Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Ravyn had deliberately chosen the front passenger seat beside the driver, instead of sitting in the back of the limousine, where the rest of the family were seated.

"Miss, are you sure you wouldn't be more comfortable in the back?" the driver asked quietly, his weathered hands adjusting the rearview mirror.

"I'm perfectly fine here, thank you," Ravyn replied, settling into the leather seat and closing her eyes. "I prefer the view."

"The weather is perfect for outdoor photos," Eleanor said, her voice carrying the practiced enthusiasm of a woman who had orchestrated countless social events. "The gardens will be absolutely stunning as a backdrop."

"Mother, you're making me nervous," Aspen laughed, the sound light and musical. "It's just a family gathering, not a magazine shoot."

"Every gathering is a performance, darling," Nathan interjected, his voice carrying the weight of family wisdom. "Reputation is built on consistency."

Ravyn kept her eyes closed, letting their voices wash over her like background noise. 

"Oh!" Aspen's voice suddenly brightened . "I forgot to mention—Miles will be there tonight."

The car fell silent for a moment, the name of rather who it belonged to, settling down on all of them.

Ravyn's jaw tightened briefly, but she maintained her relaxed posture and closed eyes.

"Miles Archer?" Jeremy's voice carried a note of uncertainty as he asked. "I thought he was..."

"Engaged to someone from the Morrison family, yes," Aspen finished quickly, supplying them with information.

 "But that fell through months ago. He's been asking about family gatherings, wondering when he might see everyone again."

Eleanor made a soft sound of interest. "How thoughtful of him to maintain his connection to the family, even after..."

She didn't finish the sentence, but everyone knew what she meant. Even after Ravyn's disgrace. After her marriage engagement to Miles Archer fell through because she was sent to prison instead of Aspen.

"I always thought Miles was wonderful," Aspen continued, her voice taking on that dreamy tone that did not hide the fact that she harboured feelings for him. 

"Even when we were younger, I had such a crush on him. He was always so kind to me, so protective. Of course, I never said anything because..." She let the sentence trail off delicately.

"Because he was promised to Ravyn," Nathan finished bluntly. "Though I suppose that's no longer an issue."

"Naturally, any previous arrangements are null and void," Garret said, speaking up since the conversation started. 

"The circumstances have changed completely. If Miles wishes to explore his interest  within the family, that would be... appropriate."

Ravyn opened her eyes and watched the city pass by through the windshield, her expression serene.

 She could feel their eyes on her, waiting for some reaction—jealousy, anger, heartbreak. Instead, she simply smiled.

"How wonderful for both of you," she said without turning around. "I'm grateful that you're looking out for everyone's happiness. Aspen deserves someone who will cherish her, and I'm sure Miles will do exactly that."

"That's... very mature of you," Eleanor said carefully, clearly testing the waters. "I'm glad you understand that sometimes circumstances require... adjustments."

"Oh, I understand perfectly," Ravyn replied, her smile widening slightly.

The limousine pulled through the gates of the senior Hawkins estate, a sprawling mansion that made their own family home look modest by comparison.

As they stepped out of the car, the family naturally arranged themselves into formation with the parents taking the lead, followed by the children.

Ravyn followed at a respectful distance, not wanting to be identified with the rest of the family.

Miles Archer stood near the entrance, his tall frame elegant in a perfectly tailored navy suit. When he saw the family approaching, his face lit up with smiles.

"Eleanor, Garret," he said, embracing them briefly as he added. 

"You both look wonderful. And Nathan, Jeremy—good to see you both."

His eyes swept over Aspen with affection present in his eyes. 

"Aspen, you're absolutely radiant. The years have been very kind to you."

"Miles," she breathed, color rising in her cheeks as she offered her hand. 

"It's so good to see you again."

When his gaze finally landed on Ravyn, there was a moment of awkward recognition. 

"Ravyn," he said simply, offering a brief nod. "You look... well."

"Thank you, Mr Archer," she replied with the same formal tone. "It's nice to see you again."

Inside the mansion, the party was in full swing. 

Ravyn's grandparents held court near the main fireplace.

"Grandmother, Grandfather," Ravyn said as she approached, her voice warm with genuine affection. These two, at least, had always been kind to her, even if they hadn't been able to protect her when everything fell apart.

"Ravyn, darling," Margaret said, her eyes brightening as she pulled her granddaughter into a gentle embrace. 

"How lovely you look. Come, tell us about your travels. We've heard such wonderful things about your time in Europe."

Before Ravyn could respond to the lie, the soft hitting of a fork against a crystal wine glass drew everyone's attention. Nathan stood near the center of the room, his champagne glass raised as all eyes were fixed on him.

"If I could have everyone's attention," he called out, his voice loud enough to be heard as the whispers and murmurs settled down.

 "We have some wonderful news to share."

Beside Nathan, Aspen glowed with excitement, her hand resting lightly on Miles' arm as he stood close beside her.

"It gives our family great joy to announce the engagement of our beloved Aspen to Miles Archer," Nathan continued, his words carrying across the silent room. "Their wedding will take place in the spring, and we couldn't be more delighted to welcome Miles officially into our family."

The room erupted in applause and congratulations. Ravyn joined in the applause, watching with a neutral expression as MIles slid a glittering diamond ring onto Aspen's finger. The couple kissed briefly, as cameras flashed taking pictures of them,

"How romantic," someone near Ravyn sighed. "They make such a beautiful couple."

"Perfect match," another voice agreed. "Both families must be thrilled."

Ravyn continued clapping until the moment had passed and conversation resumed its normal flow. 

She made her way toward the refreshment tables, suddenly craving something to occupy her hands and give her an excuse to move through the crowd without engaging in conversation about her personal life

At the buffet table, Ravyn was examining a particularly intricate chocolate sculpture when she stepped backward to get a better view and collided solidly with someone behind her.

"I'm so sorry," she began, turning around with an apologetic smile. "I wasn't watching where I was—"

The words died in her throat as she found herself looking up into the most striking pair of gray eyes she'd ever seen. The man was tall—considerably taller than her—with dark hair that looked like he'd run his fingers through it and sharp features that belonged in a Renaissance sculpture. 

"No harm done," he said, his voice carrying just a hint of an accent she couldn't place. "Though you might want to rescue that strawberry before it falls."

Ravyn looked down to see that her collision had caused her to juggle a chocolate-covered strawberry, which was now precariously balanced on her palm. She laughed amused at what she saw.

"Excellent reflexes," she said, securing the strawberry properly.

 "Though I'm not sure  I could eat this   without making a complete mess of myself."

"A tragedy, really," the stranger said, his green eyes twinkling with mischief. 

"That strawberry is far too beautiful to waste. Perhaps I could assist?"

 

She tilted her head, studying his face, searching for something she couldn't quite name.

"Assist how, exactly?"

Instead of answering with words, he reached out and gently took the strawberry from her hand.

"May I?"

She nodded, not entirely sure what she was agreeing to, and watched as he brought the strawberry to her lips. The chocolate was still slightly warm from the kitchen, and the strawberry beneath was perfectly ripe. As she bit into it, a small drop of juice escaped and ran down her chin.

"Now that," he said softly, reaching up to catch the drop with his thumb, "is how strawberries should be eaten."

Ravyn felt heat rise in her cheeks, but instead of backing away from him and running away from the tension brewing between them, she found herself smiling. "Your turn," she said, taking another strawberry from the table.

What followed was a small intimate display that got everyone's attention as they were lost in their own bubble.

 He fed her small pieces of exotic fruit, she offered him pastries that she assumed he would like, and soon they were both laughing like conspirators sharing a delicious secret. .

"This is completely ridiculous," she said as he offered her a small chocolate truffle, holding it just out of easy reach so she had to lean closer to him.

"The best things usually are," he replied, his voice low enough that she had to strain to hear him over the party noise around them.

When she leaned forward to take the chocolate from his lips rather than his fingers, the gesture felt natural, and intimate, like she had known him before. 

The chocolate melted on her tongue as their faces remained close together, close enough that she could see flecks of silver in his green eyes.

"Your turn," she whispered, selecting a small piece of candied ginger and bringing it to her own lips.

He leaned down to take it, and for a moment that stretched like eternity, they shared the same breath. 

When he straightened, his hands somehow found her waist, pulling her gently against him as they both dissolved into quiet laughter at their own audacity.

"We're causing quite a scene," he murmured against her ear, but his tone suggested he couldn't care less.

"Are we?" Ravyn replied, her hands somehow finding their way to rest against his chest. "I hadn't noticed."

But even as she said it, she became aware of the weight of watching eyes, the way conversations had quieted around them.

 Her family stood frozen near the announced engagement celebration, their faces ranging from shock to fury. Miles looked like someone had struck him across the face, his champagne glass forgotten in his hand.

"Ravyn!" Miles' voice cut across the room with unmistakable anger as he stalked toward them, his face flushed with indignation. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

The stranger—she still didn't know his name—didn't release her from his gentle hold. Instead, he turned slightly, positioning himself so that he was partially shielding her from Miles' advance while still keeping her close against his side.

"I'm sorry," the stranger said, his voice carrying a note of polite confusion, "but are you speaking to my companion? Because I'm fairly certain she's occupied at the moment."

"Your companion?" Miles' voice rose higher, drawing even more attention from the other guests. "That's my fiancée you're manhandling!"

"I'm sorry," he said again, his tone now carrying a dangerous edge beneath its politeness, "but I believe you're confused. Your fiancée—" he gestured toward where Aspen stood near the fireplace, her engagement ring catching the light, "—is over there. This lovely woman has been keeping me company, and I don't recall her mentioning any prior commitments."

The silence that followed was deafening. Every eye in the room was now focused on their little drama, including the horrified faces of Ravyn's family. Nathan looked like he was contemplating violence, Jeremy's jaw was clenched tight enough to crack teeth, and Eleanor appeared to be having some sort of internal crisis.

"Unless," the stranger continued, his gray eyes now cold as winter steel, "you're suggesting you're engaged to both women? Because that would be... complicated."

Miles' face cycled through several shades of red as he struggled for words. "I... she... we were... before she..."​