Chapter 2
I always keep my word.[]
Said I’d help the Ravencrests find their missing kids? Then that’s exactly what I’m gonna do.]
The private investigator was scary efficient. Within half a month, two thick files landed on my office desk.]
One contained info on Caspian’s half–brother in Seattle–single dad with a teenage photos.
kid,
grinning like a total sweetheart in the
The other was about his father’s illegitimate son in Paris, who actually looked somewhat like Caspian around the eyes.[]
When I had my butler FedEx the files to Caspian, I made sure to include a sticky note:
[Wishing the Ravencrests prosperity.]]]
I figured he’d be a hot mess for at least a month, but barely three weeks later, he was back at the our
Even more surprising? He had some girl with him.[]
mansion doorstep.
She was wearing a simple dress, standing beside him, eyes darting nervously around as she took everything in, fingers anxiously fidgeting with her canvas bag strap.
She actually did look somewhat like me–especially those eyes. But where
le had bite, hers were
all
soft
and timid.
“Aria.” Caspian stood in the foyer, his suit pressed to perfection, but those dark circles under his eyes were impossible to hide. Clearly hadn’t been sleeping well.[]
“I brought her to…“]
“Her?”
I cut him off, looking past him to the girl, my tone flat. “You are?“]
The girl flinched under my gaze and shrank back behind Caspian.[]
He smoothly put his arm around her shoulders, the gesture intimate. “This is Summer, Your sister.“]
“Sister?” I let out a short laugh. “Wow, Caspian, your memory’s impressive. Here I thought you’d be too busy dividing up the family assets with your newfound brothers.“[]
“Didn’t realize you still had time to worry about Sterling family business.“[]
Caspian’s expression tightened as he dropped his arm from Summer’s shoulders and stepped forward, wanting to say something, but my look froze him in place.]
“Look, I know you’re pissed,” he softened his voice, “but blood is blood. She’s still…“]
“Blood?” I walked right up to him. “Caspian, have you done the math on her age?“]]
His throat worked, but he stayed silent.]
Chapter 2
“As you told me before, she’s only ONE month younger than me.‘
“That would mean my dad got two women pregnant at practically the same time. He’d be rushing from my gender reveal party straight to someone else’s prenatal appointment, finishing my baptism then running off to be in the delivery room.“]]
“So what do you think my father was–Superman? Could he turn invisible right under my mother’s nose? Travel between cities faster than lightning?”
Summer’s face went ghostly white, tears welling up as she choked out, “I swear I didn’t mean for any of this to happen…“]
“I never said you did.” I didn’t even glance at her, keeping my eyes locked on Caspian. “I’m just stating facts. But you, bringing her here like this–what’s your endgame?“]
Caspian looked away. “I just don’t want you to have regrets. Family has…”
“Family bonds?”
“So what’s the plan? You bring her here so she can claim her birthright, or so I can hand over half of Sterling Industries?”
Summer’s tears finally spilled over as she sobbed, “I don’t want any shares. I just… I just wanted to see where Dad lived.“]
“Shut up! Who the hell are you calling DAD?!“]
“Aria, do you have to be so damn ruthless?” Caspian’s face darkened completely.]
“i Ruthless?”
“You’re the one dragging random people to my face!“[]
“If you ask me, instead of having her cry and whine here, why don’t I find her something to do? At least then you wouldn’t have brought her here for nothing.“]
Caspian frowned. “What do you mean?“]
“We happen to need a housekeeper,” I looked over at Summer, “to handle cleaning the second floor. Eight grand a month, room and board included. If she wants the job, the butler can get her started with paperwork tomorrow.”
Summer’s crying stopped dead as she stared at me in disbelief.]
ཡ
Caspian’s face cycled through about five different colors as he clenched his fists and hissed, “Aria! You’ve gone too far!“]
I turned toward the stairs. “Compared to you two teaming up to fabricate my father’s scandals, this barely registers.“]
I paused at the landing and looked back at the two of them standing there
And tell Mr. Ravencrest that next time he brings strangers to my house, I’ll
my voice ice–cold: “Butler, show them out. security toss him out on his ass.“[]
Caspian watched me disappear up the stairs, his chest heaving, but he didn’t dare follow.
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