Blair's POV
The mirror stared back at her like a quiet witness, and for the first time in a long time, Blair Maybell let herself look.
The black dress was simple — satin, sleeveless, with a scooped neckline that curved delicately over her collarbones and hugged her waist like a secret. It fell just past her knees with a faint flare, soft as whispers around her legs. She had paired it with small silver hoops, nothing too loud, and a thin gold bracelet that once belonged to her mom.
Her hair was up — sleek, parted in the middle and pulled into a high, full ponytail that swung every time she tilted her head. A soft edge of curls framed her cheekbones, bringing out the natural rose tint in her skin. Her lips had a layer of gloss, just enough to catch the light, and her dark eyes were rimmed with the faintest touch of liner.
She looked like a girl trying not to impress anyone.
But she was breathtaking.
At her feet, her golden-brown puppy yawned dramatically, then padded into view like he had somewhere important to be. He plopped down and tilted his head up at her.
Blair laughed, bending down to scratch behind his ears. "What do you think? Too much?" she asked, standing up and spinning once. "Or just enough to make her stare?"
The dog barked, like he approved.
Her room was already organized — like she had always been here. Her cookbooks were stacked neatly on the small shelf beside the window, arranged from savory to sweet. Her clothes were folded in the wardrobe by color and type. A pale blue diffuser misted lavender and vanilla in the corner. Even her journal had its own place, right beside her window where she could write before bed.
She took a breath. A long one. The kind you take when you're about to walk into something unknown, and you want to walk like it doesn't terrify you.
She stepped out of her room and began her descent.
---
The staircase curved like something from an old dream, wide and regal, dressed in polished oak that caught every slant of light. Her heels tapped softly against each step, and for the first time in weeks, Blair didn't want to hide her presence. She kept her spine straight, eyes forward, like she was meant to be here — because maybe she was.
And then she saw her.
Cassie Quest stood at the bottom of the stairs, framed by the soft light from the chandelier above. She had just entered, a small Louis Vuitton bag dangling from her arm, phone in one hand, attitude in the other.
Cassie was stunning — not the kind that begged for attention, but the kind that demanded it. Her blonde curls were styled in soft, beachy waves that shimmered with honey tones. Her lips were coated in the perfect peach gloss, and her emerald-green eyes flicked upward the second Blair's heel hit the bottom step. She wore a wine-red silk blouse tucked into a mini skirt that showed off her dancer's legs. Every inch of her looked like she belonged in a Vogue spread.
They stared at each other. One moment. No words. Just two girls standing in front of each other, separated by bloodlines, time, and everything unsaid.
Before anything could be spoken, footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Victor and Lily emerged from around the corner. Victor was dressed in a relaxed navy shirt, sleeves rolled, while Lily wore a soft champagne-colored dress that floated around her knees. Her hair was tied up in an elegant twist, little strands falling loose and framing her cheekbones. She looked gentle. Like light.
"Ah," Victor said, with that easy, awkward dad tone. "I see you girls have met."
He gestured between them, smile tight. "Cassie, this is your stepsister, Blair. Blair, this is Cassie."
Blair offered a small, brave smile. "Hi."
Cassie's mouth curled up slightly. The smile didn't touch her eyes. "Hi," she said, like the word left a bad taste on her tongue. Then she turned and headed straight toward the dining room.
Victor gave Lily a well, that went fine look, and Lily responded with a silent let's just get through tonight nod.
Blair followed them in silence.
The dining room was a dream — wide and elegant, bathed in gold light. The table was set in full: porcelain plates rimmed in silver, linen napkins folded like origami, and a three-course spread laid out like it came from a five-star kitchen. Roasted duck glazed with orange. Whipped truffle potatoes. Sautéed green beans with almonds. Tiny, sugared tarts lined in rows beside a tall pitcher of fruit water.
She blinked. "She really told them," she whispered.
Blair took her seat across from Cassie, smoothing her dress and gently adjusting her fork. For the first time, in a long time, she felt full before the food even touched her lips.
She didn't know what tomorrow would bring — but tonight, she was here.
---
Cassie's POV
Cassie sat straight, her back barely touching the chair, eyes bouncing from plate to plate like she was scanning for imperfections — but she wasn't. She was thinking.
She was watching.
Lily sat beside her father — Victor — laughing at something small he whispered in her ear. They looked... perfect together. Like they were pulled from some old, warm memory she didn't belong to. Lily had that soft kind of beauty, the kind that didn't try. Her champagne dress matched the golden strands in her pinned-up hair, and her smile was so calm, so elegant. Cassie hated that it didn't bother her.
And Blair?
Cassie glanced across the table.
She was sitting there, poised, quiet, not fidgeting, not making small talk — just existing. She looked pretty. Too pretty. The black dress did too much. Her hair was too neat. Her eyes didn't flinch. Cassie almost admired her — almost.
Who acts this calm? Cassie thought. You move your whole life, switch homes, schools, families... and you just sit there, like nothing?
Cassie chewed slower, eyes narrowing just slightly.
Eighteen years without a sister, she thought. Then bam — surprise! Here's someone who's gonna live the same best months of your life, under the same roof, with the same dad, and probably the same bathroom mirror. What kind of cruel sitcom is this?
Then her dad spoke.
"I told the cook to pick up some baking supplies," Victor said, cutting into his meat, tone casual. "Thought you'd like to get back into it, Blair."
Blair's face lit up with a soft, almost bashful smile. "Thank you. That's... really thoughtful."
Cassie sipped her water slowly. Baking, she thought. Of course. A walking Pinterest board.
Lily clapped gently. "Maybe the two of you could bake something tomorrow! Blair, you could even make Cassie's favorite — brownies."
Cassie didn't even look up. She placed her fork down with a light clink that still cut through the silence.
"No. I have plans tomorrow. But... thanks."
She looked up and gave her sweetest smile yet. "Really "
"Cancel them" Victor says
"I can't dad" cassie replied
"Take Blair with you or cancel them" Victor replied
" Dadddd..." cassie says
Looking at Blair "Fine... be ready by 12pm" cassie says
Blair mutters to herself "Tomorrow is going to be a long day"