"If I remember right, Anya hasn't been back for like five days, right?" The only boy at the table, eating quietly, spoke lightly.
"Flynn, what? Five days?" Brandon's eyebrows flicked.
Flynn sipped his drink, indifferent, "Yeah, something like that."
"Five days, and why didn't anyone call the police?!" Victor shot a look at Marina.
Brandon had only returned a couple of days ago, so he didn't know Anya had been missing. Five days… that's serious. He didn't want to imagine it.
"Uh… I…" Marina glanced at Luna, who immediately started, "Mom and I just thought my sister was being playful… not thinking… she hangs out with those guys often anyway."
Marina nodded, "Yeah, honey, don't overthink. Anya will be fine… even when you weren't around, she'd stay out at night sometimes."
Bang—
The door slammed. Everyone jumped. Thought someone broke in? Eyes darted to the doorway.
Lin hurried to the door. A figure backlit. Eyes cold as ice. She shivered.
No one recovered immediately.
"What's happening?" Brandon asked.
Lin finally said, "Sir… Anya is back."
Luna froze. Heart in throat. Eyes wide. Impossible… seriously. She stared at the door.
Anya stepped in. Every step deliberate. Her gaze swept across everyone at the table.
The only middle-aged man, sitting properly, well-featured… her father, Brandon.
A woman in a red dress, thirty-something, maintained like early twenties… her stepmother, Marina. Makeup heavy.
The boy whose gaze lingered on her, her full younger brother, Flynn.
And the other girl, terrified, panicking, her hated younger sister, Luna, also Marina's daughter.
Anya's lips curved slightly, "I'm back."
Luna's hands shook. No… wasn't this the person supposed to be dead? Even if alive, shouldn't she be hurt?
"You… are you human or ghost?!" Luna stammered.
She hid behind Marina.
Marina tapped Luna's hand, signaling her to stop, "Luna, what are you saying?"
Anya smirked coldly, "Luna doesn't seem happy that I'm back."
Luna's eyes widened. Looked at everyone. They stared. She swallowed hard.
"I…"
Marina forced a smile, "Luna's been watching too many horror movies, that's why she overreacted." Then, frowning at Anya, she scolded, "Look at you! You scared your sister. Where were you these days? Not a word to anyone, and now back, scaring her?"
Anya arched her brow; Marina, her stepmother, both disliked.
Big family. Status of first wife important. Stepmother… lower. Rules old-fashioned.
Anya's mother—daughter of the chairwoman of Kyoto Glory Group. Marina's status clear to all. She was brought home by Brandon after a brief affair.
Brandon slammed the table, eyes furious. "I'm the head of this family! When did you get to talk?!"
Marina closed her mouth, comforting Luna.
Anya sneered, "You know why I'm back now, Luna. Judging by your face… you thought I was dead?"
Luna calmed slightly. Anya alive. Fainted, maybe. Deny… parents wouldn't believe anyway.
"Sis, we've been worried… I saw you leaving with those boys…" Luna leaned on Marina, looking wronged.
"Anya, did you just call your sister by name? No manners! Years of schooling wasted!" Brandon yelled.
Anya expressionless, eyebrow flick, "I don't remember my mom giving birth to a sister."
Everyone froze.
Flynn looked up. Staring. Really? That crying useless sister?
Marina teared up, "Brandon… sob… Anya doesn't recognize me as mom… after years raising three kids… and nothing… not even the kids…"
"All right!" Brandon tried to calm her.
"My mom? Daughter of Kyoto Glory Group's chairwoman. Big deal." Anya sarcastic.
"Went out… came back… rude." Brandon trembled. Authority felt.
"Where've you been? Doing something stupid? And… why like this?" Brandon jabbed.
Anya calm. Glance at Luna. Smile. Spine tingle.
"Five days ago… someone was looking for me off-campus. I went… got caught… escaped… hurt… fainted… rescued… today I'm back."