Chapter 5 Family secrets

**Darius' Mansion**

"How are you feeling?" Nydia asked, feeling guilty. She had given Darius the beating of his life, thinking he was a lady, but now, she realized what was going on. However, it didn't change the fact that Darius was beaten by her.

"Like someone who just got beaten," Darius replied, massaging his body.

"I'm sorry. He was unreachable. I walked in on my husband with another lady. Come on, what am I supposed to think?" Nydia asked.

"So, what you think is that I would cheat on you?" Cyrus asked blankly, while Darius burst into laughter.

"What's funny, Daisy, or what should I call you?" Cyrus asked Darius, who was busy laughing.

"It's just that your wife thinks you're capable of cheating," Darius replied. "I'm capable of cheating, but I choose not to," Cyrus said, looking at his wife who was feeling guilty.

"I hear you, man," Darius said. "Aren't we supposed to be worried about something serious, something time-critical, tick-tock?" Cyrus muttered, tapping his wristwatch.

"So, what did she say?" Nydia asked, looking at both of them for a reply.

"She said I must find all the women I hurt before 72 hours or this stays permanent," Cyrus answered Nydia's question.

"That wasn't her words; she said I should find those women that I hurt,not all" Darius insisted, shooting daggers at Cyrus.

"What did I say?" Cyrus asked innocently. "So, does that narrow it down?" Nydia interjected quickly to avoid a fight because she sensed one.

"Yeah, so there is..." Darius was still talking but was cut short by Cyrus, who was busy looking for his jotter and pen. "Wait, wait, wait, wait," Cyrus said.

"What?" Darius asked, not understanding what Cyrus was trying to do. "I said wait," Cyrus cut him off again. But just then, he found his jotter and pen.

"So, in the order of writing how bad you hurt them," Cyrus said, writing on the jotter. "What? I don't get it," Darius asked, trying to understand what he was saying.

"I mean how bad the heartbreak was; that's how we will list them," Cyrus asked sarcastically. "Baby, stop playing and focus," Nydia told Cyrus.

"No, babe, we need to list them down," Cyrus replied. "Just shut up and write," Darius ordered. "So, there's Amelia, Edna, Amanda," Darius listed while Cyrus jotted them down.

"Oh, Mandy. That girl can cook. She's such a great cook," Nydia chimed in while Cyrus asked further, "How did you mess that up?"

"Bridget, uh, Tanya," Darius completed. Cyrus, who was engrossed in what he was writing, abruptly stopped and asked, "Which Tanya?" He asked to be sure it wasn't what he was thinking.

"Our Tanya," Darius said and sighed. "What? Darius, what the hell is wrong with you? How could you sleep with her? We made a rule," Cyrus half-yelled.

"I'm sorry, I broke it," Darius said regretfully. "You'll be sorry when she sues us for everything we're worth," Cyrus said angrily.

"It's kind of funny how you have faith in our tremendous judicial system," Darius said. "You don't eat where you shit, guy," Cyrus replied, obviously still angry.

"Time is of the essence, guys," Nydia said to ease the tense room. Cyrus passed the jotter across to Darius to cross-check it, which he did. He looked up and asked.

"What's the plan?" Darius asked. "You're asking us?" Cyrus asked back. "So, what happened to 'Darius, I won't rest until you're back to normal,' uh?" Darius asked.

"That wasn't exactly my words, and secondly, you know what, this isn't that bad. When you had balls, you were trash. Let's see how you'll do in heels," Cyrus muttered.

"I'm sorry to say this, but Nydia, your husband is an idiot," Darius said.

---

---

"Babe, can you believe Lucas's father called me a whore?" Oliver said, sitting in front of Tanya, who was sipping her drink.

"I just can't wrap my head around it," Oliver continued, but noticed Tanya wasn't responding to her. She tapped her to get her attention, and Tanya jolted out of her thoughts.

"You were lost," Oliver said. "Uh, what were you saying?" Tanya asked.

"What's wrong, babe? You're not usually like this. What's bothering you?" Oliver asked. Tanya sighed and said, "Nothing. What were you saying?" Oliver wanted to insist on hearing more, but Tanya's expression made her change the topic.

"Let's just drink," she said, while Tanya nodded.

---

"Baby, do you want this doll?" Aubrey asked little Diana, but she didn't respond. Aubrey had taken Diana to the mall as her sister, Crystal, was busy with work.

Aubrey turned to check on Diana, who wasn't answering her. What Little Diana said next made Aubrey choke on her words.

"Sister Aubrey, is there something you aren't telling me? Why do I feel like big sister Crystal isn't my sister?" Little Diana said.

Aubrey was taken by surprise but didn't want to appear clueless in front of the little girl. She covered up with a smile and asked, "Baby, why do you say that? Crystal is your sister, your blood sister at that," Aubrey said.

"Are you sure?" Little Diana asked. "Yes, I'm sure, darling. Why are you asking these questions? Are you doubting me? Do you think I would lie to you?" Aubrey questioned.

"No, sister, I'm not doubting you. It's just that... Nevermind. I think I like this pink doll, sister," Little Diana muttered.

"It's just that what, baby? Remember you can always tell me anything, you know. Is someone telling you something that is not true?" Aubrey persisted and picked up the pink doll, giving it to her.

"Yes, I know. Okay, fine, it's just that sister Rana came to my school," Little Diana said. Aubrey's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Rana's name.

"She came to your school? What for? What did she say? Did she bully you? Talk to me, baby," Aubrey asked anxiously.

"No, she wouldn't dare," Little Diana replied, explaining what had happened.

---

# FLASHBACK

"Hey, baby, I brought you chocolates," Rana said as soon as she was allowed to see little Diana. She was allowed in because she had lied, claiming that Crystal had sent her to Diana. When they didn't believe her, she showed them her ID card, which displayed the same surname for Diana and her. She knew they wouldn't allow her in, so she came prepared.

Rana played an audio she had pre-programmed for them, in which Crystal's voice told them to let her in. After hearing the audio, they allowed Rana to enter.They reluctantly allowed her in.

"What do you want, Sister Rana? Why are you here?" Little Diana asked.

"One question at a time, sweetie. I just came to check on you," Rana replied with a smile, though anger lurked behind it.

"First, I'm not your sweetie. Only Sister is allowed to call me that. Secondly, I know you came for a reason, so get to work," Little Diana replied bluntly. If there was anything she imitated from Crystal, it was her choice of words and how to navigate conversations.

"Hey, girl, watch the way you speak to me. I won't tolerate that from you either. You said 'sister' now, how sure are you that you are her biological sister? Where is your mother? Oh, you've never seen her before," Rana said and paused to gauge the little girl's reaction, but Diana's face remained blank.

Diana's face was devoid of emotion, making it difficult for Rana to understand what was going on in the little girl's mind. Nevertheless, Rana continued, "Oh, you think she's your sister, or do you think you're one of Chen's daughters?"

This girl is just like Crystal,only God knows where crystal brought this girl from" Rana thought. She has been trying to find out the little girl's background but it seems impossible cause she has none. The only thing she found out was that she was five years old and was crystal younger sister given birth to by crystal mom.

So,she concluded that the girl must be adopted by crystal mom.

"Did cat caught your tongue,girl? Or my words are affecting you,I"m sorry darling. It just the pure truth. Go ask your sister the truth, at least you deserve to know your background and stop using fake life" Rana said.

"Are you done blabbing?" Little Diana said and Rana wanted to talk but Diana beat her to it.

"Oh, you think I care or do you think I want to be one of Chen's daughters?" Diana asked. Rana was momentarily silenced. Diana just used her own words to slap her across the face.

"Oh, cat got your tongue? See, even if I'm not Sister Crystal's biological sister, I don't care. At least she treats me like a sister. As for you, what have you done except cause trouble? Your mother should regret the day she gave birth to you because you're a disgrace to this generation. You're the reason God created the middle finger," Little Diana said calmly.

Rana clenched her fist. "How dare you, you liability?" Rana said. She felt like hitting the girl in front of her but restrained herself, knowing a teacher was watching, and she didn't want to risk being sued for child harassment.

"See this misfortune calling me a liability," Diana said, taking advantage of the situation. She had witnessed how this woman insults her sister and was determined to stand up for her today.

"What? Are you calling me a misfortune?" Rana asked.

"Is there any other idiot around here?" Diana asked, looking around. Rana was at a loss for words. She raised her hand as if to strike Diana but then thought better of it and lowered it. Diana smiled.

"Mannerless," Rana gritted her teeth.

"I just have one word for you," Diana said calmly.

"Which is?" Rana asked.

"Quick Recovery," Diana said.

"Meaning?" Rana asked, confused.

"Get well soon," Diana replied, and then she got up and headed back to her class. Rana was fuming with anger.

"Go to hell," Rana said, not knowing what else to say.

Diana looked back and replied, "See you there."