AVA

I stepped off the private jet and stopped without meaning to.

A line of black cars waited on the tarmac, three of them. All shiny and expensive. Men in dark suits stood beside the doors, already waiting for me.

I let out a breath and smiled bitterly to myself. I didn't know why I expected anything different.

Six years away and part of me still hoped someone would come for me. Seraphina, Alaric. Maybe even Lucien. Just one familiar face to say welcome home.

I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and walked closer.

One of the men nodded politely.

"Welcome back, Miss Elara."

Not Miss Hale.

My smile faltered for a second, but I nodded anyway. "Thank you."

Another guard opened the door of the car in the middle. It was a Rolls-Royce. I paused for a moment, my eyes tracing the smooth lines. I had always liked cars.

Still, it didn't make me feel any better.

I slid into the back seat, and the door closed behind me. The car moved almost immediately.

As the road stretched out ahead, I pulled out my phone. If I didn't call my best friend, Stacy now, she would definitely complain later.

The call connected quickly.

"You've landed?" she said.

"I just did." I responded.

"Finally. I was starting to think something happened." She exhaled.

"So," she continued, "have you seen your grumpy brother yet?"

My fingers tightened around the phone.

"No," I said. "I wouldn't expect him to leave work just to come get me."

Stacy scoffed. "That man is unbelievable. What kind of brother doesn't even check on his sister? All he does is send random gifts like that makes up for everything."

I laughed softly, trying to act normal.

"He's always been like that," I said. "You know how busy he is."

"Girl, I know he's running the country's top company and all that," she said, "but that's not an excuse."

I could already imagine her rolling her eyes.

I looked out the window as the city blurred past. "It's fine, Stacy. I'll call you later," I said. "Say hi to Mark for me."

"I will," she replied. "And Ava... take care of yourself, okay?"

"I will."

I ended the call just as tall iron gates came into view.

The Hale estate.

The gates opened slowly, and the car drove in. The grounds looked wider than I remembered. The main house appeared ahead, exquisite and white. Somehow, it looked even bigger than it used to.

I should have felt happy.

Instead, that familiar feeling settled in my chest, reminding me that I was stepping back into a place where I had never quite belonged.

The car stopped at the front steps.

Seraphina Hale, my mother, stood waiting. She looked elegant as ever, dressed simply but in a way that made everything else look less important. Ria, the housekeeper, stood beside her, older now but ever smiling. A few maids stood respectfully behind them.

The door opened, and I stepped out.

Seraphina walked toward me immediately and pulled me into a hug.

"It's good to see you, darling."

"It's good to see you too," I said, hugging her back.

Ria smiled brightly. "Look at you," she said. "You've grown into such a fine woman."

Seraphina nodded. "You really have."

I smiled politely. I never knew what to say when people talked about my looks. I didn't think much about it.

We went inside.

The house smelled the same, clean and expensive. Many things had changed, but some of it looked exactly the way I remembered.

Across the room, Alaric, my father, sat reading the newspaper. He looked up when he noticed me.

"Ava, dear," he said with a small smile. "Welcome home. How was your journey?"

"It was fine," I replied.

"Congratulations again on your graduation," he added.

"Thank you," I said, smiling.

He nodded and returned to his paper.

My eyes moved around the room without me meaning to.

Seraphina noticed. "Are you looking for Lucien?"

I turned quickly. "No. I'm not."

She smiled gently like she didn't quite believe me.

"He'll be visiting this evening."

My heart skipped, then started beating faster. I nodded, pretending it didn't matter.

"Go wash up," she said. "We'll eat soon."

I nodded and went upstairs.

When I opened the door to my room, I stopped.

Nothing had changed.

The bed, the curtains, even the chair by the window. It felt like the room had been waiting for me, untouched, while my life happened somewhere else.

I walked over to the dresser. Photos sat neatly on top. My friends from high school and memories I barely remembered now.

Then I saw one picture and picked it up.

It was me and Lucien.

I was smiling so widely, almost laughing. Lucien stood beside me, taller even then, his expression bored and clearly annoyed.

I remembered that day.

Seraphina had forced us to take the picture together. It was my sixteenth birthday, and the next morning, I was on a plane, sent on my way to London.

That was the last photo of us together. Actually, the only one.

I set the picture down and shook my head. I didn't want to think about that now.

My luggage sat neatly by the bed. The maids had already brought everything in.

I went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. The water was warm, exactly what I needed. I stayed there longer than I meant to, letting the water quiet my thoughts.

When I came back out, I chose a comfortable gown from the wardrobe. It had a soft floral pattern and stopped a little above my knees.

I slipped it on and stood in front of the mirror.

I had grown. My body had filled out naturally, curvy where it hadn't been before. My skin was clear. My hair fell down my back in loose waves, long enough to reach my waist.

Stacy had told me more than once that I should try modelling for a skincare brand. I always said no. I strongly dislike attention.

I smoothed my hair and turned toward the door.

As I was about to turn the door knob, I heard a car park at the entrance.

Lucien was here.

AVA

I took a breath and walked down the stairs.

I didn't see him yet, but I heard his voice. It was deeper than I remembered. He didn't even need to be loud to be heard.

"I've been busy," he said.

Seraphina clicked her tongue. "Busy is not an excuse, Lucien. You disappear for months and think visiting now fixes it."

"I call," he replied.

"Once in a while," she shot back. "You didn't even visit when Ava was still abroad."

I slowed my steps without meaning to.

Alaric sighed softly. "You two have been having this same argument for years," he said. "Let him breathe."

I reached the bottom step just as Seraphina looked up and saw me.

Her face softened immediately. "There you are."

Lucien turned, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

He was taller, somehow impossibly taller than he was six years ago. I didn't even know how that was possible. I had seen him on screens, interviews and articles. The media loved him.

But none of it came close.

He was wearing black from head to toe, a fitted top tucked neatly into black trousers. I could see his muscles and abs popping out. His hair was slicked back, except for one strand that had fallen loose on his forehead.

He looked... unbelievably handsome. There was no other word for it.

Then our eyes met, and I froze

Seraphina cleared her throat quickly. "Lucien, Ava is back."

"I can see that," he said dryly. "Welcome back."

"Thank you," I said.

"Come," Seraphina said quickly. "Dinner is ready."

She guided us to the dining room.

I took my seat across from Lucien. Alaric sat at the head of the table with Seraphine beside him.

Dinner started quietly.

"So tell us, how was school?" Seraphina asked, glancing at me.

"It was good," I said. "Challenging, but good."

"And Stella?" she asked. "Is she coming back to Port Elam, or staying in London?"

"She'll be coming soon," I replied. "She's just waiting for her boyfriend to finish some projects so they can move together."

Seraphina smiled. "That's sweet."

Then she tilted her head at me, eyes bright with curiosity. "And what about you, Ava? Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No," I said. "I haven't really... explored dating."

Alaric looked at me, surprised. "Why not? A woman with a face like yours could have any man she wanted."

I laughed, a little embarrassed. "I don't know about that."

"Well," he said, "it's true."

I shrugged lightly. "I guess I'm just waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Seraphina asked, amused.

"My prince charming," I said jokingly. "Someone who would love me for me. Not because I look good or because I have money...well, your money. Just honest love."

Seraphina laughed. "You want a love story from a book."

I smiled. "Maybe I do."

Seraphina leaned forward a little, still smiling. "But surely there must be someone who has caught your attention."

I felt heat rush to my face before I could stop it.

I looked down at my plate, suddenly very aware of Lucien sitting beside me.

"There is... someone," I admitted.

Seraphina's smile widened instantly. "I knew it."

I laughed softly, nervous. "It's nothing serious."

"Why not?" she asked.

I hesitated, then said, "I don't think it would work."

"Why?" Alaric asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know. He's staying back in London, besides men don't really approach me much."

That part was true. People looked, admired me even but they rarely came closer. It had always been like that.

Seraphina looked surprised. "That's hard to believe."

I just smiled faintly and focused on my food.

Beside me, Lucien still hadn't spoken but when I glanced down, I noticed his grip on the cup had tightened. For a second, I wondered if the glass might actually crack. His face, though, gave nothing away.

Alaric cleared his throat.

"So," he said, setting his cutlery down, "what's next for you, Ava?"

I looked up. "Next?"

"Yes. Now that you've graduated."

"Oh," I said. "I'm hoping to start applying for jobs soon."

There was a pause, then I noticed the way both Seraphina and Alaric frowned, like they didn't quite understand what I'd just said.

Lucien, who had been mostly silent all evening, finally looked at me. It made me sit up without meaning to.

Alaric leaned back in his chair. "Apply for jobs?" he repeated.

"Yes," I said. "I want to work. You know...gain experience."

He exchanged a look with Seraphina. "Why would you apply for jobs when you're family?"

I blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"You could work at Hale Corporation," he continued. "There's no need for you to go elsewhere."

Seraphina nodded in agreement. "Your father is right. You don't have to start from the bottom elsewhere."

I opened my mouth to respond, but she kept going.

"Lucien would be glad to find you a suitable position," she added, glancing toward him.

I could feel Lucien's attention on me again. I smiled politely, but I shook my head.

"I appreciate that," I said, "but I'd like to work on my own. Build something myself."

I continued before anyone could interrupt.

"I was thinking of applying to Greenfield," I added. "They're expanding their strategy department."

"There's no need for that." Lucien finally said.

Everyone looked at him.

I frowned, confused by the certainty in his tone.

Seraphina, however, didn't look confused. She looked... anxious.

Lucien set his cutlery down neatly and wiped his hands with his napkin before speaking again.

"You won't be applying anywhere."

My brows pulled together. "I'm sorry?"

He faced me directly. "There's no reason for you to work outside,"

"I want to." I countered.

"That's unnecessary." The arrogance in his voice made my chest tighten.

"With all due respect," I said, trying to stay calm, "it's not unnecessary to me."

Lucien didn't look offended. If anything, he looked more serious.

"We're getting married." He declared.

For a second, I didn't quite understand the words.

"Sorry... what?"

Seraphina inhaled sharply. Alaric didn't look surprised. He just rubbed his temple like this conversation had been waiting to happen.

"You and I," Lucien said without breaking eye contact with me. "We're getting married."

My chair scraped against the floor as I leaned back.

I laughed, "That's not funny."

"I'm not laughing." He replied.

My heart started pounding. "Lucien," I said slowly, "I'm your sister."

He didn't even blink. "You live in my house," he replied. "That doesn't make you my sister."

The room went completely quiet.

I stared at Lucien, trying to figure out if he had lost his mind but his face was calm, and that scared me more than anything else he could have said.

LUCIEN

I watched her run upstairs.

The sound of her steps faded quickly, but the tension she left behind stayed in the room.

My mother exhaled slowly.

"Lucien, why did you have to do that like that?"

I didn't answer.

She turned toward me. "She just got back. It's too soon."

I folded my napkin neatly beside my plate before responding.

"I've waited long enough."

My father leaned back in his chair, watching me the way he always did when he was deciding whether to argue or not.

Seraphina shook her head. "I know you have," she said. "But you could have waited a little longer. Ava is only twenty two."

I looked at her, then responded, "That means she's old enough."

She pressed her lips together, clearly unhappy with that answer.

Across the table, my father sighed.

"And how exactly do you plan to get her to agree?" he asked. "You saw how she ran upstairs."

I leaned back in my chair.

"She'll be fine."

Seraphina frowned. "Lucien."

"She's overwhelmed," I continued, cutting her off without raising my voice. "That's expected."

"Expected," My father repeated.

I met his gaze evenly. "She was always going to react like this."

"Lucien," she said, "you can't decide her life for her."

I held her gaze for a moment before answering.

"I'm not deciding it for her."

Both of them looked unconvinced.

Then I added, calmly, "She is already mine."

My mother parted her mouth in disbelief, which I didn't understand because this was no news to them.

"She just doesn't know it yet," I finished.

The words didn't feel dramatic to me, they felt factual. I had waited longer than anyone realized. I watched her grow, protected her from a distance, made sure nothing and no one claimed her before I did.

I pushed my chair back and stood.

"Where are you going?" my mother asked.

"Upstairs."

She looked alarmed. "Lucien, don't push her tonight."

I paused at the staircase.

"I'm not pushing," I said. "I'm reminding her."

I walked out before either of them could stop me.

The door to her room was slightly open when I got there.

I didn't knock. I pushed it open and stepped inside.

She was standing by the window, looking out, deeply in thoughts.

She didn't turn immediately, but she spoke, "You're supposed to knock."

Her voice sounded calm, but I could hear the tension underneath it.

"I didn't used to knock," I replied.

She turned then.

"That was when I was still a child."

I should have answered her.

I should have said something immediate but I couldn't because seeing her like this, alone, relaxed and unaware of how closely I was looking, undid something I had kept buried for years.

She was ethereal in a way that made you look twice without meaning to.

Her face had matured. She had a clear, flawless skin. Her full lips were pressed in irritation.

And her body...

My gaze dropped before I could stop it.

She had a small waist, and a natural curve to her shape that the gown she wore didn't hide. She had grown fully into a woman.

I dragged my eyes back to her face before I lost control completely.

"What was that downstairs?" she asked.

There it was, the anger and confusion.

I walked closer.

She didn't move, but I could see the way her shoulders tensed as the distance between us closed.

"I meant what I said," I told her.

She let out a short laugh. "You can't be serious."

"I am."

Her eyes searched my face like she was trying to find the joke hidden somewhere.

"You're talking about marriage like it's a business arrangement," she said. "Like you get to decide it on your own."

I stopped a step away from her.

"I've already decided."

Her expression hardened immediately. "You don't get to decide my life for me."

"I'm not deciding it for you," I said calmly.

"Then what do you call what you did downstairs?" she shot back. "You announced it like it was already happening."

"It is."

She stared at me like she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"You're insane," she muttered.

I didn't react.

She took a breath, trying to calm herself.

"You're my brother, Lucien."

"No."

The word came easily, without hesitation.

"I never acknowledged you as my sister. I never called you that."

She laughed, shaking her head.

"Is that why you were so distant too?" she asked. "Why you barely spoke to me growing up?"

I looked away for a second.

Her voice rose. "Is that why you didn't even care when I left?" she went on. "Why you didn't call once?"

She paused, then corrected herself.

"Actually... not when I left. When you told our parents to send me away."

I just kept staring, trying hard to focus on what she was saying.

"You think I didn't know?" she said. "You think I didn't realize it was you?"

I spoke then, calmly. "They're my parents."

She frowned, confused by the correction.

"If anything," I continued, "they'll be your parents-in-law."

She stared at me, stunned.

I stepped closer again, slow enough that she could step back if she wanted to but she didn't.

"You're wrong about the rest," I added.

"About what?" she asked.

"I cared when you left."

She shook her head. "You didn't act like it."

"I couldn't afford to."

Her brows pulled together.

"Sending you away was the only way to stay in control," I said.

"Control of what?" she asked.

"Of myself."

"Lucien, this is madness." She gasped, shaking her head.

"I waited, Ava. I waited for you to grow up."

Her eyes widened slightly.

"I didn't touch you," I continued. "I didn't cross boundaries. I didn't let myself look at you the way I do now."

Her chest heaved.

"You think this is normal?" she asked.

"No," I said honestly.

"Then why-"

"Because you were always mine." I answered.

She shook her head immediately. "No, don't say that."

"You were," I repeated. "You just didn't know it yet."

"That's not love," she said, her voice was shaking. "That's obsession."

I held her gaze. "Yes."

She went quiet, opening her mouth and closing it.

"I don't deny that," I continued. "But obsession doesn't mean I didn't wait for my feelings to be appropriate."

She stared at me like she didn't know whether to be angry or afraid.

"You're still free to say no," I said.

Her lips parted again.

"But you won't," I added.

"Stop saying that like you know me," she snapped.

"I do know you."

"You don't," she argued. "You don't know anything about me anymore."

I watched her for a moment, then said, "I know enough."

Her chest rose and fell faster now.

I could feel the pull between us tightening, not just from me, but from her confusion, her anger, her inability to step away, and that was the moment my control almost slipped again.

Standing this close, close enough to see the faint flush on her skin and way her lips parted when she breathed...

My hand twitched at my side.

Then came the instinct to reach for her, to kiss her senseless and hold her still long enough to make her listen without running, but I stopped myself.

Restraint had carried me this far, I wouldn't break it now.

"You can take time," I said finally.

She looked wary.

"I've already waited years," I continued. "I can wait a little longer."

I stepped back, giving her space for the first time since entering the room. But before I turned to leave, I added one last thing.

"You can deny it all you want, Ava."

She looked at me, guarded.

"But you've always belonged to me, and you always will."

I left the room before she could answer.