Speak To Me

(Tilly)

I stepped towards Shaina's apartment as the sound of shouting and yelling echoed down the hallway.

"No mama, she ruined everything!! I know she did this on purpose..she had to!" Shaina yelled, prompting Rylan's jaw to tick as he stopped before the door and took a deep breath. "Are you sure you want to do this? I can take you home right now Angel.." He whispered worriedly, prompting me to nod up and down as I stepped past him and went to knock on the door. "I'm ready to be done with it..I need to know the truth."

I was tired of being told lie after lie..if my father really had no clue about me..I don't even know what to say. How different would my life have been if my real father were in the picture?

So many thoughts came flooding through my head..maybe I would've been a dancer..a real dancer..and maybe Papa wouldn't have had to work so hard to take care of us and had his accident. Perhaps none of these bad things that have happened in my life would've occurred. But then would I have still met Rylan?

I can't wish for a different life..I know I can't..because where this one led me is where I was always meant to be..by his side.

But maybe I would've been wanted and loved..not that Mama and Papa didn't love me..but by my real parents. Obviously Shaina never wanted me, but perhaps Roger Remington would have..it seemed like Bruce was somewhat excited to see me...were those his true emotions, or all just an act?

Suddenly the apartment went quiet as I heard stomping towards the door. Once it was jerked open, Shaina's now red and swollen eyes landed on me.

"Eddie..you came-" She began, before realizing exactly who I was as her face quickly twisted into a snarl.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" She shouted, causing Mama to rush forward and get between us.

"Tilly..now isn't the time..your sister is hurt, she might say things she doesn't mean." Mama rushed out, making Rylan scoff.

"We have a few things to say ourselves. Tilly is ready to hear the full story...the true story." Rylan spoke up for me as he wrapped his arm around me protectively. "What do you mean? Mija..you have heard the story.."

"Bruce said he never knew about me Mama..that Shaina never told them about me."

"He is lying. He is just trying to gain your trust." Mama defended, glancing towards Shaina who crossed her arms and looked away suspiciously.

"I'm starting to think Bruce isn't the one lying." I said, making everyone grow quiet as Mama looked towards Shaina now.

"Shaina..there isn't something you are hiding from us is there?" She asked, causing Shaina to turn on her heel and storm into her apartment.

"What does it matter? My life is ruined now..it has been since you made me keep Tilly. I didn't want her Mama! Now look at what has happened. Eddie won't answer my calls.." She began ranting as more tears flooded down her cheeks. The sharp cut of her words were like a blade piercing through me.

I was once again reminded of not being wanted.

Rylan was about to say something as I saw the anger ready to explode out of him when Mama seemed to erupt first.

"Shaina Martinez..how could you say that about your own daughter?! If you are hiding something..you better say it now, because if I find out later.." She trailed off, leaving the threat open as Rylan looked at Mama in surprise.

Yeah..when Mama gets mad..she can take control of a room real quick.

"I..I just.." Shaina began to sputter as I stepped forward.

"Just please..tell me the truth and I promise to get out of your life forever."

"Mija! She doesn't want that-" Mama began.

"Fine..if that's what it takes..I will tell you the truth." Shaina interrupted before crossing her hands in front of her chest.

"After meeting Roger in high school..he ended up awakening something inside of me..something Mama always looked down on. Well..I liked getting the attention..and when I decided to mess around a little, well..Roger found out. He broke up with me and that's when I found out I was pregnant. I tried to tell him but his dad decided to ask for proof that you were Rogers, so I ran." She began, making Mama stare at her in shock.

"Considering I was with a few other guys..I didn't want to risk losing Roger. That was until I walked in on him with another girl..he said he still wanted the baby..but he didn't want me." She stated harshly.

"So I said I lied about the baby. I told him I wasn't pregnant and decided to end my pregnancy. I hated him..and I hated you..but Mama found me crying and I broke down and told her. She begged for me to keep you..saying I wouldn't have to do anything. So I said I would..but it didn't mean I wanted to. I tried everything I could to get rid of you without going to a clinic but nothing worked. I should've just run off and gotten it done myself. You have been nothing but a burden-"

Slap!

My jaw dropped..almost as widely as Shaina's as my mother's hand rested mere inches from her cheek that she had just slapped.

"I have never been so disgusted and disappointed with someone in my life. I am ashamed to even call you my daughter.." Mama gritted through her teeth as she suddenly stepped back before swaying. "Mama!" I rushed out, going to catch her as I saw her face turn pale.

"Don't believe her Tilly..please don't let those things get into your head. You have been a blessing..a true blessing for me and Papa." She began to sob as I nodded and felt her arms wrap around me tightly. "Why don't you take her out into the hallway." Rylan suggested while holding my lower back gently.

"What will you do?" I asked, seeing Shaina glance between us as fear suddenly filled her.

"Don't worry..I won't hurt her..physically at least." Rylan stated, making me peer up at him with so much emotion and love..he wanted to make sure Shaina never hurt me again..he needed to protect me and I wanted him to.. "Okay, I will wait for you outside." I agreed, helping my mom stand up straighter as I looked back at Shaina.

"I hope you enjoy the rest of your life, Shaina. Truthfully though, I don't think you have let me be in it from the start. But I have to thank you for not succeeding in getting rid of me..because now I'm married to the man of my dreams and get to live the life you always dreamed of having. Karma doesn't get any sweeter than that." I said with a small smile, making Shaina look at me in shock as I watched Rylan's lips curl up as well.

I'm not one to act like a bitch..but in this instance, I think it was called for. I can honestly say Shaina deserves everything she is about to get..not just from Rylan, but from the family she has hidden me from all of these years. I have a feeling Bruce isn't going to be as gentle as my husband is.

"Come on Mama, let's go." I whispered, making Mama nod as she leaned into me.

"Mama! You can't leave me with him! I'm your daughter, not Tilly! How can you do this to me!" Shaina screeched as I helped Mama out into the hallways and stopped for a moment, looking back.

I watched as Shaina cowered in fear, her body stumbling backward as Rylan stepped closer to her and leaned down.

"What are you going to do to me?!" She rushed, and what I heard him say in response just as the door began to close..it actually made butterflies flood through me.

"I'm going to ruin your pathetic excuse of a life.."

To know someone loves me this much..that they are willing to destroy anyone or anything that threatens to hurt me..it made me fall even more in love with this man. And maybe something is wrong with me for feeling that way..but Rylan Walters is the only person who has ever truly fought for me...and I know for a fact I would do the same for him.