Daphne's POV
Cam called this morning.Said he wanted to have lunch with his "little sister" and "future wife." His words, not mine.
I almost said no.Not because I didn't want to see him, but because I didn't feel like seeing anyone. Especially not Cam. But when Cam calls, you don't exactly get a choice. He insisted—and when Cam insists, you show up. That's just how it's always been.
There's this thing about Cam. He's not loud. He doesn't threaten or beg. He just knows things—knows us—and that somehow makes it impossible to refuse him. Maybe it's guilt. Maybe it's love. Maybe it's the fact that I know I owe him more than I could ever put into words.
He didn't just raise me and Roman. He raised all of us.
The Chaos Eight didn't come together by luck or fate—we survived because Cam stepped up when no one else did. When the adults got too busy chasing power, hosting fundraisers, or disappearing into boardrooms and scandals, Cam was the one who stayed.
Cass and Cam lost their parents young. Camis's mom was barely ever around. My parents? They were available in theory, but somewhere along the way, even they stopped showing up. So Cam—barely in his teens—became the adult in the room. Six years older than the rest of us, but twice as mature. While we were out there being reckless and loud, Cam was learning how to manage money, cook for eight, and make sure we didn't burn the house down.
He gave up his childhood so we could keep ours.
When he finally finished his studies, my dad handed him the Lancaster business like it was the obvious next step. He moved out, got his own place. We pretended to be happy for him—and we were. But that didn't stop the loneliness from creeping in.
It wasn't long before my mom moved us closer. Now the Lyr, Lancaster, and Brooks mansions sit side by side, like some exclusive gated soap opera. And even though Cass and Cami technically live next door, they're practically always at my place.
Why?That's a long story. One that involves late-night pizza, borrowed clothes, and secrets we still haven't said out loud.
Anyway. Cam's always shown up for us. For me. So today, even if I feel like hiding, I'll show up for him.
I reached the Lancaster residence right on time—fashionably ten minutes late.
And there he was.
Cam.
It had been almost a year since I last saw him in person. He'd grown older. Not in a bad way—he still had that whole hot bad boy vibe, the same one my friends used to drool over in high school. Messy dark hair, sharp jawline, that permanently unbothered expression. The kind of look that screamed trouble with a bank account.
But he wasn't just Cam, the Chaos King. He was also Mr. Perfect. The only guy who never looked at any of us—not because he couldn't, but because his eyes had always been on someone else.
Miss Perfect.Eleanor Whitmore.
She was the daughter of our parents' assistant, and honestly? She looked like she belonged in a damn perfume commercial. Graceful, intelligent, soft-spoken—everything a Lancaster-approved woman was supposed to be. If Cam was our dad growing up, Eleanor was our mom. That's how it felt.
Unlike the rest of us, Eleanor's father was actually around. But since our parents weren't, she mostly stayed with us. He was always away, working with my parents, so she was left to fill the void at our place. Her mom was... somewhere else. I don't know where. Maybe nowhere.
Cam, Eleanor, and Cass—all of them moved out. They left the family home, decided to make a life together. And even though Eleanor's presence didn't have the same effect on me as it did on Cam, I still couldn't blame her for it.
I blamed my mom.
She couldn't stand the fact that Eleanor didn't come from money. That she wasn't a "real Lancaster." She didn't want her precious family name "tainted" by someone who hadn't been born with a silver spoon halfway down her throat. It got ugly. Cam moved out, and slowly, things got better. Mom came around, at least enough to stop fighting him. For once, she chose her son's happiness over her pride.
That should've been the happy ending. But something about Cam felt... off today.
He looked tired. Not just in the "long day at work" kind of way, but in the "carrying too much for too long" kind of way. There were shadows under his eyes that hadn't been there before. Like the weight of raising eight kids and running a legacy was finally catching up to him.
My poor brother. Always holding everything together. Even when no one asked him to.
"Hey, Cam," I greeted, leaning against the doorframe.
He looked up and gave me that familiar smirk. "Look who finally showed up," he teased. "I was starting to think you weren't going to make it."
I rolled my eyes. "I'm always fashionably late, you know that."
"Yeah, well, I wasn't sure if it was fashionable or just you being a pain," he said, but there was warmth in his eyes.
I sat down across from him, still studying his face. He looked... different. More worn out than I remembered. His eyes had that tired edge to them, like he hadn't been sleeping well.
"You look like you need a break," I said, crossing my arms. "When was the last time you took a day off? Seriously, you're running on fumes."
Cam gave a short, exhausted chuckle. "Not in the cards."
Before I could press further, Eleanor walked in, her elegant presence immediately filling the room. As soon as she saw me, she smiled and rushed over to pull me into a hug.
"Daphne!" she exclaimed, holding me tightly for a moment before pulling back to look at me. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too!" I replied, grinning. "It feels like forever since we had a proper catch-up."
Eleanor laughed softly, stepping back and looking between Cam and me. "You two are still acting like best friends, huh? It's crazy how you barely talk, but when you do, it's like nothing's changed."
I smiled at her, but I could feel the tension in the room shift. Something felt off between the three of us. I looked at Cam, whose smile faded slightly at Eleanor's words.
"Yeah," I said, trying to keep the mood light. "It's like you two can never stop being siblings, even if it's been forever."
Cam chuckled, but his laugh was hollow, lacking the usual lightness it used to carry. "Guess we just get each other. The rest of the world doesn't have to understand."
Eleanor rolled her eyes, her voice thick with sarcasm as she glanced at Cam. "Oh, please. You're still acting like the 'commitment-phobe' you always were." She shot him a teasing glance, but there was an unmistakable sharpness to her tone, as if she was tired of hearing the same excuse.
I raised an eyebrow. "Cam, seriously, you need to take a break. You've been running on empty. Maybe it's time to take a step back and actually think about... well, marriage. You and Eleanor are engaged, right?"
Cam shrugged but didn't look at me directly. There was a flicker of something in his eyes, something I couldn't quite place, before he gave me a noncommittal smile. "Maybe in another life."
Eleanor, overhearing, threw her hands up in the air with a sarcastic grin. "Oh, God, not this again." Her voice dripped with mockery. "You're both crazy if you think he's going to settle down anytime soon."
I blinked, surprised by the coldness in her response. She usually was the one who nudged Cam towards this stuff, but today, her irritation seemed a little sharper. She shook her head, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Guess I'll just keep waiting forever, then. No rush, right?"
Cam met her eyes for a moment, his smile faltering. Then he looked away, running a hand through his hair.
The air between them had shifted, and I could feel it. There was a tension, a kind of distance that hadn't been there before. It was small, but I could sense it, like a thread ready to snap.
Trying to cut through the tension in the room, I grinned and leaned back. "So... is my room still there? Or did you guys turn it into a guest room or something?"
Cam scoffed. "Like that could ever happen. I know you'd throw a tantrum the size of Manhattan."
Eleanor laughed, the sound easing the edge in the room. "Go check it. I added some new stuff—some plushies, makeup, and yeah... new clothes."
I gasped dramatically. "I love you!" Then I narrowed my eyes, half-laughing. "Wait—please tell me you didn't get the same stuff for Liv and Cami. You know I hate it when you try to match us."
Eleanor raised both hands in mock defense. "I won't say anything. Go and check."
With that, I spun on my heel and rushed down the hall toward my old room, calling out, "You better not have matched me with Liv again, El, I swear—"
As I pushed the door open, the smell of fresh lavender hit me. The room was just how I remembered it—but with Eleanor's touch layered on top. New cushions, soft throws, a few little trinkets on the shelves, and yes... a neat stack of new clothes folded at the foot of the bed.
I smiled to myself, shaking my head. I know she got us matching outfits again.
But I didn't really mind. Not this time.
This… this is where I've always felt at home.
When Cam moved out and built his own place, Cami and I had thrown the biggest fit. We demanded our own rooms—complete with walk-in closets, plush rugs, and full-length mirrors—because he wasn't just Cam. He was our family. The idea of him moving out felt like he was moving on, like he was starting a life without us. Like we'd be left behind.
But when we finally got the courage to ask, Cam and Eleanor just looked at us like we were ridiculous."You didn't need to ask," Eleanor had said with that soft smile of hers. "We already made them."Cam nodded, his voice rough with emotion. "You'll always have a place here. Always."
We cried. All of us.
And it wasn't just us girls. The boys had their own rooms too. Well—except for Cass, who obviously demanded his own space. But the rest? They insisted on sharing one room, like some chaotic little frat house inside our home.
I used to call this our happy place. And for a while, it really was.
But time has a habit of changing things.
Cam got busy. Eleanor too. We all did. Life pulled us in different directions, and the house—though still warm—felt a little quieter every time I came back.
As I looked around, my eyes landed on two boxes tucked into the corner of the room. A small note rested on top in familiar handwriting.
Curious, I walked over and opened them.
Inside the first was a bracelet—simple, elegant, but engraved with tiny letters. C.H.A.O.S 8.The second box held a single diamond earring—delicate, beautiful, and clearly custom-made.
I unfolded the note and began to read.
Little one,You're always going to be our princess. I know things between Cam and me haven't been great lately, but I also know we'll be fine. Just like things with the Chaos 8—we're messy, we're complicated, but we always find our way back.The bracelet was something the gang designed after you left. JJ just got his too, but they never got the chance to give you yours. The others already have theirs.And this earring? Cam and I designed it for our princess.We love you, baby girl.P.S. Yes, I got you girls matching stuff again but the earring are just for you . Deal with it. And wear the earrings and bracelet—Cam would love that.
I pressed the note to my chest, my throat tightening. Somehow, even after all the silence, all the mess, they still knew how to make me feel like I belonged.
And maybe that's what I needed to remember all along.
No matter how far we drift... this will always be home.
The earrings were beautiful—elegant, delicate, and definitely expensive. Cam must've picked the biggest diamond he could find.
But let's be real—if Eleanor hadn't helped him, they would've been ugly.
I smiled, slipping the Chaos 8 bracelet onto my wrist.They're not even going to be here, I thought.Still, I wore it. I always wore things that reminded me of them. Even now.
I headed downstairs to grab a glass of water, still adjusting the bracelet, when I nearly bumped into Eleanor in the kitchen.
"What's for lunch, Elle?" I asked, opening the fridge half-heartedly.
She looked up from the stove, her apron slightly askew. "Everything good. We've got three whole-ass chickens going."
My eyebrows shot up. "Three? Won't that be too much for the three of us?"
Eleanor smirked, though her tone was light. "What? One per person?"
I laughed. "Elle, seriously—what are we eating?"
But she didn't reply right away. Just smiled… softer this time. Quieter.
"You know," I started gently, "before you became our teacher, you were my best friend first. If something's wrong… you can tell me."
She exhaled slowly. "It's the usual. Like I told you the other day—we're fine. It's just…" Her voice cracked a little. "He's tired, Daph. He barely sleeps. He has no time—for me, for Cass… I don't know when I'm even getting married at this point."
Her words hit like a weight. And then, suddenly, she was crying. Silent tears, slipping down like she was ashamed to let them fall.
I wrapped my arms around her immediately. "Hey, I promise. I'll talk to him, okay? School's on break. He has to take a vacation. And there's no way he'll refuse me."
She sniffled, pulling away slightly. "He will. He keeps saying there's no one to look after the company."
"Then I'll figure it out," I said, firm. "Don't worry. I'm back now. I won't let anything go wrong again."
A helper popped her head into the kitchen. "Ma'am, lunch is ready. Please head to the dining room."
I handed Eleanor a tissue, brushing a hair out of her face. "Let's go. You're not doing this alone anymore."
We walked toward the dining room, still whispering when I stopped at the entrance.
And there they were.
All of them.
The Chaos 8—minus Julian, of course—laughing, talking, half-piled into chairs. Roman, Cass, Mason, Leon… even Liv and Cami were there.
I froze.
My instinct was to turn around and walk away.
But Eleanor's voice caught me. "Where are you off to, Daph? Come on, lunch is ready."
"I'm not hungry," I said quickly. "I've got some work. Gotta go."
Cam's voice cut through the chatter. "Daph, you promised me lunch. Come on."
I turned to him, voice sharp. "You told me it'd be just us three, Cam. Not… everyone."
His tone turned harsher. "Daph, don't make a scene. I said lunch—I never mentioned how many people would be there."
"You said it would be family, Cam."
Eleanor's voice followed, quiet but pointed. "And this is family. Aren't we all?"
I blinked at her. And then, without thinking, I snapped.
"They might be your family, Elle—but they're not mine. Families trust each other. And clearly, we don't."
The room went silent. Utterly still. Cam stood slowly, jaw tight. "Daphne Ivy Lyr. Sit down. Don't make me raise my voice."
I clenched my fists… but sat. Next to him, of course.
A breath. Then a cough. And finally, a familiar, mocking drawl from across the table:
"Cough, cough… Mr. Vaillaint." Leon. Of course.
Cam was talking to everyone while I just focused on eating. No matter how angry I was, I wasn't going to turn down food. We started with wine and a cucumber cheese appetizer, which I gulped down quickly. A few minutes later, I finished my wine. Cam shot me a look. "Slow down, Daph. I won't serve you more than three glasses of wine, I'm telling you." I made a face, clearly still angry.
Soon, they brought out roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, roasted meat slices, and some vegetables. The helper served me a few pieces of meat. I separated the veggies on my plate. I didn't like them. When Cam asked me to eat my veggies and not waste food, I told him I wasn't going to eat it—he could have it if he wanted. Leon, overhearing, chimed in, "It's okay, give it to me. I love veggies," grabbing a carrot off my plate.
"You can have everything, I'm done," I said, rolling my eyes. "Can we have dessert now so we can be done with this lunch? I really don't feel like being here."
Cam's voice cut through the tension at the table. "Daph, others are still having lunch—eat your food quietly," he snapped. I didn't argue. I just picked up my fork and continued eating, trying to ignore the rising frustration bubbling inside me.
After a few minutes of silence, Cam cleared his throat and dropped a bombshell. "The reason I wanted us to have this lunch is because, you know, commuting from home to school is pretty hectic, since it's so far. So, I spoke to your parents, and they agree that you all should move closer to campus. My friend owns a property there and is looking to sell it. So, we decided to buy it. You guys will be moving in together. How does that sound?"
JJ practically jumped out of his seat. "So cool, I'm fine with it!" he yelled, clearly excited.
Everyone else chimed in with varying levels of enthusiasm. And then there was him—Leon. That stupid smirk on his face. The one that always got on my nerves. I rolled my eyes, turning back to my food.
"I prefer staying alone," I told Cam, cutting to the chase. "I've already started looking for places. I've talked to my parents, and they're fine with it."
Cam shook his head, his tone firm. "Well, Daph, since everyone else is moving in together, just move in with them. If you stay around them, I'll feel better. Daph, come on. Staying with family is better than staying alone."
I crossed my arms, irritated. "I won't repeat myself again and again, Cam. These people aren't my family, except for a few of them. So no, I prefer staying alone. I need my privacy."
Cam sighed, exasperated. "Come on, Daph. Let's not go back in circles. They will always be family. You need to accept that. And you will be staying together. It's better you accept it sooner. If you refuse to move in with them, I'll take it as a direct sign that you don't respect my choices. And that you don't respect me as your brother. You know me better than anyone, Daph. If I decide something, I will make sure it happens."
I stared at him, the weight of his words sinking in. I couldn't refuse him—not when he was this set on it. Besides, it wouldn't be that bad. I'd rarely be home, anyway.
I took a deep breath, still processing. "Fine, Cam. I'll move in, but under one condition."
He raised an eyebrow. "What condition?"
"Since it's summer break right now," I said, my tone a little softer, "I want you and Eleanor to go on a vacation. Away from work. You both need the break. You deserve it. And if I'm respecting your decision, you need to respect mine."
Cam stared at me for a moment before asking, "Deal. But have you thought about work?"
I nodded, meeting his gaze. "Yes, I did. I think Cass is fully capable of helping. He can deal with things there since Dad owns some shares of the company. I can act as the acting director while helping Cass. And before you say it's all child's play, I think I've successfully proven to you my capabilities. You get a 15-day vacation, and Cass learns responsibility. That's what you want, right?"
Cam smiled at me proudly, clearly impressed with my plan. "Done. Let Leon and Ro join you, though. They need to learn, too."
"Done," I said with a smirk, already planning what I needed to get done.
Cam gave a satisfied nod, and I could see the weight lifting off his shoulders. It was a win-win situation, and I knew we'd both get what we needed.
As we sat there, the tension from earlier seemed to melt away. For the first time in a while, everything felt like it was falling into place, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
The conversation came to an end, and with a quiet, almost unspoken agreement, we all shifted back into our usual rhythm—ready for what came next.