Andreis invited Selene to Dad's office. He looked at me in a way that said, "Wait. Let me handle this." I just nodded. I didn't want to come off as the jealous type, the dramatic one. So I let it go—for now.
Dad and Marco followed them into the office like something important was about to go down.
I was about to follow too, curiosity clawing at me, when Max gently grabbed my arm.
"Let's just give them a moment," she said softly.
Her grip grounded me. I nodded again, hesitating for a heartbeat before turning around and heading up to my room.
Who is she? And what could they possibly need to talk about behind closed doors like that?
***
I didn't sleep that night. Not truly.
I tossed and turned, haunted by the image of that woman—Selene—wrapping her arms around Andreis like she belonged there. Like she had always been there. The way he hadn't moved, hadn't pulled back, it gnawed at something ugly and jealous inside me. It was the kind of jealousy that wrapped around your throat, that made your stomach churn with anger and confusion. I hated feeling that way. But I did.
He hadn't even come back to check on me. Not even to ask if I was okay, or if I'd fallen asleep. I rolled my eyes in the dark.
By morning, I was wide awake. I jumped in the shower, letting the hot water wash over my frustration. Then I picked out the prettiest dress I owned—soft lavender with fluttery sleeves and a cinched waist. I spritzed on my favorite perfume, the one that smelled like blooming gardenias and honey, and brushed my hair until it gleamed.
If she was going to act like she owned the place, I could remind everyone I was still here, too.
The air in the house was buzzing with her presence. Her perfume—a mix of wild jasmine and something spicy, musky—lingered in every hallway. She laughed easily, loudly, taking up space like she was carved into the house itself. She brewed espresso in the kitchen like she owned the machine, complimented Mom's pancakes, and sat on the countertop talking about trips she'd taken to Greece and Rome as if she belonged here.
Worse, Marco seemed to adore her.
I watched from the hallway as they shared inside jokes, bumping shoulders, exchanging looks that only long-time friends—or something more—would understand. The sound of Marco's laugh echoing with hers made something bitter rise in my throat. They looked so natural together. Like siblings, maybe. Or like something else. That strange closeness between them wrapped around them like a shared secret, and I felt myself fuming quietly.
Max came up beside me while I stood stiff in the hallway, clutching a chipped mug of tea she offered me.
"You okay?" she asked, her voice cautious.
I nodded but didn't drink. "Do you know who she is?"
Max frowned. "I was about to ask you the same thing. She acts like she's been here forever."
I stared as Selene threw her head back laughing at something Dad said. "I saw her hug Marco this morning. Like—full-on hug. And he looked so comfortable."
Max raised an eyebrow, leaning a little closer. "And the way she looked at Andreis last night? If I didn't know better, I'd say she was his ex."
My stomach flipped.
"Do you think she is?" I asked quietly.
Max chewed her lip. "I don't know. But we're going to find out."
***
Breakfast was awkward. The kind of awkward that seeps into your bones.
Selene was all smiles, chatting with Dad and Marco like it was a family reunion. She passed the orange juice like she lived here, teasing Marco about his messy hair and complimenting Mom's syrup like she was genuinely invested in every bite.
I sat next to Andreis, poking at my pancakes.
"You're quiet," he murmured.
"I'm eating," I said flatly.
He smirked, watching me for a moment before turning back to his food.
Then Selene reached across the table, brushing crumbs off Andreis' shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Something in me snapped.
"So," I said, a little too loud, "how long have you two known each other?"
Selene looked up, surprised. "Andreis and I?"
"Yeah. You seem… very familiar."
Andreis chuckled, nearly choking on his coffee. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Mia."
I flushed. "I'm just making conversation."
"Sure you are," he said with a teasing grin.
Max nudged me under the table, mouthing chill. But it was too late. The damage was done. Everyone was suddenly interested in their plates.
After breakfast, Mom got up quickly. "I need to check something important down at the west field," she said. "Max, Mia, would you girls mind clearing the table?"
"Of course," Max said, already stacking plates.
I stood slowly, collecting mugs with a little more force than necessary.
From the corner of my eye, I watched as Dad, Marco, Andreis, and Selene all stood and moved back toward the office.
"More private talks," I muttered.
Max followed my gaze. "Yep. Looks like something's going down again."
The door closed behind them with a soft but final click. I clenched my jaw.
"What could they possibly be discussing again?" I whispered.
Max didn't answer, just handed me a fork and raised an eyebrow.
***
Selene was stretched out in the garden that afternoon, lounging under the ancient olive tree like a painting come to life. A linen blanket lay beneath her, and she wore a sunhat too large for her face, her long legs crossed lazily as she flipped through a novel.
Max and I approached cautiously, trying to act casual.
"So," I said, trying to sound light, "you and Andreis… you two seem… close."
She looked up slowly, lowering her sunglasses with dramatic flair. Her eyes glittered with amusement. "Oh god, no. Ew." She sat up, shaking her head. "He's my brother."
I blinked. "What?"
"Half-brother, technically," she added, brushing her blonde hair over her shoulder. "Same father. I've known Andreis my whole life."
Max and I exchanged glances, mouths slightly open.
"You could've led with that," Max muttered.
Selene shrugged, smirking. "It's more fun to keep people guessing."
But then her expression softened. She leaned forward slightly, eyes on me. "I didn't mean to freak you out last night. I just haven't seen him in almost a year. We've both been… busy."
Busy. Right.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Relief washed over me, tinged with the sting of embarrassment. My cheeks burned, a mix of leftover jealousy and annoyance.
"So… you're staying long?" Max asked, sipping her tea with practiced indifference.
Selene tilted her head, clearly enjoying our discomfort. "I'm not sure. Depends. There are some things Andreis and I need to take care of."
My stomach tensed again. "Things?"
"Family things," she said quickly. "Nothing to worry about."
I wasn't sure if I believed her.
As the afternoon waned, the golden light spilled over the yard and painted the world in soft amber. We sat in awkward silence for a moment until Selene stood and stretched.
"I'm going to help your mom with dinner," she said, winking at me. "Try not to let your imagination run too wild."
I watched her walk away, her heels clicking softly on the stone path.
Max turned to me. "I can't decide if I want to slap her or be her friend."
"Same," I whispered.
We stood there for a long time, watching Selene disappear into the house like she'd always been part of it.
She wasn't a threat. Not really.
But something about her still made me uneasy.
And I had a feeling that whatever she and Andreis needed to 'take care of'... was going to change everything