Chapter 38

Ravenna pushed open the front door of her family home, the familiar scent of her mother's cooking enveloping her immediately. She followed the aroma to the kitchen, where she found her mother, Mara, bustling about in a frenzy of culinary activity.

"Mom?" Ravenna called out, eyeing the array of dishes spread across the countertops. "What's going on? Are we feeding an army?"

Mara turned, her face flushed from the heat of the kitchen. "Oh, Ravenna! Perfect timing. We're having guests for dinner tonight."

Ravenna raised an eyebrow. "Guests? Who?"

"The Blackthorn family," her mother replied, turning back to stir a simmering pot. "Soren Blackthorn and his parents and sister."

Ravenna felt as if the ground had suddenly shifted beneath her feet. "Soren Blackthorn? As in... my business associate, Soren Blackthorn?"

"The very same," her father's voice came from behind her. Ravenna turned to see him entering the kitchen, a warm smile on his face. "I recently played golf with his father, Cedric.