LOGINRobert ignored her and turned back to the girls. “And your modeling careers—still going nowhere! You dropped out of school for this, and what do you have to show for it? Nothing! Except one of you is carrying a bastard!” Chloe burst into tears. “You’re talking to us like this because of that useless pig,” Zoey hissed. “The ‘useless pig’ you call Charlotte isn’t anywhere near your level right now,” Robert fired back. “As fat as she is, she’s dating billionaires! Billionaires! Now she is entangled with the nephew of the Queen! I heard his father was a Duke, which makes him one, too.” A faint, prideful smile touched Mei’s lips. “I saw a blog post about her debut movie. I’ve never felt so proud.” “Yeah, and you know what would’ve been better? If it were Chloe and Zoey in her place. But they don’t have a single ounce of talent. That movie I wanted Zoey to act in with Mystery…It was a disaster!” “That’s because you replaced Leo with another actor I had no romantic feelings for!”
AUTHOR'S POVThe next morning.The Roberts were eating breakfast when Mei’s phone rang.She rose and picked it up from the coffee table, but by the time she returned to the dining room, it had stopped. On the second ring, she answered.“Hello…”“Good morning, Mrs. Roberts.”Mei recognized the voice at once. Charlotte?she thought.Then she heard a wrecking cough "Are you okay?"Mei asked."I am fine, it's just mild flu".“Thank goodness you called. I’ve been so stressed—I kept trying to reach you, but you ignored my calls. I know I’ve been a bad mother, and I thought we are good now and —”Charlotte cut her off sharply. “I called to inform you that Musa told me everything. Everything I waited years to hear from you.”Mei breathe hitched.“Charlotte, honey, it wasn’t easy for me to tell you about your father—”“Because of your own fears? You kept me away from my father, who actually wanted me, only to treat me like a maid in your home.”“Honey, please—”“Don’t ‘honey’ me! Don’t act
“Charlotte, please talk to me,” Musa urged gently. “Let’s talk about Marcus. What is he like? I want to know if he’s good for you. We can figure out how to distance yourself in a way that won’t put you in danger. Powerful men like him can be… complicated.” I turned slowly to face him again, the moonlight catching the concern in his eyes. “Apart from his connection to Olive—and causing the trigger that led Leo to… hurt me—he’s been nothing but nice. Extremely affectionate, attentive. Sometimes overwhelmingly so.” “That’s… good. That’s good,” Musa said thoughtfully. “So, what does he do?” “He’s a voice actor, ‘for fun,’ as he puts it. His wealth is mostly generational. He’s also a gym rat. Built like a Hulk.” “Isn’t that concerning?” He asked with a raised brow. "What?" "Don't ask as though you are a kid, you know what I mean...He is huge...Can you handle that". He said with a smug grin. I shook my head and smiled a little. I am not used to having casual time with
That night, Angela and Emma had gone to bed. They were staying over at my place, their soft breathing now the only sound down the hall. The entire day had been a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving my mind crowded and restless. Images and conversations replayed on a loop: Marcus and our first date—the shameful blur of sex I still couldn't remember. His unknown connection to Olive. Olive's cold, final words severing our friendship. The long, tearful talk with my brothers, which felt both healing and draining. And now, Musa was talking about going to Africa to see our father's family.I would love to go but I need to be mentally prepared for all of this. Also I need to call mother and ask her some questions. I sighed, pressing my palms against my closed eyes.Another thing, I had told Musa everything about what happened…between Leo and myself. Well, everything except the heaviest secret: that Leo had been raped as a child by his step brothers. That wasn't my truth to share
Then he turned to me, smiling broadly. “Charlotte, he wants to see what you look like. A video call?” I nodded, my heart suddenly racing. The video call connected, and my breath caught. Miles was in the gym, shirtless, with sweat glistening on his dark, well-defined muscles. For a moment, I almost forgot we shared the same father. He was so tall and powerfully built, with an aura of confident strength. He had a few streaks of white in his hair, though he looked young. Is that a birthmark, or did he dye it that way? I wondered. “Charlotte?” he asked, his voice as warm as his smile. “Hi…” I managed, suddenly feeling very shy. “Guys!! Guys!! Come here!” he called out, turning away from the camera. I looked back at Musa, confused. He just smiled reassuringly. Within seconds, three other men, equally sweaty and shirtless, crowded into the frame. They were a bunch of strong, dark-skinned, strikingly handsome men—my half-brothers. I felt a wave of nervousness wash over
“It will be nice to have you bear my babies one day,” Musa said, with affectionate teasing. “So why is Charlotte’s case different?” Emma asked, leaning forward curiously. Musa’s expression grew more serious. “Well, she’s broken up with Leo, that’s why. I know men. Even though Leo might have been a great guy, I can’t let him play with my sister’s heart or make her a baby mama. It’s a different level of protection.” I frowned, a flare of independence rising in me. “No one is making me a baby mama. I won’t go through that cycle. So don’t worry about that—I’m a grown woman, after all. You keep treating me like a child.” That statement made me remember Leo again. Musa’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “You think I’m overbearing? Just wait until you meet your six other brothers!” A stunned silence fell over the room. “Wait… what?” I managed to say. Angela’s eyes went wide. “Gosh, your mother gave birth to six children?” Musa nodded casually. “Yeah, she was tryin







