BLOOD WAR

Kaia’s POV

I could feel my brother’s hatred toward me, so I’ve decided to disappear—go somewhere they’ll never find me again.

“Have you made up your mind, Miss Renner? Once you sign the contract, you understand that your life—it all belongs to the Orman Group. Resigning later won’t be an option.”

“I’m aware,” I said, calm and steady.

There was a pause on the other end, then a thin smile in the man’s voice. “Then welcome aboard, Miss Renner. The Orman Group awaits.”

As soon as the line went dead, I booked a one-way ferry to Mexico. Departure: exactly one week from now.

One week. That would be enough to clean house, to tie off loose ends and to cut the cord between me and my brothers—for good.

I hesitated for maybe a second, then dialed Asher’s number. No answer. Not that I expected one.

Next up: Noah. Always the most distant of the three, but at least he was polite enough to pretend he didn’t hate me.

He picked up after five rings. “What is it?”

“Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve,” I said. “I figured maybe today, if you’re not busy, we could get together.”

I already knew they were busy. They’d be taking Sylvie to some expensive resort, same as they’d done every year since she showed up on my sixteenth birthday and turned our family upside down.

Noah didn’t speak for a long moment.

“I’ve got everything ready. All you have to do is show up. I even made Sylvie’s favorite cream cake.”

The sneer in his voice was instant. “You’ve got some nerve bringing her up. After everything you’ve put her through? She’s still in the hospital. Sprained ankle, fever…”

Right. The pool. Sylvie had fallen in, and because I’d been the one standing closest, all three of them assumed I’d pushed her—even after both Sylvie and I told them I hadn’t.

I ignored his accusation. “Then I’ll bring the cake to the hospital. No trouble.”

I’d never extended an olive branch like this before. Normally, I’d hang up the second someone mentioned “what I’d put her through.” But this time was different. I was leaving. And before I disappeared for good, I needed one proper goodbye. Even if it was just for me.

A faint voice came through the receiver. Sylvie.

“Is that Kaia? I heard something about cake…”

“She made you one,” Noah said stiffly. “Said it’s the kind you like.”

“Oww, that sounds nice. Kaia always makes the best cake,” Sylvie said, sounding like a kid at Christmas.

“I can stop by if you want the cake,” I said softly.

Noah didn’t say yes, but he didn’t say no either. I took the silence as a green light and hung up.

I hailed a cab, went straight to my apartment, and retrieved the cream cake I’d made this morning. I boxed it up neatly, tied it with a bold red ribbon.

By the time I reached the hospital, it was just past six. Sylvie’s suite looked more like a luxury hotel than a medical room—complete with kitchen and dining nook. But only four chairs.

I already knew which one wouldn’t be for me.

Sylvie lit up when she saw the cake. She even insisted on sticking a candle in the center and making a wish before blowing it out. Then she cut a slice, took one bite, and her entire face lit up like a sunrise.

“So sweet! So perfect!” Sylvie beamed.

I smiled but didn’t say a word. Just cut myself a sliver of cake, grabbed a fork, and drifted to the sofa.

“I’ll eat over here.”

Jace threw me a look sharp enough to draw blood. “Someone knows her place.”

Asher blinked, surprised for half a second, then went right back to fussing over Sylvie.

“I heard France is extra beautiful during Christmas,” Sylvie chirped, slicing another bite of cake. “What if we all went once I’m out of the hospital?”

Asher chuckled, brushing a hand through her hair, “Anywhere you want,.”

Sylvie turned to me with wide, hopeful eyes. “Kaia? Are you coming with us?”

My grip on the plate tightened. I was nervous enough that my hands trembled, the cake nearly tumbling to the floor. “Probably not. I’ll be leaving soon. I have to… sample some new products.”

“New products?” Jace snorted. “Even working through the holidays. Guess we should hand you a medal or something.”

“I just thought—”

“It’s fine,” Asher cut in, voice sharp. “Might be better if Kaia stayed away a while. Wouldn’t want Sylvie getting pushed into another pool.”

The air went cold.

They didn’t know this little ‘trip’ of mine was permanent or I’d be gone in a week, with no forwarding address and no intention of looking back.

“Well, if you’re leaving,” Asher said coolly, turning back toward his plate, “do you mind if Sylvie moves into your old room at the mansion?”

I looked at him. There was no affection in that stare. Just a formality, like he was speaking to a stranger.

Jace chimed in again, eyes glinting. “She was always petty about sharing her room with Sylvie.”

“It’s fine,” I said. “She can have it. I’ll clear my things out tomorrow.”

All three brothers looked at me then. Like I’d grown a second head.

Because I’d never agreed before—not once. And they’d resented me for it. If Sylvie couldn’t have my room, their golden girl had to settle for the guest suite.

Asher narrowed his eyes. “Don’t agree to things that you will change your mind about it later, Kaia.”

“I’m not,” I said quietly. “I’ve just come to terms with a few things. It’s better if Sylvie takes my room. That way, you can all take care of her properly.”

Asher’s lips curled into a frosty smile. Jace rolled his eyes. Noah stayed silent, staring down at his untouched fork.

The rest of the evening slipped by in a blur.

Sylvie announced she was tired. That was my cue.

I picked up my purse, stood, and gave them one last look.

For a second—just one—I felt the sadness I’d been holding down for years crack open inside me. Once, I’d belonged here. I’d been cherished. Loved. Held.

Now, I was just a guest. One who’d overstayed her welcome.

“Bye,” I said.

None of them replied.