Chapter 3

I sit on the edge of the couch, feeling completely out of place. Mr. Grumpy paces the room while his sharp gaze flicks between Ella and the floor. Ella curls up on the opposite couch, hugging her knees tightly. She insisted I stay, so here I am—an unwelcome witness to their family drama, frozen and unsure of what to do or say.

“I didn’t mean for it to get out of hand. I just wanted to spend time with my friends and let loose for a bit.”

Zachary pinches the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. “And for that, I canceled an important meeting because I was worried sick about you. Do you even realize what you’re doing to yourself and to me?”

Ella’s shoulders tense. “You and everyone else in this family are always too busy with work. No one asks how I feel or what I want. You all treat me like a child but expect me to act like an adult. How is that fair?”

"Newsflash—life isn’t fair, princess. It’s not supposed to be. We’re trying to protect you, to keep you safe, because you clearly can’t make responsible decisions on your own!”

Ella flinches at his words but sits up straighter, her arms tightening around her knees as she glares at him. “You don’t protect me, Zach. You control me. There’s a difference. I’m not a child."

“You’re acting like a child!” he snaps. “Sneaking out to nightclubs, putting yourself in danger for some stupid thrill?”

“I was with friends! I wasn’t alone, and I didn’t go there to cause trouble. I just wanted to feel normal for once, Zach. Is that so much to ask?”

“God, teenagers.” Zachary laughs bitterly. “You think risking your life for a night out is normal? You’re a Langston, Isabella. That means you have a responsibility to act with some sense. People watch everything we do. Everything you do! One wrong step, and it’s not just you who pays for it. The whole family suffers.”

Ella’s face flushes with anger and hurt. “There it is. It’s not about me at all, is it? It’s about the family image, about you and Dad and your precious investors. You don’t care about what I want. You just want me to be quiet and obedient so I don’t embarrass you!”

Zachary’s jaw tightens, and his hands curl into fists at his sides. “You think this is easy for me? You think I enjoy having to clean up your messes? Someone has to be the responsible one, Ella, because God knows you’re not.”

Ella opens her mouth to retort but then clamps it shut, and her chin quivers as tears spill over her lashes.

I can’t sit still anymore. Zachary’s fury is like a storm that won’t break. But Ella doesn’t need a lecture right now, even though it was her own deeds that brought her trouble. Still, she needs sympathy.

I move to sit beside her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay,” I say softly. “You don’t have to feel bad for wanting happiness. Just breathe. You’re safe now. You’re home.”

“R-Really?” Ella lifts her tear-filled eyes to mine. I place my hand over hers, giving it a light squeeze. “What happened tonight was scary, but it’s over.”

Before she can respond, the temper king’s cold voice cuts through the air. “And who do you think you are to tolerate my sister?”

I meet his glare. “I’m someone who sees a girl who’s been through enough for one night. Maybe you could save the lecture for another time. She’s still in trauma.”

Zachary steps closer, tilting his head as he glares down at me. “You have no business interfering in family matters. Who even are you to speak to me like that? Why were you with my sister in the first place?”

I force myself to hold his gaze. “I work at that nightclub.”

He scoffs. “Of course. No wonder she got into trouble. She shouldn’t have been anywhere near someone like you. You’re a bad influence.”

My chest tightens, and my face burns with shame. I want to defend myself, to yell at him for his unfair judgment, but I swallow my words. Ella doesn’t need more confrontation.

Ella’s voice trembles with anger as she squeezes my hand. “Don’t talk about her like that! If it weren’t for her, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me tonight. She got me out of there. She protected me when no one else could. At least she cared enough to help even if she doesn’t know me. You? You were too busy with your meetings to even notice I was gone! She doesn’t deserve your insults.”

I thought Zachary would explode with anger. But instead, he only runs a hand through his hair, shaking his head as he pulls a phone from his pocket. "What is it this time? I'm busy!"

When he listens to the other line, his jaw clenches as though he's receiving bad news. I watch as he turns his back and speaks into the phone. "What did you say? The Valetti family is in town? Do it properly and be discreet. We don't want any trouble with them for now."