Sakura quickly showered to wash off the soapy bubbles from her body and then dried herself. She got dressed in her jeans and pullover from yesterday and then put some moisturizer on her face. A layer of lip gloss went on her lips next, and, leaving her long hair wet, she rushed out of the bathroom.
She was glad the brothers weren’t there at the door when she came out. With Toby by her feet, the pair made their way along the corridor into the living area.
Her adoptive parents and brothers were waiting for her patiently. She came to sit beside Brenda and James while Toby chose to jump on Darcy’s lap and made himself comfortable there.
Sakura said to her parents, “Why are the brothers here?”
James glanced at his sons and then turned his attention to his daughter. “Sakura, your brothers need to know what happened that night eighteen years ago.”
“Why?” she asked, a guarded look on her face.
Sebastian said, “Sakura. Dad said you might be in danger.”
Sakura’s whole demeanor stiffened at that statement, and her eyes flicked to him.
“We want to help you,” Sebastian said.
“We want to protect you,” Darcy said. “Please tell us so we can understand.”
All the brothers nodded at this, and Sakura found she had no other choice but to trust them and tell them her side of the story. She was tired of running and she was tired of being so afraid all the time. Most of all, she was tired of the nightmares. Perhaps, just perhaps, once she confronted her demon, Mrs. Byrd, then her nightmares would go away and she could live peacefully. Maybe.
She cast her eyes down to her cold hands and said quietly, “Are you all sure you want to help me? I mean…” She trailed off, thinking about the relationship between her and the brothers during their childhood. Thinking about Tara, whom they used to love a lot, and Alaina, their beloved sister. What if what she was about to tell them affected how these men thought about and saw Tara and Alaina? What if…?
No. She needed to stop thinking about other people and concentrate more on herself. She needed to get her life sorted out. She needed to get this mess sorted out. She wasn’t going to be a frightened kitten, afraid of that big bad wolf Mrs. Byrd who abused not only her, but the other children in the orphanage and burned down their only home.
She lifted her head and said, her voice stronger and calmer, “Are you sure it’s okay with you guys? Things I’m about to tell you will affect how you see certain people. I mean, I don’t know, but it might.”
Nicolas said, “Sakura, you’re a Princeton, and we Princetons stick together. We’re your brothers. We’re here to help.”
Sakura turned her eyes to James for support. At his affirmative nod, she continued. “I suppose the story started the day I was born. I’m not sure how, but I was told I was found on the doorstep of the orphanage with just this.” She pulled out her necklace with the cherry blossom pendant made out of pink diamonds.
Sebastian remembered she’d always worn that necklace since she’d been little.
“And a letter. I think it said, My daughter’s name is Sakura. And that’s it.”
“Sakura,” Conrad said, “I didn’t know any of this.” He came to sit next to her, squeezing himself between Sakura and his father, and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry.”
Sakura chuckled brokenly. “I was always called the devil’s child, Conrad, with my very black hair and pale skin.”
The rest of the brothers remembered that. Tara had always called her the devil’s child, and now more than ever, it really hurt that they just stood by and did nothing.
“I was abused by Mrs. Byrd, Tara’s mother. You know, whipping and slapping and all sorts of things. Not to mention not having meals now and again.”
“Is that why you got used to it?” Nicolas asked. “Missing the meals.”
Sakura nodded. “Yes. I got used to missing meals and it kind of stuck.” She sighed deeply. “That night eighteen years ago, I had one of my nightmares.” She skipped the part about her being so scared and alone and then her prayer to God to be adopted by the Princetons. They didn’t need to know that part. Thinking back, she must have seemed so desperate and lonely.
“I was thirsty and went down to the kitchen to have a glass of milk. I made sure no one saw me, especially Mrs. Byrd. Because if she had seen me… Well, anyway, I went in and there she was, pouring liquid on everything. I didn’t realize until later that it was gasoline. She saw me there, and I think she was afraid I’d tell. She slapped me and demanded I not tell. I…I…” She took a deep breath as tears began to brew in her eyes. “She struck me on the head with a rolling pin.”
Sakura didn’t know this, but the brothers looked angry and flabbergasted that a grown woman would strike an innocent child. Conrad looked like he wanted to cry. Nicolas scowled darkly and nudged his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Hayden fisted his hands into balls and wanted to commit murder. Logan gritted his teeth at the brutal treatment, and of their beloved sister no less. Tristan looked like he wanted to punch someone’s face.
Sebastian’s face was hard and cold, his body tense as he stared at the woman he loved, the woman who had been abused and mistreated when she was a child. All he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and comfort her and protect her.
Darcy, too, had his eyes on her. The mauve-gray color glinted in his cold, frosty gaze, reflecting the anger for Mrs. Byrd and passion and love for the young woman before him. His face was a dark mask as he listened to Sakura’s tormented past, her abused childhood that none of them knew about and could never imagine the depths of her pain.
“I was bleeding and she just left me lying there in the kitchen,” Sakura said. “The whole place was on fire.”
“Ugh!” Conrad said. “That is disgusting. She was leaving you for dead.”
“I could have died,” Sakura said, “if the fire alarm didn’t go off and one of the staff didn’t come into the kitchen. She saw me and screamed. But she got ahold of herself and took me out before it was too late.”
Conrad tightened his arms around her again and said, “I’m so glad Dad decided to adopt you.”
Sakura chuckled. “Me, too.” She rested her head against his shoulder, a smile on her lips, though there were tears in her eyes.
Conrad was happy she accepted his embrace and beamed delightedly at his brothers. Tristan decided to be jealous of Conrad, to which Logan chuckled and said teasingly, “Do you want to hug Sakura, too?”
Tristan was about to reply yes when Sosuke’s panicky voice came loud and clear from the door. “Oba-chan!” he shouted.
“Oba-chan!” Akira screamed, tears in her eyes.