"I want you to reconsider your engagement." Elias said in a low voice, his tone laced with uncertainty, the words almost catching in his throat as he spoke them. He sat forward , elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped tightly together. He watched his sister, hoping—truly hoping—that this time, she would finally listen.
"I am not going to get engaged with Cassian," Avery said without a hint of hesitation,then took a seat across from her brother, crossing one leg over the other casually, like the weight of her words hadn't just upended everything.
Elias's head snapped up. He looked at her, stunned, as if someone had just doused him in cold water. His mouth fell slightly open, his eyes wide with disbelief. Even though this was precisely what he had been hoping to hear—what he had been praying for—it still felt surreal.
Even absurd.
"What did you say?" he asked slowly, each word tinged with disbelief, like he was questioning the reality around him. He blinked at her, trying to process what he had just heard.
Avery simply shrugged, lifting one brow with playful indifference. "Oh, come on, Elly, It's not like you ever wanted me to get engaged to him. Don't show me this shocked face now." She smiled, and it was one of those teasing smiles that danced on the edge of amusement, clearly enjoying his reaction.
Elias narrowed his eyes, watching her closely. "Are you alright? You don't have any life-threatening disease, do you?" he asked, his voice growing more dramatic, his confusion morphing into concern. "Did you hit your head or something? Because you're not sounding like the Avery I know."
Avery leaned back in her chair and tilted her head, a smirk playing at her lips. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. It was too good an opportunity to resist. Her mind had already spun a little drama, and now she was ready to play her role.
She placed a hand over her chest and let her face fall into a pitiful expression—eyebrows drawn together, lips quivering with false sorrow. Then, with a voice drenched in theatrical sadness, she began, "You're right. I did an MRI yesterday… and it showed a lesion in my fibula major."
Her performance was Oscar-worthy. She paused just long enough for her brother to react.
Elias immediately stiffened, all humor draining from his face. His eyes widened in horror, and he sat upright as if someone had yanked him back by a string. "W-What?" he stammered, his voice breaking. "A lesion? Fibula major? Oh my god, what even is—"
Before he could spiral further, Avery stood up with a grin and rolled her eyes.
"Chill!" she said, laughing as she walked away toward the hallway. "There is no such thing as a fibula major in our body."
She waved over her shoulder without looking back, her laughter echoing around Elias.
Elias stared after her, momentarily stunned before groaning aloud and sinking back into the couch. "That was a really dud joke, Avery!" he shouted, though there was the faintest smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"I know!" she called back, her voice fading as she vanished into their home.
He shook his head and muttered to himself, "She is so annoying." But the warmth in his voice betrayed how fond he truly was of his little sister.
Meanwhile…
'Hi baby! What are you doing?' came a flirtatious voice from Cassian's phone speaker. Laila's tone was sweet and sultry, sugar-coated with affection, the kind she reserved only for Cassian.
Lying in bed, Cassian grinned lazily and stared up at the ceiling fan turning in slow circles above. He rolled onto his side, pressing the phone closer to his ear. 'I'm dreaming about our future,' he replied smoothly, his voice rich and charming.
Laila giggled. "Aww, you're so sweet," she purred.
But then, without warning, her tone dropped several degrees—still sweet, but now tinged with sharpness. "I'm very upset right now, baby."
Cassian's brows furrowed, and he sat up straighter, the silk sheets rustling around him. 'Why? Did anyone say something to you, honey?' he asked, concern creeping into his voice.
There was a pause on the other end, and then came her clipped, angry voice. 'Tomorrow is your engagement with that bitch. What else should I feel other than being furious?'
Cassian sighed deeply, running a hand through his tousled hair. He hated when she got like this—jealous, possessive, explosive.
'Baby, even I'm not happy about it,' he said with a hint of irritation. 'But look at what it's going to bring us! Once Avery makes me her heir, we'll start planning her end. Don't worry. Everything will fall into place.'
A slow, satisfied smile curved his lips as he imagined the power and control he was so close to having.
Back at the Vale estate…
Avery tiptoed into the kitchen, her footsteps light on the polished floor. The house was mostly quiet, a peaceful lull hanging in the air. She pulled open the pantry and rummaged inside until she found her favorite instant ramen. With the familiarity of habit, she began preparing it, humming softly under her breath as the water boiled.
Steam curled into the air, filling the kitchen with a warm, comforting aroma. When it was ready, she poured the noodles into a ceramic bowl—white with painted blue lotus flowers, a gift from Elias on her sixteenth birthday—and carried it to the island counter.
She plopped onto a stool, phone in one hand and chopsticks in the other, scrolling mindlessly through social media as she took her first bite.
Just as she slurped another mouthful of broth, a voice broke the silence.
"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be preparing for your engagement?"
Startled but not surprised, Avery looked up. Her father, Declan Vale, stood at the entrance of the kitchen, arms crossed, dressed in one of his sleek evening suits. He walked over and sat across from her, an inquisitive expression etched on his stern but handsome face.
"The event planner will do everything. What do I have to do?" Avery replied nonchalantly, shrugging as she took another bite.
Declan narrowed his eyes, clearly unimpressed with her casual attitude. His gaze bore into her, searching for answers. "I've noticed," he began slowly, "you've been behaving strangely since morning. Just two days ago, you were over the moon—planning every little detail for your engagement with that… uh, Cassian. And now? You seem completely uninterested. What changed?"
Avery let out a sigh and put down her chopsticks. The humor faded from her eyes as she leaned toward her father, her tone quieter, more serious.
"Dada, I'm not going to do this engagement."
Declan's breath caught in his throat. He stared at her as if she'd grown two heads. "YOU… you aren't going to do this engagement?" he repeated, incredulous.
"Yes, Dada." She spoke with her mouth full, which only made him glare at her more.
"Are you even listening to yourself?" he snapped, throwing his hands up. "Just a day ago, you'd bite someone's head off if they suggested you call it off. And now you're sitting here saying this like it's no big deal?"
Avery's shoulders slumped slightly as she looked down into her bowl, swirling the noodles absentmindedly. "Dada, you were right. Cassian is not a good man. He was just trying to take advantage of me because I'm your next heir."
Declan's expression darkened instantly, his jaw tightening. "What? How did you find out? That son of a—" He pushed his chair back and stood up. "I swear I'll make him beg on the streets for survival—"
"Dada," Avery interrupted gently, reaching out and taking his hand. Her fingers curled around his, warm and firm.
"I'm Avery Vale. Your daughter. I'll handle it myself. You don't have to worry. Besides," she added with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "I'm on leave from the company. Why not use these holidays for a little amusement?"
Declan looked at her for a moment, and then—just like that—his stern features softened into a reluctant smile.
"Is that why you still haven't canceled the engagement?" he asked, raising a brow.
Avery grinned and gave him a dramatic thumbs-up. "Exactly."
They both laughed together, their laughter echoing through the warm kitchen like a balm.
"Are you guys having family time without me now?" Elias's voice rang out as he stepped into the kitchen, feigning a wounded expression as he saw the two of them sharing a laugh.
Avery and Declan turned to look at him and then nodded in perfect unison.
Elias let out a dramatic groan. "I feel so left out."
"Come join us," Avery said, making a goofy face.
Elias rolled his eyes but smiled, walking over to grab a seat beside her.
Just then a phone started ringing.
"Oh, it's my secretary," Declan said, checking the screen briefly before getting up. He gave Avery and Elias a parting look. "Don't cause too much chaos while I'm gone."
Avery saluted playfully, and Declan chuckled as he walked away, phone already pressed to his ear.
Once he disappeared down the hall, Avery turned toward Elias with a goofy grin. She pulled a dramatic pout and leaned her chin on her palms, blinking rapidly at him.
"I guess it's just us for the family time now," she said with exaggerated sweetness.
Elias raised an eyebrow and gave her a side-eye. "What has happened to you suddenly? Who are you and what have you done with my dramatic, Cassian-obsessed sister?"
"She went on a much-needed vacation and sent me in her place," Avery responded solemnly, before both of them burst into quiet laughter. Despite his confusion, Elias played along, grateful for the rare lightheartedness they were sharing. Avery felt warmth bubble in her chest. For once, things felt...right.
After dinner, Avery slipped away from the sitting room, claiming she needed to take a bath. But instead of heading to the bathroom, she went straight to her room, grabbed her phone, and sat by the large glass window that overlooked the garden.
She stared at the darkened sky for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Then she dialed Cassian's number.
It rang just twice before he picked up, his voice smooth and eager. "Baby! I was just thinking about you."
Desperate gold digger, Avery thought as she rolled her eyes. Still, she plastered on the sweetest voice she could manage.
"Hi honey! Are you excited for tomorrow?" she asked, curling her legs under her and letting her tone drip with affection.
Cassian laughed on the other end, an overly theatrical sound. "Excited? Baby, I'm beyond thrilled! I've been looking at my engagement coat since evening. Had it steam-pressed twice!"
Avery made a gagging expression, sticking out her tongue. "Aww, so sweet of you! I'm the same, I can't wait for tomorrow," she cooed.
"Exactly, baby. After tomorrow, no one can come between us," Cassian said, his voice filled with smug confidence.
Avery awwed again, fake as ever. Then she leaned back and tossed a grape in the air, catching it expertly in her mouth.
"Honey, I called because I wanted to tell you—make sure all your friends are coming to the engagement tomorrow. Every single one."
Cassian chuckled. "Of course. I've already called them. They're super hyped. You'll be the star of the evening."
Avery smiled sweetly, but her thoughts were far from kind. Oh, I'll be the star, alright. The kind that burns everything in its wake.
Just as she reached for another grape, something caught her eye. Her hand froze midair.
A tall silhouette moved across the lawn outside. It wasn't clear, just a shadow passing between two columns of the hedge, but her breath caught. The shape, the walk—it was too familiar. Her heartbeat quickened.
She stood up and pressed her forehead to the glass. The figure was gone. She blinked, eyes scanning the moonlit yard, but there was nothing now but dancing shadows and rustling leaves.
It can't be, she thought. He's not even in the country. I'm just being paranoid.
From her phone, Cassian's voice filtered through again. "—make sure all my friends come."
"Right, okay honey. I'll hang up now. I have to finalize the hairstyle I'm going to wear," she said absently and ended the call without waiting for his reply.
She placed the phone down, then grabbed her cardigan and headed downstairs barefoot. Her steps were quiet against the hardwood floor as she made her way to the back of the house. The faint scent of lavender from the hallway diffuser accompanied her as she reached the glass doors that led into the garden.
But just as she was about to open them, she bumped—literally—into her father.
"Whoa! Where are you rushing off to like a midnight banshee?" Declan asked, catching her by the arms to steady her.
"Dada?" Avery blinked up at him, taken aback by the huge grin on his face. "Was there someone in the lawn just now? I thought I saw—"
Declan gave a deep, hearty laugh and waved off her concern with an exaggerated motion. "Oh, just a business associate of mine. No worries, love. He stopped by for something urgent."
There was a glint in his eyes, something teasing but oddly satisfied. Avery narrowed her eyes slightly.
"A business associate… who takes a stroll through the garden without knocking first? That doesn't sound like your usual guests, Dada."
Declan's grin widened. "Let's just say… he prefers unconventional entrances."
Avery opened her mouth to press further, but Declan cut her off by gently steering her back toward the hallway.
"Now, enough about strange silhouettes. You have an engagement to fake tomorrow, don't you? Go get some rest, or you'll have bags under your eyes. Not very my beautiful Avery-like."
Avery relented, letting herself be led back to the stairs.