I look down at my phone and call Mark. As soon as he answers, he says, "Hi, princess. How are you?"
I burst into tears and tell him everything. He listens quietly, patiently, then says, "Do you want me to come to you?"
"They wouldn't let you," I whisper.
"Shay, nothing in the world could stop me from coming to help you. It's me, you, Thomas, and my dad against the world, remember? No matter what."
I tell him about the party, and he says softly, "I'll see you tonight, okay?"
I cry harder. "Please don't go..."
"You'll see me tonight," he repeats gently.
"Okay. Bye... I love you."
"I love you," he says before hanging up.
I put my phone away, stand up, and walk to the bathroom. The silence feels heavier now. Once I'm undressed, I step into the shower and let the hot water run over me, washing away the tears, the stress, the noise in my head.
For a while, I just stand there, unmoving, the steam curling around me like a blanket.
Everything used to be so simple.
Once I'm done, I get out of the shower and wrap a towel around myself. As I step out of the bathroom, I freeze—Vince is standing there, holding a few bags in his hands.
"I went to your apartment," he says softly. "Brought your clothes back... and a few other things I thought might be important to you."
For a second, I just stare at him, unsure what to say. Then I nod, my throat tight. I take the bags from him, my fingers brushing his for just a moment.
"Thank you," I whisper.
He gives me a small smile. "Figured you'd want something that actually feels like yours."
He watches me for a moment, then says, "Shay, Dad got a phone call from the Baron... about the party. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"
I pause, keeping my eyes on the bags. "No... of course not. Why would I?"
He raises an eyebrow but doesn't push. "Okay," he says simply.
We leave my room and head downstairs. The air feels heavier now. When we join the others, Dad looks up and says, "Shay, we need to talk."
"I'm not in the mood," I mutter.
"It's important."
"Whatever."
He leads me into his office and shuts the door behind us. His voice is firm. "Hellhounds will be patrolling tonight. If Mark, Thomas, or the Baron are spotted... they're kill on sight."
I freeze, then glare at him. "Then I won't be joining your pointless celebration. They're my family."
"We are your family," he snaps.
"They raised me. You and Mum lost me." My voice trembles with emotion. "I refuse to join anything if my real family isn't allowed to be there."
"Shay—" he starts, but I've already turned around and walked out.
Back in the main room, I stop in front of everyone and say, "Unless the Baron and his sons are coming, stop planning. I will not be part of any celebration without my family."
Before anyone can say a word, I turn and walk straight out of the house. I don't stop until I'm in the garden, where I drop onto the grass and let the silence wrap around me.
Twenty minutes pass. The air is cool, the kind that settles when emotions are still high. Then, my phone rings.
It's Mark.
"Your dad called mine," he says the moment I answer. "Apparently, you kicked off about us not being invited, so your dad's agreed we can come for a few hours... just to see you at the party."
A smile breaks across my face. "Yeah, well... if I have my way, you'll be staying the night."
He laughs quietly. "Shay... they're your family."
"So are you," I say softly.
"Then what are you wearing tonight? Apparently, it's 'dress fancy,'" he asks, raising an eyebrow.
I shake my head. "No, it's meant to be casual or comfort."
"Well, your dad said otherwise," he replies, a hint of amusement in his voice.
I sigh, frustration building. "Let me talk to them."
3rd Person POV
Xavier's voice was low, his gaze fixed on John. "John, if the Baron comes tonight, he will tell her the truth, and then our deal is off."
John didn't hesitate. He had heard the same words from Shay herself. "You heard her, Xavier. She said she wouldn't attend if they didn't. She sees them as her family, not us."
Xavier didn't respond immediately. His eyes narrowed as he processed the situation. He thought about the stakes—the deal they had with the Baron and what it meant for Shay's safety. After a long silence, he finally spoke, his tone heavy with authority. "Okay, fine. They will come. But if anything goes wrong, Hades, I will make sure you and your wife are punished."
Before John could respond, the door opened, and Shay walked in, her arms crossed as she looked between the two men. "I thought we had agreed on casual or comfort, not snob," she said, her voice a mix of frustration and resignation.
John opened his mouth to speak, but Shay cut him off before he could finish. "Well, most of our friends—"
"They are your friends," she interjected sharply. "I won't know anyone here, okay? I want to be able to dress in comfort, not to please anyone."
Xavier, who had been quietly watching the exchange, finally spoke, his voice calm yet carrying a subtle weight. "I brought you that dress."
Shay's gaze flickered to him, a brief moment of surprise crossing her face as she met his eyes.