When they got into the limousine, their parents subtly encouraged them to sit beside each other.
But the moment Evadne took her seat next to Hades, she could barely contain herself.
Just hearing the hostility in his thoughts, the quiet contempt he held toward her and her parents, made her want to scream.
How can someone smile so genuinely on the outside, and yet be seething on the inside?
What infuriated her even more was how he was already judging her.
Spoiled brat.
Princess.
Brat who's never worked for anything.
His thoughts were venomous, and yet… they had never truly met before. Not as real people. Not beyond being toddlers in photographs. This was their first real encounter.
Evadne burned with frustration. And yet… she couldn't show it. Not when he was playing the part of the perfect gentleman. If she reacted, she'd look like the unstable one. The overdramatic brat.
But five minutes into the ride, she realized something else. Something that cooled her anger and made her smile instead.
He's jealous.
Hades hated the way his parents spoke to her, soft, warm, full of affection. She could hear the ache in his mind every time his father used a gentle tone with her, a tone Hades had never once received in his memory.
He envies me.
And just like that, a new idea formed in her mind.
If he already hated her for no reason, why not give him one?
If he wanted a villain, she could be one.
With a calm, almost mischievous smile, Evadne slipped from her seat beside Hades and crawled her way between Angelina and Jupiter like a child seeking comfort. She curled into Angelina's side and wrapped her arms around her godmother's waist.
"Awww! We missed you too, sweetheart," Angelina beamed, hugging her tightly. "Look at you. It feels like just yesterday you were a baby in our arms. And now look at you, all grown up!"
Evadne buried her face into Angelina's neck with exaggerated affection, and her godmother responded with a loving squeeze.
"See what I mean?" Cielo laughed from across the cabin. "She still acts like a baby sometimes. But we love it. I'd rather she be like this than pretend she doesn't need us anymore."
"Exactly," Romos chuckled softly. "We keep reminding ourselves that in a few years, she might stop being this affectionate and start building her own world without us."
Evadne smiled smugly, her face still hidden in Angelina's neck, but her mind fully tuned into the chaos she was causing.
And it was delicious.
She could hear Hades's thoughts loud and clear.
So fake. So manipulative. She knows exactly what she's doing. And they're falling for it.
His anger was simmering beneath the surface, but he was trapped, forced to sit still, to keep smiling.
And she loved it.
But it wasn't long before the long flight, the lack of sleep, and the warmth of Angelina's embrace lulled her to sleep. Within minutes, her breathing slowed, and her body relaxed against her godmother's side.
"I think she fell asleep," Angelina whispered, careful not to disturb her.
"Oh no, I'm sorry about this," Cielo said quickly, concern flashing across her face.
But Angelina just smiled. "No need to apologize, Cielo. I don't mind at all. I think she was exhausted. That flight must have drained her."
"She hasn't been sleeping well the past few days," Romos added, the weariness in his voice betraying how much it weighed on him.
The Falcon couple shared a look.
They already knew.
They were well aware of Evadne's nightmares.
"Did Dr. Jean not prescribe anything to help?" Jupiter asked, his voice now laced with genuine worry.
"He refused," Romos said quietly. "Said he didn't want her growing dependent on sleeping medication. Her mood stabilizers are working fine, but the nightmares… that's the only thing we haven't been able to control."
Angelina looked down at the sleeping girl curled into her arms.
She instinctively tightened her hold on Evadne.
As if somehow, her embrace could shield the girl from the shadows chasing her in sleep.
"Jean told us," Cielo added, "if Dr. Uriel's method doesn't work, then, and only then, will he prescribe something stronger. But for now, he wants us to try this route first."
"I had my people look into this Dr. Uriel," Jupiter said, his voice thoughtful. "She's actually well-known in cases like this. Her success rate is impressive. And the best part? She doesn't use medication. Her focus is on hypnosis, therapeutic memory unlocking… guiding her patients back to stability. Her methods are expensive, yes, but they work. Not a single patient of hers has gone untreated."
He met their eyes seriously.
"And let's be honest, money is not a problem here. If there's anything we can do, anything at all, you only need to say it."
Romos and Cielo exchanged a brief, quiet glance. Gratitude shimmered in their eyes.
It was overwhelming, how deeply these people cared for their daughter.
"Has Jean figured out what triggered it?" Angelina asked gently, her hand brushing Evadne's hair with maternal tenderness.
Romos shook his head.
"He thought it might be media-related, books, films, internet influences. You know how Vee's imagination works. Maybe something vivid took root. But… there's been no change. Same book genres. Same movies. She doesn't even explore the internet much. She's never had a social media account."
He paused.
"Jean even explored the possibility of real-world trauma, but he already ruled it out. There's no evidence. He's at a dead end. That's why he referred us to Dr. Uriel."
"We just hope this works," Cielo added, her voice soft, tired. "And if it's the environment causing her distress... we'll move back here to New York permanently. No questions asked. We'll do anything, as long as she gets better."
Even with Evadne fast asleep against her chest, Angelina reached across and gently took Cielo's hand, squeezing it tight.
Only another mother, especially one who had lost a child, could understand the kind of fear Cielo carried in her eyes.
"Don't worry," Angelina said softly. "Our Vee is strong. She'll get through this. She will."
They all looked down at the peacefully sleeping girl, their collective love and concern filling the quiet space.
What they didn't notice, what they were far too focused on Evadne to see, was Hades.
Sitting in silence.
Back straight. Jaw tight. Fists clenched on his lap.
Because in that moment, surrounded by all that warmth… he didn't exist.
He never had.
Not truly.
Not in their eyes.
Since the age of five, Hades Falcon existed for one reason only, to be molded into the perfect man for Evadne Monteverde.
The golden boy.
The heir, the future husband, the living tribute to what Ceres and Zeus never became.
And just minutes ago… his mother called her "our Vee."
Our.
Not "your daughter."
Not "your child."
Ours.
And yet…
He had never once been referred to as "our son."
Sure, in public, they'd smile. Introduce him politely. "This is our son, Hades."
But their voices were always detached.
Clinical.
Formal.
Never like that.
Never the way they spoke about her.
And he hated her for it.
For existing.
For being the reason he was raised into this role.
For being the sole purpose of his existence, his future, his prison.
A future he never chose.
A life he never wanted…
After a thirty-minute drive, the limousine finally entered the grand Monteverde estate.
The house stood tall, unchanged despite the years. A mansion soaked in memories of Ceres. It had pained them to leave it fourteen years ago, but they had to. For Evadne's sake.
Thanks to the Falcon couple, every inch of the house had been maintained to perfection. As if time had paused, waiting for them to return. Not even Cielo's sprawling rose garden had been changed, even the absence of pink petals. Ceres hated pink.
Everything was exactly as they left it.
"Sweetheart, wake up," Angelina murmured softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from Evadne's face as the gates swung open. "You're home."
Evadne's eyes fluttered open, vision adjusting.
She noticed the rows of parked cars in the estate's private lot. Too many.
"Are there a lot of people?" she asked, voice still laced with sleep as Angelina gently smoothed down her black silky hair, tousled from the nap.
"Just friends and family," Angelina said gently. "Since your mom mentioned you didn't want a grand welcome. Ciena's here with the Clarks, your cousin Nissan, Dee's here too."
As the limousine pulled to a stop at the grand front doors, the welcome party was already assembled.
Diana and Caspian were front and center, flanked by Nissan and her husband Gideon Mercer, along with old family friends, most of whom were once part of Zeus's circle. Now with children of their own, they looked like a faded photograph coming to life.
A large white banner hung proudly across the veranda, Welcome Home.
Cielo and Romos stepped out first, followed by Angelina, then Evadne, Jupiter, and lastly, Hades.
"Welcome back!"
Diana and Caspian greeted them with open arms, smiles bright, warmth genuine. Nissan and Gideon joined in, kissing Cielo and Evadne on both cheeks.
Evadne returned the affection with ease.
Diana and Nissan weren't just acquaintances. They were constants, visiting her in France whenever business or art brought them near. Diana, Ceres's best friend. Nissan, the cousin she felt closer to than her own half-sister.
And as she was being reintroduced to old family friends, it happened.
"What's so special about her? She's not even that pretty. Everyone's just exaggerating."
"So what if she dresses well? She's still no match for Cieryl."
"She's probably dumb. Unlike Cieryl, at least she has substance."
The hostile thoughts hit her like a wave.
Evadne turned her head slightly.
There they were.
Three girls.
All smiling. All sweet. All fake.
Two-faced bitches, she thought, a cold smile forming. And here I was hoping I'd click with Cieryl because we're blood and the same age. Should've known better.
"Vee," Ciena called out with a bright smile. "Come meet Cieryl. She brought some of her friends to welcome you too."
Evadne turned and approached, graceful, composed.
Cieryl, and her two friends, Natasha and Nika. Picture perfect. Smiling like it meant something.
"Hi, Vee," Cieryl said sweetly. "Is it okay if I call you that? Or would you prefer 'Aunt'? Since technically, you are my aunt." She giggled, gesturing to her friends. "This is Natasha and Nika."
Evadne heard the mockery behind the voice. Felt the insincerity in their thoughts.
Still smiling, she replied just as sweetly.
"Nice to meet you," she said, eyes twinkling. "You can call me whatever makes you comfortable. Since I'm wearing Prada today, you can even call me Miranda."
"Ha?" Cieryl blinked, confused.
"Ha?" echoed Natasha and Nika, equally clueless.
Evadne tilted her head. "You know? Because I wear Prada. The Devil Wears Prada?"
Blank stares.
She chuckled lightly. "Oh my god, sorry. It sounded so witty in my head. Never mind. Just... forget I said anything."
From behind them, laughter rang out, Diana's rich chuckle, followed by Cielo's amused giggle and Angelina's knowing smile.
"It's okay, sweetheart," Angelina said with a wink. "We got the joke. Only girls with real fashion sense will catch that reference."
The three girls remained frozen.
And Evadne?
She smiled, lips soft but eyes sharp.
Game on.