For you, I hope the grass is greener

Chapter 23 Brother Trouble

Daphne's POV

Scott is always the one to throw Daniel under the bus. Any chance he gets, he does this, using any information he can against him. I don't know if that's what brothers normally do or if it stems from jealousy or anger within him.. but he still does all these childish things when he has the opportunity. So I won't give him fuel to add to that childish fire.

Scott smirks over at me before his eyes light up with realization. "Oh, I get it.. You saw him f*#king that slut on your bed is that it?" I feel the tears welling in my eyes as he pushes salt into this arleady festering wound. Why won't he just leave the details out? What is he getting out of talking about it like this? Does he like the fact that I'm hurt and feeling broken?

He scoffs out loud, making me want to punch him in this moment. "So what is this your room from now on?" he mockingly asks me as I roll my eyes, keeping my hands locked across my chest. I shake my head at him, silently answering him. He just laughs as he looks around, so since he is choosing to be rude, I decide to spat back at him. "I just have to get a new bed, that's all.. then I will redecorate, and that should help." He laughs at my expense while still shaking his head as my kids come out of their rooms.

"So since the kids are here with you, does that mean my brother will never take responsibility for them?" he spats glaring over at my kids as they nervously look between the both of us as Scott turns his back to the kids. "No, we are going to co-parent.. he already has his traveling with his job, so I will keep them full time, and he will take the kids on trips and visit as he can.. but that's practically what it has been doing already, since he travels so much for work." I explain to him even though he doesn't deserve an explanation. It's more out of Daniel's defense.

"Hey, Uncle Scott.. what are you doing here?" Andrew asks Scott this, sounding suspicious as he should about this man I have never been a big fan of. Scott doesn't do much, he just shakes his head with annoyance present on his features. "I brought your mother some breakfast to help start her day better than what your father did to her.. you know the cheating and all. So I just wanted to make sure she was ok.. but I have to get going." He states as I nod, having no objection to that idea of him leaving since I never wanted him in here in the first place.

So I follow him as he walks directly to the front door. "Bye Scott... um, thanks for the food." I say as nicely as I can muster up about him just dropping by whenever he pleases. "I'll be back later.. so we can talk.. just the two of us." He states in a creepy tone as he glares over my shoulder. This makes my eyebrows furrow because I know who he is glaring at, and I'm not ok with him treating my children like this.. but the fact that he is leaving is the only reason I will keep my mouth shut right now.

He wants to come back over? Why? It's infuriating how he is inviting himself over again without giving a sh*t if I would even want his company in this hard time for me and my kids. Did he ever think I don't want his company? or I'm busy with my kids.. or maybe I have important plans or need to work. Or maybe, just maybe, I don't want any company... and want to be left alone because I'm a human being going through a rough patch.

I roll my eyes as my jaw automatically clenched in frustration. "You know I'm probably going to run some errands." I declare through my clenched teeth feeling the impatience build the longer he stays. His annoying scoff is what's heard as he shakes his head. "I'm coming by later." he says this again as if I have no say in what I want, and that just irritates me beyond belief. "We'll see." I respond as I shut the door almost in his face, not the way I wanted to start my morning off.

I walk over to the kitchen area just to see that he literally only got food for me.. he knows I have the kids, but he has never been a fan of kids. He has ignored my kids for so many years, almost acting like they don't exist, which annoys the hell out of me.. he knows we are all having a hard time right now and says he is trying to help.. and yet only brings food for me, while glaring at my kids because he hates the fact that the kids are around.. who does that?

I get frustrated and annoyed at that idea.. I know he has always had a thing for me because he has made sure to tell me and my husband about that since the moment I met him.. but to come here unannounced and just expected me to accept him with open arms is weird and creepy, to say the least.. I have the strong urge to say something to Daniel, but I don't want to stress him out more than all of us already are.

I'm just going to be nice for the time being, and if he comes back later, I will tell him nicely that it's inappropriate for him to act like this.. especially right after his brother and I just separated. That should solve the issue.. right?

"Mom, is everything alright?" Andrew asks protectively as I nod at him. "Your uncle brought you guys some breakfast." I say nicely as I watch Marley's eyebrows raise because she doesn't believe me. "No, he brought it for you and barely acknowledged us." she declares as I shake my head.

"I know.. but I'm not hungry, so please have it and make me feel better about this weird situation." I ask them as Andrew swipes up the food boxes into his hands. "You don't have to ask me twice!" He starts chowing down on the eggs and bacon as Marley yelps out. "Hey, I want some! That's not fair!" He puts his hand straight up so he is holding the food above her head where she can't reach.

"Andy.. share with Lee, or I'm taking the food back." I declare as he groans and brings the food down for them to share. Once they eat, they run to their rooms, trying to beat one another to their shared bathroom. As they do this, I walk over to the fridge, grabbing a yogurt as I eat a little bit because I was hungry.. I would rather the kids have what they need than me. I have not eaten meals to make sure my kids have food to eat plenty of times in my life, and I don't regret one moment of it.

The kids have a final at their school, so there is no way they are planning on missing that. so they rush out the door, only giving waves and a kiss on the cheek as they pass by. I was going to take another day off because I needed to finish cleaning our house to try to help me feel better.

I spend the morning cleaning up the house, getting rid of his scent that seems to be lingering on everything around. I reorganize my closet so there isn't a huge gap in it showing me every single day what I'm missing. I'm trying to make this transition as easy as possible for myself. tears are shed, of course, but it's relieving more than anything else. This is the next step to my closure, and I couldn't feel better about it.

Thundering on my front door gets my attention, pulling me out of my organizing thoughts. So I get up and get to the front door just to see if it's multiple men I have never seen before. I crack the door open just a little bit to ask. "Yes? How can I help you?"

"Delivery for a... Mrs.. Mooney.. Daphne Mooney?" I swing the door open with confusion as the men take this action as their cue to start working.. They start pulling a mattress and metal bedframe into my house. I'm shaking my hands and head as I declare, "No, no, no.. I didn't order any of this."

"I did.. I took the liberty of ordering you a new bed and frame so you wouldn't have to sleep on the couch." I hear from beside the men but out of my line of sight. I walk out of my front door seeing its Scott once again. "Scott.. why at all eoukd you think that you.. my brother-in-law, should be buying me a bed.. that is completely inappropriate." I declare loudly.

The shock on his face at my reaction is saying to me that he is offended. "Yea, your brother picking out your bed is weird for sure... and a little creepy." we hear from Nick who is coming out of his place and looks taken back by all these men walking back and forth through the front of our houses. But he is right I completely agree with Nick's thoughts.

"Right?! Why would you think that's ok? Your brother and I just separated.. this is not ok for you to buy me.. and this isn't even anything I wanted.. I told you I would be redecorating my room the way I want when I got myself a new bed.. Me... not you." I spat at him as he glares back at Nick then me.

"I thought I could help make sure the bed and everything I bought you was to your standards.. you know.. with just the two of us." He tries to explain in a sexy tone, but this just makes my mouth agape. "Oh.. thay just turned back to creepy." Nick states with disgust on his face as I instantly slap Scott out of anger.

"I can't believe you would think any of this is ok, Scott.. this is creepy, and there is no way I would be testing out anything on my bed with you.. You're lucky I love your family or more than that slap would be happening.. now, take your bed and leave. I don't want it.. get it out." I demand of him as he just shakes his head. "Can we talk about this just the two of us?" he asks as I scoff out at that.

"No! You think you can just invite yourself into my place this morning, and now this?! I appreciate that you want to help, but I didn't ask for this, nor did I want this.. please return everything." I demand as the working men freeze, waiting for Scott to say something. "I'm so sorry for offending you, Daphne.. I didn't want to offend at all. I just wanted to help out.. please accept this gift as an apology for that misunderstanding.. It's one less thing to worry about." I let out a deep breath as I nod.

"Fine.. I will keep it.. thank you for the apology.. but I don't want you to keep doing this.. I'm stressed and having a hard enough time without you showing up unannounced.. that is not ok." he keeps nodding at my lecture before he asks. "Did you at least like the breakfast?"

"I gave it to my kids." I declare as he rolls his eyes and scoffs loudly.. "I bought it for you.. not them.. ugh." He states this, causing not just my eyebrows to furrow but Nick's as well. "Ok.. well Scott, thanks, but I think it's time for you to leave." I demand of him in the nicest tone I can put together with my irritation at an all-time high.

It's perfect timing because the men are finished up with the new bed and taking my old one out for me, which does help. Scott looks mad, but he doesn't say anything else he just storms away from us, apparently not liking my response. With all the men following behind, just to climb back into the van they brought here and leaving the property.

"Are you ok?" Nick asks me as I let out a deep breath. "I think so.. I'm creeped out and irritated beyond belief today, but I'm trying to have a decent day. Thanks for asking." I say to him and send him a small smile. "Well, I needed to get some groceries. Did you need anything?" My smile grows at his question, but I still shake my head. "Ok, well, I have to go while I have the time.. I'm on call. So I have to make sure I am ready to go if they need me.. so I'll talk to you later.. have a better day, Daphne." He states with his keys already in hand as he walks away to his car and driving away.