Chapter One. #2
“Can everybody but Dad, Dante and Eddie leave? Aaron, as the meal is completely ruined, please take everyone into the family lounge and order dinner,” Mama Phoe said.
Aaron nodded and began chivvying the younger kids out. He sent me a look and gripped my shoulder. “Kid, I have never considered you anything but a full sibling.”
“Except my adoption papers mean we’re not, as Dante pointed out.”
Mama Phoe hissed in a breath. “Aaron, go.” Moments later, she turned.
“Edwina Michaelson, I’ve never, ever treated you differently.
As far as I am concerned, you’re my child.
You chose me, and I was so honoured you did.
The little girl you were looked up at me with pure love in her eyes and trust. Are you telling me I failed you? ”
“No!” I gasped, horrified.
“Why comment about adoption mattering in this household?”
“Because Dante is saying that!” I yelled. Tony appeared and put a hand on my shoulder to comfort me.
Mama Phoe regarded me solemnly. “Sadly, I can’t disagree.” She faced Dante, who Dad was holding. Even now, he looked defiant.
“I’ve never been ashamed of one of my children. Not until now. What you said to your sister was unmitigatedly cruel. I’m beyond disappointed. Adoption was never a problem in this family. You’ve made that an issue.”
“Did not!” Dante snapped.
“Don’t deny it. Dante, I heard you clear as day.
You intended to be hurtful and, congratulations, you succeeded.
But you didn’t wound Eddie, you hurt everyone else and me.
Your words were vicious, spiteful, and thoughtless.
You’ve been given far too much leeway and are spoiled, brattish, and quite frankly, someone I don’t want to be around.
The fault is not entirely yours; your father and I are to blame, too. ”
To my horror, Dante held Mama Phoe’s eyes and shrugged. Damn, he really didn’t care. Dante was becoming a monster. Dad clearly had seen enough. He shook Dante hard and spun him around to face him.
“Disrespect your mother like that?” Dad growled out. Dante now looked worried. It was rare for Dad to get annoyed with him.
“What? That’s the truth. Mom, you keep telling us not to lie!” Dante retorted.
“Don’t twist my words! This isn’t about lying, Dante, this is about you being an entitled brat!”
“Says who? Eddie acts more privileged than me!”
That gave me pause for thought. Did I? It was true that Mama Phoe raised us in luxury, and I took things for granted. Shit, I didn’t want to be the kid who acted as if everyone owed them something.
“No, she doesn’t. Eddie is a brat and a handful, but she never behaves as you do.
Plus, Eddie would never have used such thoughtless words.
She’s bloody grateful to be a part of this family, you aren’t!
” Mama Phoe chipped in. She stared at Dad, and there was something in her demeanour that made me shiver.
“Babe…”
“No, Drake. Enough is enough. I have to explain to my children why that spoilt, ungrateful git thinks he’s better than them.
Why Dante believes he has more rights than them because they’re adopted and he isn’t.
And why, even though I brought them all up the same, Dante thinks he’s untouchable.
Drake, I’ve been telling you for years that Dante was out of control.
We don’t see this behaviour from Peyton, and she’s the youngest.”
Mama Phoe shook her head in disgust. “I’ve warned you countless times about overindulging Dante and spoiling him.
You didn’t listen, and when we’ve had this conversation in the past, you turned a blind eye.
Look upon the monster you’ve created: an ignorant, rude, uncaring child.
Dante’s ten years old and full of spite, entitlement, greed, and carelessness.
And that’s what you want to entrust your beloved MC to? That creature, right there?”
“Phoe…” Dad said, sounding heartbroken.
“Too many times have you ignored my warnings, Drake, and shit like this happens. Calamity, Klutz, the club whores… when will you learn? That makes you as bad as Dante. This is our home, and Dante has caused nothing but strife lately, and you still let him get away with it. No more.”
“Mama Phoe?” I whispered, afraid because of how pale she was.
“These are my rules. Dante will clean this room from top to bottom alone. I’m aware that Eddie was involved, but I’d put my entire fortune on the line; she didn’t start it.
When this is spotless, Dante will scrub the kitchen.
Then he’ll go to the blue guest bedroom, and that’s his room for the foreseeable future.
Dante, you’re allowed no toys, no game consoles, no TV, nothing.
You’ll be given basic clothing and nothing else, no brand names, no designer gear. ”
“What?” Dante screeched.
“Excuse me, I haven’t finished! Your phone, tablet, and laptop are also gone.
You may access the library to read or sketch, but that is it.
All luxuries are restricted. You won’t eat with the family because, according to you, your siblings aren’t family if they are adopted.
That doesn’t wash in my book. There will be no clubhouse parties, no attending school, and no after-school clubs.
Everything you cherish is forbidden as of now for at least four weeks.
Until you learn humility, there is nothing for you. ”
“Dad! Mom can’t do this!” Dante screeched. “Tell her, you’re the boss!”
Dad gazed down at Dante in horror. “That’s what you think? That your mom should bow to me?”
Dante gazed around, trying to find an answer.
“Holy shit,” Dad murmured, clearly lost for words.
This entire scene was heartbreaking. Mama Phoe appeared worn out and devastated. I didn’t like this at all. Maybe it was time I stopped fighting with Dante. Yeah, I might get a kick out of it, but it hurts Mama Phoe. That wasn’t acceptable.
“As for you, Drake. Over the last few years, I’ve told you plenty of times that you caused this, so you deal with it.
You haven’t. Now, this is the mess we’re facing.
Make Dante human again – without my help and sort this crap out.
Arrow didn’t treat you like you do Dante, so grow the hell up, Drake.
You can’t be his friend and father. Eddie, come, we’ll discuss your punishment later. ”
I followed Mama Phoe from the room as Dad began shouting at Dante. But there was a sick feeling inside me; Dante had finally alienated me. We’d never, ever be close as siblings. That was a sure bet.
The next morning, Mama Phoe was still pale, and everyone seemed on edge.
Dante and Dad hadn’t rejoined us last night, and I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened.
The food was in its serving dishes as we all wandered in, helped ourselves, and sat down.
Mama Phoe glanced up as Dad and Dante walked in and headed for the sideboard that held the serving dishes.
“That’s not for Dante, nor does he eat here,” Mama Phoe announced, and everyone looked at her.
“What?” Dante demanded, his nose twitching.
“That’s not yours. Your breakfast is over there. Take it and head to the kitchen. I meant what I said. If you don’t consider your siblings family, then I shall treat you like you treat them,” Mama Phoe stated. Dad frowned as Mama Phoe continued eating.
What was going on? Dante loved full English breakfasts, as they were called in this house. We all watched, shocked, as Dante sat defiantly in a seat and stared at the bowl in front of him. He lifted the lid off and then shoved it away.
“I’m not eating that!” he declared loudly. Dante got to his feet and started walking to the sideboard, clearly intent on helping himself there.
“Sit down!” Mama Phoe ordered.
“No! You can’t make me,” Dante sniped.
“Well, I fuckin’ can,” Jared growled out and snatched Dante by his collar. Without another word, Jared swung Dante around and slammed him back into the seat. Dante hissed like a cat and shoved his pot of porridge over, spilling it everywhere.
“I’m not eating that,” he spat.
“Then starve,” Mama Phoe continued eating breakfast.
“Dad!” Dante yelped, and we gazed at Dad.
Dad looked torn. “Phoe, he can’t go hungry…”
“Dante had food, Drake. However, his assholeness threw it all over the table. That’s an entitled attitude and tantrum to boot, and I refuse to suffer it.
Dante can sit there, watch everyone eat, and leave when we’ve finished.
He doesn’t get what we’re eating just because he acted like a toddler.
If he wants to act like a spoiled brat, I’ll treat him as one.
“Mrs Ames and the staff are fully aware that Dante is not allowed snacks or any other food than what I’ve ordered. He can wait for lunch. Dante will eat that or go hungry. And if he joins us here, his lunch will be thrown away. He eats in the kitchen.” Mama Phoe said calmly.
She turned to Dante. “After we’ve finished eating, you can go lie down for a nap. You must be exhausted to be throwing tantrums this early. Drake, you will supervise, and that doesn’t mean interact with him. It means ensuring Dante stays in his room and has a nap. Babies need firm boundaries.”
Dante’s jaw dropped open as everyone else gaped. Mama Phoe wasn’t messing around. Holy shit!