Speak To Me

(Gabriella)

I peered down at my hands anxiously as the sight of my small bump beneath it made my heart ache softly. I knew deep down that what Katrina was about to tell us might bring that clarity I so desperately needed, but I was still nervous to hear it.

Unlike Grant..I didn't view my mother's death as her leaving me until recently. I always thought it was an accident and she would never leave me willingly..I saw her as my guardian angel..hoping she was still watching over me and I would one day make her proud of who I had become.

But once the news came out that her death was actually ruled as a suicide..it changed everything. I felt abandoned and unwanted. Of course Jamie was quick to deny that..and truthfully, if it wasn't for him, I don't know how I would've been able to handle that news otherwise. He got me through so many hard times in the past few months..and now here he is again right by my side, getting me through this again.

"I know you have questions about what happened to your mother." Katrina began, her gaze focused on the empty space in her lap as she seemed to lack any type of emotion..she wasn't like this earlier.

I glanced toward Grayson, his own gaze locked onto Katrina's face as he seemed to be deep in thought about something. He was the one who asked Grant and me into the library. He said Katrina wanted to tell us something and that's when we were informed that it was in fact about our mother.

I was too stunned to ask any questions. But when I tried to approach Katrina, she didn't even look me in the eyes. She just told me to sit down and that she wanted to tell me something.

"What I'm about to tell you..it has been weighing heavily on my mind, and I didn't know exactly how to bring it up.." She confessed, making me nod softly as Jamie pulled me closer to his side. I was practically sitting in his lap at this point.

"When..when the fire happened.." She began, her eyes fluttering closed as I watched Grayson go to reach for her. But the moment his hand touched her arm, she jumped.

Grayson recoiled, hurt flashing across his face as he stared at Katrina sadly.

"J-just take your t-time it's okay." I spoke up, seeing she was obviously struggling with this.

"I overheard my mother say something..it was directed at my grandmother." She continued.

"My grandma Georgia blamed what was happening on my mother, saying if she would've just let Amber run with Gabriella, that none of this would've happened. Instead, my mother chose to seek revenge.." Katrina spoke quietly, the guilt clear on her face as she peered up at me. "She was there the night before..she went to visit you and your mother..Grandma Georgie gave my mother the money to bribe your mom..but instead..she used it to purchase the pills. She made her take them, Gabriella..threatening your life if she didn't.."

I felt my heart drop...the memory of my mother's cold body lying in front of me was still so fresh in my mind that I couldn't help the sob that escaped me. I didn't remember much about back then..but that image..it was burned into me.

"She forced her.." Grant muttered..his eyes wide with shock as the realization set in.

"That fucking bitch!" He screamed, making Katrina flinch as tears started to fall from her eyes.

"I'm sorry.." She squeaked, making Grayson rush to her side.

"Hey, it's okay...you didn't have anything to do with it." He rushed out, and I couldn't help but agree..this wasn't Katrina's fault...not in the slightest.

"But I was no better..I watched as the abuse went on for years..even adding to it like a coward. I'm ashamed to have that woman's blood running through my veins..so ashamed." Her head dropped, the disgust she held in her voice making the room grow quiet as I started to pull from Jamie's warm embrace.

"Gabriella.." He warned, the worry in his voice evident as I tried to give him a reassuring smile.

I know he was worried about me being too stressed for the babies..but I was a lot calmer than I thought I would be.

"M-my sister n-needs me." I whispered, seeing his brow furrow before nodding softly as I got up and went towards Katrina.

I couldn't help but reach out my hand, grabbing her silk-covered one as I heard her gasp in response.

"Th-thank you for telling us..and K-katrina..you have no reason to f-feel quietly." I whispered, seeing those Hazel eyes filled with so much sadness and despair.

"I don't deserve to be here..I should've died right there beside them Gabriella..but maybe this was my reason for living..to give you the closure you needed."

"Don't...Don't you dare fucking say that." Grayson snapped as anger seemed to pulse off of him in waves.

Katrina just turned her head to look at him..the look in her eyes was empty and lacking any type of emotion.

"It's the truth.." Katrina stated firmly.

"K-Katrina..that isn't true..y-you are so much more than they ever were..and I c-can see how much you have ch-changed already..this is your s-second chance...our s-second chance." I rushed out, trying to get those bad thoughts out of her head. She couldn't truly feel that way, could

she?

"I think I would like to go lay down." She suddenly blurted, making me just stare at her for a few moments, trying to think of what to say that would make this better.

Truthfully..I didn't know what to do right now..and I could see Grant was struggling as well..this had to be even harder for him to hear because I know he held a lot of anger for our mom leaving. So to hear she was murdered..it leaves a lot of what-ifs..if she had lived, would she have gone back to get Grant eventually?

"I will take you." Grayson offered, making Katrina shake her head no.

"I can do it on my own.."

Before I could say anything, Katrina gripped my hand again, the look in her eyes filling with sadness as she stared up at me.

"Gabriella..I'm truly sorry for everything I have done to you..I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but just seeing you happy is enough. Thank you for giving me this moment.." She whispered, causing my heart to ache as I bent down, hugging her tightly.

"I d-do forgive you, Kat..I do..and w-with time we will g-grow even closer. I just know it.." I rushed out, my words causing Katrina to break down into sobs as I suddenly heard glass break behind me.

"Grant, you just need to calm down..let's go get some air." Grayson rushed as he stood beside Grant now, trying to calm him down.

"And you..don't even think about going upstairs without me..I'm serious Kat..wait for me." Grayson snapped as he tried to usher Grant out of the room.

I felt my heart being pulled in two. I wanted to go with Grant and comfort him..but I also didn't want to leave Katrina alone.

"It's okay..go..your brother needs you." Katrina encouraged, making me frown as I glanced toward Jamie who just seemed worried about me.

"I-I will be right b-back. Please just wait for us." I said, making Katrina nod once before giving me an encouraging smile.

I could hear Grant yelling and breaking down, this news was really hitting him hard as I rushed towards the hallway with Jamie..but something made me pause at the door..my head turning back briefly as I stared at my sister for a moment.

What I saw on her face was a look I will never forget..the look of a truly broken person..and yet I still walked out of that room. The worry I felt for Grant clouded my judgment as I heard his cries of anger and regret.

But if I had known what Katrina was thinking of doing..if I had known just how deep that pain went..I would've stayed. I should've stayed..