I maintained my composure and fixed my gaze on Mr. Holt, who kept his head down, engrossed in his meal. "I don't think I can go anywhere right now," I said softly, "The school is starting again, and I've already missed many days. I don't want to miss any more classes or training sessions." I uttered these words, a subtle reminder of the promises he had probably used to deceive me. He mumbled, still not looking at me, "We can discuss it later," but I had piqued Maleeka's interest. She appeared shocked to hear the word "school" coming from my lips. "She's planning to go back to school. You're aware that she can't, right?" Maleeka scowled, displaying clear resistance. "Why not?" This time, I asked her directly, as her interference in my affairs had been ongoing since the morning. I couldn't help but wonder why she was directing her anger solely at me. After all, it was her husband who had brought me here and kept her existence a secret from me. Why was I the one receiving all the blame? She growled, "I'm not talking to you, little girl," and turned to her husband. It was astonishing. She was clearly furious, but her anger was aimed at me, not her husband, who was the true instigator of this argument. "But you are talking about me," I retorted, causing her to clench her teeth and jaw. "What gives you the right to make decisions for me?" I challenged her, which surprised her enough to share a glance with Mr. Holt, silently urging him to intervene. "Enough, both of you. I will decide what she can and cannot do," he finally placed his spoon in his dish and shot a stern look at Maleeka, silencing her. "Fine. Spoil her then. You can either make her your wife or your daughter, and judging by how she's bossing you around, I can see her becoming your parent," Maleeka muttered, her arms folded on the table. I couldn't fathom why she chose to make my life difficult when it was undoubtedly her husband's fault that I was now in her home. "That's enough. Don't stir up trouble in my marriage," Mr. Holt shamelessly requested her to stay out of it. I felt bewildered because it seemed that Maleeka was aware of my presence, and Mr. Holt didn't appear particularly remorseful for what he had done to both of us. Mr. Holt turned his attention away from our discussion and looked behind me, making me realize that someone had approached from behind. "Oh, look who decided to show up," he remarked, shaking his head and pointing towards a vehicle entering the parking lot. The sound of a car arriving at the house had caught my attention as well, diverting both of theirs. Maleeka made an immediate attempt to stand, but Mr. Holt was still engaged with her. "Did you tell him everything?" he questioned, his face angled as he looked her in the eye. I sat there, attempting to make sense of the dynamics within this family. "He's my brother; he'll find out eventually," she argued before finally getting up to join her brother. I remained seated, pondering how much I would have to endure now that her brother had arrived.It was concerning that I didn't even know how many people lived in this house. I wished I had taken the time to research Mr. Holt instead of wasting it on investigating Atticus. "So, you better advise him to obey, or else you'll face the consequences," Mr. Holt warned her before her brother arrived to confront him. Maleeka snorted in response to Mr. Holt's warning before turning away from us. I decided to divert my attention to the food, not wanting to get entangled in their personal matters. I picked up a sandwich and started eating. I was here, and I had no choice but to endure, as I hadn't done anything wrong. I heard approaching footsteps from behind me, and judging by the way Mr. Holt adjusted his posture, I could tell that Maleeka's brother was making his way over to speak with Mr. Holt. "No, stop! Don't do anything," Maleeka rushed back with her brother, who was likely furious about his brother-in-law's affair. My body twitched inexplicably as Maleeka's brother approached from behind. There was an eerie sense of familiarity, as if I had known him in the past. "So, you decided to come home because your sister called and filled you in on what's been happening around here?" Mr. Holt's true nature, one of mockery and malice, which he had concealed from me and others, was now on full display. He spoke to everyone with a sneering tone, despite acting like an adult when he clearly was not. After a moment of tense silence, her brother finally spoke, and my heart sank in my chest. "Spare me this lecture; why the hell did you betray my sister like that after she did so much for you?" As her brother reached for Mr. Holt, the shock in his voice sent shivers down my spine. The sandwich in my hand tumbled onto my plate when I unmistakably recognized the voice. There was no way I couldn't recognize him, but the situation was so complex and messed up that I couldn't bring myself to exhale the breath I had been holding. With every word he spoke, a growing sense of terror began to envelop me. I had no idea that my fate would unravel like this, tearing me apart. Yet, here I was, facing another colossal mess waiting to engulf me. I cautiously turned around and stood up to face the person who had been speaking. He had been standing beside me, his gaze fixed on Mr. Holt, but I could clearly see him, and I knew who he was. "Atticus!" I whispered his name in disbelief, gasping for breath and struggling to process the situation. It seemed like I was the only one in shock, while everyone else appeared to be angry. He was Maleeka's brother.