A/N: These last few weeks have reminded me that I actually do have a life, so I apologize for my late updates. Thanks to everyone who hasn't given up hope on this story yet AKA my reviewers, favoriters, and followers (but mostly my reviewers :D)

This chapter came a lot sooner than I wanted it to, but I just felt the need to write it. So this chapter is dedicated to Charlina (guest), redisawesome, Mila-is-a-bookworm-101, girlwiththedarkhair, and kat callan, who all saw this coming a mile away.

Disclaimer: These characters are not mine. If they were, the House of Hades probably wouldn't be out for another three years (if I work on books like I work on FanFiction).

Hazel POV

I kept my head down and tried my hardest to concentrate on making lunch, but it wasn't working. Part of the problem was that I actually hate making lunch, but most of the problem was Leo.

"So, do you still have those sweet metal talent things?"

I took a deep breath and tried not to get too mad. "Yes, and I'm going to throw tons of diamonds at you if you don't shut up."

"But wasn't there some sort of curse that went along with it?"

"Yes, but as a reward for the Giant War, the gods took away my curse."

Leo stood up from the table and came behind the counter. He kept walking until he was standing right next to me. And I mean right next to me.

"So what's your deal?" he murmurmed into my ear, as if there was someone else in the house (which there wasn't).

I edged away slightly. "What do you mean?"

"We made a deal," he continued. "When he turned fifteen, we were going to tell him. His sixteenth birthday is in a few weeks, and he still has no idea."

I suddenly realized what he was talking about, and my stomach started churning. The fact that Leo was standing about two inches away from me didn't help. I hadn't felt like this in years.

"Look," I sighed. "Do you want to tell him? What do you think he'll do? He'll kill us! And with so much going on right now, I don't want to have to break the news to him. But if you want to, be my guest."

"I don't want to do it, but what choice do we have? He needs to know sometime."

"You want to know the truth, Leo?" I asked. "I'm embarrassed. There, I said it. What we did should have never happened, and I'm ashamed that it did. So I'd rather not say anything. Not to mention there's the minor problem of Frank to worry about."

Leo just shook his head and walked away a bit. Then, with his back to me, he said, "Collin is our son. We should be proud of him."

Collin POV

I stopped dead in my tracks. There I was, standing right next to the kitchen door, ready to lead Helena, Jessica, Sammy, and Emily Marie in to tell Mom what had happened, when I heard her talking. She said something about being embarrassed and I started to wonder exactly what she and Leo had been doing in there.

Then Leo said it. The four words that changed my life forever.

"Collin is our son."

I was vaguely aware of Helena placing a hand on my shoulder and Jessica gasping and Sammy saying "What?" but I tuned them out.

It all made sense. My looks, the strange glances I got from the other seven, the fact that Leo would never properly look me in the eye . . .

It didn't even occur to me to wonder why or how I was Leo's son. I only knew that I was. I had Hazel's eyes, but beyond that I looked like a fifteen-year-old Leo.

And then a feeling of anger and despair washed over me. I was suddenly warm with fury at Leo and my mom for not telling me. I pulled away from Helena and burst into the kitchen.

"WHAT THE HELL?" I shouted. "Is this some kind of joke?"

Mom screamed and Leo paled. Helena and Jess both ran in after me and tried to pull me back, but I resisted.

"Collin, you don't understand - " started Hazel, but I cut her off.

"I think I understand perfectly fine! Leo is my dad, not Frank! It's always been that way and you never bothered to tell me that!"

"This isn't how we wanted you to find out," said Leo quietly.

"I don't care how you wanted me to find out! What about Sammy and Emily Marie and Dad? I've spent all my life growing attached to them, and the only true family I have is you two! Do you have any idea how hurt I am? Do you have any idea what you just did to me? You're the one who doesn't understand, Mom. Maybe next time you should consider actually telling the truth."

I ran past my friends, who all looked shocked. I tore down the hallway and flew into my room, where I slammed the door and collapsed onto my bed, tears running down my face.