CHAPTER 24

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage." - Lao Tzu

Isla Isabelle POV

Aunt Lia's words resonated in the room, emphasizing the presence of four sons within the family, including a twin around my age. She looked at her sons with a firm expression, prompting them to introduce themselves to me.

A boy, stepped forward with an air of excitement. His youthful energy filled the space as he proudly proclaimed, "My name is Liam Isaac Caruso! I'm the youngest of all of us, but since you're here, you are now the youngest too. You need to call me brother." His words tumbled out, accompanied by a flurry of enthusiasm, as he eagerly shared stories of his toys and the adventures he envisioned us having together.

"I am Thomas Sebastian Caruso, and I'm so happy to meet you! We're twins, and I hope we can become the best of friends. Don't worry, I'll share all my toys with you, and we can play together all the time. I can teach you lots of fun things too, like how to build awesome Lego structures or how to ride a bike. We'll have so much fun exploring new adventures together!"

I feel a gentle pat on my head from Thomas, and it instantly eases my nervousness. His warm smile makes me feel welcome, and I can't help but return the smile, assuring him that I'm excited to play with him and his brothers.

"Elijah Aiden Caruso, it's a pleasure to finally meet you, angel. Ever since we arrived here, your brother has been raving about you non-stop. By the way, I really like your hair. It suits you well. And I bet I will be your favorite Brother in no time." He said, bending down to my level. I couldn't help but admire his smile and his cute dimples.

"Logan Samuel Caruso, the oldest of the bunch. You can come to me when someone annoys you or when you need something. I will give you whatever you want, just ask me." He said in a cool tone, but I could sense a hint of warmth in his eyes. I smiled back at him, feeling a bit more relaxed. I was glad they cared about me and wanted to make me feel welcome.

Liam's words stung in the air, the tension between the two brothers palpable. The younger one, Liam, scowled at his older brother, frustration etched across his face. "But brother, you didn't even buy us anything when we ask for something," he complained, his voice laced with disappointment.

The older brother, Logan, met Liam's glare head-on, his own eyes filled with a mix of anger and exasperation. "That's because you're always acting like a brat and being stubborn," Logan retorted, his voice tinged with irritation. "You both just cause trouble everywhere we go."

"That's enough, you fools," the man exclaimed, his voice filled with irritation as he directed his attention towards me. His concern-filled eyes met mine, conveying a sense of worry and protectiveness.

"Don't make this munchkin hear your bad words, alright?" he said, his voice gentler now as he directed a wink towards me. My cheeks flushed with a mixture of shyness and admiration.

"Hello, little girl," a familiar voice greeted me with warmth and sincerity. It was the man who had intervened in the heated argument, the same man who had shown concern for me earlier. His smile reached his eyes, conveying a genuine apology for any distress he may have caused. "I'm sorry about that, and I promise I will take care of you. I am your uncle Lorenzo, Joseph Lorenzo Caruso."

As I looked up at Uncle Lorenzo, a sense of relief washed over me. His kind words reassured me that his actions were not meant to harm, but rather to protect. I could sense his sincerity, and it put my heart at ease. I smiled back at him, understanding that forgiveness was an important part of building a strong family bond.

Just then, another person stepped forward, a woman radiating warmth and excitement. "Hi, beautiful girl," she greeted me with a cheerful tone. "I'm your aunt Vic, Victoria Avery Vitelli-Caruso." Her words made me feel welcomed and loved, as if I had found a new family member who genuinely cared about me.

Aunt Avery's mention of cooking a lot of food piqued my curiosity and ignited a spark of excitement within me. The prospect of trying new and delicious dishes filled me with anticipation. I had always been an adventurous eater, eager to explore different flavors and culinary experiences. Her promise of preparing meals that I would enjoy filled me with joy and curiosity, as I wondered what delightful surprises awaited me in her kitchen.

"This is my youngest son, Noah Christopher Caruso," Aunt Avery introduced, pointing towards the man who had spoken earlier. My eyes shifted towards Noah, observing him with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.

Noah, with a mischievous smile on his face, addressed me directly. "Hello, munchkin," he greeted playfully. "You should go out with me. I'll buy you anything you like, and I promise to keep anyone from getting near you." His words were filled with a protective tone, as if he wanted to shield me from any harm. Once again, he winked at me, his playful gesture making me feel a mixture of shyness and excitement.

But as my gaze turned to another man in the room, my heart sank. "I am William Andrew Caruso," he said uninterestedly, not bothering to look at me. His cold voice and distant demeanor sent shivers down my spine, making me feel a deep sense of fear. His appearance and detached attitude reminded me of the scary characters I had seen in movies, and it unsettled me to my core.

I couldn't help but compare him to my beloved bubbas, who could sometimes adopt a stern tone but always remained sweet and caring when we were alone. However, this man's presence evoked a different kind of unease within me, as if there was an underlying darkness lurking beneath his demeanor.

As Aunt Avery's eyes narrowed in disapproval, her silent scolding aimed at William, a heavy tension settled over the room. The atmosphere became stifling, as if the air itself held its breath in response to William's hurtful words. The glares from everyone present conveyed their collective disbelief and disdain for his behavior.

William's cold glare remained fixed on me as he continued to voice his doubts, questioning my place within the family. His words struck me like a dagger, tearing through the fragile veil of hope that had begun to form in my heart. Doubts and insecurities resurfaced, enveloping me in a wave of sadness.

Uncle Lorenzo, sensing the escalating tension and the impact of William's words, intervened once again. His voice held a firmness that brooked no argument. "That's enough, William," he stated, his tone tinged with disappointment. "We will discuss this matter later at the office."

William's abrupt departure from the room left a lingering sense of unease. The weight of his words reverberated within me, amplifying my feelings of unworthiness and insecurity. I couldn't help but wonder if there was any truth to his doubts, if I truly didn't belong or deserve the love and acceptance that had been offered to me.

It was a painful reminder of past experiences, of fleeting moments of happiness being taken away, as if they were never meant for me. The fear of losing what little happiness I had found settled deep within my heart, casting a shadow over the hope that had begun to blossom.

However, amidst the despair, I looked around the room and saw the unwavering support and care in the eyes of everyone. Their presence reminded me that I was not alone, that there were people who believed in me and saw my worth. Their love and acceptance served as a beacon of hope, a glimmer of light in the darkness that threatened to engulf me.

The man's sweet smile and gentle tone melted away the remaining tension in the room, and I couldn't help but be drawn to his warmth. His question about my favorite animal brought a glimmer of joy back into my heart, as it reminded me of the simple pleasures of childhood.

I hesitated for a moment, still cautious from the recent hurtful encounter, but the genuine curiosity in his eyes encouraged me to respond. "I have a bunny and an elephant toy in my room," I shyly admitted, feeling a sense of comfort in sharing a small part of myself with him. "I think they're my favorites because they're cute and soft."

At that moment, another voice chimed in, introducing themselves as my brother. "I am your brother, Caleb Gabriel Caruso," he announced with an air of excitement. His words filled me with anticipation, envisioning the adventures we could embark on together. The prospect of visiting the zoo, where I could see real-life elephants, bunnies, and other animals, filled me with a childlike wonder.

The idea of exploring the world outside, experiencing new things, and learning about different creatures ignited a spark of excitement within me. Papa had mentioned that I would soon be starting school, and the thought of expanding my knowledge beyond the confines of my room made my heart race with anticipation.

As the old lady approached me with open arms, an overwhelming sense of fear surged through me, causing me to flinch and instinctively push her away. My heart raced, and I sought refuge in the safety of my papa's embrace, clinging to him with a grabby hand.

Papa's soothing voice resonated in my ears, calming my racing heart. "Vita mia, it's fine. She's your nana, my mother. She won't hurt you. I promise you can trust me, right?" he reassured me, his words carrying a gentle conviction. With a small nod, I affirmed my trust in him, relying on his guidance to navigate this unfamiliar situation.

Understanding the need to overcome my fear, Papa gently set me down, encouraging me to approach Nana once more. With hesitant steps, I cautiously drew nearer, my gaze fixed on the floor, my hands nervously fidgeting.

"I'm sorry about that," I whispered softly, my voice tinged with a mixture of apology and vulnerability. "I didn't mean to push you away. It's just that sudden movements scare me."

The room fell into a hushed silence as my words hung in the air, the weight of the situation palpable. I dared not look up, fearing the judgmental gazes that might meet my eyes. My vulnerability exposed, I awaited Nana's response with bated breath, hoping for understanding and forgiveness.

Slowly, a gentle hand reached out, tenderly lifting my chin, encouraging me to meet Nana's gaze. The wrinkles etched on her face softened, and her eyes brimmed with compassion. "Oh, my dear," she murmured, her voice carrying a hint of sadness. "I'm sorry if I scared you. I didn't realize. Please forgive me."