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Of all the sad things I have ever heard, ”I used to be happy” is the most heartbreaking of all.

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-Chapter 30 part 3-Sometimes people just need to be stabbed-

I was right now taking a nice warm shower, trying to get this nervous feeling out of my system. My mind just kept replaying the little scenario over and over again not letting anything else but that occupied my mind.

The way Leo kept looking like he wanted so badly— to make the blondie disappear, didn't go unnoticed by me. His eyes seemed darker and much more sinister the more he stared at her.

Shit, I was beginning to feel bad for the beautiful rude blondie. Who looked like a little rabbit ready to hop her way out of there and never look back.

And how Kevin's cold gaze, locked on the redhead, got me wishing not to get on his bad side.

Who am I kidding, I'm already on his bad side the moment we locked eyes with each other in the hospital room.

When I finished doing everything in the bathroom. I quickly got dressed in loose-fitting jeans with a soft pink sweater and some dark grey Timberland boots. My fashion sense wasn't the best but I'm trying to find something that would not make me look like I don't know what I'm doing.

It was cold today, and I don't like getting sick. Even though... I'm not even going outside today. But just to look kinda presentable in front of the guests today as Ms.Nancy likes to put it. She tells the boys to dress up nicely, whenever my dad's friends come over or any important guests.

So I quickly picked up the little habit to not get on her nerves. The last thing I want is to make her furious. I'm already walking on thin ice around her.

I quickly dry my curly long hair and fix it, into a half up and half down hairdo.

A few days ago, My father took me to a salon, saying that I needed to change up my look. The stylist only cut three or four inches of my hair. The majority that was cut off, was the dead ends that were making my hair get all knotted.

I looked at myself in the mirror for one last time. I was so different from those girls who were undeniably beautiful… But that's life, right? We can't all be identical. There's no fun in that anyways.

I quickly made myself out of my bedroom, down the bright hall, and finally downstairs. The first thing my vision catches is the sight of Leo and the beautiful blondie putting the plates and the utensils on the large table.

I felt so out of place, like a third wheel.

Should I make myself known?... No. It's probably not a good idea especially when they look like they haven't made up yet.

Should I go back upstairs and lock myself in my bedroom, until they finish with everything?... Why not, that sounds like a good idea. And it would probably save me from being in such an awkward situation, again.

I turned around and made myself towards the dining room doorway, as quietly as possible. Sneaking my way to the doorway like a quick skillful ninja on a mission.

"Where do you think you're going, Emma?"I get startled when I hear his deep voice. It was much friendlier than before, like… if he was talking to a frightened kitten trying to run away from him.

I turned around avoiding his curious dark gaze and quickly mumbled out " To my bedroom, Leo. "

"Did you forget something, upstairs?" He asked as he made himself over to me, leaving the blondie staring at both of us from the table.

"No…."I looked up at him. This time not avoiding his soft gaze. How does he do that? One minute he's cold and distant, then he's kind and carefree.

"Then why?" He tilts his head slightly to the right as he eyed my every movement, almost as if he was trying to decipher what is going through my mind right now.

"Are you avoiding me?"He narrows his dark eyes and smiles at me.

"No… It's not that. It's just that... I just... didn't want to bother you. That's all." I look away from him, not to let him see that I'm lying through my teeth. God, I feel guilty... whenever I fabricate a lie, and then he gives me that warm caring smile like he knows I'm lying to him.

Yeah, I am trying to avoid him as much as possible, because I just can't trust him or Kevin at this point.

I don't know what they are up to. And more, when Kevin said that, they both own me like if... I'm some kind of toy. The last time I checked, I'm free like a bird without a cage. I'm no damn toy.

I just hope, really hope that he's not like Kevin… Just thinking about that is making a headache slowly surge to the surface.

I'll be heartbroken if… He's like Kevin or worse… because my poor heart won't be able to take it.

He grabs me by my hand and pulls me toward the table.

"Come on, help us out. Don't be shy now." He playfully says to me. His playfulness is back in full swing throwing me off guard, again.

I take a quick glance at the blondie. She was just looking at our hands that were joined together.

She frowns, the jealousy very evident in those pretty blue eyes of hers.

I yank my hand out from his soft grip as if his touch was fire, and quickly say "Okay. " Trying to get this over with. I look up at him and my heart stops for a split second.

His warm smile dropped a little bit as he slightly frowned, but he quickly composed himself. This was unusual of him.

I help them finish up putting the table, there is one little problem... There are 7 people but only 6 seats.

Damn it, it feels like déjà vu, all over again.

What's next... My father and I go buy another bigger table — just for the hell of it.

I hold the last white plate in my hand as I look up at Leo" Umm...Leo, I don't think there's enough space for one more plate."

It's true, I guess... I'll just have to eat breakfast in the living room today. Not that I'll mind eating breakfast by myself, and not having to listen to other people's conversations, just to make it seem like I'm interested in pointless chatter.

Leo looks at me then back at the table and says" Don't worry... We can share a plate." When he says that my heart stops beating.

Did he just say what I think he said? Is he insinuating that he is going to make me sit on his lap, again? Is he out of his freaking mind? Is he trying to make his girlfriend hate me?

"No... I'll eat in the living room today, Leo. " Leo just frowned this time, not trying to cover up, that he's displeased with me.

What has gotten into him?

Why is he acting so damn weird, today?

"No can do. Mother doesn't like it when people eat in the living room. "I hear Kevin say as he brings a big plate full of pancakes in his left hand and a big plate full of bacon and eggs in his right hand.

Would that be the reason why Ms.Nancy always slightly frowns at me whenever I eat in the living room? Couldn't he tell me that from the very beginning… God, I'm digging my own grave here without even knowing it.

He places it in the middle of the table, nicely. While the redhead was following him, pouring the orange juice inside all the glass cups.

"Oh... "is all I say, as I hear footsteps coming down the stairs. I turned around and there was Ms.Nancy with my father entering the room.

Ms.Nancy was dressed in a nice red dress today, as my father is dressed in a nice black suit.

They weren't lying when they said that they have special plans today. Because... Wow, they looked amazing like one of those rich beautiful couples freshly out of a magazine photoshoot.

My father stops and looks at the two girls, he smiles and questions them both " What are you two doing here, so early in the morning?" Both the girls shyly smile, not being able to look him in the eyes. Almost embarrassed to tell him why they are really here.

"We umm..." they both started. Leo takes the plate from my hand and quickly goes to the kitchen and comes back.

Ms.Nancy cut them both off because they were taking too long to respond and said " They came because they wanted to surprise us for our anniversary. It seems like one of the boys told the girls about it. Right girls? "Ms. Nancy raises an eyebrow just daring them to say otherwise.

"Of course, we came for that. We heard from them that it's your wedding anniversary, "The redhead says as she quickly glances at Kevin then back at my dad. Kevin didn't look amused at all.

"Yeah, we just wanted to make you breakfast. " The blondie quickly said, adding her two cents into the conversation.

My father just nods and smiles warmly at them both " That is so kind of you both. Please sit down. " I was about to sit down next to Leo when Kevin pulled me to his lap.

" Kevin, let me go. "I harshly whisper at him, but he tightens his grip on my waist.

"No can do... it's my turn now. "I looked at Leo and he had this little frown decorating his face.

Then I look up and I see my father and Ms.Nancy looking at us, confused. This uneasy feeling is building up inside my chest the more the silence dragged on.

I was about to say something but Kevin just cut me off before a word passed my lips. " There are not enough seats for seven people. Plus, we can't let little Emma sit alone in the living room, Right? It is a celebration of your anniversary, and it is Emma's first time to witness it. "

My father nods, as he says with amusement "It's like you and Leo are taking turns, and making every excuse in the damn book to bother your little sister. '' Leo and Kevin looked at each other for a quick moment and then had the audacity to burst out laughing at my father's response.

I blushed as I noticed that they're doing just that, especially Kevin... and his crazy mood swings, which always keep me on edge of my seat most of the time.

The two girls sit right beside each other, on the left side of the table. Just staring at me like I'm an alien. And Ms.Nancy and Leo were on the right side of the table.

When everyone's food was served. Kevin cut the pancake in two, half for me and a half for him.

I quietly eat, not looking up. I don't have to look up to feel two people throwing daggers at me, with their eyes.

Why couldn't Kevin do this with his girlfriend instead?... I mean wouldn't this action seem more normal to him.

It's not my idea, girls. If only they could read my mind, they probably wouldn't be so mad at me for something I can't control.

The only thing I can hear from this painful silence is the utensils clicking on the plates.

The blondie finally breaks the painful silence that was swallowing us all. "So how did you two meet ?"

I look up as my father begins to speak " Well... I met my beautiful wife at a bar on a Saturday night."He looks at her and softly smiles and she does the same… mimicking his affectionate soft eyes filled with love.

"He came up to me with the worst pickup line, "Ms. Nancy chuckles as she looks at the two girls.

"No, I did not. " My father quickly responded with a shocked face.

"Yes, you did." She slightly giggles and continues" He was so cute that I just couldn't look away."

After that I wasn't into the conversation, I was to concentrate on Kevin's large hand on my thigh.

I look at Kevin, then at Leo. Leo was paying attention to his mother's story, while he kept eating his food.

Kevin started to trail his warm hand up my thigh, my breath softly hitched as my heart accelerated to a point that it was going to explode.

Kevin chuckles, under his breath "What's wrong, little toy? " he whispers in my left ear. I quickly looked around the table to see if anyone saw anything but everyone was looking at my stepmother telling her interesting love story.

I grabbed his hand and dug my nails in his soft skin as I tried to push his hand off me, but then his grip got tighter, making me wince at how much pressure he put on the action alone.

"Ouch, that hurts." He mockingly says under his breath.

"Do you want everyone to look this way? If not, play nice or else." The way he whispered those words to me made me keep still. This bastard… my eyes stilled on the silverware debating to take the fork and shove it in his hand. I mean… Dad would surely understand if I did stab Kevin's hand, right?

Kevin continued what he was doing, not caring if anyone sees what he's doing to me under the table.

Does this guy have no sense of guilt or fear? His girlfriend is right there.

Then his torturous fun stopped when Ms.Nancy stands up from her seat and said " Come, I have the photo album, he had this dark purple suit on —"

The first two to get up from their seats were the girls. Then I took my opportunity and leaped off of his lap, making it seem like I'm also interested in the photo album.

Even though I don't freaky care. Why should I? So I can feel bad for myself, for not having a happy upbringing.

So it can remind me that I'm just an outsider, looking in.

I mean… I don't mind being an outsider looking in, Because an outsider can't get hurt if they are not attached to pointless affection that would fade away sooner or later. Nothing is forever and I understand that now.

That's why I'm trying as long as possible to keep my father's affection. For as long as I could possibly prolong it — because it would be that last time in my entire life that I will ever cling to someone like that again.

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Please ignore any bad grammar, for now, I'll fix that in the future.

⭐⭐⭐I would appreciate your vote a ton⭐⭐⭐.

Please leave a comment, I would love to know what you guys think of this chapter. It would keep me more motivated and make me laugh a little.

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