Tyson POV

"Mom?" I say, unable to comprehend the fact that my mom was here, in the hospital. Right now. In Tiana's room.

What?

"Tyson," she says, adoration, guilt and something akin to sympathy shining in her eyes.

"What... what are you doing here?" I ask, a little unsure of myself for some reason.

"Your friend Xavier told me where you were," she says, looking hesitant.

"That bastard. I told him not to let anyone know," I curse. Tiana won't be very happy about this.

"I told him it was an emergency," she says, looking at me... desperately.

To say I am nervous would be an understatement.

I am terrified.

Mom always left the word 'emergency' for actual emergencies. Like the time Jar feel down two flights of stairs. Or the time I got into a fight and had to be taken to the emergency room due to a head injury. These were emergencies to her. Life or death situations. If mom were to use the word 'emergency' then there is always a cause to be scared.

"Mom," I ask again, this time sounding scared.

She smiles. But it isn't happy. "I never wanted to tell you, because I thought that I could handle this myself. But the situation is such that I have to involve you," she says and with every word my dread grows higher.

She takes a deep breath, then says "Your original parents are trying to claim you back."

I pull in a deep breathe. Whatever I was expecting, it wasn't that. I'm filled with fear, sadness and... happiness. I never expressed it, but I was always hurt that my parents just kicked me out of their lives. Just like that. Without remorse. Like I was just a thorn in their foot. So I can't help but feel happy and a little hopeful about this situation. Not enough to just jump into their arms, but enough to maybe give them a chance.

My mom sees my hopeful expression and grimaces. "There's more."

I sigh deeply and nod, telling her to continue.

"There's a reason they want you back. And it's not sudden love for you and remorse for their actions," she says, then pauses, letting me take it all in and also to stall a little, probably.

My heart hurts a little, but I'm used to it. So I nod for her to continue. And I hold myself, waiting for the blow.

"Let me start from the beginning," she says. "You know your father owns a famous clothing store, right?" she asks. I nod. "Well he wasn't actually the only owner of the business. He had two partners," she says, then pauses.

"Your parents. The two partners are your parents, Tyson," mom says and my eyes widen.

"W-What?" I say, shocked beyond words.

She nods grimly. "Yeah. And they were the ones gaining most of the profits too. Your Father didn't like this. So he stole some designers designs and put the whole blame on your parents. Your parents had to hand over all their money and belongings to your Father as a result. The only reason they weren't in jail was because Teresa was pregnant with you. But Ethan, your biological father, had to spend the first two years in jail. They were already struggling, but with you in the picture, life was horrible for them. So your Father struck a deal with them. They give you to him, and they get a lot of money in return. They readily agreed to it. But they didn't want you to know, so they kicked you out to the streets. Then your Father
conveniently found you in the streets and decided to take you in. With the money your parents got, they decided to build another store. That's how much money they got. So over the years they grew in profits and name. And now they want you back," Mom finishes, and I sit back on my chair. My legs are not steady enough to carry me right now.

"Oh," I say, my voice wavering.

After a few seconds, I ask "What did you m-mean when you said that th-they don't want me back for l-love?"

Mom sighs. "They want you back for revenge. Believe it or not,your dad actually cares for you. He just has a horrible way of showing it. Plus if they have you, they feel like they may put a black mark on your fathers reputation," she says, grimly.

I laugh humourlessly. "I highly doubt Father cares for me."

"Trust me, he does. He wouldn't have kept you home for this long if he hadn't," Mom says.

I sigh. Then a thought comes to mind.

"You...You knew. This entire time you knew. You knew who my parents were. You knew about them wanting me back. You knew about what Father did to them. You knew," I say, feeling betrayed.

Mom sighs again. "Yes, I did. While I admit it wasn't the best decision, I thought I was protecting you. I didn't want you to feel hurt or upset. So I tried to solve it. Turns out I couldn't. I'm so so sorry Ty. But I couldn't see you hurt. You've already gone through enough," she says.

"Did it ever occur to you that maybe I'd be more hurt knowing you kept such an important part of my life away from me? I trusted you! You and Jar were the only people I trust whole-heartfelt and you do this," I say, the quiet down when I hear Tiana mumble in her sleep. I smile involuntarily when I hear my name among her ramblings. She's so precious.

Mom laughs. "That girl has got you wrapped around her finger, doesn't she?" she says, smiling softly.

"And I'll have her wrapped around mine to. I'm going to make her mine, and I'm going to become hers," I say, my determination spiking higher with each word.

"That's quite the declaration," Mom states, eyebrows raised.

I sigh. "I don't know why mom. But I want to."

"The best things are usually the ones that come as a surprise," she says, smiling softly.

I raise an eyebrow. "You don't say."

She laughs. "You came as a surprise, didn't you? Look how well that turned out. I got a wonderful son and Jar got an amazing elder brother," she says, a smile brightening her face.

I smile. "Thanks mom."

She smiles. "No problem. I can see how much she has affected you. You're already more mature," Mom teases, smirking. I blush. I hate blushing. How do girls like that?

"Yeah well.." is all I mumble and mom laughs and pinches my cheek.

"You're adorable like this," she laughs, her blonde hair shaking.

"Whatever," I say, scowling.

Mom laughs harder. I scowl harder.

Tiana shakes in her sleep again, and mumbles something about 'Piggies'. I smile when I realise that it's about me again, since that's the nick name she kept for me.

"Why the big smile?" Mom asks, looking amused.

"She said 'don't leave Piggy'," I say, gesturing to a sleeping Tiana.

"So?" Mom asks.

"That's the nick name she kept for me," I say proudly.

"Is that something to be proud of?" Mom asks, one eyebrow raised.

"With Tiana it is," I say, smiling.

"Can I ask why she's here," Mom asks softly and I immediately frown.

"She's has the most horrible life Mom," I say, sighing deeply.

"Oh?" Mom prompts.

"Yeah. Even worse than mine. The worst I've seen till now. And she has no friends to talk to. No friends, no siblings, no mother. Nobody," I say, sighing sadly.

"No mother?" Mom asks, surprised.

I shake my head. "Her mom's a a drug addict."

Mom's eyebrows go wide. "What about her dad?"

"Don't talk about that bastard. It's his fault. He was the one that beat her up and raped her," I spit out, rage filling me.

Mom gasps. "Shit. No one should ever go through that alone."

I sigh. "I made it worse Mom. I made a bet with Xavier. A bet to sleep with her for 100 bucks. She knew about it. I made it worse," I say, regret and shame lacing my words.

Mom looks angry. "Why would you do that?!"

"I didn't know, okay? I'm sorry!"

"You better make it right. Girls are not toys for you to play with them like that," mom says, the angry expression not leaving her face.

"I know. And I faced the consequences," I say, looking sadly at Tiana.

"What do you mean?" Mom asks, though the anger still didn't leave her face.

"I was the one who found her when she... when she tried to kill herself," I say, the words coming out a whisper.

My mom sucked in a breathe. "Oh."

"Yeah," I say, remorse lacing my voice. "She... she was lying in a tub of water mixed with her own blood. M-Mom it was horrible. I have never felt more scared before. I had to carry her out of it," I say miserably.

Mom looks at me sympathetically.

"You be there for this girl, okay son? I want you to be there for her and make sure she isn't alone. And I'm going to make sure her mother starts to actually behave like a mother," mom says. If there's one thing I learnt from her, it's her determination.

"Thanks mom," I say, smiling.

"So what's her name?" Mom asks, wiggling her eyebrows. I groan but reply anyway.

"Tiana Collins," I say softly, smiling slightly. I say her name reverently, like it's the most beautiful of revelations.

Mom frowns. "Collins?" Mom asks.

Whatever she was thinking wasn't good.

"Yeah...?"

"Is she, by any chance, the daughter of Andrew Collins?" Mom asks.

I remember that name from her diary and it indeed stated that he's her father so I say "Yeah, how'd you know?"

Mom's frown deepens. "That's the name of the lawyer who your parents hired so that they could claim you."

My eyes widen. "Oh."

Mom continues. "While your parents and me and you Father were arguing, I saw him go somewhere to take a call. I too went to go to the restroom. I heard him talk. He talked to two people."

"Who?" I ask, curious.

"The first one promising to give the caller some money he probably borrowed. And not to do anything to him or his house yet.." Mom says, then trails off.

What sort of trouble has Tiana's father gotten into?

"And?" I ask.

Mom sighs.

"The second is for a plane ticket to leave the country as soon as he finishes our case."

"Fuck," I say when the realisation hits me. "He's planning on leaving after selling the house and using the money to pay off the debt! He's going to leave Tiana and her mom homeless! Fucking hell! That bastard! Shit. HOW DARE HE??"

"No," someone whispers and I turn to see the tear-streaked face of Tiana Collins.

Shit
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Hey everyone! Long time no see, huh? Sorry about that...

But I went on a road trip with my family and it was amazing!!! I felt so free from tension and all shit in life!!

Well shits getting real in the story. See you guys in the next chapter!!

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OMG I'VE GOT 1.5 K VIEWS FOR THIS!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO READ THIS!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Next will be Tiana's POV again!! And please tell me if there are any mistakes or any ways to improve this chapter/story.

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