CHAPTER 39: SISTERS SHOULD BE CLOSE TO EACH OTHER.

Back at the Ashford mansion, a sleek black car came to a smooth stop at the grand entrance. The car doors opened, and one after another, Victoria, Callum, Theo, and Lucian stepped out.

"Welcome back home, sister," Callum said warmly, a bright smile stretching across his face as he walked alongside her. "Come on now... You’ve grown lean just from yesterday till today. But don’t worry...Mother already prepared all your favorite dishes for you. Everyone’s waiting at the dining table."

Victoria gave a small nod in response, a faint smile touching her lips as she followed the four brothers into the mansion.

"Greetings, Father. Greetings, Mother," Victoria said politely the moment they entered the lavish dining hall. The rich, inviting aromas of freshly cooked and baked food filled the air, making her stomach grumble in eager anticipation.

"My poor child," came the emotional voice of her stepmother, who immediately stood the moment her eyes landed on Victoria. Without a second thought, she rushed forward and pulled her into a tight embrace. Her perfume was so strong it nearly choked Victoria, but she endured the suffocating scent until the woman finally pulled away.

Did she bathe in perfume or something? Victoria wondered silently, finally able to take a proper breath again.

"Please, sit down, dear. You should eat something first then we can talk," Mr. Ashford said kindly from the head of the table, gesturing toward the seat beside him.

Victoria nodded respectfully and made her way to the chair, settling in beside her father as her four brothers also took their seats.

For a while, no one spoke. The soft clinking of silverware and the rustle of plates filled the quiet air as everyone focused on their meals, the silence more comforting than awkward. That was, until....

"I’m really glad that Sister is back home," Mirabel’s voice suddenly rang out, breaking the calm. "And I’m especially pleased that those four girls from different packs reaped what they sowed. Sure, they may come from influential families, but no one.. no matter their status should think they can bully our family. How could they possibly believe they’d defeat a daughter of the Ashford family?"

Her words hung heavy in the air. Three of her brothers.. Callum, Theo, and Lucian..choked on their water almost simultaneously, while both Mr. Ashford and Victoria looked visibly stunned.

"What’s going on?" Theo was the first to recover, coughing lightly as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Did I just hear that right?"

"What do you mean?" Mirabel asked, her tone defensive. "Are you all seriously saying I can’t care about our younger sister too? Only the three of you are allowed to worry about her?"

"You sure you’re feeling okay today?" Callum chimed in, half-joking as he raised a hand to touch her forehead. "Should we summon a healer?"

"I’m perfectly fine, brother," Mirabel replied, brushing his hand away with a scoff. Then, turning toward Victoria, she reached across the table and gently took her hand in hers.

"I’m sorry for the way I’ve treated you, Sister," she said sincerely, her eyes shining with emotion. "I was just... I was so angry when you came back. It felt like all the attention and love that used to be mine was suddenly taken by you. I wasn’t thinking straight....I let my jealousy cloud my judgment. Instead of seeing you as the sister I should protect and love, I saw you as a rival. But I realize now how wrong I was. You’re my other half, Victoria. Please... forgive me."

Why is your expression saying something entirely different, Mirabel? Victoria thought to herself as she let out a quiet scoff. Fine, the others might be professional actors and actresses, but you’re not. Your acting isn’t that perfect. But then... I can play along.

"Why not, Sister," Victoria finally replied aloud, tightening her grip on Mirabel’s hand with deliberate warmth. "You’re my blood sister, after all, and I understand you. Honestly, if it were me, I’d be angry too. I’m glad we can finally begin behaving like real sisters. I forgive you."

"Awwwn, thank you, Victoria!" Mirabel said sweetly, her voice laced with excitement as she threw her arms around Victoria in a dramatic hug. "Now that we’re sisters, we can start doing everything together! Shopping, salon visits, weekend outings... We’ll have fun. The past is in the past and it should remain there."

"Sure, Mirabel," Victoria replied with a warm smile, though her mind remained sharp and watchful.

"I’m so happy to see my two daughters getting along so well," Mr. Ashford chimed in with a hearty, proud laugh. "Now I have nothing to worry about once Victoria begins at the academy. She not only has four protective brothers but also a loving sister by her side."

Victoria’s stepmother, seated nearby, was grinning from ear to ear, clearly delighted by the scene unfolding before her.

But Callum and Theo couldn’t help exchanging wary glances across the table. Mirabel’s sudden change of attitude screamed fake, and they knew better than to trust it blindly. If anything, it only deepened their resolve to protect Victoria more fiercely than ever.

Lucian, on the other hand, said nothing. He remained focused on his meal, eating quietly without offering comment until dinner was over and everyone eventually retired to their rooms for the night.

****

Later That Night

Now, back to the mystery of the missing jewelry, Victoria thought as she sat down on her bed, letting out a weary sigh. Her gaze lingered on the neatly arranged, but now empty, jewelry boxes laid open before her.

Where could it be? Should I really ask those brothers of mine? She hesitated.

No... Instead of dragging them into this, it might be better to head to the jewelry shop tomorrow and do some investigating on my own. That would be more peaceful than involving the others. And besides that cat... there’s really something fishy. I really need to find out what’s happening.

Her lips pressed into a firm line as determination flickered in her eyes. She carefully closed the boxes and stacked them neatly inside her wardrobe. Just as she was about to walk toward the bathroom for a hot shower before bed....

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Huh? Who could that be at this hour? Victoria wondered, her brow furrowing as she made her way to the door. She opened it slowly only to see Mirabel standing there with a pillow in one hand and a folded duvet in the other.

"What’s wrong, Sister?" Victoria asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I want to spend the night with you, of course," Mirabel said sweetly. And before Victoria could utter another word, Mirabel pushed past her into the room, leaving Victoria stunned at the doorway.

Couldn’t do without her room, huh? Victoria thought wryly as she scoffed quietly and turned to face Mirabel who was already lying comfortably on the bed with a suspiciously warm smile plastered across her face.

"What’s going on, Sister?" Victoria asked, folding her arms across her chest. "Why do you suddenly want to spend the night here? You have your own room and besides, this bed isn’t exactly made for two."

"We can manage," Mirabel replied quickly. "If it bothers you, I can ask Father to get us a bigger bed tomorrow. I mean, since we want to start sharing a room now. We’re sisters, and sisters should be close, right? Maybe we can even share the same dorm room at the academy when the time comes. You know, during those periods when students stay on campus for a month or two for special activities."

Just what are you up to, Mirabel? Victoria thought, watching her closely. One moment you’re acting like a complete witch, and now you’re pretending to be an angel? Do you really think I’m a fool who’ll fall for these tricks?

"Oh, I see, Sister," Victoria said aloud, masking her suspicions behind a sweet tone. "But you’re right. Sisters should be close to each other. And I’d love to learn more about the school’s activities. All I’ve been told so far is about the four heirs...well, technically three, since one’s my brother. But beyond that, I don’t know much about the academy. I’m sure there are more interesting things to uncover, right?"

"Oh, there definitely are," Mirabel said with a sly smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "But it’s more fun discovering them for yourself. If I told you everything, it would ruin the surprise and I wouldn’t want that."

She stretched out lazily on the bed, letting out a sigh before continuing, "Anyway, we should go shopping tomorrow. And maybe I’ll introduce you to a few of my female friends if you’re interested. They come from very influential families, and honestly, getting on their good sides makes life at the academy so much easier. Trust me, it’s worth it."

"I see..." Victoria murmured, a calculating smirk forming on her lips as she dimmed the bedroom light.

Let’s see exactly what you’re up to tomorrow, Mirabel.