"Where's dad?" Lucas walked back to the livingroom after checking up on dad. Shaw who was initially conversing with Enos and I narrowed his eyes at Lucas, "Wasn't he sleeping in there?"

I stared at Shaw.

"I'm dead sure he was practically in his room before Betty arrived." Shaw articulated as he looked back at me. "Let me give him a call. He must've woken up and immediately left or something."

I just stayed silent.

Dan held my shoulder. "We have three back doors." He grinned cheeky. "As soon as Shaw gives him the good news, Wilson gonna be bursting through those doors."

I nodded.

My eyes landed on Enos. He was talking to Lucas now. Something about the harbor. Shaw had his phone by the ears, waiting for dad to pick up the call. I glued my eyes on him. I wanted to see his reaction because the look in his eyes on that precise second my dad addresses him will notify me whether my father is excited to see me or he intentionally took off without saying a word.

I highly doubt he didn't notice there are guests at his house. My brothers are loud people. And my father hates noise.

I don't want to even imagine a moment in my life where my father just abandons me again. Especially in this kind of situation.

I shouldn't be thinking about this right now but I can't help myself. I'm an anxious person. I overthink and question and race with my mind each time I'm anxious. I can't help myself.

"Yes dad," Shaw spoke, "Where are you? You won't believe who showed up today. Turns out, James kept his word. Elisabeth is here."

The expression on Shaw's face wasn't easy to decipher while he spoke to dad. His face didn't convey anything. His eyes fell on Dan who was sited beside me. "Is dad on his way?" Dan inquired on my behalf. There was a sense of indecisiveness in his voice. But expectancy was plastered on his eyes.

Shaw was reluctant to speak and that's when I realised a certain weariness in his blue eyes. He was still on the call. Listening to dad as he conversed on the other end.

"She's waiting for you." He informed while averting his gaze from Dan and I. He walked himself to the kitchen. But as I said, my brothers are loud, Shaw tried to speak in a low voice but I could hear him very well.

"What do you mean by that? She came all the way here and you want to do this to your own daughter, c'mon dad...

"What? No,"

Please don't dare do this.......are you serious right now... Fuck you."

"You better show up here you coward." He was now ranting in anger. I could sense the rage in his voice. "What's she gonna think? Why are you changing your mind suddenly?"

"Don't you dare hung up."

"Dad,"

"Dad,"

I think my father hung up on his oldest son.

I heard Shaw cursing and then he just kept on mumbling to himself.

My heart ached.

Dan, Lucas and Enos stayed silent. They heard everything as well. I'm sure they pity me. I mean dad chose to live with them and he just abandons me for years without saying a word. And now he won't even come to see me.

"Why didn't you write to me?" I asked quietly, I kept my voice as calm as possible. My eyes were on the floor as I addressed my brothers. "You could've atleast sent me anything. I'm sure you have ways right."

"Betty," Lucas sighed. "We wanted to keep you safe. You know the shit we're involved in. Plus, we couldn't risk getting caught."

"Of course." I whispered to myself while shutting my eyes. "I should go." I stood up.

"What?" Dan uttered. "Why?"

I didn't respond to that and just moved my legs to the door.

"Hey hey hey.....wait a second." Lucas came to hold me back. His hands on my shoulders as he turned me around. "Not so soon, it's only been a few hours. Stay for a while sunshine. Why this suddenly?"

As if he didn't know why?

I was trying so hard to remain calm. I didn't want to speak another word because I knew if I spoke, I'd speak in backlash. I'd speak to blame. I'd speak to accuse and to be unkind. So I shut up.

Enos came to stand beside me. I know he noticed my change in demeanor. The tension was so thick and I really wanted to get out of there.

"She must be tired. We'll come back tomorrow." Enos announced. My brothers gave him a sharp glare. How dare they? Enos isn't the problem here.

And we wont come back tomorrow.

Shaw came from the kitchen, "Listen, I know where dad might be. I'll go get him okay. Just wait here."

"Yeah," Lucas said. "Let shaw fetch him."

"I want to leave." I forced myself to speak. "It's clear he doesn't want anything to do with me. But good for you, atleast he wants to be a father to you guys."

I sunk my own soul upon those words.

"Don't say that." Shaw articulated with a sadness in his features. "He loves you just as much as he does us."

"Stop trying to make me feel better." I told him. God! I sounded so tired. "I've come to terms with my situation. I was prepared for this. I've been preparing for this. I knew this would happen so don't try to give me false hopes."

"Fuck!" Lucas cursed with a frown. "It's not like that Elisabeth. Father cares about you so much." He tried to convince, a raw pain in his rusty heavy voice when he noticed my unshed tears.

"Yes it is." I vocalized. "Did you know mum kicked me out of her life? She said she doesn't want to see me." I didn't mean to sound cynical. "She was dying in prison when I got there. And after I did everything to get her out of prison, as soon as she woke up from her coma, she threw me off."

"Mum was dying?" Lucas asked in confusion.

"She was in prison?" Shaw sounded surprised. "Since when? What happened to her?"

"Since the four of you left us." I was so close to tears but I held my weaknesses down."We lost our home, couldn't pay the mortgage. She was caught selling illegal weapons to sustain our living and was sent straight to prison by the court. I needed you guys. I really did. Atleast emotionally."

"I'm so sorry." Dan sighed and reached to hold my hand.

"Don't." I moved away. "You don't owe me anything especially an apology. I just hoped you'd atleast be there. But I guess I asked for too much." His eyes carried regret and he was hurt when I flinched from him.

I released myself from Lucas' hold and he turned grim.

"I just want to leave."

"Let us make it up to you." Shaw was quick to speak.

I looked at him. "It could have been great if you guys would've stayed in florida for just a while longer instead of having to make it up to me now. I don't need your sympathy. I have all the support and comfort I have ever needed right here." I held Enos's hand. "His unconditional love has been enough. He was there when none of you were."

Their eyes carried pure agonizing hurt with every word I spoke. And when they looked at Enos, they showed indifference, a bit of jealousy, and perhaps gratitude. After all, Where were they when I needed to be defended? Assured? guided?

I still need my brothers, I always have. I need their company, love, security. But I said those words because I knew it would hurt them. Because I was cynical enough to want them to feel rejected even if it's just by one person. Because I was left behind by all of them. They left me all alone. So they couldn't possibly know how horrible it felt to be cast out by your entire family when you did nothing wrong.

"If it wasn't for James, were you ever going to come back for me?" My voice was about to crack. "Tell me the truth?"

They didn't say a word as they bent their heads.

"God!" Their silence broke my heart, I sighed in defeat, turning around, opening the door, and leaving that house.

What hurt more was the fact that they didn't even bother to come after me. They just let me walk away from their lives forever.

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