Page 57 of Sweet Madness

A half hour later, I find myself closing all the tabs on the iPad with a sense of satisfaction, the first part of the assignment finally completed with hours to spare before I have to turn it in.

Stretching my arms above my head, I glance around the room, now bathed in the soft glow of evening twilight. Poppy has settled down in a corner of the room, her playful energy finally spent. It looks like she’s tired of causing trouble around the room.

With a smile, I tap Mom’s number, feeling a twinge of guilt for neglecting our usual daily chat. I always call no matter what, but today I got so caught up in my studies that time slipped away.

On the first ring, the screen flickers to life, and my heart leaps with anticipation and the usual touch of homesickness as I wait for Mom to appear. Instead, the cutest face fills the frame—my little sister, Evie, her wide green eyes and toothy grin instantly melting my heart.

“Lella!” Evie chirps, waving enthusiastically at the camera. “Guess what? Mom is pooping, so I’m in charge of answering your call!”

“Everly!” Mom’s outraged shout is heard in the background while Evie laughs her little butt off.

Evie is the total opposite of our mother personality-wise, yet she’s the one who looks the most like her—just like Kyrin.

I can’t help but smile at my baby sister’s infectious energy and silly antics. She’s always up to something, and it often gives Mom gray hairs. “Hey, Ever After! How’s everything back home?” I ask enthusiastically, a wave of affection surging through me as I stare at my littlest sister.

Evie bounces on her seat, her excitement palpable even through the screen. “Superb! School is boring, but Mom promised to take me book shopping this weekend!”

“Book shopping? Excellent choice.” I grin.

Evie nods quickly. “Yes! Book shopping and then cappuccinos and pastries.”

I’m glad Mom is keeping up appearances for Evie’s sake. She’s just a kid, and telling her that the entire family has been threatened would only make her fear the world at such a young age. I’m sure my parents have tripled Evie’s security by now, and she won’t notice the difference since Evie, as smart and clever as she is, has always had her pretty nose up in the clouds.

And I wouldn’t want it any other way.

I chuckle softly, my heart melting in the face of Evie’s bubbliness. “That sounds like fun! I wish I could join you guys.”

My sister’s expression turns serious for a moment, her brow furrowing with concern. “Are you okay? You look kinda sad.”

My heart swells even more with affection for my perceptive and brilliant little sister. “I just miss you all so much.”

Evie’s green eyes, so much like Mom’s and Kyrin’s, widen in sympathy, her sweet voice softening. “We miss you too, but don’t be sad. Daddy said we’ll see each other soon.”

Dad’s word is law to us, but especially to his little darling girl—his Everly.

I nod, blinking back tears of gratitude and love. “Yeah, we will. Tell Mom I love her, okay?”

My sister nods eagerly. “I will! Oh, and guess what else? Ambrose has a boyfriend!” Evie makes a face of disgust and then presses her face to the screen as if she’s readying herself to share a secret that no one else can know. “Daddy yelled a lot when he found out. I swear smoke was coming out of his ears and nose!”

I can’t help but laugh at her sudden change of topic, my heart lighter. “He did?”

“He did!”

“He then made me promise I would never lose my way like Ambrose did,” she whispers, as if sharing a secret.

“And what did you say?” I whisper back.

Evie leans back in her seat with the brightest smile on her cherubic face. “That I couldn’t promise him that.”

“And why not?”

“Because my prince is out there, silly. One day I’ll find him, or he’ll find me, and we’ll create our own way.”

We’ll create our own way…

Those words strike me, impacting me in more ways than anything ever has, and they come from a little child. One brilliant, compassionate, and crazy Kenton child. My little ray of sunshine.

“You’re right, Ever After. One day your prince will come, and you’ll both live happily ever after, you’ll see.”

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