Both of them had tried to make small talk with me during the plane ride, but I wasn’t ready. Not yet. My mind was too loud—replaying everything in a loop, a broken record of confusion and hurt.

Why did Mom hide so many things from me?

Didn’t she trust me?

Did she ever plan to tell me the truth? About my father? My brothers?

“We’re here, Pixie,” Tristan announced gently as the plane finally touched down.

I rose from my seat, grabbing my backpack as I stepped off the plane. The sun in Italy kissed my skin with its warmth, but the cool breeze carried a crisp edge that rustled through the trees lining the private runway.

And then I saw it.

A sleek, black beast of a car waited just beside the runway.

I froze.

Spinning on my heel, I stared at them wide-eyed. “You guys have THE Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+?!”

They both chuckled at my outburst.

“You like cars?” Lorenzo asked, an amused smile twitching on his lips.

I nodded so fast I might’ve snapped my own neck.

“Great,” Tristan groaned “We’ve got another Xavier on our hands.”

Before I could even process that, he slung an arm around my shoulder and tugged me closer. “What’s ours is yours. You like cars? We'll have your own in two years. No negotiation.”

My heart ached.

They kept trying to make me feel at home. They were gentle, patient—even funny. But the ache wouldn’t go away. If they loved me this much... why did they leave us? Why did they let Mom take me and vanish? Why didn’t they fight for me?

And more importantly...

Why weren’t they mourning her?

I swallowed hard and gave a small nod, unable to form words. We slipped into the Bugatti, the leather interior smelling like expensive dreams, but I stayed admired the beauty of the place. 

Soon enough we reached a beautiful mansion, guards on either side.

We stepped out of the car, the sleek engine purring into silence behind us. A group of suited guards immediately moved in, grabbing our lugage with practiced ease.

I blinked. “Uh… thank you,” I murmured, still slightly stunned.

To my surprise, both Lorenzo and Tristan echoed my thanks like it was second nature. Like they weren’t the walking definition OF royalty.

Wait. Why are they so rich?

“We own a lot of family businesses, Stella,” Lorenzo answered casually, tossing me a wink. “And you said that out loud.”

Crqp.

Before I could respond, he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “Come on. Your brothers are dying to meet you.”

Without another word, he practically dragged me toward the entrance. I had barely enough time to admire the stunning façade of the mansion—ornate stonework, tall windows, balconies wrapped in creeping ivy—before we were stepping inside.

And stars, the inside was just as beautiful as the outside. Maybe even more.

Everything gleamed, from the marble floors to the crystal chandeliers. The space felt like a modern palace—sleek, sophisticated, and yet warm in a way I wasn’t expecting.

I stood still for a moment, just… taking it all in.

It was insane. Surreal.

And somewhere in the back of my mind, a voice whispered: This was supposed to be my home all along.

“BOYS, COME DOWNSTAIRS!” Lorenzo called out, his voice echoing through the marble halls like a battle cry.

And right on cue, chaos erupted above us.

There was a sound like a stampede—thunderous footsteps, a door slamming somewhere, someone yelling something unintelligible—and then three very large, very fast-moving bodies came barreling into the living room.

All of them froze when they saw me.

Suddenly, I was the center of the universe. Their gazes locked onto me like wolves spotting a deer in the forest. I took a tiny step back, unsure whether I should bolt or brace for impact.

Too late.

One of them lunged forward and wrapped me in a hug so tight I could barely breathe.

“HIII! I’m Killian. The ex-youngest around here and clearly your favorite brother. Oh my god, why are you so cute?! Look at your cheeks—how is this even legal?!”

Before I could wriggle free or respond, another brother stormed up and yanked Killian back like he was a rag doll.

“Get off her, idiot,” he snapped, glaring at me like I’d personally kicked his puppy.

This one had a permanent scowl etched into his face, and his jaw was clenched so tight I half-expected it to shatter.

“You’re going to scare the girl,” he said, spitting the last word like it was poison.

Ah. So I was the girl. Not “sister.” Not “family.” Just… some inconvenience dropped into his perfectly controlled life.

Charming.

I ignored Scowl Face like he didn’t exist—denial is bliss.

“Hello, princess,” he said warmly, offering a kind smile that felt like a soft breeze after a storm. “I’m Adriano, your third oldest brother. You can come to me for anything.”

I gave a small smile back. “Liana. I’m sixteen. But I’m guessing you already knew that.”

The grumpy one—scoffed. The rest, thankfully, seemed completely unbothered, grinning.

“Ignore him,” Killian said, elbowing Grumpy in the ribs. “He’s having one of his dramatic mood swings today. Might start journaling his feelings any second now.”

“Xavier,” he grunted. “Don’t bother me. Don’t talk to me. Just don’t.”

“Aren’t you just a pocketful of sunshine,” I muttered, deadpan, earning an even sharper glare from him.

Adriano laughed under his breath. Killian looked like he wanted to high-five him.

"Already a mouth on her" he said, before vanishing in the house. I saw Lorenzo sighing and shaking his head.

"Killian, why don't you show Liana her room" he beamed at that and immediately latched his arms around mine—dragging me away.

"Alright Lulu, behold a royal-style view of this house—from your favorite brother," Killian said with a dramatic bow, his arm flung out like he was presenting a kingdom and not... well, a hallway.

He pointed to the left. "That’s the kitchen, aka my kingdom of snacks. No one’s allowed in there after midnight unless you want to witness me in my feral form."

I raised a brow. “Like a gremlin?”

He gasped. “Exactly! See, you get me.”

He spun around and pointed upstairs. “Bedrooms. Yours is the only one with a lock that works. You're welcome.”

We walked past a grand room with black couches and a massive TV. “This is where we fight over what to watch"

He stopped in front of a closed door. “That’s Adriano’s ‘Do Not Enter Unless you are dying—his doctors office"

he gestured to a spiral staircase that led to a rooftop patio. “Now that’s the best part—the star-watching spot. I named it ‘Lulu’s Tower’ just now. You're welcome again. You loved stars as a newborn"

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me. “You’re insane.”

“And yet… still your favorite. You lucky thing.”

We went up the stairs that ended up in a long hallway. Door lining it "Alright, this is where all the room are at. They go from the oldest to yougest" We stopped infront of door—he opened it.

"We can always change it, if you don’t like it"

No need, it's perfect" and it really was.

"I am gonna leave you here. You can unpack or rest whatever you want. Someone will come to pick you up for dinner" I nodded and he shut the door behind him.

I too a moment for admiring the room before—yes you guessed it. Jumping on the bed.

I stayed there for a few moments before getting up and opening my bag to unpack.

It took a few hours to set everything up before I was finally done and decide to take a bath.

I didn't knew what to do with my time so I decide to scroll through wattpad.

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

"Aww, she’s so cute!"

"Should we wake her?"

I blinked my eyes open to find both Killian and Tristan hovering over me, their faces way too close for comfort. “Sorry,” Tristan said sheepishly, holding up his hands as I glared at him.

Killian, on the other hand, just grinned like a maniac. “It’s not our fault you’re so cute,” he said before pinching my cheeks.

I swatted his hand away, grumbling, “What do you want?”

“Dinner’s ready,” Killian replied, looking far too proud of himself for waking me up. I groaned, rubbing my eyes, and grabbed my phone before following them out of the room.

They led me toward a pair of double doors. As soon as they opened it, they cleared their throats dramatically. Immediately, all the attention in the room turned to us. Well... to me.

At the table were two new faces, sitting on either side of my bio-father, Lorenzo. Their eyes studied me with varying degrees of curiosity and surprise. They definitely weren’t part of the crew I’d met earlier, and the vibe in the room shifted slightly with their presence.

“Liana,” Lorenzo greeted with a smile, clearly proud, though his eyes betrayed a hint of concern.

Taking a deep breath, I look a seat between Killian and Adriano. The two new eyes were still watching my every move.

"Hello Liana. I am Dante your oldest brother" His voice was soft but furm, it carried a command. 

I turned to the next pair of eyes, who have been noticing every single of my move so far "Lucas, your second oldest brother" His voice didn’t held any kind of warmth in it.

Great, another Xavier.  

No one spoke afterwards, just kept on stealing glances at me like creeps. Killian was about to say somthing when the maids brought in food and saved me from answering.

The smell of Italian food hit me almost immediately and soon the table was filled with different kinds of dishes, some I didn’t even knew names off.

Adriano made a plate for me with a little bit of everything "here up go. Eat up sorella" (sister) he said with a small smile.

“Thank you,” I said with a small smile, taking a bite of the carbonara. The flavors hit me like a dream. Creamy, cheesy perfection. I nearly closed my eyes in bliss.

“So,” Tristan began, lacing his fingers together in front of him. “Liana, tell us something about yourself.”

“Like what?” I asked cautiously.

Lucas leaned forward. “Do you have any weird hobbies? Like—collecting serial killer biographies or knitting tiny sweaters for lizards?”

I blinked. “...No. But now I’m worried about you.”

Killian leaned in, whispering dramatically, “He does both.”

“I do not!” Lucas hissed. “I only knit for snakes.”

I choked on my water.

“So... what do you all do for fun? Or is ‘emotional repression’ your main family tradition?”

“Excuse you,” Killian cut in “I bake.”

“Burn,” Lucas corrected.

“It was one time,” he snapped. “You try reading instructions and maintaining flawless cheekbones under pressure.”

I looked at Dante and Lorenzo for help, but they just sipped their wine, looked at me with amusement and muttered, “He really does have a skincare routine longer than the Constitution.”

Adriano smiled. “Alright, serious question—do you like pineapple on pizza?”

Everyone groaned.

“Don’t do this, Adriano,” Dante muttered. “We agreed never again.”

“What? It’s important! It tells us everything about a person.”

I raised a brow. “Yes. I do.”

Tristan gasped. “I knew I didn’t trust you.”

“I trust her more now,” Killian said, dramatically toasting me with a breadstick.

“So…” Adriano began, aagin “what kind of music you like?"

I blinked, surprised he was trying small talk. “Uh, mostly indie rock and throwback pop. Sometimes classical. Depends on my mood.”

Killian gasped. “You didn’t say One Direction. I—” He clutched his chest like I’d personally betrayed him. “I trusted you.”

“I do like One Direction!” I defended. “I just didn’t say it because—”

“No, no, the damage is done,” he said dramatically, waving his hand. “Don’t look at me. I’m emotionally unavailable.”

Xavier rolled his eyes so hard I thought he might sprain them. “She listens to music. Wow. Let’s throw her a parade.”

“Would you stop being a cactus for five minutes?” Adriano shot him a look. “She’s not a threat.”

"Sure she is some random gold digger" 

Cue awkward silence

"Honey" I begain, my voice sweet "There should be gold to dig in the first place. The onky thing you have is your daddy's money and believe me I am not interested in it. After all I am here for 1.5 months"

He was fuming by the time I finished but I notcued a look of hurt in Lorenzo eyes when I said that. 

Dante, who’d been silently for now, "So do you have any hobbies?"

“She does,” Killian answered for me. “She read five books on the plane. And i saw some of her paintings, in her luggage"

"First of all weren’t even on the plan with me. Second of all that's creepy!"

He just shrugged "sue me for trying to get you know better"

"You can ask not stalk my luggage" I snapped back.

Tristan just shaked his head "she fits right in"

Xavier diceded he has gone without attention for so long so he scoffed "debatable"

“Alright, sunshine,” I shot him a sugary smile, “if you’re done being allergic to happiness, maybe we can talk like humans?”

Killian choked on his drink and clapped like an overexcited seal. “She fights back! I love her!”

“Can I trade him?” I looked at Dante.

“No returns,” Dante deadpanned.

“Not even store credit?”

“You wish I was store credit,” Killian smirked. “I’m high-value emotional support.”

I laughed. I hadn’t expected to, but I did. The chaos, the jabs, the weirdly aggressive food opinions... it was messy and loud and nothing like the quiet life I was used to—it felt kinda of nice.

But of course, nice things don’t last.

Especially not when pissy face was involved.

He leaned back in his chair, that smug, permanently unimpressed expression on his face. “Well, considering who nice our bitch of a mother was, I’m not surprised you came out with an attitude.”

The fork in my hand paused mid-air. The air shifted like the universe collectively held its breath.

I set the fork down with slow, deliberate grace. Wiped my lips with the napkin. Folded it. Placed it beside my plate. Stood up.

“You want to run that by me again?” I asked, my voice silky-smooth but ice-cold.

Xavier smirked. “Did I stutter?”

“No,” I said, stepping around the table. “But you might want to start praying.”

“I mean, damn,” I said, stopping right in front of Xavier. “That was bold, even for someone whose emotional maturity is stuck in a sandbox next to their self-awareness.”

Killian snorted into his drink.

“You talk about my mother like you knew her,” I continued. “But all you know is rumors and bitterness. Maybe the real reason you're so angry isn't because she left—it's because she didn’t take you with her.”

Adriano froze mid-bite.

Xavier stood, clearly ready to bark back, but I wasn’t done.

“And newsflash, sunshine,” I said, voice sweet like poison. “If you want to intimidate me, you’re gonna have to do better than mommy issues and playground insults.”

Tristan let out a low whistle. “Damn.”

“Sit down, Xavier,” Lorenzo said, the first edge of command entering his voice.

Xavier’s jaw clenched, but I didn’t wait for him to respond. I turned on my heel, walked back to my seat, and picked up my fork like I hadn’t just verbally throat-punched someone across the emotional plane.

“Oh,” I added, glancing back at him. “And one more thing? I didn’t come with an attitude. I came with boundaries. There’s a difference. You should try it sometime.”

Killian stood and slow-clapped like we were at an opera.

"I need that on a T-shirt,” Adriano said, eyes wide.

Dante looked like he wanted to stop us but didn't interfered. 

Xavier just smiled "What a shitty mother was she. Heck she had one job—be a good parent but failed even that by leaving and making your attitude fester like some spoiled little princess"

He didn't stopped "sorry to burst your bubble princess but that attitude must have worked with your mother but in the real world you are nothing but a orphan we took so be greatful"

Xavier just sat there. Smiling.

Killian muttered something under his breath, his chair screeching back like he was about to launch himself over the table. But I raised a hand. Stopped him

I walked toward Xavier with deliberate steps, my eyes never leaving his. I stopped just behind his chair, leaned forward so only he could hear my voice.

“You think I’m a spoiled little princess?” I whispered, soft and deadly. “Then allow me to ruin your entire kingdom.”

“Let’s get one thing straight,” I began, voice trembling with fury barely held in check. “My mother was a good parent. No—she was extraordinary. You don’t get to stand there and judge a woman you never knew just because she didn’t choose you.”

Xavier’s smirk faltered. Good.

“She didn’t just raise me,” I went on, fire building with every word. “She loved me. Fiercely. She used to tuck me in every night, even when her legs ached from double shifts. She remembered every school project, every nightmare. She gave me everything she had, even when there was nothing left to give.”

“She worked two jobs so I’d never sleep hungry. Skipped her own meals just so I could have mine.” My voice cracked, but I didn’t stop. “And even on the worst days—when she was exhausted, when the world had chewed her up—she’d still smile at me like I was the best thing that ever happened to her.”

“I’d choose to be an orphan loved by her again and again,” I snapped, “rather than be a sister to someone like you.”

Xavier opened his mouth, but I cut him off without mercy.

“You think I should be grateful?” I laughed—bitter, hollow, and raging. “Grateful to be thrown into this house like it’s some gift? You think I want this? That my mother is dead?"

“You think the world’s going to break me?” I looked Xavier dead in the eyes, and gods, I let him see the wildfire inside me. “Sweetheart, the world already tried. And it lost.”

“And for the record?” I leaned in, close enough for my words to sting. “I don’t need to be your sister. But you better pray I never decide to become your enemy.

I took a long look around the room, aware of the silence thickening like smoke. Eyes were on me—some curious, some judgmental, some waiting to see if I’d shatter. But I didn’t. I locked eyes with Lorenzo, and for a moment, I faltered.

Because he was looking at me like I’d just moved mountains.

With pride.

“I don’t care if you don’t like her,” I said, voice steady but laced with ice. “But you don’t get to insult her in front of me"

“I am Liana Avery Collins and my mama didn’t raise a girl who stays quiet when cowards speak too loud.”