Family Intervention

Alex

A soft knock at my door interrupted my thoughts. My assistant poked her head in. "Your sister is here to see you."

Before I could respond, Claire burst into my office, a whirlwind of energy and expensive perfume.

"Well, if it isn't the man of the hour," she announced, dropping dramatically into the chair across from me. "Engaged! To Ava Silver, no less. You certainly know how to keep things interesting, big brother."

I couldn't help smiling at my sister's theatrical entrance. Four years younger and infinitely more sociable than me, Claire had always been the family charmer.

"It's not what you think," I started.

She held up a perfectly manicured hand. "Save it. Mother already called me ranting about engagement parties and guest lists. I figured there was more to the story."

I raised an eyebrow. "And you came all the way to my office to get the gossip?"

"Please," she scoffed. "I was in the building anyway. Board meeting for the foundation, remember?"

I winced. I'd completely forgotten about the Russo Foundation meeting scheduled for today. Another ball dropped.

"How'd it go?" I asked, trying to cover my lapse.

"Boring as always. We funded some scholarships, approved some grants. The usual do-gooding." She waved a dismissive hand, though I knew her foundation work was deeply important to her. "Now spill. What's really going on with you and Ava Silver? Last I heard, you two couldn't stand each other."

I hesitated, weighing how much to tell her. Claire wasn't on the company board; she had no formal role at Russo Corp. But she was family, and one of the few people I genuinely trusted.

"It's complicated," I said, the phrase becoming my mantra.

Claire rolled her eyes. "So is calculus, but I managed to pass it. Try again."

I gave her the abridged version—the mistaken announcement, the business benefits, the PR strategy. As I spoke, Claire's expression shifted from skeptical to intrigued.

"So it's all fake?" she clarified when I finished. "The whole relationship?"

"It's a business arrangement," I confirmed. "With an expiration date."

Claire studied me, her gaze uncomfortably perceptive. "Except you like her."

"I respect her professionally," I said, the defense automatic.

"No, you like her," Claire insisted. "I can see it in your face when you talk about her. You get this little crinkle right here." She tapped the corner of her eye.

I swatted her hand away. "That's ridiculous."

"Is it?" she challenged. "Because Ava Silver is exactly your type—smart, driven, takes no shit. Plus, she's hot."

"Claire—"

"What? I'm just stating facts. And I've seen how you look at her at charity events. Even before this 'arrangement', there was always... something there."

I shook my head, though a part of me wondered if she might be right. Had there always been an undercurrent of attraction beneath the professional rivalry? Had I been drawn to Ava all along, without acknowledging it?

"It doesn't matter," I said firmly. "This is business, not personal."

Claire snorted. "Right. Keep telling yourself that."

She leaned forward, her expression turning more serious. "Look, I know it's none of my business—"

"Since when has that ever stopped you?"

"—but you should be careful. Ava's not just some random woman. She has a kid, Alex. A daughter who lost her father."

I stiffened, memories of my drive with Emilia surfacing. "I know that."

"Do you?" Claire's gaze was penetrating. "Do you understand what you're getting into? Playing with people's emotions—even for business—can have real consequences."

"I'm not playing with anyone's emotions," I said defensively. "It's all above board. Ava knows the score."

"And her daughter? Does she know it's all fake too?"

I fell silent, remembering the coldness in Emilia's eyes. Her declaration that her father was "coming back."

"I met her," I admitted quietly. "Emilia. I drove her to school yesterday."

Claire's eyebrows shot up. "Wow. That's... unexpected."

"She hates me," I continued, surprising myself with the honesty. "Or at least, she doesn't want me anywhere near her mother."

"Can you blame her?" Claire asked gently. "Her world was shattered once. She probably lives in fear of it happening again."

I hadn't thought of it that way. For a moment, I tried to imagine the world through Emilia's eyes—losing her father, watching her mother struggle as both parent and provider, and now seeing a stranger suddenly enter their lives, threatening the stability they'd fought to build.

"She thinks her father is coming back," I said slowly. "Ava says she knows he's dead, but sometimes Emilia still talks like he's returning someday."

Claire's expression softened. "Children process grief differently than adults. Sometimes denial is easier than acceptance, especially when the truth is too painful to bear."

I studied my sister, struck by her insight. "When did you get so wise about children and loss?"

She shrugged, a sad smile playing on her lips. "I have a friend who's a child psychologist. Specializes in grief counseling. I've picked up a few things."

"Could I..." I hesitated, unsure why I was even asking. "Could I talk to this friend? Just to understand better what Emilia might be going through?"

Claire stared at me, clearly surprised. "You actually care about this kid?"

"I drove her to school," I said defensively. "I'm going to be interacting with her. I should at least try not to make things worse."

A slow smile spread across Claire's face. "I'll send you her contact info. Her name's Emily Patel. She's brilliant."

"Thanks," I said grudgingly. "Not a word about this to anyone, clear?"

"Crystal," Claire agreed, standing and smoothing her dress. "Just be careful, okay? Not just with your heart, but with theirs too."

After she left, I sat in silence, Claire's warning hanging in the air. The day was spinning away from me, too many complications and considerations piling up. Responsibilities to my company, to Vivian, to Ava, and now, somehow, to Emilia as well.