Times Three (X3)

CHAPTER 32 - Hurting

Previously On Triplets Apart:
Rebecca shares more information and what she has done for the families she gave the babies to. Tariq comforts Jada as David obtained information on the other two girls. Everyone tries to figure out a way of how to get them here but then they insist that the rest of the work should be on Rebecca's shoulders since she's the one who started it all. They made it her point of duty to personally go out in the field and bring the girls home herself without help. David closes the scene by asking for a divorce.

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#50 in friend fiction!! Thank you!!

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"What are you thinking about?" I ask Mariyah as she stands, taking notice how how lifeless she seems as she looks over the balcony.

"I just.. think it's weird how you can live in the middle of a secret all your life and don't even know it." Her voice is soft as she sighs.

"Trust me, I know exactly how it feels. I've been there." I tell her in hopes of her feeling better by relating to her.

"I can't even look at my mother the same again after what happened."

"Someone very special to me once told me.. This time in our lives, we learn the most lessons. But we just have to embrace them and accept change." Remembering what Tariq once said to me when I was feeling the same way Mariyah is feeling now. Being lied to, living in a secret, betrayed.

"It's just.." she sighs again.

"Just don't overthink. I know you're hurting, I know you feel numb and empty, but look on the bright side... I found you and we created the most magical friendship and sisterhood out of it. The good always outweighs the bad, Mariyah." Rubbing her shoulder, she looks at me and smile.

"I know." She coos, her hand finding mine.

"Take all the time you need to heal. Cry, laugh, scream, go somewhere, do whatever you need to do. It's okay not to be okay. We're gonna get pass this, together." My words must've hit deep, a tear runs from her eye. I wipe it away as she sobs quietly.

She abruptly releases her body on mine, bursting out in tears that she's obviously been holding in on my shoulder.

"There you go.. that's it." I softly rub her back, gradually tightening my grip on her.

A few minutes later, she stops crying and stabilizes her posture.

"How did you do it? How did you figure out all of this?" Her brows furrows.

"Everything I know, my dad taught me. You know, my adopted father. He was in the military. When I was bullied as a child, he taught me to fight. He taught me to be vigilant and always alert, that's why whenever I sit in a room, I choose the seat in a back corner so that I can have a full visual of my surroundings. Even if I'm not in danger, it's just became apart of me to be this way. He taught me to read people, to hack, to spy, pick locks, even to steal but only when necessary. He even gave me a secret application on my laptop, it finds people anywhere in the world they are and dig up information that not even google can find. That's why when I couldn't find Cameron, I knew someone worked very hard to make her go away for good." I explain.

"Oh." She stares at me, lost for words.

"Yeah."

"How'd you find out that you were adopted?"

"A while back I went home for the weekend and a doctor called. I found out that Paige had some kidney disease and she needed a transplant. I got tested and realized that I wasn't a match, that's when I found out that my parents are types A & B and I'm a type O. That's why my parents hid Paige's sickness from me, they were scared I'd find out. However, Paige didn't tell me because she knew I'd wanna help and she was hell bent on not accepting a kidney from any of her loved ones." I tell her as she nods.

"I'm so happy you found me." A small scowl forms on her face.

"I know."

"Why didn't you tell me? All this time, even after finding out I'm your sister? Why?"

"I just wanted to get it right first, I was gonna tell you. I thought I was protecting you."

"Protecting me from what? The truth? You really are my dad's child. But I am also my dad's child so you should've known I must've gotten some of his strength to be able to handle the truth. But instead you kept it from me. You used me get close to my dad and you used me to get your mother near him too."

"Mariyah.."

"You should've told me." She shakes her head disappointingly then walks away, dismissing the conversation.

Now Mariyah is mad at me? Like seriously? God, it wasn't even like that.

It's Sunday, and I'm still at the White House. David offered to let mom stay here in a guess room until it's time for her to fly back to Illinois later today. Dad told Rebecca that she should stay in her penthouse for a few days until everything settles down, she's displeased and highly irritated but she left last night anyways, not wanting to get on my dad's bad side any more that she already has.

Mariyah retreated to her room and I continue to look over the balcony, enjoying the view. Looking down and noticing two people walking slowly together, they seem to be talking and laughing. It's mom and dad. I smile to myself. Her arms are folded and dad's hands are in his pockets. Of course they're both nervous and timid. They don't know that I'm watching but I give them some privacy.

After 18 years after being separated like that, it pleases my heart to see them reunited and bonding again. They both must be floating in a lot of emotions right now.

I stride to Mariyah's room but she's nowhere in sight. Sitting on the bed, I dial Tariq..

"How are you?" He answers midway in the first ring.

"Good.. I guess. Just needed to.."

"Hear my voice?"

"Uhh.. yes." I admit, not having the strength right now to be a pain in his neck.

"Are you still at the White House?"

"Yeah. My mom too, we're leaving this evening. She has to go back home to Amy and I have school tomorrow."

"Good"

"See you soon."

"Can't wait." He says before I cut the call without responding.

Mariyah enters 15 minutes later looking unsettled. She shuts the door, standing with her back against it as I stare at her in suspicion.

"My mom is here." She tells me.

"What? Why?"

"I don't know. She, dad and your mom are in his office. It seems private". She bites a nail.

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