Catarina's eyes fluttered open, her mind racing with thoughts and worries. She tried to calm herself down, but her body was on high alert, making it impossible for her to relax. Catarina knew it hasn't been even a full day since she found out she wasn't the daughter of Evans so she moved to New York City where her biological family is. She knows her family is known to be extremely poor, yet her brother best friend who is just strange asked her older brother what she liked. But what Catarina knew was this family was just far too strange not simple at all! She laid backwards on the bed.
Catarina's eyes closed, her mind whirling with thoughts of her new family and their peculiar behavior. She couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to them than met the eye. Her brother's best friend, Ryder, seemed particularly enigmatic, and his interest in her was unsettling. Catarina's body tensed, her senses on high alert, as she tried to make sense of the strange new world she had entered.
As she lay there, Catarina's thoughts turned to her children, and she wondered how they were adjusting to this new reality. She had always been their rock, their protector, and now she felt like she was navigating uncharted waters herself. The sound of the hospital room door opening made her sit up, and she saw Lucas walking in with a cup of coffee in his hand.
"Hey, sis, I brought you some coffee," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"I thought you could use a pick-me-up." Catarina's eyes narrowed, her mind still racing with thoughts.
"Lucas, can I ask you something?" she said, her voice low. Lucas nodded, his expression serious.
"Of course, what is it?"
"Is our family really poor?" Catarina asked. Lucas looked away.
"Little sis everyone is comfortable plus you will be moving into mom and dad place they are super excited after meeting you at lunch they just can't shut up," Lucas said. Catarina's eyes sparkled with amusement as she watched her brother try to dodge the question. She could tell he was hiding something, but she decided to let it slide for now. She took another sip of her coffee, feeling the warmth spread through her body. As she stood up, she felt a sense of renewed energy and clarity. "I think I'm ready to go home now," she said, her voice firm. Lucas nodded, a smile on his face. "I'll take you to mom and dad's place. They're really excited to have you stay with them." Catarina's eyes narrowed slightly, her mind still racing with questions. But for now, she was willing to play along and see where this new chapter in her life would take her. She followed Lucas out of the hospital room, her children by her side, and together they walked towards a new and uncertain future.
As they walked out of the hospital, Catarina was struck by the bright sunlight and the hustle and bustle of the city. She felt a sense of disorientation, as if she was still trying to wrap her head around the events of the past 24 hours. Lucas led her to a sleek black car, and he opened the door for her and the children.
"Welcome to your new ride, sis," he said with a grin. Catarina's eyes widened as she took in the luxurious interior of the car. She felt a pang of unease, wondering how her family could afford such a expensive vehicle if they were truly poor. She pushed the thought aside and helped the children into their seats, trying to focus on the present moment. As they drove through the city, Catarina couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and trepidation. What would her new life be like? What secrets was her family hiding? And what lay ahead for her and her children?
As they drove through the city, Catarina gazed out the window, taking in the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets. The children chattered excitedly in the backseat, asking Lucas questions about their new home and their grandparents. Catarina's mind wandered, her thoughts still reeling from the revelation about her family's past. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story, that there were secrets and lies hidden beneath the surface. The car turned onto a quiet street, lined with elegant townhouses and manicured lawns. Lucas pulled up in front of a beautiful brownstone, with a warm glow emanating from the windows.
"Welcome home, sis," he said, smiling. Catarina's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the impressive house. It was far more luxurious than she had expected, and she couldn't help but wonder what other surprises lay in store for her.
Catarina grabbed her brother shoulder wasn't the type to touch someone shoulders or get physical but an idea popped in her mind. "Did you guys borrow from the Loan Sharks?" Catarina asked. Fairy, Apollo, and Sasha also nodded their head they heard that mama biological parents were poor.
"Loan Sharks?" Lucas asked he looked shocked but he coughed he of course remembered what his mother and father told me to keep low key for now not scare his sister away.
"Little sis just few bucks."
"Sell the place and rent a smaller place!"
"No can do." Catarina felt like her bride new family was just hopeless
Catarina's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with thoughts of loan sharks and financial troubles. Lucas's evasive response only added to her concerns. She felt a sense of frustration and worry, wondering how her family had gotten themselves into such a mess. The children's innocent faces only made her feel more anxious, and she couldn't help but think that she had made a mistake by bringing them into this uncertain situation.
"What's going on, Lucas?" she asked, her voice firm but controlled.
Lucas's eyes darted around the car, as if he was searching for an escape route from the conversation.
"It's just a little debt, sis. We can handle it," he said, trying to downplay the situation. But Catarina's expression told him that she wasn't buying it. She knew that loan sharks didn't lend out "a little" money, and that the consequences of defaulting on such a loan could be severe.
"How much?" she asked, her voice firm. Lucas hesitated, and for a moment, Catarina thought he wasn't going to answer. But then, he spoke up, his voice barely above a whisper.
"A million dollars." Catarina's eyes widened in shock, and she felt like she had been punched in the gut. A million dollars? How were they ever going to pay that back?