Freddy came to the door and was all smiles as he waved us inside. "Thank you, guys, for joining us. It really means the world to us," he stated.

There was a moment when I stepped in the door that I could tell he was thinking about hugging me, but decided against it. Smart move; I didn’t think I was ready for physical contact. He cleared his throat and guided us to the living room, where Edward and Lori were standing with cocktails in hand, chatting what seemed to be pleasantly.

"So good to see you, Hannah. You too, Roman," Edward called over.

"Thanks for inviting us," Roman replied.

"Shall we start the evening with a tour of the new place?" Freddy suggested.

We all shared hesitant nods. They took us around the two-level home. I suspected they had sold the family manor in order to help with the financial bind they had been in, and had downsized to that modern marvel of a home.

Downsizing felt like a bit of a poor description, as I knew that it was a massive home even for just two guys. However, it was certainly a downsize from what we had been raised in.

The home was all steel, exposed brick and piping, modern artwork, and state-of-the-art appliances. It looked like something someone could find in one of those Architect Digest magazines.

Lori was in awe, making many cheerful comments about what they could do to improve the place, what they were doing well, and how she would love to talk to them about maybe staging some shots in the space when hers and Lauren’s business began to take off. All of which our brothers were compliant to. It slightly irritated me, how things were already going so well for them, but it felt like my own hang up. It would just take some more time to adjust to being around them.

Some may have found it weird that adult siblings lived together, but the two had always been partners in crime, completely inseparable as they worshiped at my father’s feet. Maybe there was some sort of codependence going on—I wasn’t sure, and moreover, wasn’t sure I cared, but I knew it made sense because of how involved they were in the business.

After the tour, we stepped into the dining room to find dinner being served by the caterers I assumed they hired for the evening. It was a roasted duck dinner with fingerling potatoes and bitter greens, paired with what looked to be a well-vintaged white wine, but I was going to stick to water. As much as I wanted to take the edge off, I knew that alcohol wasn’t the solution.

"It smells heavenly," Lori cooed.

"Thank you," Freddy smiled. "It’s a caterer that has worked with the company on many, many occasions. The food is always superb."

"Haven’t thought of learning to cook for yourself?" Lori asked with a light laugh.

"I don’t think either of us want that," Edward chimed in with a snort. "That man could burn water."

"Oh, as if you’re much better," Freddy retorted. He flourished his fork with a piece of duck on the end. "We simply don’t have the time for that. It’s been really an overwhelming task to take over the business. Rewarding, sure, but we basically eat, sleep, and breathe business. I’m afraid it’s going to stay like that for quite some time, but I’m sure it’ll pay off."

"Well, don’t work yourselves into early graves," Roman added on pleasantly enough.

"How has business been for you?" Freddy asked Roman with a tone of sincere interest. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the question. What if they were just trying to feel out if they could comfortable ask for money?

"It’s been kind. With the news of everything that took place, it could have gone either way. I’m happy to report it seems to have swung in favor," Roman replied rather plainly, as if he could have been reporting the weather.

"And you, Hannah?" Edward asked. "What have you been up to?"

My heart thumped in my chest. If there was ever a weak spot for my brothers, it was with Edward. While the two of them had been perfectly vile to me growing up and especially recently, there had been times growing up that I had seen a different side to him. A couple of times I managed to spend time with him alone, he had always seemed concerned and somewhat sensitive. The time he took to teach me self defense had been the best memories I had with my brothers. At least, the two that were sitting at the table with me.

Those memories weren’t enough to mend the new, open wounds they had created. It was going to take time and effort on their part. Still, I had to give a little myself.

"Just getting used to this new life. A calm, normal life," I answered as confidently as I could.

"Oh? Do tell," Freddy chuckled, leaning in as though I would have something remarkable to say. Or was he being condescending? There was never really any telling with him.

I shrugged and forked my duck. "I don’t know what to say. Haven’t been up to a lot. Just taking time to process, I guess."

"Oh, she’s being modest. She told me the other day she’s taken up pottery! Isn’t that lovely?" Lori cooed. "I think maybe one day she could partner with Lauren and me."

I didn’t want to be annoyed or frustrated with Lori, I knew she meant no harm. However, I didn’t like her speaking for me. "Maybe," I nodded, though my voice gave away that I was doubtful of what I was saying.

"That’s exciting. What all have you made?" Edward asked.

"Just some dishes," I shrugged. "I’m not sure I’ll keep up with it."

"She also made a beautiful sculpture that incorporated the shells from our second honeymoon," Roman added in. "Even if she doesn’t pursue it as a career, it’ll certainly be a blessing to see all that she creates through the years."

He was trying to recover the situation, but he was starting to upset me too. Why did everyone feel the need to try and talk for me? Maybe I was being too quiet, but it was a lot to process. I shifted in my seat and did my best to ignore the building feeling of frustration.

"So, can I ask why you guys moved?" Lori asked the brothers.

Freddy and Edward shared a look and then Freddy cleared his throat to answer. "Well, I mean, the two of us didn’t need the manor all to ourselves. The sell of the house helped the business get out of a bit of a rut."

Lori nodded and then furrow her brow. "Did you talk to dad about any of it? Are you guys talking to him?"

The silence that fell over the room was palpable. It was suddenly tense, and all eyes were on Freddy. His jaw was locked and his eyes intense as he locked gazes with not Lori, but me. "We haven’t spoken a word to him since he was arrested. I don’t want it to even be a thought that we’ve been talking to him. We understand he was a monster."

I could feel myself starting to snap, but I was trying so hard to keep it in. "Do you, though?" I asked, my tone a bit pointed.

Edward put his arms on the table and sat perfectly straight. "I want you to know that we have reflected a great deal. I mean that. There were issues with dad we knew all along. We will never, I think, ever forgive ourselves for not acting in either of your best interests. We were going through some difficult things, different from you, but it was enough to have us turn a blind eye. Not that it makes it right... You have to understand—"

"I have to understand what?" I snapped.

"There were a lot of moving parts back then, Hannah," Freddy urged tenderly.

I was sickened by his tone. I didn’t want his tenderness. I didn’t think I wanted anything from him, at least not while I had this twisted pain in my chest. Of betrayal. Of their lack of action to help protect myself or my other siblings.

"What sort of moving parts?" I snapped. "The parts where the two of you were the golden children and the rest of us were left to feel the heat of father’s wrath? For Lori and me to be treated like commodities rather than people? That no one at all stood up for us? What moving parts am I missing?"

"There’s more to it than just that," Edward frowned.

"How?" I asked, slamming my silverware down. "What more to it was thare than the two of you treating Lori and I just as father did? And now that he’s gone, you suddenly want a connection to us? You’re suddenly new people? Do you know how that seems? How is any of this meant to be seen as anything other than grand manipulation to get into our favor for some sort of gain?"

"The only thing we want to gain are our sisters," Freddy replied.

"You always had us! You just didn’t care!" I stood up then, my chest heaving. This was it. I was going to let them have it.