Chapter 3

My soul trailed behind them, drifting into the mansion's living room.

The massive coffee table was buried under a mountain of beautifully wrapped luxury gift boxes.

Alexandra let out a squeal of delight, throwing herself onto the couch to start tearing into them.

There was an array of limited-edition bags, a custom diamond necklace, and the keys to a sports car. With every box she opened, she planted a sweet kiss on each of their cheeks, making the three grown men beam with adoration.

I floated quietly against the ceiling, watching the picture-perfect family of four.

Ethan rubbed the bridge of his nose and reached for the last two deep blue velvet jewelry boxes sitting at the edge of the table.

Alexandra's eyes lit up, and she reached out to grab them. "What are those, Ethan?"

Ethan pulled his hand back slightly. "These are for Cassie."

Alexandra's hand froze mid-air, and the smile instantly vanished from her face.

"It's a custom white dress and a matching bracelet," Liam chimed in.

Julian let out a soft sigh. "Ever since we brought her back, she's been wearing nothing but those same two ragged T-shirts. She doesn't even own a decent dress.

"Once she's released tomorrow, we'll give her these. Just a little token to show her she's officially part of the family."

Alexandra stared daggers at the velvet boxes.

All of a sudden, her eyes welled up, and tears began to stream down her cheeks.

"Are you guys abandoning me?"

She spun around, weeping hysterically.

"She's been so awful to me! She stole my foundation, played dead just to scare me, and completely ruined our April Fools' Day! Yet you guys went and bought her these amazing homecoming gifts?

"Is it because she's blood-related? And since I'm adopted, do you think I don't deserve to be a part of this family anymore?"

My brothers instantly panicked.

Julian scrambled over, dropping to one knee by the couch as he grabbed Alexandra's hands. "Alexandra, what are you talking about? You'll always be my one and only little sister!"

Ethan looked at the boxes in his hands, then at Alexandra, who was practically hyperventilating from crying so hard.

Without a shred of hesitation, he shoved both boxes into her lap.

"Don't cry. It's just a dress and a bracelet. They're yours," he said.

Alexandra sniffled, looking up as she made a half-hearted attempt to push back. "But… these were supposed to be Cassie's homecoming presents."

Ethan sighed, and something unreadable flickered across his eyes.

"After the stunt she pulled today, she doesn't deserve a dress like this. When we let her out tomorrow, we'll just buy her a random gift to make up for it."

Tears spilled from my eyes.

I wanted to tell Ethan not to bother making it up to me because I wouldn't be able to receive a gift from them anymore.

Just then, Alexandra's waterworks cut off instantly.

Right in front of them, she tore into the packaging.

She pulled out the dress, which had been custom-made to my exact measurements, and held it up against herself excitedly.

A wicked gleam flashed in her eyes as she spun toward the three of them.

"Guys, I have to try this on right now!"

Soon after, Alexandra stepped out. The white dress was noticeably tight on her frame, and the bracelet hung from her wrist.

She did a little spin in the center of the room and asked coyly, "Well? How do I look?"

The guys nodded in unison, complimenting her, while Julian whipped out his phone to snap a dozen pictures of her.

All of a sudden, Alexandra looped her arm through Ethan's, tugging at him playfully.

"Ethan, since Cassie can't wear this anyway, let's go down to the garage. I want to show her how it looks on me! Please?"

Ethan's brows pulled together. "She's supposed to be in a timeout. Why go down there now?"

"Oh, come on. Just for a second! Let's go live on the stream, too. We can let the viewers vote on who wore it better!"

Worn down by her relentless nagging, Ethan finally gave in with a helpless shrug.

"Fine, fine. You win."

Once again, the heavy roller door began to slowly roll upward.