y

etached, like handling the property of a distant relative rather than the remnants of my own childhood home. Maybe that was for the best. The les

omforting in picking out something special for them myself. It was a small, domestic gesture that grounded me, a stark contrast to the sterile world of legal docu

ignored it, but something made me

anniversary party is tonight. You

e had turned him against me. I felt a pang of something akin to disgust. They "missed" me? After five years o

It was one of Alaric's flagship properties, a beacon of luxury that had recently been renovated under Arnulfo's

for me in New York. I picked up a beautifully illustrated copy of "The Little Prince" for Leo and headed for t

ing me off from the taxi stand. My first thought was annoyance. My second was a flicker of recognition. It was th

ped, dropped my shopping bags, and landed hard on the plush leather. Before I could

side, I saw a familiar profile. His dark h

ld stop it. A wave of nausea washed over me. The last time I had spoken

shb

ight, strained. "Ainsley needs this. She's been

She spread rumors about me! She told Clayton I was still secretly meetin

t upset. And you always have to make such a scene. Can't you just let her be happy

p on me. My own brother. He had c

Flas

ith a cold, formal edge. "What th

ion unreadable. "It's been a long time, Ivy." He did

sly calm. "And it seems you've learne

nts to see you," he stated, ignoring my jab.

here?" I scoffed, looking at my scattered shopping bags on

ining. Always making a mountain out of a molehill. Ainsley would never be this difficult."

ing Ainsley. The perfect little angel who could do no wrong." My voice was laced with venom.

teering wheel. "That's not fair,

e word tasting like bile. "Or just a master man

shb

ntless times. "She had such a difficult upbringing before I

ed" my clothes and never returned them, patient when she started flirting openly with Clayton, my fiancé, right in

king him once, barely concealing my frustration. He'd just shrugged

Flas

like those caramel lattes, Ivy? I remember you used to always or

shb

. Extra whipped cream." He ruffled my hair, a rare moment of genuine affection. He used to be my best frie

insinuations, the constant need for attention. Slowly, imperceptibly,

me, his eyes filled with a strange pity, a mix of guilt and resignation. "You should

ars blurring my vision. The crash was almost a mercy. It stopped the pain of their rejection,

Flas

oice cutting through his nostalgic attemp

ed. Lines of stress etched around his eyes, his once bright gaze dul

my voice sharp, cutting off any furt

the anniversary party. At The Grandeur Hotel. Donnell's... he's really keen to see y