kate POV:
We arrive home, and I go straight inside. The first thing I see is the fridge, my comfort zone. I open it and take out the ice cream tub, eating spoonful after spoonful cold sweetness melting on my tongue. For a moment, it feels peaceful. But then I hear the door creak open. I panic, shove the ice cream back, and wipe my mouth.
Kalix stands there, raising a brow. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing," I answer too quickly.
He smirks but doesn't press. "Go get ready. We have to go."
I sigh, pretending not to care, but my heart skips. Fancy restaurant means heels, makeup, pretending to be the perfect girl. I run to my room, pick out a dress, some light jewelry, and the curler. After a shower, I twist my hair into soft waves. The dress fits like a second skin, and though I hate heavy makeup, I still try. It's one of those nights where you fake your confidence.
When I go downstairs, Kalix is on his phone, brows furrowed, jaw tight. "What's wrong?" I ask.
He glances up, shakes his head, and gestures for me to follow.
In the car, I finally catch him smiling at me. "What?" I ask.
"You look pretty," he says, teasing but gentle.
I clutch my chest dramatically. "Oh, thank you, my handsome brother."
He gags. "You're so cringe."
"Excuse me, I'm pretty."
"Pretty ugly," he shoots back.
"BROTHER!"
He laughs but then grows serious. "I have to tell you something."
"Uh oh."
"You know Kevin, right?"
My smile fades. "Why do you have to remind me of that asshole?"
"He's… my girlfriend's brother."
I freeze. "Stop the car."
He looks confused but pulls over. I step out, crossing my arms. "I'm walking home."
"Kate, get in the car."
"No."
"I'll delete your Instagram."
I pause. "You wouldn't."
He raises a brow.
I sigh and crawl back in. "You're evil."
"Just behave like a girl tonight, okay? And please don't argue with Kevin."
"No promises."
When we arrive, he gets out first. "Wait for me. I'll call you when it's time."
I stay seated, scrolling through my phone until I see him walking toward a woman Ashi. He kisses her hand like some prince from a movie. Ugh. I look around. No sign of Kevin. Maybe I'll get lucky tonight.
Then Kalix gestures for me. I step out or more like stumble because running in pencil heels is pure torture.
"Hi!" I say cheerfully, hugging Ashi.
"Hi, baby," she says and kisses my cheek. I hide my cringe.
I glance around and pretend to pout. "I'm so sad Kevin isn't here."
Ashi smirks. "Looks like you were missing him."
"No! We're just friends," I lie. "He told me he was happy for the dinner."
She laughs. "Oh really? Because I forced him to come."
My fake smile drops as I hear a car door open. He's here.
Kevin steps out, wearing a suit. His hair is actually brushed for once. The nerve. He looks… good. Ugh. I immediately look away.
Kalix and Ashi head inside, leaving us alone. I cross my arms.
"Hi, Miss Drama Queen," Kevin says.
"Shut up. Don't call me that."
He chuckles softly. "Okay, I'm sorry."
I roll my eyes. "I'm not forgiving you in ten years."
Before I can turn away, I notice a man approaching us from the shadows, holding something a bat? My stomach twists.
"Kevin," I whisper, "I'll count to three. Bend down when I say three."
He blinks but nods.
"One. Two. Three!"
He ducks, and I swing my arm, punching the man square in the jaw. He collapses instantly. My hands tremble. Did I really just—
He's wearing a mask. I back away, heart racing. "What if he's not fainted?" I whisper.
kevin POV:
I turn and see the guy on the ground. He's wearing a jacket — Jazz's man logo. That's a local gang. My gut tightens.
Before I can think, I grab Kate's hand and pull her inside the restaurant. She doesn't resist, just stares, breathing fast. When we finally get inside, she yanks her hand back and folds her arms.
Ashi waves us over. "Kate, sit next to Kevin."
Kate glares at me, then plasters on a fake smile and sits down. I'm fighting the urge to laugh.
A few minutes later, Aunt Mira enters the aunt from Kalix and Kate's side — along with her son, James.
kalix POV:
I stand and greet Aunt Mira politely, but I can see the storm brewing in Kate's eyes. She's trying so hard to keep calm.
"Hi, beauty," James says to Kate.
Kate freezes, then gives him that deadly smile. "Hi, hungry bloody beast."
Ashi covers her mouth to stop a laugh.
Aunt Mira insists on sitting with us, and I feel my patience slipping. But I nod — for Ashi.
kate POV:
Aunt Lucy sits beside me. I'm gripping my fork like it's a weapon.
"So, Kate," she says, sugar dripping from her tone. "Do you have a boyfriend?"
I look her dead in the eye. "No. And if I did, it wouldn't be your nerd of a son."
Kevin chokes on his drink, trying not to laugh.
"Oh? And why not?" Aunt Mira asks. "Girls who don't love relationships are spoiled girls."
My heart pounds. That word spoiled burns in my chest.
Kalix goes still, eyes dark. I feel the tremor in my voice, but I don't stop. "Spoiled? You think I'm spoiled because I don't want love? Your brother — my father — killed my mother. If that didn't happen, maybe I'd still believe in love."
Silence swallows the room.
Aunt Mira's face twists. "How dare you"
I grab the wine glass, my hands shaking, and spill it on her dress. "You deserve it."
She gasps. "You disrespectful girl"
"Neither of us likes sitting with snakes," I say sharply.
She grabs my hair, but I push her back, slap her, and stand tall. "Mark Kate Ryder. Daughter of Kritika Ryder. Sister of Kalix Ryder. Remember that name — the girl you kicked out when our mother died. You thought you'd buried us, but we climbed higher."
The room freezes. Aunt Mira storms out, dragging James behind her.
Kalix starts clapping softly. "That's my girl."
I breathe hard. My chest aches — not from fear, but from the memory of Mom's smile. "She deserved it," I whisper. "After what she did to us."
Kevin's looking at me differently — not annoyed, not mocking. Almost… proud.
kevin POV:
Dinner ends late. Kalix and I stay sober, but Kate and Ashi are totally drunk.
"Look at the sun," Ashi says, pointing at the lamp.
Kate laughs. "That's the moon, dumb head."
I can't help smiling.
"You know," Ashi says, "my boyfriend is my shining sun."
"He's your hubby, not your boyfriend," Kate corrects, giggling.
Kalix pulls Ashi into a hug, and I can't stop grinning at how ridiculous they both look.
Then Kate slumps onto the floor. "I'm single!" she declares. "I want to hug too!"
She looks at me, her eyes glassy but warm. "Can I hug you?"
I freeze. "Uh—"
She doesn't wait. She runs up and hugs me. It's warm, soft, unsteady — but real. I hug her back.
After a moment, she pulls back, looks at me seriously. "Should I kiss you?"
My heart stops.
"It's okay," she says, smiling softly. "At least we're friends."
Kalix walks over, grinning. "Let's go, Kate."
She waves at me, half-dizzy. "Bye-bye, handsome!"
I wave back, trying not to laugh. "Bye, idiot."
And as she walks out, I think she doesn't remember this, but I will.