The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 52

"And now we roll it out," Ulima said as she ran the rolling pin over the anise-spiced dough.

Gabriella giggled sneaking a taste of the sugar and cinnamon mix waiting for the final stage of their cook-making adventure. Her grandmother pretended not to notice as she hummed while rolling out the dough. Savannah also sat at the table idly fingering the cookie cutters they would use shortly. Though she was helping her mind was elsewhere.

She glanced into the living room where Carlos and Tony sat watching cartoons as was their usual after-pre-school activity. Since yesterday they hadn't spoken of their father or his promise to return. She had so many questions and she wondered if he would give her the straight answers she craved and her mother denied.

"Lita, is lito going to be mad at you?" Savannah suddenly asked.

"And why would he be?"

"Because you are here spending time with us," Savannah said.

Ulima frowned. In the past Regina would have brought the kids home for her to watch but she was making good on her promise not to return. As a result Ulima had come to their apartment to watch them instead while Regina helped her sister on a catering job. "Your grandfather won't be upset," Ulima said. "He loves you."

"He has a funny way of showing it."

Ulima pressed her lips together, "He is...hurting."

"So he takes it out on us?" Savannah asked.

"That's not...You are right to be angry. Your grandfather shouldn't be treating you this way and he is going to regret it."

Savannah gave her a pensive look wondering if what her grandmother said was true. She never saw any shred of regret in him. Not even when he upset Gabriella on his birthday. Even as her little sister struggled to hold back tears at another rejection her breath becoming haggard, he wouldn't even look at her. The image didn't fit with what her grandmother said.

"Is it because of our dads?" Savannah asked. "Does he not like them?"

"I..." Ulima glanced at Gabriella who didn't seem to be paying them the least bit of attention. The little one's fingers and face were covered in sugar as she once again snuck a taste. "Mija, can you help your sister clean up?"

Savannah gave her grandmother a wane look knowing full well the request was an attempt to stall in hopes she would forget the inquiry. Previously it would have been enough for Savannah to drop the matter but not this time. She wanted answers. Obediently she lifted Gabriella off the chair and shooed her toward the bathroom.

Pausing she looked back at her grandmother, "I know my dad didn't want me but what about Carlos, Tony and Gabriella's father? Did he want them?"

"I-I don't know. I don't know anything about him."

"Mom, never told you who he was?" Savannah asked.

"No. I asked a few times but whenever I brought it up there was always a look of fear in her eyes she tried to hide. So I stopped asking." "Fear...like she was afraid of him?"

"More like afraid of saying his name, though I don't know why it was such a secret."

Savannah frowned following after her sister. So her mother told no one who the triplet's father was. It was strange that he was a secret when her father was known by all. What was her mother trying to hide? Or was she running? Did it not end well between them? Did he threaten her? But Marcus seemed so friendly so she doubted he would do that. It just didn't make any sense.

Ulima sighed cutting out the cookies and arranging them on the baking sheet. She figured the children's curiosity would eventually lead them to questions. Savannah surprised her though. How did she know her father never wanted her? Ulima was quite certain they never talked about him in her presence but then Savannah was smart, too smart for her own good. Growing up she was so quiet and well-behaved. Perhaps that had lulled them into speaking too freely.

Maybe that's why Regina never told anyone about the triplet's father. She had learned family secrets only stayed secret if never spoken. Without meaning to a wall had been built between Regina and her family. She no longer trusted them to protect her secrets. It had started slowly. First Regina moved out of her parent's house. She started working extra jobs gradually lessening the time she would spend with her family. Everyone was surprised when Regina declared she would never set foot again in her parents' house but Ulima long suspected it was coming. How could it not with Lorenzo wallowing in self-pity and making no effort to rebuild the bridge he burned? Did he really think Regina would wait forever? And the children...

The children had no connection with their grandfather at all. None of them protested their mother's decision. In fact they seemed quite satisfied with it. Even Gabriella stopped asking about her grandfather. She was happy enough to see her grandmother when Ulima arrived but not once did she inquire about her grandfather.

Instead she talked about how her daddy had come to visit and would be visiting again soon. Ulima could only nod and let the little one enjoy her fantasy just as she did when Gabriella first concocted her imaginary parent. As long as it made Gabriella happy there was no harm in letting her play even if it made Ulima hurt for her. The little one was so desperate for a fatherly connection she made-up one. It just didn't seem right.

But Savannah's questions truly surprised her. Savannah had always been quiet, obedient. She never dared to challenge the status quo before. And why the sudden interest in their fathers? Could it be?

A knock interrupted Ulima's train of thought. Curious as they weren't expecting visitors, she went to the front door and opened it only to be confronted by a petite, young woman flanked by a pair of police officers.

"Are you Regina Torres?" the woman asked.

"No, I'm her mother. What are you..."

"This is an order of compliance," the woman shoved a document into her hands. "Do you understand English?"

"Of course," Ulima scowled. Who was this woman?

"We've had complaints that these children are not being neglected. We are here to remove them."

"What? You can't! These children are perfectly fine. See for yourself! Regina is a terrific mother!"

"That remains to be seen," the woman snorted barely glancing at the apartment as she stepped in. "You have five minutes to pack. Let's go."

"What! This is preposterous!" Ulima insisted as Savannah and Gabriella returned from the bathroom.

"Children, collect your things now."

"No! You cannot take them away!"

"Arrest this woman if she interferes," the social worker announced loudly to the officers standing at the door. "Let's go, kids! Right now."

Carlos and Tony shared confused glances looking to their sisters to see Savannah with a deep frown. She looked at the officers then to her grandmother again.

"What are you doing?" the brunette demanded. "Get your things now!"

"You can't take them," Ulima insisted. "Look at them. Look around you. They are fine."

"This paper is an emergency removal order," the brunette said. "It gives me every right. Interfere again and you will be arrested."

She marched toward the four kids. Gripping Carlos she dragged him toward the bedrooms. He yanked free giving her a dirty look.

"Don't touch me, bruja!"

"Get your things now!" she snapped and, before anyone could stop her, slapped him.

Carlos stumbled back his eyes wide in shock. No one had ever raised a hand to any of them before. No one would dare their mother's wrath. Even time seemed to freeze as everyone stared in horror. The silence was broken when Gabriella erupted into a terrified sob. "Shut that girl up or-"

"Or what?" Carlos dared. "Are you going to hit her too in front of those officers who are doing nothing to stop the child abuse right in front of them?"

"Pendejos," Tony scowled. "They aren't here to protect us. They don't care."

Savannah scooped up Gabriella soothing her. She looked at her grandmother who was frozen in fear for the kids and in the presence of the officers. They were outnumbered that much was clear and the woman in front of them held the power.