CHAPTER 4 — Navira's POV
"Family? Sure. Let's Pretend."
The room is still frozen from my last line—
"If someone cries for attention, they shouldn't be mad when someone cries better."
Honestly, iconic of me.
But anyway.
I tilt my head, smile warmly, and look straight at Vivienne and Victor—
my biological parents, a.k.a. the two people who inherited me by accident.
"Mom? Dad?"
I say it so gently, so softly, like I've been waiting seventeen years to say it.
Vivienne's eyes SHINE.
Victor looks like he might actually faint.
Agnes, meanwhile?
Looks like someone just unplugged her soul.
Good.
Because I'm not saying it for love.
I'm saying it for power.
"Mom," I continue, stepping closer to her, "I hope I wasn't… too much earlier. I just wanted to understand things."
Her hands fly to mine instantly.
"Oh, sweetheart, no, you weren't too much at all—"
Agnes actually twitches.
Alden and Alastair share a look like:
This girl is dangerous.
Correct.
Victor clears his throat. "Navira… we were about to talk about your schooling."
"Oh?" I smile innocently. "Am I going to school with Agnes?"
Agnes chokes.
The boys shift uncomfortably.
Vivienne smiles way too brightly.
"Yes, darling! Starting Monday."
"Oh," I breathe out, pretending to be overwhelmed. "I've never had a real school before. Just a public one near the orphanage. But… I'll try my best. For you, Mom. For you too, Dad."
Agnes' jaw drops so hard I swear I hear the floor crack.
Victor's voice wobbles.
"T-Thank you, Navira."
I nod sweetly.
Inside?
I'm laughing like a supervillain.
But I'm not done.
I turn to Agnes, giving her the softest smile known to mankind.
"I hope we can be close," I whisper.
"Like real sisters."
Agnes looks like she's debating teleporting to another universe.
"O-Of course!" she squeaks, voice cracking. "We're… sisters."
I hold her gaze for one long second.
Just long enough for her to know:
I know she's faking.
And I'm better at it.
Alden steps closer, clearly nervous.
"So uh… Navira. If you need anything in school, just tell us."
I nod politely.
"Thank you, Alden. That's very kind. I'm not used to having… brothers."
Alastair mutters, "We're not used to having you."
Vivienne swats him on the arm quickly.
"Alastair!"
I laugh softly.
"It's okay, Mom. He's honest. I like that."
Alastair freezes.
Agnes turns pale.
Alden squints like he's trying to understand me.
Victor wipes his forehead.
I step further inside the room, looking around with wide, curious eyes.
"I just want to belong," I whisper.
"I've never had a family. I hope… I hope you'll all help me be better."
Vivienne looks like she might adopt me five more times.
Victor's voice goes soft.
"You're already doing amazing."
I beam.
"My dad thinks I'm amazing."
He nearly tears up.
Agnes?
She is quietly dying inside.
Perfect.
"Now," Victor says, clearing his throat, "how about dinner? As a family."
Everyone nods awkwardly.
I smile sweetly, folding my hands together like an angel.
"Of course, Dad. I'd love that."
Everyone starts to move toward the dining room.
And behind them, I grin.
Because the thing about calling them Mom and Dad?
It doesn't make me theirs.
It just makes them easier to control.