She stood in her backyard and took deep breaths of fresh air. There were a couple people on the patio, talking quietly and nibbling at food. Other than that, it was quiet outside. She glanced around. If Vieve was there, where were Wulf and Brie? She'd seen Ms. Stone inside already – where were the rest of her kids?
Not wanting to go back into the party, Katya decided to go find them. She made her way through her backyard and into theirs, then marched right through the open sliding glass door that led to their den.
There was no one in the room, but she could hear raised voices. Not yelling, but someone didn't sound happy. It was a voice she didn't recognize, a man. She made her way to the front of the house, following the noise.
Brighton Stone was standing in the grand entry way, her back to the stairs. A man was standing in front of her, pointing down and speaking fast. Katya stared for a second, a little shocked. She'd never met him before, but she immediately recognized him.
Wow. Wulfric looks just like his father. A little taller, a little broader, but that face. Those eyes. Mr. Stone and his son could almost be twins.
She was so in awe at seeing the mysterious Mr. Stone, that she didn't clue into what he was saying for a minute. When it started cutting into her thoughts, she frowned and looked back at Brie. The girl looked small, and embarrassed, and even a little … scared.
“... drop out!” Mr. Stone was yelling. “No child of mine will be called a drop out! Do you have any idea how humiliating that is? To tell people that!?”
“I'm sorry, Dad. It just wasn't for me. I really -” she started, but he slashed his hand through the air.
“Not good enough! Wasn't for you!? You're a spoiled brat. Between Wulf and your mother, they've ruined you. Look at you,” he sneered, his eyes wandering over his daughter's form. “You look like a tramp.”
Again, Katya had led a somewhat sheltered life, never being exposed to much violence or trouble. So hearing a parent speak to his child that way was flooring. How could he speak to her like that?
“I'll change,” Brie insisted. “I can go upstairs -”
“Changing your clothes won't change who you are, Brighton. A degenerate drop out. I'm embarrassed that you share my name.”
Katya's fuse was lit, burning down, and an explosion was imminent. How dare he. How fucking dare he. Her father was laying in a hospital bed, missing an eye and a leg. Katya had come close to only having one parent. One member in her immediate family.
And here this man was, berating his youngest daughter, maliciously hurting her, casting her aside. Had already cast her aside, many years ago. Had cast them all aside. Thrown Brie away, like trash. Thrown Vieve away, like she was broken. Thrown Wulfric away, like he wasn't good enough.
“How fucking dare you.”
She'd spoken without realizing it. Both Brie and her dad whipped their heads towards her and watched as she stomped into the room.
“Who the hell are you?” he demanded, standing up straight.
“Someone who actually knows Brighton, unlike you,” Katya snarled, standing between him and his daughter. He narrowed his eyes and pointed at her.
“I know you, you're that girl from next door,” he said.
“I'm that girl who has spent more time with your family than you have,” she spit out at him. “Get the fuck out of her house.”
“How dare you speak to me like this! I bought this house!” he yelled at her.
“Wulfric bought this house,” she corrected him. “And Wulfric raised your daughters, and Wulfric sent them to college. So you know what? I don't think you're fucking welcome here!”
There was a gasp from behind her, and Katya suddenly remembered that Brighton hadn't known any of that. Wulf had always allowed the girls to believe that their mother had been taking care of them all these years.
Well, good. They need to know.
“I don't know who you think you are,” Mr. Stone snarled, stepping up close to her. She didn't move an inch, just glared right back at him. “Probably just another tramp, like her. Why are you even here? For her, or for Wulf? Well, don't you worry, I would never allow some little tramp to ruin everything my son – AH!”
He let out a shout as he was yanked backwards, almost off his feet. Both Katya and Brie shrieked, with Katya backing into the other girl, shielding her. It took her a second to realize what had happened, though, and then she watched with wide eyes as Wulfric dragged his father back by the collar of his jacket.
“Never call me that,” he was growling as he shoved his dad up against a wall.
“What do you think you're doing!?” Mr. Stone demanded.
“I am not your son,” Wulf continued, pinning his father in place. “Get the fuck out of my house, and don't you ever fucking come back.”
“You can't do this to me! I came here because your mother -”
Wulf didn't wait to hear the reason. He yanked his father around by his suit jacket, dragging him to the front door. Once he had it open, he shoved his father out onto the porch.
“Don't come back here,” Wulf said, out of breath as he pointed as his father. “And don't ever speak to Brighton again. Or Vieve, for that matter. If I hear about you contacting them in any way, so help me god, you will regret it.”
“Wulfric, please. Be an adult about this,” his dad insisted, keeping his voice calm as he straightened out his jacket.
Instead of responding, Wulf shut the door in his father's face. They all stayed silent, listening as Mr. Stone banged on it for a minute. Katya held her breath, watching Wulf. He was almost trembling with rage. She could tell he wanted to open the door and end his father, but she got the feeling he was holding back because she and Brighton were in the room.
Speaking of Brighton …
“Oh my god,” she breathed, turning around as soon as they heard Mr. Stone huff down the front walk. “Are you okay!?”
Brighton was flat against the wall, tears streaming down her face. She wasn't wearing a stitch of makeup and she looked young. Much younger than nineteen even. She didn't look at Katya, just stared at her brother.
“How could I not know that?” she finally asked. Wulf stayed facing the door till they heard car tires peeling out of the driveway – Mr. Stone finally leaving.
“What was he doing here?” he asked, ignoring her question as he headed towards them.
“Mom called him, told him about Mr. Tocci. Begged him to come,” Brie explained, wiping at her nose and face.
“Goddammit,” Wulf growled, squeezing his eyes shut tight for a moment. “Why the fuck does she do that!?”
“Why does everyone lie to me!?”
Brighton was screaming. Katya hurriedly stepped away, giving the brother and sister some space.
“Brie,” he sighed. “We didn't lie, we just ...”
“Never told me anything! Does Vieve know?” she demanded. There was another pause.
“She found out a little while ago, yeah,” he was honest.
“God! You all think I'm so stupid! I always thought mom was paying for college. Paying out of child support from him,” she sobbed. “You all wonder why I never talk to you! Now do you see why!?”
“Brie, just calm down, and let's talk about this.”
“No! No, you all are always leaving me out! I'm like the ugly step-sister, you might as well have just chained me up in the basement!” she shouted. He looked bewildered.