Chapter 2

_Raven's POV_

Cassian’s whisper still rang in my ears.

Looks like we’re stuck together.

Before I could respond, my mom appeared behind me.

“Lucas!” she exclaimed happily.

She walked past me without noticing the storm inside my head and wrapped her arms around him. Lucas laughed softly and hugged her back. His hands settled easily on her waist.

“I missed you,” my mom said.

“I missed you too,” Lucas replied and leaned down to kiss her.

I stood there, frozen, watching them like I didn’t belong in my own house anymore.

Then, my mom turned toward Cassian.

“Oh,” she said warmly, her eyes lighting up. “You must be Cassian.”

She stepped closer and kissed his cheek.

“Welcome,” she said. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

Cassian stiffened...just slightly. Enough for me to notice.

When my mom turned away, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his cheek slowly and carefully. Like he was erasing something unpleasant.

My chest tightened.

Did he really just do that?

My mom didn’t see it. She was already smiling at me.

“Raven,” she said gently. “Why don’t you start setting the table? Dinner will be ready soon.”

“Sure,” I said.

I grabbed the plates from the cupboard. My hands were shaking slightly.

As I moved around the kitchen, I could feel Cassian’s eyes on me. I didn’t look at him. I refused to give him that satisfaction.

Lucas pulled out a chair and sat down.

“So,” he said cheerfully, “first day of school. How did it go?”

“Fine,” I replied quickly.

Cassian let out a quiet chuckle.

I clenched my jaw.

Mom placed the dishes on the table one by one. It was simple food; home-cooked meals. Nothing fancy.

When we finally sat down, the table felt too small.

Too tight.

Lucas sat at the head. My mom beside him. Cassian across from me.

His blue eyes locked onto mine.

He didn’t smile this time.

He studied me.

I broke eye contact first.

“So,” my mom said brightly. She was trying to lighten the mood. “Cassian, how was your first day?”

Cassian shrugged. “Interesting.”

My grip tightened around my fork.

“Did you make any friends?” she asked.

His gaze flicked to me. “I met someone.”

I swallowed.

“Oh?” my mom smiled. “Who?”

Cassian leaned back slightly. “Raven.”

My mom’s face lit up. “Really? That’s wonderful!”

I forced a smile. “Yes. Wonderful.”

Cassian’s lips twitched.

“How did you two get along?” Lucas asked.

“Perfectly,” Cassian said smoothly.

I nearly choked.

Mom laughed softly. “I’m so glad. I was hoping you’d get along. You’ll be living together soon, after all.”

Living together.

The words made my stomach twist.

Cassian’s eyes followed me as I sat there, my fork moving slowly over my plate.

He hadn’t eaten much at all.

In fact, he barely touched the food.

I noticed the way he poked at it, the way his lips pressed together like he was holding something back.

Good, I thought bitterly. Don’t like it. I don’t care.

What was he expecting? A five-star meal?

Well, too bad.

This was our home.

“So,” Lucas said, “Cassian, you’ll be starting football practice soon, right?”

Cassian nodded. “Tomorrow.”

“You’ll be busy then,” my mom said with a smile. “That’s good. Keeps you active.”

He hummed in response. He was still not eating.

I reached for the water jug and poured myself a glass. As I did, Cassian suddenly stretched his long legs under the table.

His foot brushed against mine.

I stiffened instantly and pulled my foot back.

My eyes snapped up.

He was smiling.

Not openly. Not wide.

Just a small, knowing curve of his lips.

“Careful,” he said calmly. “You almost kicked me.”

“I didn’t,” I snapped quietly.

My mom looked up. “Everything okay?”

“Yes,” I said quickly. “Fine.”

Cassian leaned back in his chair. “She’s just tense.”

My mom laughed softly. “Raven does get nervous sometimes.”

I stared at my plate. Cassian’s foot moved again. This time, it pressed against my ankle.

I sucked in a breath and kicked his leg away under the table. He raised an eyebrow.

Lucas cleared his throat. “Cassian, you haven’t eaten much.”

“I’m not very hungry,” Cassian replied.

My mom frowned slightly. “Is the food not to your taste?”

The question made my chest tighten.

Cassian looked at the dishes again. “It’s fine,” he said. “I’m just used to different things.”

Something sharp twisted inside me.

“Well,” I said before I could stop myself, “this is what we eat.”

My mom glanced at me. “Raven.”

Cassian tilted his head. “Relax. I didn’t insult it.”

“But you implied...”

“Raven,” my mom said again, firmer this time.

I closed my mouth.

Cassian’s smile returned.

“I’ll adjust,” he said smoothly. “I always do.”

Lucas nodded approvingly. “That’s the spirit.”

I felt like I was shrinking in my chair.

“So,” my mom said quickly, trying to change the subject, “about the wedding.”

She looked at Lucas with excitement in her eyes.

“I was thinking something simple,” she said. “Nothing too big.”

Lucas smiled. “We can look at venues this weekend.”

“That would be nice,” she said. “And I want to go dress shopping soon.”

“I’ll take time off work,” Lucas replied. “We’ll make a day of it.”

Cassian tapped his fingers against the table. I watched him from the corner of my eye. He looked bored and detached.

Like he was watching something unimportant.

“Raven,” my mom said suddenly. “You’ll help me pick the dress, won’t you?”

I forced a smile. “Of course.”

Cassian snorted softly. My head snapped toward him. “What?”

“Nothing,” he said lightly. “Just didn’t picture you as the wedding-planning type.”

My cheeks burned. “And what does that mean?” I asked.

“It means,” he said slowly, “you don’t seem very… festive.”

My mom laughed awkwardly. “Cassian.”

He shrugged. “I’m just being honest.”

“Honesty doesn’t mean being rude,” I said.

Lucas looked between us. “Let’s all relax.”

Cassian’s eyes locked onto mine. “I am relaxed.”

His foot brushed against mine again. This time, he didn’t move it away. I kicked him hard under the table.

“Ow,” he said calmly, not even raising his voice.

My mom frowned. “Raven, please.”

I stared at her. “He keeps...”

“Enough,” she said gently but firmly. “We’re having a nice dinner.”

Cassian leaned back. He seemed happy with his victory.

I felt something crack inside my chest. She didn’t even ask what he did.

I pushed my chair back. “I’m done.”

“You barely ate,” my mom said.

“I’m not hungry.”

Cassian smirked. “Must be contagious.”

I glared at him. “You really enjoy this, don’t you?”

He met my gaze. “More than you know.”

Lucas sighed. “Cassian, go easy.”

Cassian shrugged. “She started it.”

My mom reached for my hand. “Raven, please. Try.”

I swallowed my anger.

“For you,” I said quietly.

I sat back down. The rest of dinner passed in tense silence. Cassian kept watching me. Like I was something he wanted to break...or control.

When dinner finally ended, I stood up quickly.

“I’ll clean up,” I said.

“You don’t have to,” my mom replied.

“I want to.”

I grabbed the plates and carried them to the sink.

Behind me, I heard footsteps.

Cassian stopped beside me.

“You’re very dramatic,” he said softly.

I didn’t look at him. “Stay away from me.”

He leaned closer. “You’re going to have to get used to me.”

I turned sharply. “I will never get used to you.”

He smiled slowly. “We’ll see.”

I watched him walk away.

My hands shook as I washed the dishes.

How am I supposed to live like this? I thought.

This wasn’t just annoying.

It was unbearable.

And something deep inside me whispered a terrible truth.

This wasn’t just a bad first day.

This was the start of something dark.