"Now tell me," Xander said suddenly, his fingers lightly brushing through her hair, "what did Nora do this time?"

The unexpected question made Ivy lift her head from his chest. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

She had thought he wanted to enjoy a quiet moment together, but apparently, he wasn’t ready to let the matter go.

"Nothing," she replied casually. "She was just there pretending to be the caring sister, as usual."

Her dismissive tone might have convinced someone else.

It didn’t convince Xander.

Before returning to the room, he had called the boutique manager. The woman had discreetly explained everything that had happened inside the store.

The more he had listened, the colder his expression had become.

If it had been up to him, Nora and her friends would have already learned a lesson.

But he had stopped himself.

He knew Ivy well enough to understand that she wouldn’t appreciate him interfering in a battle she had already won herself.

Still, that didn’t mean he wasn’t concerned.

"What?" Ivy asked when he remained silent. "You don’t believe me?"

Xander gave her a look.

That alone was enough of an answer.

A laugh escaped her lips.

"You really don’t."

"No."

The blunt reply made her roll her eyes.

Shifting closer, she rested her head against his shoulder.

"You don’t need to worry about them."

Xander raised an eyebrow.

"They’re just a bunch of loud people who enjoy stirring up trouble. That’s all."

That wasn’t entirely true.

The comments had annoyed her at the time.

Especially Olivia’s accusation.

But seeing their expressions when the situation backfired had been satisfying enough to erase most of her frustration.

Xander remained unconvinced.

"What if they try something at the get-together?"

Ivy looked up at him.

The concern in his eyes was obvious.

A smile tugged at her lips.

"Then I won’t go easy on them."

There wasn’t a trace of hesitation in her voice.

"You seem very confident."

"I am."

Xander narrowed his eyes slightly.

"And why is that?"

Ivy chuckled.

"Because I have very little patience for nonsense these days."

The old Ivy might have endured the insults in silence.

She might have allowed people to walk all over her.

But Raven was different.

Very different.

She wasn’t interested in being anyone’s victim.

If Nora, Polly, or Olivia decided to provoke her again, they would quickly discover that she wasn’t the same woman they used to bully.

Xander studied her for a long moment.

Then a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Good."

Ivy blinked.

"Good?"

"Good."

His hand moved to her waist.

"I’d be more worried if you planned on standing there and taking it."

A laugh escaped her.

"Are you encouraging me to start trouble?"

"No."

His eyes gleamed with amusement.

"I’m encouraging you to finish it."

For a second, Ivy stared at him.

Then she burst out laughing.

"That’s terrible advice."

"Maybe."

"But I like it."

Xander’s smile deepened.

"I know."

Ivy shook her head helplessly before settling back against his chest.

A comfortable silence filled the room once again.

This time, however, neither of them looked worried.

Because if Nora decided to cause problems at the get-together, both of them already knew exactly how it would end.

***

By the time Nora returned home, she was in a terrible mood.

The humiliation she had suffered at the mall kept replaying in her mind, fueling her anger with every passing second.

She wanted to break something.

Throw something.

Scream.

But she knew better.

If her mother saw her throwing a tantrum, she would only earn herself a harsh lecture.

So instead, Nora headed straight for the backyard.

The moment she stepped outside, she kicked a small stone across the lawn.

The stone bounced harmlessly across the grass.

Nora gritted her teeth.

At that moment, she wasn’t imagining a stone.

She was imagining Ivy.

"Ugh!" she groaned in frustration before kicking another one.

"Does she really think she can win against me?"

Another kick.

"I won’t let her."

The image of Ivy standing calmly in the boutique while everyone admired her only made Nora angrier.

She had expected Ivy to be embarrassed.

To be humiliated.

Instead, the situation had turned against her.

And somehow, Ivy had come out looking even better than before.

The thought alone made Nora’s blood boil.

Just as she bent down to grab another stone, a voice interrupted her.

"You’ve missed every single one so far."

Nora froze.

She immediately turned around.

A few feet away stood France.

For a moment, surprise flickered across her face.

France had rarely showed up these days. At least, not voluntarily.

Nora studied him carefully.

He looked different. Healthier.

His clothes were neat, and for once, there wasn’t the faint smell of alcohol surrounding him.

More importantly, he actually looked awake.

The change was subtle, but impossible to miss.

Unfortunately, Nora wasn’t in the mood to care.

She looked away and picked up another stone.

"You shouldn’t be here." Her tone was cold.

"Go back to your room."

France remained where he was.

Nora’s irritation only grew.

"I’m serious."

She tossed the stone across the yard.

"I don’t feel like talking to anyone right now."

France watched the stone land several feet away.

Then he glanced back at her.

"You know, people usually hit their target when they’re angry."

Nora shot him an annoyed look.

"What’s your point?"

"My point is that you’re so distracted by whatever happened that you can’t even throw a stone properly."

Nora scoffed.

"Oh, thank you. That’s exactly the insight I needed today."

"No," France said calmly. "I’m simply pointing out where you’re going wrong, Nora."

The moment those words left his mouth, Nora turned to look at him.

"What?"

Confusion flickered across her face.

Then it quickly turned into annoyance.

"And you’re the last person who should be giving me advice."

Her arms crossed over her chest.

"Whatever I do with my life is none of your concern."

With that, Nora turned on her heel and started walking away.

But France’s next words stopped her in her tracks.

"I can help you get Xander."

Silence fell between them.

Nora slowly turned back around.

France had already risen from the bench and was walking toward her.

His expression was unusually serious.

"And in return," he continued, "I want Ivy."

Nora’s eyes narrowed instantly.

"France."

There was a warning in her voice.

"You know Mom hates how obsessed you are with Ivy."

A low chuckle escaped him.

"That’s not something you need to worry about."

He stopped a few feet away from her.

"I know how to keep Mom out of my business."

Nora stared at him.

Even after all this time...

Even after everything that had happened...

France still hadn’t moved on.

His fixation on Ivy remained exactly the same.

Part of her found it ridiculous.

Another part found it useful.

After all, obsession could be a powerful motivator.

France had always been stubborn.

Once he wanted something, he rarely gave up.

And right now, he was offering her exactly what she wanted.

A chance to get closer to Xander.

Nora remained silent for several moments as she weighed her options.

Finally, she spoke.

"Fine."

France’s eyes gleamed.

"But if we’re doing this, Mom can’t find out."

The moment those words left her mouth, the corner of France’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

"Now that’s the sister I know."

Nora frowned. "Don’t make me regret this."

France merely shrugged. "That depends."

"On what?"

His smile deepened. "Whether you’re actually willing to do what it takes to win."

Nora held his gaze. For the first time that evening, her anger began to settle. Because anger alone wouldn’t help her defeat Ivy.

She needed a plan. And it seemed France already had one.

Neither sibling noticed the dangerous look that passed between them. A silent agreement had just been made. And for the people on the other side of it, trouble was already beginning to take shape.