At 6:47, Katherine stood in front of the mirror in the blue room and tried to decide if she looked acceptable.
She'd changed out of her travel clothes, leggings, oversized hoodie, sneakers into jeans and a plain black top. Nothing fancy. Nothing trying too hard. Her hair was down, natural curls doing their thing. Minimal makeup because she hadn't felt like putting in effort for people who probably wouldn't notice anyway.
She looked like herself. That was either good or bad, depending on who was judging.
Her phone buzzed.
Marcus: how's the house?
She took a photo of the blue room and sent it.
Marcus: holy shit
Marcus: that's your ROOM?
Marcus: babe you're rich now
Katherine: my mom is marrying rich. different thing.
Marcus: still. that's insane.
She didn't know how to respond. The gap between their lives had always been there—he was comfortable, middle class, normal—but now it felt wider.
Katherine: dinner soon. talk later?
Marcus: yeah. love you.
She stared at the words. Typed "love you too" and sent it.
It felt automatic. She didn't know when it had started feeling automatic.
6:52.
Time to go.
The dining room was easy to find. The door was open, and she could hear voices as she approached.
Her mother's laugh , high and bright , she was honestly to happy for my liking.
Richard's low murmur.
And other unfamiliar voices.
Katherine stopped outside the door and took a breath.
This was fine. It was just dinner. She'd sit, she'd eat, she'd answer whatever boring questions they asked, and then she'd go back to her room and call Jenna and decompress.
Fine.
She walked in.
The table was long enough to seat twenty, but only six places were set, all clustered at one end. Her mother and Richard sat on one side. Three empty chairs on the other.
And standing by the window, drinks in hand, were three men.
Not boys. Men.
Katherine's brain short-circuited for a second.
Jenna's voice echoed in her head. Why didn't you tell me they look like that.
They were tall. All of them. Built like athletes—broad shoulders, lean muscle. They looked alike enough that she could tell they were related, but different enough that she wouldn't confuse them.
The one in the middle was watching her. Dark hair, darker eyes, His expression was blank. Assessing. He looked at her the way Richard had looked at her mother's apartment,like he was calculating her value and finding it lacking.
The one on the left was leaning against the wall, drink loose in his hand, a smile playing at his lips. He was pretty in a way the others weren't—softer features, easy charm. His eyes moved over her slowly, and she felt it like a physical thing.
The one on the right wasn't looking at her at all. He was staring out the window, glass untouched in his hand. Lighter hair than the others. Something still about him.
"Katherine." Richard's voice made her jump. "Come in. Meet my sons."
She walked toward the table. Her sneakers squeaked on the marble, and she wished she'd worn different shoes.
Her mother was beaming. "Boys, this is my daughter. Katherine. She'll be starting at Ridgemont in the fall."
Ridgemont. The university. Their university.
The one in the middle finally spoke.
"Damien." He didn't offer a hand.
The charming one pushed off the wall and crossed to her in a few easy strides. "Elijah." He took her hand before she'd offered it, lifted it to his lips, brushed a kiss across her knuckles. His eyes never left hers. "Welcome to the family, little sister."
The way he said it made her skin prickle.
She pulled her hand back. "Thanks."
The one by the window still hadn't moved.
"Sebastian." Richard's voice had an edge now. "Introduce yourself."
Slowly, the third one turned. His eyes found hers, and Katherine felt something cold run down her spine.
He didn't look hostile like Damien. Didn't look amused like Elijah. He looked... curious. The way a kid might look at a bug before deciding whether to study it or crush it.
"Sebastian," he said.
That was it. Just his name. Then he turned back to the window.
"Well." Her mother clapped her hands together, filling the silence. "Shall we sit?"
The food was incredible—Katherine didn't know what half of it was, but it tasted expensive and she focused on eating because it meant she didn't have to talk.
Her mother filled the silence. Chattered about the wedding plans, the house, how excited she was for Katherine to start at Ridgemont. Richard nodded along, adding comments here and there. The performance of a happy couple.
Elijah asked Katherine questions. What did she study? What did she do for fun? Did she have a boyfriend back home? Each question delivered with that easy smile, like they were old friends catching up. She gave short answers. He didn't seem deterred.
Sebastian didn't speak at all and every time Katherine glanced at him, he was already looking at her. She stopped glancing.
"Katherine plays basketball," her mother announced during a lull. "She was captain of her team in high school."
"Really." Elijah leaned back in his chair. "We play."
"All three of you?"
"Family tradition." He grinned. "You should join us sometime. We play pickup games on the court out back."
"I didn't know there was a court."
"There's everything here." He gestured vaguely. "Tennis court. Pool. Stables. Gym. You'll figure it out."
"Or get lost trying," Damien said. His first words since his name. He wasn't looking at her. "The house is confusing for newcomers."
Newcomers. Like she was a guest who'd eventually leave.
"I'm sure she'll adjust," Richard said smoothly. "She's a smart girl. Aren't you, Katherine?"
Everyone looked at her.
"Sure," she said. "Smart enough."
Elijah laughed. Damien's expression didn't change. Sebastian was still watching.
Her mother's smile was frozen.
Katherine reached for her water and prayed for the meal to end.
It ended at 8:34.
Richard excused himself for a call. Her mother followed, something about wedding catalogs she wanted to show him. The triplets dispersed without a word,Damien first, phone already at his ear; then Sebastian.
Elijah lingered.
Katherine was halfway out of her chair when he appeared beside her.
"So."
She looked up at him. He was taller up close. Smelled like cologne and whiskey.
"So?"
"First impressions. Give them to me."
"Of what?"
"Us. The house. This whole situation." He tilted his head. "I'm curious what you're thinking behind those pretty eyes."
"I'm thinking I want to go to my room."
"Already? Night's young."
"I'm tired."
"From what? Sitting in a car?"
She met his gaze. Held it. "From being here."
Something flickered in his expression. Amusement or interest, she couldn't tell.
"Fair enough." He stepped back, hands raised in mock surrender. "Get some rest, little sister. You'll need it."
He walked away, and Katherine stood there for a moment, heart beating too fast.
Then she went upstairs, locked the blue room door behind her, and called Jenna.
"FINALLY," Jenna answered on the first ring. "Tell me EVERYTHING."
Katherine sat on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
"I think I'm in trouble."