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“I overheard them talking about my mother, and then me. Specifically, about how I was a freak because I didn’t look like them. They laughed at my nerdy clothes, how I wore braces, they tore apart every aspect of who I was, right down to how my mother must be sleeping with all their fathers just to be a part of the elite group of ladies who attended the country club.”
When I finally take a breath again, Finn scoots closer, his arms wrapping around me. He pulls me against his solid chest. I can feel every peak and valley of his abs and his pectorals. Jarred moves behind me, leaning back against my pillows, allowing me to rest on his chest. My focus, however, is on Finn.
“It’s okay, you can continue,” Finn says, gesturing with his chin for me to talk. There’s something calming about them, having their strength surrounding me is like a fortress built to withstand anything. They’re my protection, my knights.
“I thought I could handle it, but then one of them said I was nothing more than a bastard child, that my mother had me before my parents met.” The moment had shattered my entire being. Confusion and heartbreak had taken hold, and when I went to Dad to ask him about it, he denied it.
“And were they right?” Finn asks as his brows furrow.
“I still don’t know. My father said it’s a lie, that he was my real dad.” Even as I say it, I can hear the doubt in my tone. I wanted so much to trust my father. He was everything to me, but where there is rumor, there is usually some form of truth. “I stewed on it over and over again, and when I brought it up with my mother, she scoffed at me. It was on my sixteenth birthday that I… I was so hurt, that I did something stupid, and I will always be ashamed of myself.”
Finn scoots even closer while Jarred’s arms tighten around me. They hold me as if I’m fragile. Both men waiting for my admission. The one thing I haven’t told anyone outside of my parents. Not even our staff found out about it.
“I tried to commit suicide because I just couldn’t handle the nasty words that kept coming from those girls. They didn’t stop there. My phone and computer were bombarded with emails and messages. In the end, I felt like I was drowning.” It’s only when I blink, do I realize I’m crying. The weight that had been sitting on my shoulders for so long, has finally lifted after I admitted to Jarred and Finn about what I had done.
“Princess,” Finn murmurs the nickname he’s given me as he moves beside me, his arms tangling with Jarred’s as they cocoon me in their warmth.
“Fucking hell, Rosebud,” Jarred grumbles as he presses his lips to my head. The other nickname I’ve been gifted coming from him. With both men here, I finally let go and allow my pain to fall from my lashes. It trickles down my cheeks in rivulets of salty heartbreak. I have held onto it for so long, it feels as if I’m finally free. It’s strange how a few words can change your mindset, sometimes good, and sometimes bad.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that,” Finn says softly, his lips moving over my cheek. “It’s not easy. No fucking pain is, but to make that choice is scary. I can’t imagine not having you here right now.” The genuine emotion in his voice makes my chest expand and my heart fill with affection.
“My father found me in the bathroom. He managed to get me to wake up, even though I was delirious. And ever since, he doted on me more than usual. I just…”
“You survived,” Finn tells me. “And that’s what’s important. I want us to do something,” he announces. “It’s been on my mind for a while, and I think it would be something we can share.”
I arch a brow. “Oh?”
“Tattoos. Matching infinity symbols, which will show our love, our connection, and our future.” Finn isn’t smiling, but there is a gentle affection burning in his gaze.
“We should,” Jarred agrees.
“I’d like that,” I tell them both. “I think my dad would like that too.” The tears in my eyes blur my vision, and they continue to slowly tumble down my cheeks.
“Did you ever find out about your dad?” This comes from Jarred, and I shake my head no in response. “Surely your mother would have told you now that your father has passed,” Jarred ponders, and I want to nod, but I remember the strange conversation we had when I left. When I asked her why she was allowing this, she told me she had a plan. And I realized then, that I had to tell them both.
