Despite the depressing news Elliot delivered when he came home, Carrick felt some hope when Mia showed up a few minutes ago. She hadn't come with her brother, but at least she was there. He knew they had to make a real effort with her or else she'd be lost to them too. Mia, he would say was even angrier than Christian was at them for what they accused him off. It was apparent she didn't like Elliot and could barely stand to be in the same room with him. He had hoped a plane trip together would heal some of the rift, but that didn't happen as Mia avoided Elliot at all cost.

Their week had been horrid, starting with running into the Marshalls. Elizabeth Marshall had taken great joy in congratulating them on their first grandchild. The grandchild they didn't even know they had. As it turned out Christian and his wife had announced the birth of his baby girl a few hours earlier. He had a Google alert for Christian but hadn't received an alert. It came when he and Grace got home from their lunch.

The rest of week he'd had to deal with whispers at the firm, it had been the same when Christian got married. The whole of Seattle knew his wife's best friend had abused both his boys and he had no clue. Worse, they didn't believe their son when he told them. Everyone knew they had lied about Christian leaving because he dropped out of Harvard. His standing in the firm and the community at large had taken a big hit.

None of that hurt as much as knowing he had a granddaughter who he would never meet and she would never know them.

Elliot's trip had given him some hope, but that hope was dashed when he came home with the news that Christian although forgiving wanted nothing to do with them. That information was confirmed that morning when a sheriff's deputy delivered a restraining order.

"Dad, dinner is ready." Elliot bellowed. With a sigh, Carrick turned his laptop off and headed for the dining room. Dinner was a silent affair, an uncomfortable one at that. He had news that was not appropriate for the moment, but there was never going to be an appropriate time to deliver that news.

"I was served with a restraining order this morning." All eyes turned to him except for Mia's.

"Restraining order from whom." Grace was indignant. Did someone in her former social circle go that far to keep them away? She'd bet every last cent it was the Marshalls.

"From Christian... I guess Elliot's visit was the last straw." Carrick lamented.

"So that's it… we made one mistake, and he really is not willing to try. We have a granddaughter... is he just going to cut us out of her life. What is he going to do when they ask about us? I can't believe he can be that petty. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face. He will sorely regret this in the future… mark my words." No one responded as none of them believed her words. They didn't think Christian would regret anything at any point. No, the regret lay squarely on their doorsteps. "I can't believe he got a restraining order against us." She shook her head in disbelief.

"Can you blame him? I mean after everything he went through as a child… you chose to believe he was a rapist rather than believe your best friend was a pedophile." Mia made no effort to hide the disgust in her voice.

"Mia, shut up… everyone makes mistakes, but Christian is choosing to hold a grudge after years of us trying to make amends. Please, get off your high horse… last I checked he wants nothing to do with you either." Elliot barked.

Mia sat back with a smug smile that only served to annoy Elliot. "And that would make you feel better, wouldn't it." Mia snarked. "Are you less likely to reach for another drink in the knowledge that he wants nothing to do with me either? Well, as much as I hate to burst that bubble, I will… because I am sick and tired of you and this woe me attitude. You brought this on yourself so fuck off. I have a relationship with Christian…" they all stared, but it was clear they didn't believe her. "His daughter's name is Lauren Mia Grey. Unlike you…" she sneered at Elliot. "I was ready to stand up for him, but he beckoned me to stay quiet. Later, he told me it was clear where you all stood and that you had proved the pedophile right. Did you know Elena did nothing but drum it into his head that you would abandon him and turn your backs on him if you ever found out? She had him so sure you wouldn't believe a word he said if he ever told you. And what did you do you proved the pedophile right. Grace knew that tidbit of information, but Carrick and Elliot didn't. Why do you think I went to college in New York, why do you think I live in Manhattan? I'd rather be closer to Christian than any of you. The only reason I make any effort is that Christian insists I don't turn my back on you… why I don't know considering you turned your backs on him." In truth, Mia had been waiting for this moment. She didn't expect it to come that day, but there it was. She could finally stop pretending she was clueless about everything. She didn't care if her dad cut her off or stopped paying her tuition and accommodation. Christian had already made it clear he would provide for Mia if the day ever came.

"You've been in contact with Christian all this time?" Grace's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Yes, he came to my room the night he left to say goodbye. A few days later I received a phone from him and stayed in touch. Did you know he had proof of Elena's abuse of him? Elena took pictures, and Christian found them." Elliot paled, he finally understood Mia's attitude and why she was colder towards him more so than their parents. Mia knew his history with Elena.

Carrick and Grace stared at each other in disbelief. Elliot had bolted from the table feeling sick. Mia left without a word after dropping that bombshell on them. Had they given Christian a minute they would have known the truth, but after the scene they had witnessed, they were so sure they knew the truth, after all, it stared them in the face.

"Why didn't he tell us?" Grace mumbled. It was clear Christian was instrumental in Elena's arrest. He had proof the entire time. They had always believed the evidence had come from Theo. No, Christian had given Theo the proof he needed to make Elena pay. Grace realized it was what her parents had sent her several times. She had thought they'd bought whatever lies Christian was selling.

"He tried, but we had our minds made up. Mia is right, we chose to believe our son was a rapist rather than believe he was being abused… again." Carrick said staring off into the distance unable to look at his wife.

Grace bemoaned the fact that Elena had been proved right and they had indeed turned their backs on Christian. Somehow Elena had known the makeup of her family and had predicted their reaction. Would they have reacted the same had they walked in on them having regular sex? Would Christian have told them the truth, and how would they have handled it if he had? Deep down Grace knew the answer, and she didn't like herself very much for it. "How many years are we going to lament this mistake?" Grace mumbled. "How many years are we going to say the same words over and over again?" Guilt ate away at her, but she tried to move on, and every time it was met with an obstacle of more revelations that shed a blinding light on their epic failures as parents. Both her sons abused by her so-called best friend. Where was she when all this was happening? A doctor who was trained to spot abuse missed it for years in her own children. No wonder she was forced to retire early. Who would want her as a doctor for their child when she couldn't care for her own? Mia, a mere child then, saw it. Somehow it had so apparent to her, and she was making them pay now as well. Mia's revelation wasn't all that shocking when she thought about it. Mia had a very close relationship with Christian, so if anyone in this family was going to stand by Christian no matter what it would be her. She had gotten him to say his first word after all. For the longest time she had been the only one that could touch him, but from the few pictures she saw of Christian, that girl could touch him as well. She wondered if the girl she met at her parents' house was the one she married. Grace found her incredibly disrespectful and worse, poking her nose where it didn't belong. If they ever manage to make amends with Christian, Grace knew she would have trouble with the wife. Then again making amends with Christian was purely wishful thinking on her part.

...

Mia had had enough of this charade and was ready to head back to New York. She'd known there would be nothing to celebrate, as they would have received the restraining order by the time she got there. Carrick revealing the information at dinner had surprised her. She was done with them and was ever coming back here. With that decision made she sat outside waiting for Luke to come and pick her up. She had taken a later flight to spend as little time with them as possible. "Mia." She groaned annoyed not only by the intrusion, but also the sight of him.

"What do you want Elliot?"

"I panicked, I didn't know what to say... how to say it..."

"Don't insult my intelligence, insult yours all you want but not mine. Let's be honest, you sold your silence. I know all about you losing your trust fund and the money Elena gave you to keep your mouth shut. How much was it? How much was your soul worth, Elliot?" He didn't answer, he couldn't. No amount of money was worth the subsequent grief it caused. "I have known about you and her since that night. It was easier for you to keep quiet rather than admit you let her abuse you and then shut you up with money.

You took her money and let mom and dad believe Christian was a rapist when you knew exactly what they had walked in on. You just sat there and watched them label him a rapist. Tell me something, how well do you sleep at night knowing what she did to all those boys when you could have stopped it. You had the perfect opportunity to stop her, come to Christian's defense, but instead, you thought of the money and yourself and hung my brother out to dry. If you believed the bullshit you were just trying to sell me you wouldn't have drunk yourself into a stupor every night. Mom and dad, I can almost understand, you… you just disgust me. All these years and counting and you are still lying about the part you played in all this." She threw her bag over her shoulder and stormed towards the SUV that was just pulling up.

"She promised to leave him alone. He was at Harvard he was away from her…" Mia stopped and whirled around staring at Elliot with her jaw hanging.

"You… you knew what she was doing to Christian before that night. Oh my God, Elliot… it wasn't just you knowing she was into underage boys, but you knew Christian was one of them. She didn't buy your silence, did she? You blackmailed her." So much was beginning to make sense now. I mean why else would Elliot have kept quiet all this time. "That is why you didn't defend Christian. Your blackmailing her would have come to light. This was all about protecting yourself and nothing else.

"Mia…"

"No, there isn't a damn thing you can say that will make this alright. Do they know?" She pointed to the house.

"Yes." He could barely look at her. "They know I was one of her victims, just not…"

"The fact that you sold your brother out for money and then kept quiet when you knew he hadn't raped that fucking pedophile. You, Elliot Grey… are dead to me. The next time you see me pretend you don't know me. Say one word to me, and mom and dad will find out just the kind of brother you truly are. He kept your secret… despite your betrayal, he was still a brother to you. I fucking hate you." She stormed off towards the car without looking back.

She was steaming when she got into the car. Even Sawyer knew to leave her alone. She got out her phone to call Christian, but then tossed it on the seat and sighed loudly. If she spoke to him now, she'd take her anger out on him. How could he not tell her about the extent of Elliot's betrayal? She had allowed him to talk her into coming here and sitting at the same table as him. As though Carrick not giving her a choice would actually get her to show up. "Don't do to them what they did to me." She scoffed. "That was the line Christian used to get her to agree to come to this farce of a birthday dinner."

"He doesn't want you to make a decision you'd regret in the future," Sawyer said in an attempt to placate her.

"Regret... no, the only thing I regret is falling for Christian Grey's puppy dog routine." Sawyer chuckled, he knew the puppy dog routine well, Ana and Gail fell for it on a daily basis. If Sawyer was honest with himself, he'd taken to using the same method on his mother and sisters lately.

"Look on the bright side. You get to spend the rest of the weekend in a beautiful suite, with room service and an award-winning spa."

"Did you read the brochure?" she teased.

"Of course, I am looking forward to a massage tomorrow morning. I am going for every treatment there is."

"My room would be all the better if you spend the night with me," Mia said lasciviously. He stared back at her through the rearview mirror.

"Mia..."

"If you are worried about my brother... don't. You were included in the incentives to get me here." She smirked at him. "I'd understand and leave you be if you weren't the least bit attracted to me. You don't date... I'm aware you have the occasional one night stand, but you don't want any of them because you want me. I am twenty years old. I am old enough to know my mind. Hell, Ana was the same age when she met my brother and married him a year later. " He couldn't find an argument to counter, not that he was trying very hard to come up with one. He had a semi every time she was around. She could be rather silly when she wanted to be but was fiercely loyal and very intelligent.

"Would you join me for a late dinner. I know you've..."

"Actually, I didn't have much of an appetite, which wasn't a surprise considering the company." She admitted. Deep down it hurt her that she couldn't summon an ounce of forgiveness to try and have a type of relationship with her family. Their betrayal of Christian was too much for her to overcome. After everything he suffered through as a child, they abandoned him when they should have embraced and helped him. She had to wonder what else she didn't know about the whole sordid affair. Why would they not believe grandpa when he tried to tell the truth? Did her parents also have an ulterior motive? Christian had a lot of explaining to do.

...

Elliot watched the SUV disappear down the driveway. In the space of twenty-four hours, he had lost both his siblings. He'd give his right hand for someone else to be at fault for all this. He knew there was no point in going back inside the house. He got into his truck and drove around aimlessly for a couple of hours ignoring his vibrating phone. Eventually, he pulled up outside a bar, one drink wouldn't kill him. He switched off his phone and tossed it in the glove compartment.

It had been over a year since he walked into a bar, but it felt as though he hadn't left at all. His life very much felt the same, while Christian had everything any man would want he was stuck in limbo. Despite rehab and AA meetings, he was stuck. He scanned the bar and spotted a gorgeous blonde and made a beeline for the stool next to hers.

"Can I get you another."

"No, thank you... I already got..." Kate's voice trailed off when she realized whom she was speaking to.

"I'm Elliot..." He started.

"Grey... yes, I know who you are. My best friend happens to be married to your brother. Then again, I can't really call him your brother. I don't recall seeing you at his wedding." Kate snarked.

"Oh," Elliot mumbled.

"Yes... oh." Kate got off the stool picking up her order and disappeared further into the bar.

Elliot had come to the bar to forget about the fact that he was the worst brother anyone could ask for and gets reminded of just that. He couldn't wait for the week to end.

"Struck out I see. Don't worry you are not the first and I doubt you'd be the last." A stranger murmured with a chuckle.

"Yeah," Elliot mumbled getting the bartenders attention. "Beer, whatever you have on tap, and whatever my man here is drinking." He ordered.

"Thanks, beer on tap." He answered with a smile. "I'm Jack Hyde by the way."

"Elliot Grey." He shook the proffered hand.

'Oh, I already know that.' Jack thought as his smile widened.