ASH'S POV-

24th December.

It was Christmas eve today.

The weather was really chilly as I sped my bike down the street towards the Death Squad's mansion. The guards opened the gates as I parked the vehicle into the driveway and headed inside.

I took off my jacket while Nana handed my a warm cup of coffee. I thanked her and sat down, patting Rio as he sat at my feet like a good boy.

You know how in all normal families Christmas is celebrated so cheerfully, parties are thrown and gifts are given?

Well, the four of us never really did that. I don't really know why, but I guess we just didn't think it was that big of a deal.

Maybe it was because we were anything but normal or maybe because it was a happy festival meant to spend with your family.

I mean don't get me wrong, we were definitely more close than any family out there, but Christmas was something we never really did.

I guess that's because we all had separate stories of this festival before we were bought together.

Felix and Viola spent it with their parents as him and their mother cooked while Viola and their father decorated the house.

At Ace's house, his whole family including his parents, his elder siblings and him used to have a big feast along with the decorations and cake. But ever since his parents passed away and the whole responsibility of the Mafia fell upon his shoulders. He sort of lost the touch and connection with his siblings after that, especially because they all moved into separate countries.

I mean they still talk sometimes, but I think it's quite shitty that they left all of this responsibility to their youngest sibling and got him involved in this messed up world just because they didn't wanna be a part of it.

I'm not saying the Ace isn't capable of handling all this, because he most definitely is, but just because we all run a Mafia doesn't mean we don't understand the risks.

I also know that we're all still minors and shouldn't be a part of this crap, thus one of the reasons we do not let the world know who we really are.

Because they'll stop taking us seriously and treat us like a bunch of kids.

But the truth is, even though we are not so old, we probably have more experience and knowledge about this stuff than any Mafia women or men out there.

We've already seen more things than most people do in their entire lifetime, so it's not even a comparison.

Anyways, at the Dobrev mansion Christmas was celebrated with much hospitality as well.

Before the whole 'Hostel-William-organization' thingy, the whole family used to get together including all the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and ofcourse, the biologicals.

A whole feast was thrown, big decorations were done and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Except for me ofcourse. I was comfortably excluded from the whole evening and was sent to my room for the entire evening.

Looking back, it kinda gives me Harry Potter vibes honestly. I suppose that's the only good thing about it, considering I love Harry Potter and stuff.... so yeah...

Alfie would bring me cake to my room sometimes, but after I got sent away.....Christmas wasn't even a thing to me for seven years.

But tonight, was gonna be different.

Alexander was throwing a party as usual and invited me and the others formally a few days ago. He said that once everyone left, the six of us as in him, Lucian, Jeremy, Alfie, Charlotte and me will exchange gifts as it was a 'family thing' and people do it in their own houses.

I agreed to come, mostly because of the gift exchange thing.

Yes, I love getting gifts, but that's not it.

It's that I have a perfect gift for them.

Can you guess it? Can you guess it?!

You see 11 years ago, before my so-called family sent me away because I 'beat up' my twin, the footage of the day was 'coincidentally' deleted.

And the blame ofcourse came to me. I remember vaguely about how they accused that I had probably tampered with the security cams and probably convinced one of the guards to delete the footage or something. Like BRUH?!?!?!?!??!?!

I was FIVE, NOT A MIND CONTROLLER OR SOME SHIT.

I wish I was though. That'd be kinda cool.

Charlotte on the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if she somehow got the footage deleted. I don't know how though. Like why would one of the guards listen to a five year old even if it could jeopardize their job?

Because as lousy as the American Mafia might be, I really don't think that they'll be so lenient to not check if their house security cameras were working or not.

Then again, they never really do fail to surprise me with their stupidity.

But despite the lack of evidence, Charlotte was believed over me and I was not only sent away, but they also lied to Alfie and told him I ran away.

And the little innocent scumbag actually believed it. *sighs*

Anyways, did you now get a hint about what the gift might be?!?!

Yupp, I think you got it.

So currently, I was about to head into the computer room and get the damn footage by hacking into their databases and restoring the video.

The computer room was filled with a lot of high-tech, advanced computers, interfaces, holograms and about a million dollar security system . (Tony stark vibess?>>)

Even though this room was made for the sole purpose of hacking and security, everyone basically used it as a gaming room.

So yeah, it was filled with video games as well.

I quickly hacked into their systems and found the footage after a bit of searching and scrolling. The video was in one of the hidden files, labeled as something else to decrease the chance of it being found by someone.

I have to say, whoever did this is smart.

But not smart enough. I found it, didn't I?

I know I could have done this all before, like showing them the footage and having them believe me. But what would have been the point?

It's obvious that no matter what I do, they'll always trust someone else over me. I don't need to prove myself to them. That's not how a real family works.

If they didn't wanna believe me then, I don't need them to do it now.

But, a few days ago Everly and I were talking about the party which was being held tonight and the topic of Christmas presents came up somehow.

She asked me what I was gonna give the biologicals but at the time I was planning on spending the night at the safe house and not actually attending the dinner.

So, it was her idea that I recover this video and show them the truth.

Not because I wanted to prove myself to them, but because for them to realize what imbecile birdbrains they are.

I kinda liked that idea. So here we are now.

She's a bit of an evil-genius. I know.

A FEW HOURS LATER~

It was the end of the dinner and all of the relatives were saying their goodbyes and leaving.

The evening was pretty boring and weird to say the least.

All the people were either the relatives or really close family friends. Most of them knew about who I was and what I do, but ofcourse they wouldn't dare say a word.

They know the consequences and I'm pretty sure that they're terrified of me, considering they saw the fight I put up William that day.

But that didn't stop them from giving me all sorts of weird and uncomfortable looks while I just sat there, thinking about how much I do not relate with these people.

This was also the first family gathering after everything that happened back then, and the awkwardness, confusion and the uncertainty could definitely be sensed in the air, but no one dared to say anything about it and just pretended that everything was normal.

I didn't mind though. I spent like ninety percent of the time zoned out or daydreaming about coffee, Rio and like 48 ways of how I could kill everyone in this room right then and enjoy it.

I know, I'm weird.

Anyways, after the whole dinner, the only people left behind were me, the biologicals and Everly. She was invited to stay as she's become really close to the fam as she hangs out at our place almost about everyday.

Her and I have gotten quite close again too but I'm not entirely comfortable with how fast she's getting involved in my life.

Like I don't even know where she's been all these years and I'm definitely not the type of person who trusts someone blindly because I used to know them as a kid like six-seven years ago. People change over time and I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again.

I'm a paranoid piece of shit.

So yeah.

Anyways, back to the gift giving thing.

Alexander handed out his gifts first and told us to open them.

I opened my box to see that he got me a grey turtleneck with spacious black checks.



It really wasn't that bad I guess, but meh who cares.

It goes into the trashcan tomorrow either way.

Next, Alfie handed out his presents.

He got me a pair of black slightly heeled cowboy style combat boots. They were not bad. Not bad at all. If anything, they were actually like really good.

Huh, I might actually keep these.





Lucian got me a simple Christmas Card which was actually quite shocking as I expected him to not actually get me anything.

Well, whatever it's gonna go down the bin anyways.

And exactly as I'd though, Jeremy and Charlotte didn't get me anything. Wow, shocker. I know.

I half expected Charlotte to give me a box filled with dead insects or something, but good for her I guess because it'd have ended up on her face only.

Well I definitely would have given her that had I not have had a better present. You know, the one which would potentially ruin her life.

I decided to give my present the last, you know- saving the best for last.

"I got y'all something too. Kindly turn towards the T.V please" I chirped when it was finally my turn.

I bit the insides of my cheek to stop myself from laughing out loud at what was about to happen in a few minutes as I connected my phone to the T.V and started playing the video.

( Italics- video, Normal- present)

The young Dobrev twins came running into the living room as their eldest brother Lucian, was taking them to the nearby park.

He was watching the both of them at the park as they ran around the swings when his friends called him up to play soccer. He took his attention off of the little girls and decided to go play with his friends.

Charlotte's eyes widened as she realized what was happening and what this video was about.

"What the hell is this" She screeched, trying to turn off the T.V but I held onto her arm firmly so she couldn't move from her place.

"I don't think I need to answer that. Do I?" I smirked back as she glared daggers at me.

The five year old Charlotte got onto a big slide to go down, but someone pushed her from behind and she slipped forward, landing onto the ground with a loud thud.

She screamed out in pain and quickly, a little Ashlynn came running towards her to help her sister.

She crouched down to Charlotte's level to give her a hand and called out to their elder brother Lucian for help as she didn't know what to do to help the crying Charlotte.

Upon hearing his sister's voice, Lucian took a break from his game and jogged towards the swings. His eyes widened when he saw Charlotte crying on the ground and Ashlynn crouched down beside her, trying to provide help in any sort of way.

Lucian wasted no time in sprinting towards the twins and picking up the little Charlotte into his arms and taking her to the nearby bench.

"What happened?" He asked, applying pressure on her leg which was a bit swollen due to the fall.

"Sh-she pushed me d-down the slide" Charlotte responded between sobs, pointing towards Ashlynn who was standing besides the bench, not knowing what to do.

"What?" she said, dumbfounded .

"Is that true Ashlynn?" Lucian asked, his eyes becoming harder and tone becoming threatening by the second.

"What- No-" She stuttered, completely confused as to why her sister was lying.

"Yes, it's true. Why would I lie to you?" Charlotte interjected, tears poring out of her eyes, but at this point Ash wasn't sure if she was actually in pain or was this just an act to get her in trouble.

"We'll talk about this when we get home." Lucian said as he carefully picked up Charlotte and dragged Ashlynn back inside the mansion.

Even at home, no one except the little Alfie believed Ashlynn, no matter how many times she denied hurting her sister.

But when Alexander told her about sending her away, at that time she actually realized that she'd been set up to this.

No matter how much she apologized for something she didn't do or begged , Alexander completely ignored her pleas and sent her away the very next morning.

Mike.

Dropped.

Poof.

Well this would have been a great 'I told you so' moment to walk out at, but I really wanted to stay here and see everything go to shit and the look on their face when they realize what stupid little dipshits they are.

After a two minute silence, in which I was trying to control my uncontrollable laughter, Alexander finally broke the silence.

"Is this tr-true?"

"Well I mean I didn't make the footage now, did I?" I shrugged, shooting him an annoyed look.

Even though I might be laughing about this, I really do have a lot of bottled up anger and hatred inside me towards these people. I never really got the chance to get over it, and seeing this whole thing was like reliving it again. And it affected me more than I would have liked it to.

Alfie was standing there with a 'I knew it' look and like he was proud of me for bringing the truth out.

It was true actually, he did believe me back then. It was a different case that nobody believed him and that he was incredibly stupid, but he still stood with me. That's what counts.

Lucian looked like a guilty and hurt kid while Jeremy stood there as if his whole life has been a lie.

Well, it most likely has.

He always finds a way to trust the wrong people, doesn't he?

Charlotte was standing there, her palms sweating as she wrapped her arms around herself, trying to become as small as humanly possible.

"Go to your room" Alexander stated pointedly towards Charlotte, his whole body reeking with rage.

"But daddy-" She began, her eyes becoming watery as she looked at Jeremy to back her up, but it looked as if he was not even in this room, as if he was lost in his own little world.

"Don't. Make. Me. Repeat. Myself" Alexander growled.

"Daddy I can explain-" She tried to reason again, but obeyed when Alexander yelled.

"JUST GO TO YOUR FUCKING ROOM WILL YOU"

I had to slap a hand in front of my mouth to prevent the laugh escaping from my lips.

After she finally left the room, Alexander finally turned towards me, nothing but guilt and sorrow written across his face.

He knew he fucked up. They all did.

And they also knew damn well that they weren't getting an ounce of my forgiveness.

"Ashlynn I'm s-so Sorry for- I know I should have listened to you- Not a day goes by where I don't regret sending you away- please you have to believe me. I'm so sorry. None of us have been the same ever since you left- You have no idea how much I missed my daughter-" Alexander spoke frantically, his words laced with sadness and pain.

But does that affect me? Ofcouse not.

Does this guy really think he can play the victim here?!

After everything I went through because of him, seven years of pure torture, half my childhood spent in hell and the other half being tormented by the memories of it, does he really think he has the right to make all of this about him?

Yeah, I think THE FUCK NOT.

As much as that angered me, I did not lose my cool and tried my best to remain composed and unbothered.

"Please, you're not sorry that you fucking did any of that. You're just sorry that I found the goddamn footage" I scoffed, cutting him off, my hands clenching into a Fist with so much annoyance and anger that my nails dug into my skin hard enough to draw blood.

But my face, it was as cool as I could make it out to be with a sickening sweet smile.

Exactly like a sociopath.

And who doesn't like a genius, billionaire, gorgeous and creepy sociopath like me?(I really hope y'all are not getting sick of the marvel references lmao)

"That's not tru-" He tried again but I cut him off again.

"Merry Christmas."

With that, I walked out, leaving them all stunned again. Alfie smiled at me and gave me a thumbs up before walking up to his room.

Everly, who was watching from a distance also had an amused and proud smile plastered on her face as the both of us walked out of the dining room and into the living room, plopping down on the couches.

"Damn girl, that was better than I expected" She chuckled.

"Well what can I say, I have a thing for naturally impressing people" I laughed along.





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(A/N)

Soooooo.........

We exposed Charlotte. Yes I know.

In the next chapter, we'll see her reaction along with a few more....interesting things.

I don't have a lot to say right now, but I can say that the next chapter will be out really soon.

Thankyou for sticking around with me and this story, I hope you have a great day>

--Vote and comment

~Angel.