Chapter Eighteen
Leondias read over the documents of his sister's diagnosis and the information written down by the psychiatric ward staff. It was disheartening. A child shouldn't be going through such struggles. He couldn't recall any of his family members who could have a history of anything like schizophrenia.
"Does anyone on your side of the family have a gene that this could have passed on to?" Leondias asked while still looking over the document.
Davian and Praxis shared a look. Davian sighed. "No one had ever been diagnosed, but we suspect our mother had some sort of mental disturbance. Our brother Cyprian has shown some signs as well.
Lycus snorted. "We all know how fucked up Cyprian is."
"Yes, we are very much aware of how much of a psychopath he is," Praxis replied with heavy sarcasm.
"But does he have any signs of schizoaffective disorder is what I am asking." Leondias lightly waved the papers in the air.
"We never looked for anything. We honestly never thought about it." Praxis admitted.
"Turning a blind eye to the mental health of siblings seems to be a common occurrence." Lycus tilted his head, smiling.
Both Praxis and Davian clenched their jaws while Leondias turned and gave Lycus an unimpressed look. "You really think we are any better, Lycus. We know something is wrong with you."
The waitress arrived with drinks and gently put the glass cups on the table. All the brothers chose an alcoholic beverage while Verena had Sprite.
Davian immediately started downing the flavored cocktail mixed with whiskey. Verena nibbled on a warm biscuit Praxis handed her from the basket the waitress had brought earlier.
Praxis couldn't help but smile seeing her eating something. It had been very difficult to get her to eat.
"So where do we go from here?" Leondias asked, breaking the silence.
"You aren't taking her from us." Davian snapped immediately.
"We deserve to be in her life." Lycus snapped back.
Verena's breath hitched at the rising tension between her brothers. She began picking at her already damaged fingernails. Praxis immediately put his hand over hers, stopping her from harming herself.
"You don't deserve shit." Davian's voice rose.
"Dav-" Praxis began before Lycus spoke.
"I have no problem putting a bullet between your eyes if you dare to keep her from us." Lycus practically growled as he leaned forward.
Verena's hands flew to her ears, and tears welled in her eyes. She couldn't take it anymore. The voice kept laughing at her distress. "STOP!" she screamed, startling all four brothers.
Verena violently jerked away from Praxis, who tried to comfort her. She continued to have her hands clamped to her ears. "Stop." She cried out weakly.
"Shit," Davian mumbled as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
Lycus looked like a kicked puppy, looking at his panicked sister. They let their feelings stemming from their feud, and it hurt their sister. Leondias clenched his jaw and sent Lycus an accusing glare.
"Sorry, V. We're done. We won't fight." Praxis assured her in a hushed tone, knowing she could still hear him. His heart broke when she looked up at him with tears in her eyes and her lip trembling.
Praxis opened his arms, inviting her to seek comfort. She sniffed and shoved her face into his chest as he protectively wrapped his arms around her.
"She seems comfortable with you." Leondias pointed out.
Praxis just nodded as he rested his chin on Verena's head. Davian looked away, clenching his fist under the table.
"I...fuck," Lycus cursed. "I'm sorry, Verena."
"Me too." Davian surprised Verena by giving an apology.
"No more." She said quietly.
"No more," Praxis repeated, giving both Davian and Lycus a warning stare.
"We need to come to a compromise here and put our feelings aside. This is about her, not us." Leondias spoke up.
Davian and Lycus nodded in agreement. They were going to have to suck it up and work together to be able to be involved in Verena's life, which seemed to be hanging by a thread.
Lycus took a deep breath. "We should ask what she wants to do."
"What do you want to do, sweetheart? We aren't forcing you to choose between anyone." Praxis asked gently.
Verena bit her lip. She wanted to get to know her other brothers, but she didn't want to leave Praxis. He was the only source of comfort and safety she had.
"How about this?" Leondias started. "You can make regular visits to our estate, and Praxis can come with you since you feel comfortable with him around. If everyone is comfortable with this."
Verena looked at him and nodded her head before any of the brothers could respond.
Praxis looked at his little sister and then at Leondias and nodded. "I can do that."
Leondias looked towards Lycus and Davian. "Can we manage this and the two of you act like fucking adults?"
"Very well." Davian came in.
"I guess," Lycus responded.
This was going to be interesting.