Emily's carefully constructed composure finally shattered, her face contorting with a mixture of frustration and barely concealed rage. The facade of the concerned older sister crumbled, revealing the calculating and manipulative woman beneath.
"Don't play coy with me, Shayera," Emily spat, her voice low and venomous.
"You know exactly what I want. You're disrupting everything! You waltzed back into our lives after all these years, stirring up trouble and… and attracting attention."
She gestured vaguely towards Aella and Zephyr, who were happily splashing in a nearby pool, oblivious to the tense exchange unfolding nearby.
"You're jeopardizing our family's reputation!" Emily hissed.
"Our standing in society! Do you have any idea the damage you're causing?"
Shayera remained impassive, her expression unreadable.
"First my last name is no longer Williams but Lafayette, so are my kids so no need to worry the only thing I care about in the Williams Family is Grandpa other then that all of you can burn in hell and I will dance in your grave yard with liquor and cupcakes," Shayera said and walked away after that she followed her kids. Emily married a famous movie producer from China so of course she had to be careful. Her son was actually Thomas when she dragged her son Thomas away from the water Parker and got inside the car. She greeted her teeth together damn it how is that ugly bitch alive!? How did she become so beautiful!?
"Mom, dad, I have some news I saw Shayera and she is different," Emily said. Five years ago the William Family found their lost daughter Hina and brought her back home while everyone knows Shayera is a fake heiress Shayera doesn't know that all. When Emily walked inside the mansion Lily, Josephine, David, and Hina were there. Hina was beautiful but she looked cold and her schemes and manipulation is far beyond her two sisters she clenched her fists together she remembers that Shayera is just an ugly fat woman she has seen photos of her and made sure everyone knew it.
But that was five years ago and in truth she doesn't know what Shayera looks like or her personality. Josephine and David have always hated Shayera so they showed her dislike the moment they heard she was in Japan.
The venom in Emily's voice was a familiar sting, a reminder of the constant scrutiny and judgment Shayera had endured throughout her life. But this time, it didn't pierce her as deeply. She'd grown stronger, more resilient—a woman forged in the fires of adversity.
Shayera's dismissive response, the casual mention of the Lafayette name and her scathing pronouncements about the Williams family, seemed to genuinely shock Emily. It was as if she couldn't comprehend that Shayera, the "disappointment," would have the audacity to speak to her with such disdain.
As Shayera turned and rejoined Aella and Zephyr, she could practically feel Emily's burning gaze on her back. She ignored it, focusing instead on the joyful laughter of her children. Their happiness was all that mattered—a shield against the poisonous barbs of her past.
The movie room was a haven of plush comfort, the large screen casting a warm glow on their faces as they settled in for a relaxing evening. The cheesy action flick provided a welcome distraction from the lingering tension of the previous day, and soon, Aella and Zephyr were giggling and cheering at the onscreen antics. Shayera leaned back against the velvet sofa, content to simply observe them, feeling a sense of peace settle over her.
The aroma of freshly baked pizza filled the air, adding to the cozy atmosphere. It was a simple pleasure, but it felt luxurious after everything she'd been through.
The next morning dawned bright and clear, promising another beautiful day. The drive to Zephyr's school stretched out before them—a threehour journey that offered a chance to connect and enjoy each other's company.
The long drive provided ample opportunity for conversation and laughter. Aella chattered excitedly about her first day at Hoshi no Gakuen, recounting every detail she could remember – the colorful artwork, the friendly teachers, and the written test. Zephyr, ever the more reserved of the two, mostly listened with a quiet smile, occasionally chiming in with a witty comment or playful tease.
Shayera listened attentively, savoring these moments of connection with her children. She asked about their favorite parts of school so far, their new friends, and any challenges they might be facing. She wanted to be present for them, to offer guidance and support whenever they needed it.
Their breakfast stop was a bustling little diner nestled in a picturesque mountain town. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air as they settled into a cozy booth.
The diner was a charming slice of smalltown life, filled with the comforting sounds of clattering plates, friendly chatter, and the sizzle of food on the grill. A waitress with a warm smile and a cheerful demeanor greeted them as they entered.
"Welcome to Millie's Diner! Find yourselves a spot," she said, gesturing towards a row of booths.
Shayera chose a booth near the window, offering a scenic view of the snowcapped mountains in the distance. Aella immediately started scanning the menu, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Mama, can I get pancakes? With extra syrup!" she pleaded, her voice filled with anticipation.
Zephyr opted for a classic bacon and eggs breakfast, while Shayera chose a hearty bowl of oatmeal with fresh fruit. As they ate, they continued their conversation about school and life in general.
"Whatever my Little Star, Little Galaxy want they should get," Shayera said she ordered herself breakfast tacos.
Aella squealed with delight at Shayera's indulgent response, her eyes sparkling with pure joy.
"Yay! Thank you, Mama!" she exclaimed, already imagining the towering stack of pancakes swimming in syrup.
The waitress arrived with their orders, setting down a plate piled high with fluffy pancakes for Aella, a classic breakfast platter for Zephyr, and a generous portion of breakfast tacos for Shayera. The aroma of maple syrup and sizzling bacon filled the air, making their mouths water.
After eating breakfast they drove to Zephyr school. Zephyr was so excited they were other kids his age as he grabbed his suitcases as Shayera grabbed her other duffel bags and Aella also helped. Zephyr walked to the front desk he got his key card which was a clear card the school was much different then when they went to the testing center two days ago. When they got inside the dorm room Zephry pressed his card down and the door opened itself Zephyr was so amazed after that he noticed that he would have four other roommates he chose the top bunk and then Shayera took a photo of him with her camera she told Aella to hug her brother and smile. After taking few photos helping him unpack Shayera gave him a card.
"This has 100,000 grand each month I will Gu e you money, the password is our favorite numbers combined," Shayera said.
"Mama! Sis hug me please!" Zephyr said this will be his first time being away from his mama and twin sister his other half. Aella broke into tears and hugged Zephyr and Shayera hugged her son.