Chapter 2

10 years ago...

Today was the triplets' 7th birthday. Many would be surprised, considering how mature Andri and Avi were. It has almost been a year since they last saw Jenni or their father, and not a day has passed without Andri making a fuss about it.

"Mom. It's my birthday today, will you please let me see my sister?" Andri begged, but Dianne was unmoving. They had this conversation daily, but neither was willing to give in.

"Your sister is right here," Dianne gestures to Avi, who was quietly crying as she ate her breakfast. She missed her sister and father terribly and hated to see her mom and brother fight about it.

"Don't fight anymore," she cried, "please don't fight anymore..." But her cries were drowned out by Andri's screaming and her mom's calm replies. Eventually, she choked on her breakfast and threw up on the floor.

The nanny Dianne had hired came over and cleaned it up, as if she did this every day (she did). The helpers around the house were already used to the chaos of breakfast. They pitied Andri and Avi, but couldn't do anything to help them.

Nora, Avi's personal caretaker, silently counted to 10, '10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1!' She promptly covered Avi's eyes as Andri grabbed the nearest object and threw it against the wall.

SMASH!

This time, it was Dianne's prized plate passed down from her great great grandmother. This would cost Andri greatly, but he's done worst. The hole in the wall they have yet to repair was proof enough.

Only today, Andri was not satisfied with just a plate. Today was Jenni's birthday, he HAD to see his sister, why wouldn't his mom let him see his sister, HE WANTED TO SEE HIS SISTER! Andri let out a scream before throwing the artificial candles at the window. (They switched the candles to battery-operated ones after he set the breakfast room on fire.)

The windows shattered, and Nora was pretty sure Andri was going to break his record today. Whatever type of hell Andri planning to make today wouldn't be witnessed by Avi.

"Miss Avi, let's go see the dress your mom bought for you," she coaxed, "Andri will come to see you afterward." Avi threw up again, before wrapping her thin arms around Nora's neck. Nora patted her back as she carried Avi out of the room, yet again debating whether she should call the cops. Dianne seemed unfit to be a parent, and not only has Andri become extremely violent, but Avi has also been throwing up every time she eats.

CRASH!

Andri must have flipped over the table after Avi left. He tried to restrain himself whenever Avi was in the room, but this was the only time of day he got to see his mom. After he makes a mess, Andri is locked in his room as his tutors (and seven bodyguards) watch him for the rest of the day.

Avi's closet was now stuffed with colorful fluffy dresses overflowing with bows and ribbons. This was her mother's way of apologizing to Avi, but since she gave her one every day, the apology behind it has long been forgotten and this has become the way her mother distracted Avi from the chaos ensuing the household.

After bringing Avi to her first class of the day (piano), Nora rushed to see the manager.

"Mrs. Berkeley, can't you do something? Call the police so the kids can leave this place! Avi hasn't eaten anything without throwing up again, " Nora said in a hushed whisper, but Mrs. Berkeley could only shake her head.

"What can we do? If we alert the police, where would the kids go? Their grandparents are still alive, and they would sooner sell their souls than let their grandchildren live with their dad. Just make sure Avi eats more snacks, that's all we can do," Mrs. Berkeley shook her head sadly, knowing how much Andri and Avi were going through.

"Then what about Andri? He's going to go crazy at this point. He was such a nice boy before..." Nora murmured sadly, "Is there some way to send him away from here? A boarding school, or maybe even a vacation? He needs to get out of here."

"Nora, you're the closest to the kids, and I know how hard it is for you to see them go through this, but if you plant the idea of sending away Andri into Ms. Dianne's head, don't you understand what she's going to do? After the divorce, all she can think about is ruining Mr. Taryn's life. She doesn't prioritize her kids anymore. If you suggest sending Andri away, then he isn't coming back. That would devastate Avi, you know that."

Nora bit her lip, "But that would save Andri. If he can come back and see Avi on the weekends, and leave this hell on the weekdays, I think this could work. Please, Mrs. Berkeley, won't you suggest this to Ms. Dianne?"

Mrs. Berkeley sighed but considered this. Dianne now left her children's wellbeing in the hands of the caretakers, tutors, and bodyguards. She would definitely agree to send Andri away, but what would Andri think about this?

"How about this, Nora, go take a plate of the waffles and take them to Andri's room like you always do. When no one can hear you except for Andri, ask him if he wants to leave this place. If he agrees, then I'll bring this up to Ms. Dianne."

"Oh, thank you so much, Mrs. Berkeley. I'll go do that right now, " Nora quickly piled the plate with food and walked as fast as she could to Andri's room.

Knock knock knock

"Hello? This is Nora, with some breakfast for Andri."

A bodyguard unlocked the door and let Nora in. The bodyguards all expected Nora to come since Andri never ate anything when having breakfast with his mother.

Andri sat at his desk, head bent over his work as 3 of his tutors towered over him. Nora's heart ached at the sight-- she had taken care of the triplets since they were young, and she knew how hard this was for Andri.

When the tutors noticed her walking over, they quickly crossed to the other side of the room. Near the beginning, one of the tutors had been foolish enough to deny Andri his breakfast. Thus, Nora had informed Ms. Dianne and she not only cause his family to go bankrupt, but she also made sure he wouldn't be able to tutor anyone from the upper-class society in the future.

This left everyone terrified of mistreating Andri or disrespecting Nora. Nora was thankful that what happened in the breakfast room stayed in the breakfast room, or this fear would soon be replaced.

She pulled up a chair to sit next to Andri and placed down his breakfast.

"Andri, would you like to....."