CHAPTER 1

ARIANA

My name is Ariana Winslow, and I am 23 years old. I live with my three brothers, Matthew, Ethan, and Gabriel. Our dad passed away in a car accident while rushing to the hospital from work to see my mother, who was about to give birth to me. My mother was determined not to give birth before my dad arrived. Because of the complications, the doctors had to perform a c-section to deliver me. The next day, when my mother received the news of her husband's death, she left the hospital and has been missing ever since. No one knows where she went.

This is a brief story that my brothers have shared with me. Now, let me give you some insight into how I was raised by my brothers.

My brothers became my pillars of support from a young age. They were just teenagers when our father passed away, but they stepped up and took on the responsibility of raising me. Even though they had no idea of how to raise a newborn, especially a girl, they raised me. They became my protectors, my role models, and my best friends.

Growing up in a household dominated by boys wasn't always easy, but my brothers made sure I never felt Ieft out. They included me in their activities and taught me how to play every kind of sport. They always made sure I felt loved and cared for, despite the absence of our mother whom they hate to this day.

Gabriel, the oldest of us, took on the role of a father figure. He was always there to give me advice, help with my homework, and teach me life skills. He had a calm and patient demeanour, making him the perfect person to turn to when I needed guidance.

Ethan, the middle child, was the fun-loving and adventurous one. He would take me on spontaneous trips to the park, play imaginative games with me, and always manage to make me laugh. He had a knack for turning ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures.

Mathew, the youngest of my brothers, was the nurturer. He had a kind and gentle soul, always looking out for me and making sure I felt safe. He was the one who would comfort me during my darkest moments and remind me that everything would be okay.

Together, my brothers created a loving and supportive environment for me to grow up in. They filled the void left by our parents' absence and taught me the importance of family bonds. They were not just my brothers; they were my family, my protectors, and my greatest allies.

As the years went by, we faced many challenges, but we faced them together. We celebrated each other's successes and supported each other through failures. We were a team, and we knew that as long as we had each other, we could overcome anything.

As a 23-year-old now, I can't help but feel grateful for the upbringing I had. I may have missed out on having traditional parents, but I gained something far more precious–a bond with my brothers that will last a lifetime. They taught me resilience, independence, and the importance of unconditional love.

I miss and still hold onto the hope that one day I will find our mother and bring her back into our lives. But my two brothers aren't welcome to that idea. So it's only me and Matthew who are into the idea.

Today was the day the long-awaited mall in my county village opened, and I had to go, but my brothers wouldn't let me go alone without them shadowing my every step. And it pissed me off at times. Guys, I know you worry a lot, but I will be fine. Am not a five year old girl anymore. Am a grown-up woman now. I need some privacy and space as a woman. I exclaimed, but my two brothers just stared at me, saying nothing, making the situation worse. Pleeeease. I will be fine. It's not like I'll be kidnapped or something. I retorted. I promise to come back before Gabriel returns. Fine. But make sure you return as soon as possible. Ethan said, giving a no joking look that scares the hell out of me. Deal. I replied before heading out.

Strolling through the mall, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was beyond my expectation. The polished floors gleamed beneath my feet as I browsed through the glamorous displays of clothing, jewellery, and gadgets. Despite being a small town, this mall had brought a touch of luxury that had the whole community buzzing.

As I wandered from store to store, I felt a slight discomfort gnawing at my abdomen. Ignoring it, I continued my window shopping adventure, my eyes alight with curiosity at the array of items on display. However, the discomfort soon intensified, and I couldn't ignore it any longer. Realization dawned as I hurried towards the ladies' restroom. With a sigh, I discovered my unwelcome visitor had arrived unannounced–my periods. Panic swirled in my chest as I frantically searched my bag, only to find it devoid of the one thing I desperately needed: pads.

Without hesitation, I reached for my phone and called my brother's number.

Hey, Ari, what's up?" Matthew's voice sounded cheerful on the other end of the line.

"Matt, I need your help," I blurted out, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I'm at the mall, and... I'm in the ladies' restroom, and I... I've started my period, but I don't have any pads with me."

There was a brief pause before Matthew responded, his tone understanding as always. "No worries, sis. I'll be there in a jiffy. Just stay put, okay?” Okay, I replied before hanging up the phone, grateful for my brother''s unwavering support. I leaned back against the cold tiles, feeling a sense of comfort, knowing that help was on the way.

After waiting for what felt like forever, there was a knock on the toilet door with the whispering voice of my brother. Ari, are you the one inside? Yes, Matt. I replied as I opened the door. Without a word, he handed me the bag, a reassuring smile on his face.

"Thanks, Matt," I murmured, feeling a surge of affection for my brother. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Matthew simply shrugged, his expression warm. “That's what big brothers are for, right? Now go take care of yourself. I'll be waiting right outside before I get called a pervert.”

As I emerged from the restroom, he was still patiently waiting for me. "You all set now?" he inquired with a friendly smile. "Yep, all good," I responded, reciprocating with a brief hug, which he gladly accepted.

Deciding to indulge in some window shopping together, we strolled leisurely through the bustling mall. However, as we approached the men's tuxedo collection store that Mathew was keen on exploring, my heart skipped a beat as I glimpsed Gabriel inside. Alas, I couldn't warn Mathew in time, as his attention was fully captured by a suit that had piqued his interest, causing him to collide with Gabriel.

As Gabriel's face shifted from surprise to annoyance, I felt a surge of panic. Without a second thought, I darted away, putting as much distance between myself and my brother as possible. The bustling crowd swallowed me up as I hurriedly navigated through the throngs of shoppers.

Breathless and flustered, I finally slowed my pace, my heart still racing. It was then that I carelessly collided with a solid, masculine figure. Looking up, I found myself locking eyes with a strikingly handsome man, towering above me with an unreadable expression.

"I-I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going," I stammered, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping up my cheeks.

The handsome man's expression, initially unreadable, turned grave as he looked down at me. "Skyler?" he said, his voice tinged with disbelief.

My heart sank as confusion washed over me. "I'm sorry, you must have mistaken me for someone else," I replied, trying to mask my growing unease.

He shook his head, his gaze piercing before replying with a roughest and terrifying tone that creeped me out, "Don't play games with me, Skyler. How small this world is. You thought I would never find you?"