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My mom was sitting cross-legged on the black leather sofa with a grim expression. She wears the same white silk robe, her hair a wild mess and her cheeks tinted a red rose colour. I felt the same embarrassment I had when Reese was here not long ago.

Her dark eyes narrow at Theo and I brace myself for my mother's wrath. "How dare you step into my house. You have no right to be here!" she scoffs, "You should be on the other side of town with that skanky, gold-digging woman you call a mother."

My mouth drops at her cruel words. I knew she could say some vile things when she's drunk but I never expected this.

How could she say that? Was this my mother talking? Either way, I wouldn't stand for this. It's disgusting.

"Mom--" I was cut off by Theo, his voice calm but firm. "I have a right to see my sister Mrs Love,"

I'm surprised by his cool presence, particularly with the way she speaks about him and his mother.

My mom scoffs, drinking her wine leisurely. "You have no right to do anything! Your gold-digging mother said she'd back off when we were kind enough to help keep a roof over your head, food in your belly and clothes on your damn back!" she drinks and continues, "Now you're here trying to ask for more. Well, you can turn back the way you came in and out of my house because you won't be getting anything from me!"

Theo stays passive while I'm struggling to keep myself from boiling over at this point.

What the hell?

"I don't want anything from you Mrs Love, I'm here for Marnie. If she wants to spend time with her brother then she will. If not then I'll leave her be and you won't hear from me ever again. It's her decision and I'm sure she's old enough now to choose what she wants."

All the air gets knocked out of my lungs when I hear the words Theo directs at my mom. Theo wants to spend time with me because he never got the opportunity when we were growing up.

He gave me the choice.

I smile softly and when I look over at mom, her eyes are frosty, fierce. Ready to strike.

"Marnie doesn't want to know you," she waves the back of her palm at me, taking another sip of her wine, "Send this little punk out of here Marnie. Make sure he doesn't steal anything."

I'm mortified by her behaviour. I thought she'd at least have the decency to be nice to my brother, my flesh and blood that I've never met before and that's the thing, she knew about Theo and she kept it a secret from me all these years. She lied to me. How could I trust her again?

My eyes harden at my mother. Does she think I will do that? She thought I could throw Theo out like dirt, especially after she lied to me my entire life?

"No mother. I won't." I deadpan.

Her head whips to me, and disbelief overtakes her hard expression. "What did you just say?"

She did not like her daughter turning against her.

I don't care. I'm hurt, I've been hurting for years because of her cruel behaviour.

"How could you hide something like this? Why didn't you tell me I had a brother?"

I look deep into her eyes, searching for answers. I can't see them. I don't see any pity or guilt. Nothing. Does she have feelings at all?

She releases an irritable sigh. "Marnie I don't want to talk about this right now, I have a splitting headache--"

I point my index finger in her direction, my body shaking with rage. "Don't you dare! Don't you dare make any excuses. Maybe you should stop drinking and then you won't have these splitting migraines!"

I know I shouldn't have said that. It's rude and disrespectful. I don't like talking to my mom this way. I just can't help my mouth when I lose my head and my mother likes to push and push me around so much until... I finally break.

"You little brat, don't talk to me that way! I'm your mother!'"

"And I'm your daughter!" I scream.

I feel a gentle tug on my arm and I look up at Theo. I completely forgot he was standing inside the room, watching this scene unfold. My face heats up, I'm so embarrassed right now. He must think we're insane. Like mother, like daughter.

"Marnie, maybe this isn't a good idea. I should go and we can hang out another time?"

His dark eyes watch me with worry. He doesn't want me to say anything I might regret later. He cares. "No, stay--"

"Yes, go. Tell Ronnie I said hello. I would give you a bottle of red to take with you but it's a little expensive for your taste." she smirks. Red. I see red.

"Mariah!" I cry. "Stop it!"

I've never called my mother by her name before. However, this woman I'm seeing in front of me is not my mother. This is a vicious, evil woman with no guilt or remorse.

She's a stranger to me.

Everyone stares at me, dumbfounded. The room is silent and the only thing I can hear is my heart beating rapidly. Tears threaten to fall and with a shaky voice I say, "I don't even know who you are anymore." my lip trembles.

"Is everything okay?" Nanny Grace emerges from the dining room holding a hand towel. She looks at all three of us with confusion on her face. Her eyes landed on Theo with furrowed brows. Does she know about Theo too?

"Sorry Nanny Grace. Yes, everything is fine, thank you. Come on Theo, let's go."

Half an hour goes by when I finish showing Theo all my father's achievements throughout the years. He seemed amazed looking at all the platinum albums and photos hanging on the walls. His eyes were bright with interest and I couldn't help but feel so terrible for living this comfortable, wealthy lifestyle -- while I could only imagine what he must have gone through growing up.

Did he have a happy childhood?

I want to know Theo better and help him as much as I possibly can. My mother can't stop me from seeing him.

By the time Theo leaves, he asks me if I'm going to be okay and I reassure him I will be fine. We exchange phone numbers and he promised to keep in touch. After a brief hug, he left and I headed inside and straight up to my bedroom.

I couldn't deal with my mother right now, I'll speak with her in the morning when she's in the right frame of mind. At least Nanny Grace is here tonight to watch over her.

Slumping onto my bed in a huff. Baby curls into a ball by my side, her blue eyes closing and she starts purring adorably. I open my phone for the first time tonight, noticing the 20 missed calls.

Shit.

Eight from Sky and twelve from Reese. I cringe when I see the messages.

I decide to call Reese back. His phone rings and rings before going straight to voicemail. I send him a quick reply, I don't want to go into graphic detail about the events that occurred tonight, but I will tell him at school tomorrow morning. I'm too tired right now. I need sleep.

I'm telling the truth, whatever that scary dude gave me a few hours ago has my head feeling fuzzy and painful. I take some painkillers and lay my head down on the pillow.

I shut my phone off and snuggle into bed, thinking about the events that took place tonight. I can't believe I have a brother. For many years growing up, I always wanted a sibling to play with. It's crazy to think l had one out there this whole time. It hurts my head and my heart. Theo. My brother.

Something else seems to be bothering me. If my dad did leave Theo money as part of his will, why is Theo struggling with money now? Why is he working in a run-down music store and trying to help his mother out?

A lone tear runs down my face, a dull ache spreads through my body -- feeling drained from all these lies and secrets.

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