan easily caught it. Looking at me quickly with his eyes wide.

"Momma did you heard that?"

"I did," I smiled, happy he'd been distracted. Kevin's timing was beyond perfect.

"Say Ryan again Kevy," Ryan requested.

"Yiyan!" Kevin tugged Ryan's hand and pointed at the play mat that was covered in toys.

"I think he wants to play buddy," I informed.

"I not want you to leave mommy," Ryan frowned, gripping my shirt.

"I'm not going anywhere, I'll be right over in the kitchen. We're gonna eat and then we can talk about everything okay?"

"Kay, I stay with Kevy," Ryan agreed.

I kissed his forehead firmly before mumbling a brief I love you.

"Lauren," my mother gasped and hugged me abruptly as I walked into the kitchen where they were waiting for me. Their chatter and questions to one another could be heard down the hall.

"Are you okay mama," Mom ran her hand over my hair soothingly and caressed my cheek with care. Her hazel eyes were filled to the brim with tears as she took in my appearance. "D-did Paul do this?"

I bit my lower lip as I tried to manage my emotions in the best way I could, wanting nothing more than to keep them all calm. It was far too difficult, though. The biggest secret I'd kept for years was unraveling. I was finally going to have a support system to get through this and it was all very overwhelming. As tears started to flow, all I could do was nod out of the fear that I'd release a sob.