Family Secret Novels & Stories

With a nod to my security, I join her in the back seat, eager to have her close by my side. As we journey on, Hazel turns to me, her hand finding mine. "Tell me more about this event. What's it like?" she inquires, her curiosity piqued about my family and our traditions. "Well, it's just your typical gathering of the wild bunch, courtesy of my grandfather, Leonardo, the infamous mafia boss," I explain, trying to downplay the intensity of my family's reputation. Despite our dangerous profession, we're a tight-knit bunch. "I mostly have male cousins, and my dad organizes these shindigs three times a year. But it's been ages since our last one, until tonight," I fill her in. She pauses, digesti

“Even if you never remember, it doesn’t matter. We can start over. We can be a family again.” I stepped back, out of their reach. “You’ve misunderstood. My memory is perfectly intact. I remember each of you. I remember everything.”

“Take care of each other. And keep including Ryan. Family is everything.” We waved her off, then the four of us Mom, Dad, Ryan, and me plus Ethan sat together one last time. The house felt full of love. But as we cleaned up, Mom mentioned something new. “The big family reunion in two months is going to be even larger. Many relatives want to come and celebrate everything including you two.” Another big event. More eyes. More chances to show our love. Ethan looked at me and Ryan. “We’ll be ready.” Ryan smiled. “Together.”

“What did you do wrong? Making Emma upset means you’re going against me! “I don’t care. Apologize right now! Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude to you!” Then Mom’s voice came from the other end of the phone. “Lucas, don’t talk to Freya like that. She’s your sister!” Then she turned back to me. “Freya, Lucas is still young. Don’t stoop to his level. “And we really did just come out for a simple meal today. Don’t overthink it.” Listening to Mom’s words, a wave of bitterness rose in my chest. I said coldly, “You don’t need to explain. You’re the real family anyway.”

“Brother, why haven’t I met any of these weird relatives before?” Zephyr looked over. Many people from different families were there. Although they were all Hamertons, it made sense that they had never met. He did not even understand the connection and seniority of some of them, let alone Zennie. “I don’t know many of them either,” he whispered. “I’ve only met some at the company.” “Family dinners like this are boring!” The little girl complained, “I’m gonna be so tired of faking smiles tonight!” “Just bear with it. It’ll be over soon.”

I didn't want him to pull away because I love the feeling of his hand on mine. "Don't let their words get to you. We are a messed up family." Giovanni said to me. I nodded but didn't give him any reply. I just faced the other side and thought about the Aderemi's. The way they all acted to one another today shows that there was more to the family. They all had a secret and every one of them was trying to protect the secret. It wasn't a birthday celebration, it was a bad day celebration.

“Bring them in. Let’s talk.” His face broke with relief as he waved to his family. ----- Watching them walk up the driveway, new people, new complications, new secrets… I felt it settle heavy in my gut. We had survived the vendetta, the attacks and the medical scares. But real family? With all its hidden shit and surprise brothers and endless mess? That might be the hardest fight of all. And standing there on Maya’s birthday, shaking hands with a half-brother I never knew existed, one thing felt crystal clear:

"Tommy, we'll take you out after dinner. There's something going on nearby today. It'll be a lot of fun." Dad put his arm around my shoulders, the warmth of his palm seeping through my clothes, almost scalding. Talia quietly transferred some of her own money into my account, moving so carefully it was as if she were afraid of startling me. Mom sat across the table, smiling, her eyes full of quiet satisfaction. This family looked like they loved me, like everything was warm and perfect.

Whenever I tried to explain, My family members always accuse me of being jealous and immature. I stared at my brother's hands in a daze. How long had it been since he touched my face this gently? "Female victim, age between tAshwoodty and tAshwoodty-five. Preliminary assessment: time of death approximately one month ago." His assistance stood nearby, reporting the initial examination results. My brother's movements stopped abruptly. One month. Exactly when I disappeared. I clearly saw his eyelashes tremble. Did he think of me? Did he feel even a trace of concern for me?

It was an unknown number, so I rejected it, only for it to ring again. This time, I answered on speaker. “Hello, is this Miss Harper Grey? We’re calling from a TV program called Family Forever. Your mother contacted us and said you’ve been influenced to cut ties with your parents. We’d like to invite you onto our show to have a proper conversation with your family.” “I’m not going.” “Miss Grey, we’d like to help you reunite with your family–” “There’s no need for that.” With that, I hung up and couldn’t fall back asleep again after that.