THE DON’S BRAND

Court Is Home

Emilia

The apartment was quiet by 7:40 AM.

Emilia was already dragging he to small duffle to the door. Two sweaters, jeans, notebooks, her laptop. Not too much. Her parents doesn't believe in " bringing your whole life home."

I'm the kitchen, Nora was burning toast and Vicky was trying to curl her hair with one hand and hold coffee with the other.

Nora pulled her in to a hug... " Call us, okay? Everyday."

" they're gonna keep you for awhile. Vicky stood hugging her tight." You know how they are. ' install discipline' and all that" she rolled her eyes, but her voice cracked a little.

"I'll be fine. It's just... court." Emilia said.

That's what's she called it. The court. Where her parents were the judges, and there was no appealing verdict.

She kissed them both on the cheek and left.

They headed to Northbridge.

She headed home.

* Northbridge University _ 10:15 AM *

The hallway was packed. Backpacks, coffee, last minute notes.

Emily Hart was walking fast, phone in hand, already late for PoliSci.

Nora stepped in front of her first.

"How dare you do that to your own sister?" Nora attacked.

Emily didn't even look up.

" Do what?" Her tone was flat. Bored. She kept scrolling.

" you don't know that you put her in trouble.

That made Emily stop. She finally looked up, smirked.

That sounds good. And honestly? It serves her right." Emily said laughing.

Vicky came around the corner and heard the last part. Her face went red in two seconds.

"You stupid bitch." Vicky shouted and the whole hall turned towards their direction.

Emily was already stepping away, slipping her phone into her bag.

" whatever." She said Over her shoulder.

Vicky's hand shook.

" I f*****g hate her guts." She said obviously pissed.

" Not only you." Nora said quietly as her eyes glare dagger at Emily's retreating back.

They both walked each other to their separate lectures room.

* IN THE HALLWAY_ EMILY... *

Emily's face went grey the second she turned the corner.

Her hands were cold.

How did Dad know?

She hadn't said anything. Not to mom. Not even to dad... " then who told them?"

But someone told them. And now Emilia is being called back to the court.

Emily kept walking, but her steps were smaller now. For the first time, she looked scared. Not of Vicky. Not of Nora.

Of what Marco Hart did when someone put " the jewel" in danger.

She whispered to herself as she pushed into class. She had gone through hell all her live just because of that b***h " Emilia." Who kept acting so innocent.

"Serves her right... but her heart still ached."

* Meanwhile_ Emilia Driving... *

Emilia drove with both hands on the wheel. 45 minutes to the Hart Estate.

Her phone buzzed once. Mom.

Then nothing.

She wanted to cry. Call Vicky and Nora to stay back with her but she didn't .

She just drove.

Because when her parents called you home, you are supposed to submit.

And when they were done " installing discipline maybe they'd let you go back to your real life.

Maybe.

* HART MANSION... *

The iron gates of the Hart estate opened with a slow groan.

45 minutes turned into a life time.

The drive up was long, lined with old oak trees that blocked most of the sun. The house at the end didn't look like a home. It looked like a courthouse. White stone. Tall columns. No lights on inside at 9PM.

Emilia parked in the circle drive. Cut the engine. Sat there for 10 seconds with both hands still on the wheels.

She grabbed her duffle.

The front doors opened before she could knock.

MS. HART.

Hair perfect. Dress perfect. Eyes anything but.

" inside. Now." Mrs. Hart commands.

No hug. No " how was the drive."

* STUDY... *

Her father was already waiting.

Marco Hart stood behind his desk. No jacket. Sleeves rolled up. A file open in front of them.

The only sound was the tickling of the grand father clock.

" close the door behind you, Emilia." Marco said.

She did. Her duffle felt heavier.

" Sit."

She sat in the chair across from him. The same chair she'd sat in at 12 when she got caught sneaking out. At 14 when she failed a test on purpose. At 16 when she told Them she wanted to live off campus.

" Why the hell were you at Salvatore's club last night?" The question came out as a yell earning a strong shiver from Emilia.

Emilia stepped back, her throat went dry.

Dad, I was only there for an hour. With Nora and Vicky. We had pizza and we left__"

Marco slams his hand on the desk. Not loud. Just final.

" Do you understand what happens when the name Hart is seen in a place like that? Especially your name?"

Emilia there were rumors that there was a hit. Two men were even found dead this morning... Mrs Hart voice came out bitter and scared.

I didn't know. I swear I didn't know anything was going to happen. Mom, you said I could have one night___"

One night to breathe... princess. Not one night to get caught in the middle of a war." Mrs. Hart said.

Silence again. The clicked ticked.

Marco leaned forward " You are my jewel, Emilia. Not because you're perfect. Because you're the only part of this family that isn't dirty yet. And I will burn this city down before I let anyone touch you."

Emilia blinked hard. She wouldn't cry. Not here.

" so what now? House arrest?" She asked quite knowing. What lies now."

For now. No school. No apartment outside Home. No Northbridge. You stay here with us. With security."

He slid a a phone across the desk. A new one. We could track every of your movement. That other one it done." Marco said.

" But Dad... Vicky and Nora?"

They can visit. Here. Under supervision so as your home room teacher. Ms. Hart added.

Emilia looked down at her hands. She knew she blew everything up but can't blame her she hungered for some fun which didn't lasted.

Marco's voice went softer now.

" I'm not mad that you wanted to go out, EM. I'm mad that the world is not safe for you to do it. And that's my fault for not taking care of thing earlier on... but dad will sooner.

He stood and came around the desk. He didn't hug her. He never did.

He just put a hand on her shoulder. Heavy.

Court is adjourned. Go upstairs. Unpack. We'll talk later."

* UPSTAIRS __ Emilia's Room...*

It was exactly how she left it at 18.

White bedding. Bookshelf. Window that looked over the gate.

She dropped her duffle. The new phone buzzed.

" Freshen up and come join us for dinner."

She scoffed as she threw the phone on the bed. While she stare at the empty space.

The court had just sentenced her.