We’d grabbed ice cream after the speakeasy, but it got late fast — and he has practice tomorrow so I’d practically shoved him into driving me home. He spent the ride working in every excuse to remind me that I have a spare key to his place. That I could just come back with him. Permanently. No pressure, of course. Just a lifelong commitment.
I say no every time.
–
Maybe — maybe — I’ll think about it in a few months. Right now, it’s too early, too intense, and I’m still getting used to the part where someone actually loves me out loud.
I’m still smiling when I reach Tessa’s floor. I tap my key card, push the door open, and step inside.
Something’s off.
I frown as I kick the door shut behind me, the dress clinging to my legs, my heels unforgiving. “Tessa? Did you get new furniture or something?” I ask absently, reaching for the light switch. “Weird time for a rebrand.”
No answer.
I check my phone to text/Liam – Call me when you get home safe – just as I start to fan myself. The heat wraps around me like a blanket. “Why is it so hot in here? Is the air–conditioning broken?”
“No, I turned it off. It’ll be less difficult for my snake if it’s hot.”
The voice is not Tessa’s.
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I freeze.
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In my panic, I slam my foot against the coffee table and unleash a curse so colourful it could stain glass. When I look up, I see her – leaning casually in the kitchen doorway, holding a glass of water and something I can’t make out clenched in her fist.
My brain stalls. I squint like it might change the answer.
Diana.
My younger sister.
I haven’t seen her in nearly a decade. But here she is, like nothing happened, like this is normal.
“What… what are you doing here?”
She shoots me a look like I’m the odd one. “I came to see you, silly. Why else would I be here? Honestly, it’s cruel that I had to chase you down like this. Imagine never visiting your little sister. Emily-” her voice dips – “sorry. Emilia. You really do like being someone else.”
My instincts catch up before my brain does. “What did you do to Tessa?”
She shrugs and gestures toward the coffee table. I follow her hand and see Tessa’s phone sitting neatly on top of it,
—
“She’s in her room,” Diana says, breezy. “She was throwing a fit. Gave me a headache.”
I swallow back the dozen things I want to scream. Instead, I ask the one thing that matters. “Are you here to hurt us?”
She doesn’t even flinch. “No. I was mad at you, sure. But I got even. I
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have no reason to hurt you now. And when you left home, I made sure I could still keep an eye on you, so I know you’re not doing anything stupid.”
She pulls out her phone, taps a few times, then turns the screen to show me. Live footage. Of us. Standing here. Talking.
My stomach drops.
“Where’s the camera?” I ask, trying to keep my voice level.
Diana doesn’t even blink. “Living room cabinet. Your bedroom
—
–
flower vase. Kitchen – top corner of the wall near the window. Tessa’s
“Okay,” I cut in, already massaging the pressure building behind my eyes. “That’s enough. You’re getting them removed tomorrow.”
She shrugs like I just asked her to throw out old cereal. “Fine.”
I exhale slowly. “You said you got even. What does that mean?”
She finishes her sip of water, then tilts her head, like she’s walking me through something that should be obvious. “When you changed your name, you stopped being a Vanderbilt. I assumed you’d be smart enough to keep your past buried, not leave it lying around for anyone to pick through. But I forget sometimes my big sister doesn’t really think about consequences. You make choices in the moment. You don‘ t think about how they ripple.”
Her voice doesn’t rise, but it sharpens – clean and cutting. “You didn’t just run away. You abandoned your family. You abandoned me. To go play house with a guy who was sleeping with half of Chicago.” She shakes her head slowly, disappointment flickering across her face like she’s trying to hide it and failing.
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I feel my hands start to shake. I curl them into fists, digging my nails. into my palms. “Don’t do that,” I say, forcing my voice to stay even. “You blamed me for what happened to Luther. Don’t stand here and act like you ever needed me.”
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