Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Addison woke up and turned to her phone. The screen read 00:30.

"How long was I asleep?" she muttered, pushing herself out of bed.

She stripped off her clothes, took a quick shower, braided her hair, and changed into her favorite sleepwear.

I wonder if Mum’s asleep... yeah, probably, she thought as she walked down to the dining room.

The candle on the table had burned out, but the untouched food was still sitting there.

"Mum! Mum!" Addison called out, rushing into the living room.

She found Rachael asleep on the sofa in her dark red evening gown.

Her boyfriend had never showed up.

Addison gently tapped her.

"Mum, wake up. Did you cry?"

Rachael offered a weak, tired smile. Before she could answer, a sharp knock echoed from the front door. Addison tiptoed over and peered through the peephole.

Outside stood a man adjusting his hair, dressed in a white shirt, a loosened tie, and a black coat.

"Mum, I think he’s here," Addison whispered.

Rachael gasped, suddenly frantic about her messy appearance. "Wait—"

It was too late. Addison pulled the door wide open.

"Thank you..." the man said to Addison as he swept past her into the house. Welcome your self

He walked straight toward Rachael, who quickly looked away.

"I'm sorry. I'm beyond late, but I really was busy and—"

He paused, noticing the dim candlelight and the set table. "...You did all this for me? For us?"

He reached out and took Rachael's hands in his.

"Of course she did!" Addison chimed in.

"Can’t you see her dress? And you come literally the next day—" Addison raged at him.

"Addison," Rachael warned under her breath.It wasn't really a warn more like proud of her.

Standing for her mother.

Vincent was some what surprised.

Vincent cut in smoothly. "You’re right. Let’s have dinner as planned—here and now."

Both mother and daughter stared at him in shock.

Addison quickly put on her serious face "We'll give you a chance. But..".

"Are you serious?" Addison asked, gesturing down at her nightdress.

Take a hint it's time for bed not a date.

Before Vincent could answer, two figures stepped through the open doorway behind him—a boy and a girl.

"My kids," Vincent introduced.

"Gabriel and Gabriella."

Gabriel strolled past everyone with a cool, nonchalant attitude.

He reached for a spoon, picked up a bite of the cold food, and tasted it.

"It’s cold... but let’s heat it up. It tastes potentially good."

Gabriella smiled warmly at Rachael. "You have a lovely face, home, and shape. I can see why my dad fell hard for you."

The awkwardness in the room melted away.

Rachel tugged her chest at the warm greeting Vincent family had shown her and so was Addison, but in her case taking her bed time.

"Okay!" Addison announced, assigning tasks.

"Gabriella and I will prepare the rooms and dresses while you guys fix up the dinner ."

Upstairs, Addison felt a prickle of nervousness under Gabriella’s intense gaze.

"Uhm... why are you staring at me like that?"

"Your leg," Gabriella said directly.

"Is it bad? It’s not super noticeable, but I can see you dragging it from time to time."

Addison squeezed her lips together, not wanting to talk about it. Luckily, her phone lit up on the nightstand.

"I’ll get it," Gabriella said, snatching the phone before Addison could move. She glanced at the caller ID. "Who’s 'Jay-Love'? that's a strange name. "

Gabriella answered the video call and froze. "Jackson?!"

"Do you two know each other?" Addison asked, pulling the phone out of Gabriella's hand.

"Not really," Gabriella and Jackson said in unison.

"Hey, love" Jackson’s voice came through the speaker, sounding confused.

"Why is she at your house?"

Addison walked over to the corner of the room and sat down.

"She's my mum’s boyfriend’s daughter."

"Wait, your mum’s boyfriend is Vincent Blackwood?" Jackson said rather than asked

"Vincent, yeah. But I don't really know them. How do you know Gabrielle family if you 'don't really know' her?" Addison asked calmly.

"We were in the same university and she made herself pretty known around campus.. and maybe I slept with her but.." he could see the doubt in her eyes as she silence grey thicker.

"But there is no excuse for what I've done than to say it was all before we were in a relationship.. and it's all behind me I do love you." he smiled a smile that make one to forgive his wrongly doings.

"Fine I trust you"

Jackson brushed the whole topic aside, a look of genuine concern crossing his face. "How's your mum's date going?"

"It's going fine I guess"

"okay, give your mum my regards andcareful with your leg, okay?" Jackson added softly.

"Sure I'll pass the message and thanks to you I was saved . Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Jackson running a hand through his messy hair. "After listening to my family go on and on about how my brother needs to get married, I got bored drove aimlessly and checked into a hotel. Wish you were here beside me." He smirked, making her chuckle.

CRASH!

The sharp sound of breaking plates echoed through the hallway.

"What was that?" Jackson asked.

"I’ll call you back. Love you!" Addison hung up and sprinted to the kitchen with Gabriella right behind her.

Gabriel was standing there with a look of pure embarrassment, Rachael had her hands over her mouth in shock near a pile of shattered ceramic, and Vincent was down on one knee holding a small ring box.

"Oh, Dad, don't tell me—" Gabriella started.

"Yep," Gabriel groaned." He tried taking off his coat, dropped the ring box, and here we are."

Vincent sighed in defeat, his smooth surprise completely ruined.

"Well... Rachael Fae, for the past two years, my life has finally had meaning. I don't want to live without grabbing my once in a life time chance . Will you do me the honor of taking my hand in marriage?"

Tears wailed in Rachael's eyes. She stumbled forward and threw her arms around his neck. "Yes! Yes, I will!"

Addison beamed a smile seeing her mother happy was so much joy.

I have siblings now, she thought out loudly.

Gabriel looked at her with a deepened expression. "An older brother."

Gabriella wrapped Addison in a tight hug. "And an older sister! Ah, I finally have a little sister!"

Addison’s heart swelled with joy.

She and her mother were finally going to be part of a happy family.

But beneath the joy, none of them realized the storm heading their way.

Later that night, after their dinner the house settled down.

Rachael and Vincent shared the master bedroom, Gabriel claimed the living room couch, and Gabriella crashed in Addison’s room.

"So," Gabriella said, looking at the ceiling. "What's your last name?"

"Fae. What about yours?"

"Blackwood... yeah, those Blackwoods. The famous twins—including the one who sleeps around with various men."

"That's a pretty harsh thing to say about yourself," Addison said softly, seeing right through Gabriella's defensive tone.

"You don't have to act like that. Besides, your life might change for the better now. Who knows? Maybe you and your brother will get along in the future."

"Posh and mature Gabriel?" Gabriella laughed.

"Yeah, right." She rolled over. "Goodnight, Addison."

"Night."

A few minutes passed in silence.

"Addison? You awake?"Gabriella voice cut through the silence.

"Yeah, what’s up?" Addison yawned.

"The real reason my dad was late... it's because I got harrsedin a hotel by some guy I slept with . Gabriel found out, went crazy, and nearly killed him..."

"Gabriella," Addison interrupted gently.

"I don't care about the past. Things are going to change now. Get some sleep."

Gabriella smiled in the dark and closed her eyes.

Addison pulled out her phone, still buzzing with excitement, and opened her text thread with Jackson.

> Addison: Hey! You awake?

> Jackson: Always for you.

> Addison: That crash earlier? Mr Vincent ruined his proposal to my mumand dropped the ring mid-coat removal.

> Jackson: So, clearly your going to become a blackwood?

> Addison: Yeah and with the way the two lovebirds are behaving it maybe soon.

> Jackson: Then I'll have to give a briefing about the high society.

> Addison:Are you sure or you just want to flaunt your vast knowledge in the business.

> Jackson: look I maybe in a family if business is it wrong to show off

> Addison : okay

> Jackson : But Addison I'm serious. Be careful especially with the twin.

> Addison : What do you mean?

>Jackson : I'll talk to you in person okay. Good night.

Addison switched off her screen, but her mind spun with Jackson's earlier text. The twins.

What bad could they be and why.

The next morning, Vincent and Rachael had already left for early work meetings by the time Addison woke up.

Downstairs, Gabriella was lounging with her head on Gabriel’s lap.

Addison walked in, rubbing her eyes. "Good morning."

"...I really envy Addison," Gabriella was saying in a low voice.

Addison stopped in her tracks, hiding near the hallway to listen.

"Why would you say that?" Gabriel asked.

"She has a boyfriend who actually cares about her. Meanwhile, I'm just a slut."

"Well, true," Gabriel said dryly.

"Don’t be so blunt!" Gabriella pouted, kicking his leg.

Then her eyes flicked toward the hallway and she brightened up instantly.

She leaped off the couch and over to a startled Addison, a bright grin spreaded her face.

"Dearest little sister! Let’s have a wonderful day!"

"Okay..." Addison replied awkwardly.

At the sprawling Reed Family Estate, the air inside the study was stiflingly tense.

"How long do you expect me to wait and die before you bring home a wife to continue our lineage?!"

The head of the Reed family slammed his cane against the hardwood floor. His pristine white hair and deep facial lines betrayed his old age, but his dark eyes remained sharp as daggers.

Standing across from him was Matthew, the first young master of the Reed family. Tall, dark-haired, and possessed of striking gold-and-grey eyes, Matthew stared back at his father with complete coldness.

"You had better attend that Blackwood wedding," Old Man Reed barked, stroking his silver beard.

"We may be able to find you a befitting wife among the guests."

Matthew kept his mouth shut. He knew his grand_father’s true motives. This wasn't about family or love—it was entirely about forging powerful corporate alliances.

"And where is Jackson?" Old Man Reed demanded, his brow furrowing.

"He's with Addison, his girlfriend," Matthew replied smoothly.

"If that is all, grand _Father, I will take my leave."

The moment Matthew stepped out of the room, the old man let out a quiet breath. The oppressive aura inside always made it hard to breathe.

Old Man Reed stared at the closed door, bitter satisfaction mixing with annoyance. He had raised an exact replica of himself—only colder.

"Crain," the old man called out.

From the shadows in the corner of the room, his assistant stepped forward.

"Yes, Master Reed?"

"Find out everything you can about this 'Addison' girl."

Crain nodded and pulled up a tablet. "These are the guests Mr. Blackwood invited to the upcoming wedding."

A long list of elite names scrolled across the screen.

Old Man Reed remained unimpressed until his eyes locked onto a single, unexpected surname near the top: FAE.

His gaze darkened.

"For a man of Blackwood's standing... why would he invite someone from such a formidable, hidden family?"

Outside the study, hidden in the dim hallway, Matthew leaned against the wall, having overheard every word.

He pulled out his phone and made a quiet call.

"Brono" Matthew said firmly as his broad-shouldered bodyguard, Bruno, stepped up beside him.

"I need to know everything about this Fae family".

He stroded in the vacant hallway with one statment

"I can handle the other "