Chapter 5

                 🔸Valeria🔸

We didn't live together as I wished.

Mum never want to have anything to do with dad anymore.

I had to live with it.

For a year and half.

But mum was never herself. She was heartbroken.

It made her very sick.

Still she doesn't want dad to see her.

I hate that she is like that.

I wanted her to forgive dad. But she hated him.

She hated so much.

Her sickness became very serious.

It led to her death.

I was heartbroken.

Dad took me with him to his house.

The house is a very big one. Big and beautiful. It has so many rooms.

I met his wife and sons.

They were unhappy to see me.

Dad had quarrels with his wife for days because of me.

They all don't want me here.

Especially his sons.

They are triplets.

Marco, Leo and Mark.

They are five years older than I am.

They bully me at home all the time.

They hate me so much.

I don't know what I did to them.

They are supposed to be my brothers. Yet they treat me so badly. Dad would scold them every time they bully me.

It gets worst when dad is not around.

I would cry myself to sleep in my room.

Their friends would come over and they are not nice too. Their girlfriends are not nice as well.

I don't have any friends.

No one wants to be my friend.

I don't know why.

Only my dad love me.

He treat me so well.

Dad will tell me, my mum and I are his peace.

That melts my heart. 

He also told me how he ended up marrying the triplet's mother.

He didn't want to. He was forced to by his parents.

He met my mum on one of his trips to Chicago.

He fell in love with her.

He wasn't expecting their love to grow so much and stronger the way it did.

Their love produced me.

He married my mum without anyone present but a priest.

Mum was an orphan. She had no one until she met dad. They lived happily ever after.

But she found out about his wife and sons.

It broke her heart to pieces. 

I felt terrible.

I wanted us to come back together and live as the family we use to be.

But my wish never came to pass.

She died. She left dad and I.

She is in heaven now.

I really miss her.

I wished she forgave dad.

I wish everything turned out well.

I don't like living with my step mother and step siblings. They bully me all the time. And worst when dad is not home.

I don't even report them to dad because I don't want them to fight because of me.

But I am tired.

A familiar car drove towards me. My heart lighten up as I stand up on my feet happily.

Dad is here.

To my disappointment, Max, our security guard at home came out of the car.

"Max....where is dad?"

He sighed. "Your dad is ill"

My heart sunk.

"What?"

"Let's go" he said.

I walk towards the car, entered the passenger seat and he drive off.

Dad is ill.

I asked Max what happened but he didn't give me a straight answer.

My heart ached all through the ride till we got home.

I didn't waste a minute as I run straight to his bedroom.

I found him on the bed and a drip is connected to his body.

My heart ached the more.

"Dad..."

"Val.... princess you are here" he said.

God he sound so weak.

How could this be? He was fine this morning.

He was the one that dropped me off at school.

I kneel beside him as I held his hand.

He is very sick.

He looks so down.

So pale.

Oh God please.

"Sorry I couldn't pick you up at school  sweetie"

I shake my head. "it's okay dad. What happened? You were fine this morning"

"Yeah princess. I don't know baby. Must be something ate." He said caressing my hair.

Thoughts about how my mum died filled my head. My heart picked up.

"Dad.... please don't die"

He chuckled but coughed. "I won't princess."

I held his hand tightly.

"I am going to be fine okay?"

I nod.

"I am not going to die. I am going to watch you grow into a very fine woman. And watch you fall in love, get married and have beautiful kids" he said smiling.

I let out a chuckle, ignoring my tearing up eyes.

"Whoever that will be yours, will be very lucky to have you my beautiful princess"

I smiled as I kissed his hand.

"I love you dad"

"I love you too Val"

I heave a sigh.

"You look tired and hungry. Go eat something and rest okay?"

I shake my head. "no no dad I want to stay with you"

"I will be fine princess. Just go, eat and rest. I know you had a long day at school today "

I heave a sigh.

"Don't worry baby girl. I will be fine before you know it"

I nod.

I kiss his hand again before walking away.

Heading towards my room, I bump into Leo. The middle one among the triplet.

He is the second worst bully among his brothers. Marco is the first.

"Look who we have here. Annoying dummy." .

His words always hurt me.

"Back from school huh?"

I don't respond as I move aside to walk pass him.

He blocked my way.

"I asked you a question little bitch"

My heart arched. 

"Yes" I said looking down.

He scoffed. "Pathetic" he said poking my head before walking away. 

I heave a sigh as I walk towards my room.

I close my door as I sight my mum's picture on the nightstand. My eyes went to another picture of my dad, mum and I together.

My heart ached.

I strip off my uniform as I walk into the bathroom.

Done freshening up, I put on a stay at home dress. I lost my appetite to eat but I have to obey dad.

I head out towards the kitchen. I served myself food and head back to my room.

Done eating, I kept my used plate on my desk. I lay down on my bed to get some rest as dad said I should.

Not long, sleep took over me.

*********

I wake up to meet a dark day.

Geez I slept for so long.

I quickly get off my bed and head to see dad.

He must be okay by now.

He said he will be.

I trust he will.

Getting towards his door, I didn't knock as I open it and entered.

"Dad ...." I trail off the minute I saw the last thing I expected to see.

My heart dropped.

Mark, the last of triplet is holding a knife with blood filled on it.

My eyes went to dad, he is not awake but has blood all over his chest.

My heart picked up in a fast speed.

"Da..dad?"

"Valeria...."

My eyes went to Mark who looks shocked to see me.

What has he done?

"Valeria what are you ...."

"Wha...what did you do..."

"Something happened. Hold this I will be right back" he said as he quickly placed the knife on my hand and head out.

I stood there dumbfounded.

I look back at dad.

Tears rolled down my eyes.

"Dad..."

"What the fuck?!"

I flinched the minute I heard Marco's voice.

I turned towards the door.

I see the three of them.

"What the fuck have you done Valeria?!" Leo yelled.

I arched my brows. I look at the knife on my hand and then at them.

My eyes widened. I shake my head "No I ..."

"She killed dad!" Mark blurted.

What?