The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 35

With the conversation tabled for the moment Regina helped carry out the cake setting it on the table while the other guests sang Happy Birthday. Her father didn't speak or even look at her but she was used to that. Regina stepped aside letting her sister serve the cake. At least he would accept a plate from Renata.

The kids quickly settled in to eating and she smiled at how happy her babies all looked. Despite the activity Gabriella seemed to be holding her own. No doubt Savannah had been keeping careful watch over her little sister to ensure she didn't overexert herself. Regina had her inhaler handy but preferred not to use it unless necessary. She knew how much Gabriella hated being different from her siblings.

Was it so wrong to simply want to be normal?

With everyone eating Gabriella suddenly stood returning to the patio. Regina watched as she approached. There was a big smile on her face so it had to be all right.

"Everything okay, baby?" Regina asked.

"Ah-huh. I'm going to give tito his present," Gabriella smiled.

Regina tried to contain a frown and nodded. She had wanted to avoid this but Gabriella was determined so there was no stopping her. Though her siblings had given up vying for their grandfather's attention Gabriella continued trying to build some sort of connection. Regina wasn't sure why she was so motivated but the little girl was determined to have a big and happy family.

"Tito! Look at the card I drew!" Gabriella trotted up to the adults. She paid none of them any mind focusing completely on her grandfather. Holding out a card made of construction paper she declared, "See. Happy Birthday! And a sun and flowers. And look inside! I drew all of us! There's mommy, and me and Carlos and Tony and Savannah...There is Auntie Nata and tita and you! Happy Birthday!"

Everyone seemed to hold their breath as Gabriella rattled on pointing to the blocky figures she drew representing each family member. They smiled at her precociousness but none dared speak waiting for her grandfather to acknowledge her efforts. Regina stood in the doorway waiting and wondering if her daughter would finally break down the walls around his heart but as the seconds ticked by her hope for that sunk.

"Tito? Look it," Gabriella tried again her voice a little quieter. "Tito? Don't you like it?"

"Gaby, come here baby," Regina stirred unable to bear the scene any longer.

"Amá?" Gabriella looked at her hesitantly retreating like a wounded pup.

"Grandpa is tired right now. He'll look at it later," Regina assured her taking the paper card. "Savannah, boys, time to go! Come on!"

Leaving their cake unfinished the trio made their way to the patio where Regina still soothed Gabriella who was on the verge of tears. The jovial mood for all of them was over and not one even glanced in their grandfather's direction. He was as invisible to them as he pretended they were to him. "Savannah, help them with their coats."

Savannah nodded taking her sister's hand and shooing the boys ahead of her. Regina slowly straightened. Tears blurred her own vision at the cruelty on display. She wouldn't allow it...never again.

"You cruel, heartless beast!" Regina spun around glaring at the man she had once loved and looked up to. "How could you do that to that sweet, little angel! I don't care if you hate me or ignore me. You want to punish me? You punish me! Not them!" "...Regina," Renata whispered but her sister was shaking with rage too deep to stem. She had enough, no more.

"You don't want us in your life? You don't want to see us anymore? Good! Have it your way!" Regina snapped tearing the card to pieces. "I'm no longer your daughter! They are no longer your grandchildren! Die alone with your cold heart! Consider that our final birthday gift!"

Tossing the pieces up in the air so that they fell on him like confetti Regina turned and disappeared inside. Her relatives looked at one another in awkward silence. The same scene had played out for years but nothing they said ever seemed to change it. Now it seemed the breaking point had finally been reached.

Renata shook her head and followed after her sister leaving her mother glaring at their father.

"Well, now you've done it," Ulima said. "You finally chased them out for good. Are you happy now? Well? Lorenzo Torrez, answer me! When is enough going to be enough!"

***

"Regina you don't have to go," Renata said as she caught up to her sister.

"Yes, we do. And we're not coming back. We won't come back to a house we are not welcome to," Regina replied grabbing her bag off the counter. "I won't let him break her heart anymore."

Renata hesitated. She knew her sister was serious. As painful as it was for Regina to accept their father's rejection it paled in comparison to the rejection the children suffered. Receiving no answer Regina hurried to the front door only to replace another crisis starting. "Breathe Gaby. Deep breaths," Savannah urged.

She had been helping her siblings put on their coats when Gabriella's usual wheezing breath suddenly became harsher. Still on the verge of tears because of their grandfather's rejection Gabriella seemingly couldn't get enough air. Inhaler in hand, Savannah tried to keep her little sister calm knowing anxiety made the episodes worse.

"Gaby!" Regina immediately rushed to her picking up the little girl.

"Amá, it hurts," Gabriella managed to gasp in a harsh voice.

"I know, sweetie. Shh. Deep breaths." Regina cradled her. "Boys hurry up! Now!"

Carlos and Tony had been lingering upset that they had to leave because of their grandfather. But at their mother's sudden urging they went into overdrive. Rushing them out to the car Regina secured Gaby in the front seat with Savannah while the boys climbed into their car seats so Renata could buckle them in.

Frantic Regina rushed to the driver's side and forced her key into the ignition with shaking hands as Renata shut the back door and stepped back. The car protested with a harsh grinding sound but started with a roar. A shout made Renata turn to see their mother in the doorway trying to call them back as Regina forced the car into gear and tore away from the curb. She could only offer a silent prayer for her niece's aid as she watched them disappear around the corner. "Please, god. Don't take her today."