My eyes widened at Emil's words. I was not expecting such news this early in the morning. It almost felt like a dream again but this time, my mind lets me know just how real all of this is as shock covers Alec face. He seemed fazed for a few seconds before finally talking again.

"What did you just say?" Alec asked, unable to comprehend Emil's words. He brushes his fingers through his hair, already stressed out.

Emil repeated his words, without blinking. It was like he was reciting information he has memorized overnight, and watched my brother's reaction. He seemed ready for the worst outcome but Alec stayed quiet, most likely thinking on what he should do next.

"I'll take Mara home; you go and take care of Jack." Dustyn said immediately as he reached for the paper bag on Alec's hand. "We'll straight to your apartment. I'll call when I get there."

Alec nodded his head, his thoughts probably running a hundred miles a second. "I'll see you tonight, baby girl." He said with a sigh as he tried to smile.

"You be careful, okay?" I asked him almost pleadingly. I look at Emil who is standing behind him, awaiting orders. "Take Emil with you."

"No. You take Emil with you and I'll take Nica. She's waiting for us outside." He said as he ushered us out of the hospital and to the parking lot. Nica was easy to spot as she patiently waited in the middle of two cars. One which belongs to Alec and one that belongs to Dustyn. "Nica, you're coming with me to the police station."

Nica nodded her head and waited by Alec's car. Dustyn, on the other hand, gave his keys to Emil who immediately opened the car doors and started the car engine. "Alec." I said disapprovingly as I looked at Emil. I do not approve of Emil coming with me when he could be of more help with Emil. I prefer Nica's company over Emil right now who still seemed to be watching me like a hawk after what happened. Although everyone is watching me like a hawk after what happened. I don't think that will change anytime soon.

Alec looks at me. "I will make sure Dad is safe, okay? You wait with Dustyn and Emil in the apartment." He said, not leaving room for argument.

I nodded my head in defeat. "I love you, Alec. Be safe, okay?"

Alec smiled and kissed the top of my head before he ushered me inside the car. "I love you too, baby girl. I'll see you later." He said and closed the door.

Dustyn entered the car from the other side. Emil didn't waste time on waiting, as soon as Dustyn closed his door; he drove out of the parking lot with Alec standing there, watching us leave. I couldn't help but be nervous as I watch his figure get smaller and smaller from the rear view mirror. Dad was just found unconscious in his hotel room a week after someone tried to kidnap me.

Who knows what these people would do to Alec?

Who knows what would happen next? Dad is unconscious, with who knows what kind of injury, I just got out of the hospital and Alec is serving cases on a golden platter left and right. None of us know how many of them are there. But one thing I know is that none of us is safe at this moment.

"Alec will be fine. He knows what he's doing." Dustyn told me comfortingly as he patted my hand which was resting on the space between us. "Trust him."

I nodded my head. "It's still dangerous."

"Alec is a dangerous man." Dustyn said, and I gave him a dumb look. He laughed before giving me a kiss on my cheek. "He might not look like it to you, but he is one scary guy to the rest of us."

I just smiled at him and looked out of my window as we passed through New York City.

No one dared to speak as the whole apartment was enveloped in silence. We were all nervous; it was thick in the air. Even Dustyn who seemed to be fussing over me is nervous. He tried to stay still on his chair, but ends up walking up and down the hallway every five minutes. Emil has hauled himself up in the security room, waiting for Alec's update.

It's already seven o'clock when the door opened and Alec entered the room looking exhausted, and ready to drop. He kicks off his shoes and pushes them to the side of the entrance and padded his way to the nearby couch where he collapsed with his arm over his eyes.

I think, for the first time since we got home, I can finally breathe better. Alec is home. He's safe. Tired but safe. That's what important. That he's safe and not lying around somewhere unconscious and hurt. It's better than nothing.

Dustyn puts a glass of water on the coffee table. "Drink some water, Alec. Should I order dinner?"

Alec didn't speak for a while. He seemed to be in deep thought as he took in a deep breath. "Dad had ingested some type of poison. Police said it was probably put in his food by someone he trusted. The doctors said it's good that he was found early or else it could've been worse."

I exhaled loudly. "Is he going to be okay? Was.. Was Dad conscious before you left?" I asked him. Wanting to know that I won't be losing Dad. No matter how much of a horrible father he had turned out to be for me. He used to be good. Used to be the best Dad in the world. The one who would cancel his meetings to attend some stupid recital. The one who raised Alec and I. The one who would do anything for his family.

He has changed a lot since Amelia came. And maybe that's because he loves her so much he can't face the fact that none of his kids like his new wife. Or maybe he did, but somehow he just wanted to choose being happy rather than a future with no one else.

Maybe Dad changed because he was afraid to be alone.

Alec shook his head. "They were just able to get out the poison so he was still not awake when I left his room."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Alec still hasn't mentioned the one person who should be with Dad. I'm happy that she wasn't mentioned but it also feels weird. "Amelia?" I finally asked him.

Alec sat up, still not looking at anyone in the room. "The police said that Dad was working with them to catch Amelia." He said, shaking his head as if it was something unbelievable. "That old man decided to marry that witch to convict her for murdering Mom."

My breath hitched. Dad did not change. No. He is still the same Dad that raised us. Except he was looking for a way to punish the person who could be behind Mom's death, which I thought was an accident. But I guess not.

Alec didn't stop his rambling. It almost seemed like he was talking to himself instead of answering my question.

"It doesn't even make sense. What kind of an idiot does that? He put us in danger. He put you in danger. You were hurt, still hurting and he--"

"Alec." Dustyn shouted his name to make him stop his ramblings. "I think it would be best to call it a night. Okay?" He said with a forced smile on his face.

"No." Alec said his eyes wide with rage and tiredness. "I need it to make sense, okay? I need to know that he wasn't just running around blind, trying to catch a woman by forgetting all about Mara's safety."

"Alec, we should get some rest." I said as I looked at him teary eyed. I'm scared for Dad. I'm scared that Alec might be next. I don't know what I'll do if something happens to him.

But Alec's ears are closed off to what I have to say as he continued on his rambling.

"I shouldn't even be worrying about him. I-I mean, technically speaking he's not even my fa-"

"Alec that is enough!" Dustyn shouted again, his voice firm and authoritative as he looked at Alec unbelievably. He shakes his head at him as if he's disappointed in Alec.

But my head is too busy trying to process what Alec was just trying to say. Here I was, just thinking of how stressed Alec is. Thinking about the possibility of Dad dying overnight. And Alec... Alec is keeping secrets again. This time, however, I feel it might be more important than the previous secrets he has or have. I'm a hundred per cent sure that he meant to say father. "He's not what Alec?" I asked him.

Alec looked up at me with wide eyes, as if he had just realized what he said. "Nothing." Alec said before looking away again. But in that small amount of time, I saw how scared he was. Alec's eyes shone with fear.

And I don't know why.

Dustyn walked closer to me but my attention is on Alec who had already stood up from his seat. "Let's get you to bed, Mara." Dustyn said.

"No." I said in contempt. "Tell me what you were going to say Alec."

"You need some rest, Mara. You just got out of the hos-"

"No!" I screamed at him angrily. "They discharged me because I am already okay. I don't need any more rest. Or anymore secrets Alec."

"Mara. We can talk tomorrow." Alec said with his back still to me.

I groaned in annoyance. "No! You always say that then you run away! Stop keeping secrets from me. I'm not a kid anymore!!"

Alec faced me, his eyes filled with anger as he shouted, "He's not my father!"

"W-what...?" I asked, in shocked of what he had just said.

Alec chuckled but tears are threatening to fall from his eyes. He looked up as he tried hard to get the words out of his mouth. "He's not my dad okay? Not biologically, at least."

I tripped on my own footing as I tried to hit the edge of the bed with the back of my knee but ended falling miserably in shock into it. "S-so, we're still siblings right?" I asked him as I rub my forehead as it started hurting at what I have just learned.

"Are you that stupid?" Alec asked all of a sudden. He looked at me as if I am stupid. There wasn't a question in his eyes. No fear, no anger. Just plain look that says I'm stupid.

"Alec! That's enough. Both of you off to bed." Dustyn said loudly. He took my arm and helped me off of the couch.

I didn't have it in me to say anything to anyone at that moment. I didn.t know where this puts me. Where this puts Alec in my life? Where I place in his life? Am I even Dad's daughter? W-what about Mom? Is she even my mom?

"Oh good. I need two glasses of water, Nica. Please." Dustyn said as we both take the first step up the stairs. Alec still hasn't moved from where he stood.

"Right away sir." Nica said diligently as walked across the room. The sound of her shoes as she walked across the room is louder than the soft sobs coming out from Alec.

"Let's get you to bed, shortcake." Dustyn said softly.

"Alec.." I whispered his name without thinking.

"He's fine, shortcake. He's fine." He said as we took up the stairs.

I woke up from the loud voices that were coming from living room, not to mention the curses that they've been hurling at each other. It was Dustyn and Alec, screaming at each other. I could tell just by their voices. I rolled my eyes knowing that the both of them are tearing at each other for no apparent reason.

I went down and ignored the both of them, making my way to the fridge. The loud voices stopped as I was putting the carton of milk on the counter. "Are you done?" I asked as I took a sip of milk from the carton. Not bothering to pour it on a glass.

"Get a glass." Alec said shaking his head at me.

I ignored him and turned my attention on Dustyn. "I need your help moving some stuff back home."

I want to forget the fact that Alec said I'm stupid. Not in words, but very much implied. I think, that moving back home and giving Alec space would be good for him and for us. He needs to think about himself. And I... I need to know if there is any truth to what he said last night. I need to know for myself.

"You are not going anywhere." Alec said, moving so he was in my line of sight.

I shake my head at head. "Sure I am. I'm moving back home and you're welcome to come."

"Don't be stupid, Mara." Alec said angrily as he moved closer to me.

I dropped the milk carton on the carton, its contents spilling on the counter from the impact. "I'm stupid? Oh I'm sorry. Mr. you-will-do-everything-i-want."

"Guys. It's too early for this." Dustyn said, his voice being ignored as Alec and I went for each other's throat.

"Yes that is me! So what? It kept you alive didn't it?" Alec said his hands on top of the counter, the only thing in between us. "If you didn't make that stupid request, you would have been fine! Everyone would be fine!"

"So now it's my damn fault? Well newsflash, you don't have to take care of me anymore since you obviously hate it!!"I shouted at him as tears fell from my eyes.

"I never said I didn't want to take care of you! Don't put words in my mouth, Tamara."

I laughed sarcastically at him, wiping my tears harshly. "But you didn't deny the fact that it is my fault. You think it's my fault that I almost got kidnapped and that Dad is lying in a hospital bed. MY DAD." I said, making sure to repeat the fact that he is my dad. Just mine, just like he said last night. I remember what he said. He said he wasn't his dad. Dad is not his dad. Does that make us any less of the siblings that we used to be?

"I never said that! Stop saying things!" Alec screamed at me in frustration. "You know what? Go. Leave. Who gives a fuck, right?" He swipes his hand across the counter, throwing the carton of milk to the farthest side of the room. He gives me one last look and leaves the room without much hesitation. Not even a word to Dustyn who stood at the side, looking at his shoes.

I cleared my throat, making sure there is no trace of the tears that I just shed. I forced a smile on my face as I spoke to Dustyn. "I'm going to go pack so we can leave."

"Shortcake." Dustyn called for me just as I was about to take the first step up the stairs. "Stay here. Alec is angry. You're angry. You all just need to calm down."

"I can calm down on my own at home. Where I should be."

Alec and I... Our relationship is worse than the spilled milk on our kitchen floor right now.