Endless Night, Swaying Hearts

"Dad, Mom, I'm home!"

Hugh and Marjorie, who had only just recovered from her earlier shock, immediately plastered on bright, welcoming smiles. They hurried forward, fussing over Cassandra with exaggerated concern while greeting and scraping toward Caden with servile respect.

Only Caden's gaze lingered on Victoria. His brows furrowed noticeably the moment he saw her. It seemed that he was only now learning that Victoria was Cassandra's sister.

At dinner, Cassandra and Caden were seated on one side of the long table, while Victoria sat alone directly across from them.

Throughout the meal, Victoria watched as Caden meticulously cut Cassandra's steak for her and refilled her glass, and when a dab of sauce stained Cassandra's lip, he naturally lifted a napkin to wipe it away.

Marjorie beamed at the display. "Cassie, darling, how did you and Mr. Larkson meet? Tell me all about it."

A delicate blush rose on Cassandra's cheeks. "It was at a charity gala. I saw a stray cat stuck in a tree and tried to help it down, but I slipped and almost fell myself. Caden caught me, and later, he asked for my contact."

She finished, casting an affectionate glance at Caden.

Victoria couldn't suppress a derisive snort.

Cassandra had always hated animals. As a child, she'd even tortured Victoria's cat to death. The idea of her voluntarily rescuing a cat was absurd. Either this was a carefully staged performance by Cassandra, or she'd actually rescued the cat only so she could torment it later.

Victoria's mocking laugh cut sharply through the quiet dining room. All eyes turned to her.

Cassandra's expression faltered slightly before she smiled. "What about you, Vicky? Have you had any boyfriends these years? When will you bring him home to meet us?"

Victoria's lips curved into a bright, dazzling smile. "Bring one home? Oh, I couldn't possibly."

Cassandra tilted her head, puzzled. "Why not?"

Victoria's grin widened, turning wild and unrestrained. Her gaze flicked meaningfully toward Caden before settling back on Cassandra's face. Her tone was deliberately light and teasing.

"Because there are just too many. Unlike you, who's apparently so… lacking in charm that it took you three whole years to bring home just one."

She drew out her words, like a carefree enchantress, "Just so you know, I've got suitors lined up from the front gate of the Calloway residence all the way to Beurreton in Avernia. Honestly, I couldn't possibly bring them all!"

"Victoria!" Hugh's face flushed with anger, and he slammed a hand on the table.

Marjorie seethed, her chest heaving. Cassandra looked wounded, and her eyes welled up as she turned a helpless gaze toward Caden.

Caden set down his cutlery and calmly wiped his hands with his napkin. Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, he reached over and took Cassandra's hand where it rested on the table.

"You have no need to compare your charm to anyone else's, Cassie," he said quietly, his voice steady and certain. "In my heart, no one comes close to you. You are the best—unrivaled."

The words landed like a final, irrevocable verdict, driving Victoria straight into an endless abyss.

Cassandra's tears transformed into a smile of triumph as she clasped his hand back, her face radiant with happiness and quiet triumph.

Victoria stared at their joined hands. Her heart felt as though it had been crushed in an instant—shattered so completely that she could barely maintain her mask of defiant arrogance.