Finding Lilibeth

Soon enough it was time for Lilibeth to leave going into Darren's care. Mark reminded the little girl to call him he she needed anything and gave her a few of his cards with his number on it. All she had was a bag with three outfits and two pairs of pjs but Darren assured Mark and Lilibeth that they would be going shopping for more things for her on Monday. Mark had no idea that Darren would be flying out of the country on Monday and his children would be left in charge.

Lilibeth still hadn't spoken to anyone at all and just followed behind Darren as she made her way out to his car. Lilibeth got in the back of the car and stared out the window. "Lilibeth, there are rules that you will follow in my house. You will listen to me and your brothers and do what is expected. You will not be rude to me or your brothers at all. You will let one of us know where you are at all times and in two weeks you will be starting school. You are expected to maintain good grades as not to embarrass the family. I will be leaving on Monday for a week for business and your brothers will be in charge of you. Do I make myself clear?" Darren bit out.

Lilibeth didn't bother to respond at all. She knew she was not wanted at all by the man who claimed to be her father. She had been told her entire life. "Lilibeth, you will answer me when I speak" Darren fumed out. Lilibeth rolled her eyes, she refused to speak to her so called father or anyone for that matter. She knew life was unfair, she had lived an unfair life for her entire 8 years and she didn't expect it to be any different now. New parent, nee shit life just in a different location.

As Darren pulled up at his house he grabbed Lilibeth's bag before turning to his daughter. "I don't know what your mother allowed but you will learn to follow the rules here Lilibeth otherwise you will be punished" Darren gritted out before taking her arm and leading Lilibeth inside.

Darren lead Lilibeth to the room she would be staying in. "You will stay here until dinner seeing you are being disrespectful" Darren told his daughter. Lilibeth didn't care, she wanted to be alone anyway. Darren placed Lilibeth's bag on the bed and left the room to finish the work he had to do by Monday. He was angry with Lilibeth for disrespecting him. If he had of bothered to look at the file which Paul collated for him, he would see her doctors thought not speaking was a way to cope with her trauma and recommended seeing a psychologist.

Miss Emma had prepared dinner for the family and was unsure of what Lilibeth could eat. She wasn't sure of allergies or if she required a special diet due to her recent stay in hospital at all. Miss Emma had asked Mr Staples about diet for Lilibeth but was brushed off saying she would eat what was served. Miss Emma kept the food simple enough for a young child but also with enough of an appeal for the boys in the home.

Once dinner was ready Miss Emma informed Darren and he in turn went to get Lilibeth from her room. He found her curled up on the bed with tears in her eyes but she remained silent. When Lilibeth saw her so called father she wiped her eyes and turned them to the floor not wanting to be beaten again for something, considering they were the punishments she got at her mothers house. "Dinner is ready" Darren stated before turning to leave the room.

Lilibeth assumed she had to follow her father so she did. She followed Darren into the dining room were five other males were glaring at the girl. Miss Emma stood to the side waiting for everyone to be seated before placing the food in front of everyone. She had made steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The minute Lilibeth walked in she knew she had made a mistake. The poor girl had her arm in a full cast and looked no more then 6 years old. She had sworn that Mr Staples had said the girl was 8.

"Here, let me cut your food for you. I'm so sorry Miss Lilibeth, I didn't realise you had your arm in a cast" Miss Emma apologised to the girl. Lilibeth smiled at the lady. She is the first person who had been nice to her in this house but she quickly looked down when she saw the others glaring at her.

Everyone soon began to eat and Miss Emma excused herself for the night letting Mr Staples know so had made dinner for tomorrow night as his parents were not going to be around for Sunday dinner. She informed them all she would see them Monday morning and wished them a goodnight. This caused Lilibeth to frown, she had assumed Emma lived there but was annoyed she didn't as clearly the people here didn't like her.

Darren cleared his throat getting everyone's attention. "Boys introduce yourself please" Darren stated looking at his sons. "Beau 19" Beau spat out. Lilibeth looked at the boy who spoke, clearly he didn't want her here. "Zac 17" the next boy stated not looking up from his food. "I'm Leo that's Lex we are 16" the next one said pointing to the other boy opposite. "Dj is studying abroad and you will meet him when he returns" Darren added. Lilibeth kept quiet, she wasn't asked to introduce herself so she didn't.

Lilibeth was full so placed her fork down and was fiddling with the bottom of the shirt she had on. It wasn't hers, one of the nurses brought in some old clothes from her daughter along with the other things in the bag that was brought here. The nurse wanted the little girl to have something to take to her new home. Lilibeth was grateful for that as she didn't know if she would ever get her things back from her place she had shared with her mother. She would have to ask Mark next time she saw him. He told her she would see him in a few weeks and could call him if she needed to but she had no idea where a phone was at all.

Darren brought her out of her thoughts by dismissing her from the table. Lilibeth headed back to her room not knowing where else she was allowed to go and she had no idea where anything was in this place.