Chapter 4

AARON

The issue hanging over our heads had finally been resolved—or so it seemed. But none of us still in the living room felt even remotely relieved.

Especially me.

I stared at the spot where Valeria had disappeared, my heart weighed down by a tangle of emotions I couldn’t name.

I turned toward Dad, hoping to make sense of things, but my attention caught on Mom first. She was fidgeting, her eyes glued to the staircase, unable to hide the worry etched into her features.

To be honest, I still don’t fully understand the kind of person my mother is.

For all her outward affection and devotion, she’s always been someone who prioritizes her own interest above everything else.

A calculative person.

Yet, there were moments when she didn’t seem like that.

Moments like now.

Moments she seemed genuine, controlled by emotions, rather than reason.

It made it hard to judge which side was the real her—if either even was.

It was exactly because of how unpredictable she was, that, when Dad, Nessa, and I were planning how to force Valeria into this marriage, I insisted we keep Mom out of it.

Because it was impossible to tell who she'd choose to side with. People like her have no loyalties; they do things based on self-interest or on their moods.

Take today, for instance.

Even when she knew perfectly well that the groom was no good, she hadn’t once tried to dissuade either me or Dad from marrying Nessa to him.

Why?

Because she knew how crucial the arrangement was to preserving the lifestyle she enjoyed.

And when Valeria helped Nessa escape the wedding, Mom was furious—not because it wasn't right, but because it might jeopardize the family, which would in turn affect her.

Then, the moment she realized Valeria could serve as a replacement, she was the first to leap at the idea, practically glowing with renewed excitement.

Now, she looked worried. Visibly troubled. As if the same girl she was ready to hand over a few minutes ago had suddenly become someone worth protecting again.

It was like watching two completely different people wear the same face.

She was too confusing. Too unreadable.

But can I blame her for it?

Honestly, I’m not sure. Her upbringing shaped her into this. In her family, girls were raised to be bargaining chips, trained to choose the safest bet in order to survive brutal power struggles among the men.

Then she married into the Hales, where nothing really changed, as Dad also valued power and profit over people.

We all did.

Well… almost all of us. Except Valeria.

Maybe that’s why she never fit in.

A sigh slipped out before I could stop it. “Mom, why don’t you go talk to Valeria? Try to smooth things over.”

Her eyes lit up as she immediately jumped to her feet, like she’d been waiting for someone to say that all along.

Then, almost comically, she turned to Dad and asked in a timid voice, “Darling, may I?”

He glanced at me, then nodded. “Go.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, hurrying upstairs before he could change his mind.

Once she was gone, I turned to Dad. “Don’t you think Valeria was a bit too… calm, at the end?”

He frowned. “Yes. For someone with her temper…”

He trailed off, but I knew what he meant. Valeria had never been the type to let things go easily. Her sudden calm felt unnatural—like the quiet before a storm.

Dad must’ve sensed it too, but he only shrugged. “So what if she’s planning something? As long as she marries that man, what happens after doesn’t concern us. And I doubt she’d turn on us once she gains power.”

“We're her family, after all. A piece of paper can't change that.”

I nodded along, but a tight knot had already formed in my stomach.

A rebellious daughter in exchange for the Hale family’s survival—Dad saw that as a fair deal.

And logically, I agreed.

Still, unease tugged at me. I couldn’t forget the way Valeria had looked at me—eyes full of desperate hope, asking for something I refused to give.

I knew exactly what she wanted. And yet, I'd crushed it, and put out the last light in her eyes.

It made my conscience stir—something I thought I’d long buried.

We were siblings, after all. I did care for her., but unfortunately, she can't contend with the family's interests.

Judging by her reaction and that severance letter she demanded, I’d likely destroyed whatever little bond we had left.

Valeria was never a docile and obedient person to begin with.

Rather she was independent, opinionated and strong-willed. She might value familial ties but wouldn't be tied down by it. She was someone who would rather not have it than compromise.

I actually admired her for that, even though it made her harder to control.

Thinking about her always drained me, so I shifted focus.

“As long as we secure cooperation with Blaze Corporation, we’ll pull through this,” I said to Dad. “It’s our best chance.”

He nodded. “Exactly. If this goes well, the Hale family might not just survive—we might rise further.. That’s why nothing can go wrong with this marriage.”

He wasn’t exaggerating.

We’d long been the most powerful family in Meteor City, but recent years had seen our dominance slipping, no matter what or how hard Dad and I did to reverse it.

Rivals were circling and eyeing us like vultures.

We couldn't afford to let our guard down.

“I understand, Da.d. I'll see to it that nothing goes wrong.” I said seriously.

He patted my shoulder. “Good. You’ve never disappointed me.”

He paused.

“Oh, and that severance letter Valeria wanted? Don’t worry about it. She was just throwing a tantrum. She doesn’t really mean it.”

I frowned slightly. I didn’t agree with him—not at all. Valeria had meant every word. She truly wanted nothing more to do with us.

But I didn’t argue. Dad could be incredibly stubborn when convinced he was right.

Sooner or later, he’d see the truth.