The moment her third brother spoke, both their father and eldest brother cut him off with sharp rebukes.


    Still, when the attention shifted, Jonathan the eldest, always stern and unsmiling -fixed Raven with a chilly stare. His tone was clipped as he spoke, hoping she''d keep her head down and behave.


    "Raven Williams, whatever the circumstances, Aurora is our blood rtive-she''s not some imposter. The grudges of the past generation shouldn''t spill over into ours. I hope you can keep things in perspective. There aren''t many of us left in the Williams family, and I don''t want to hear rumors about family discord spreading around town."


    Jonathan Williams had seen enough scandals in high society-secret offspring, switched-at-birth melodramas, the whole lot. To keep the household peaceful and avoid bing thetestughingstock among the elite, he knew he had toy down thew early.


    Skyler Williams, their father, tried to break the tension with a gentle smile. "Jonathan, you''re being too serious. Today''s Raven''s first day home-don''t scare her off with all these rules. She''ll learn in time, a few days won''t make a difference."


    That''s when Israel, the second brother, finally spoke up. "Actually, I think Jonathan''s right. It''s better to be upfront with Raven about these things. If she doesn''t know what''s appropriate, she could embarrass the Williams family. And if she really does be the talk of the town, it''s not likely she''ll find a good match for herself."


    It was clear from Israel''s words what he thought: Raven had returned to the Williams family for the status, hoping tond a suitable husband. After all, the Williamses were at the top of the socialdder.


    Ste-she''d been so young then-never imagined the family she longed for would turn out like this. She thought she and her three brothers, sharing the same mother, would surely have a close bond. But instead of the warmth she''d hoped for, her arrival was met with wariness and exclusion.


    Aurora, on the oth


    other hand, showed


    no signs of hostility toward her. Then again, she didn''t go out of her way to be friendly either. The


    Williamses made no demand I ne


    sisterly affection-everyone understood the situation all too well. As long as they kept up appearances, that was enough.


    Still, Ste could sense the subtle shift her presence had brought to the house. The room they gave her matched Aurora''s, and everything she ate, wore, or used was every bit as fine as what Aurora received. The family hadn''t shortchanged anyone because of her. It was all perfectly fair-so fair, in fact, that there was nothing toin about. And yet, something was missing.


    For a long time afterward, she and Aurora maintained a calm, polite distance.


    Even so, the mood in the Williams household never truly improved.


    Coleman, her third brother, barely spoke to her. Even when she greeted him, he acted as if she didn''t exist Israel''s words could be harsh, but at least he meant well; when he saw her at home, he''d nod or say hello, never outright rude. As for Jonathan, he was rarely home. Their encounters were brief and formal, nothing more.


    Her father, Skyler... he was the only one who treated her with real warmth. He fussed over her, checked in on her constantly, and often reminisced about the days when he and her mother were young.


    One evening, Skyler asked, "Raven, have you ever thought about convincing your mother toe back to the Williams family?"


    Ste hesitated, then replied quietly, "I''ve brought it up with her, but..."


    Skyler''s eyes lit up. "Did she say what she wanted? Tell me, anything she asks for if I can do it, I will!"


    Ste hadn''t nned to say any more. But Skyler was the only one in the Williams family who treated her kindly-her own father.