Chapter 50

Ava POV

Family dinners were supposed to be a time of connection and laughter , but in my family, they always seemed to carry alot of tension. This one was no exception. After weeks of convincing, I had finally managed to arrange a dinner with everyone, Lucian, Anderson, our mother Evelyn, and me. Although Lucian had initially refused, I persisted, knowing how much it meant to Mom to see all her children in one place.

The restaurant was warm, bustling with soft chatter and the clinking of glasses. When I arrived, Mom and Anderson were already seated, their plates untouched as they exchanged a few words. Anderson looked up as I approached, flashing a polite smile.

“Finally,” Mom said, leaning back in her chair. Her tone was sharp but fond. “I was starting to think you’d stand us up too.”

“I’m not that cruel,” I replied lightly, sliding into the seat across from her. “Lucian’s the wild card, not me.”

Her face tightened at the mention of Lucian.