New York
The guests gathered around a swimming pool, eating and drinking. The light reflecting off the water cast a soft glow, giving the place an extraordinary elegance as classical music played in the background.
“Hello, sister.”
Summoning her courage, Evie finally approached her older sister Josephine, who was chatting with Ava.
Ava’s smile faded. If it hadn’t been for Josephine, she would have snapped at Evie.
“Hi, Evie. Long time no see. How have you been?” Josephine asked with a smile, but it only made Evie frown.
The last time Evie saw Josephine, her sister had cursed her, seething with hatred after Evie’s mistake years ago.
A mistake.
Evie had slept with Finn and was caught by Klaus. That mistake haunted her, breaking her sister and traumatizing Klaus. It had caused a fight so fierce that Evie hated herself for it.
Now, Josephine, who had once despised her, was smiling as if nothing had happened. Could she have forgiven her?
“Are you crying?” Josephine asked as Ava looked on, unimpressed.
Tears welled up in Evie’s eyes. “Why aren’t you yelling at me? Why? Why are you acting so nice?”
Josephine’s smile softened. “Let the past be the past, sister. You’ve paid enough for it. I don’t hate you anymore.”
“I’m sorry.” Evie began to sob, unable to believe Josephine had found room to forgive her. It felt unreal.
Ava bit her lip, her own eyes tearing up as Josephine embraced her sister.
C’mon, Ava, you promised not to cry.
Ava dabbed her unshed tears with a handkerchief, feeling relieved she’d come with Josephine.
Meanwhile, Klaus and Morticia joined them after leaving the restroom. Morticia still couldn’t believe Klaus had made her come twice.
That guy was naughty everywhere.
Klaus’s smile faded when he noticed his father dancing with his new wife, drawing the crowd’s attention.
Not that it was any of his business. They weren’t his family, anyway.
Morticia noticed Klaus tense up. “Would you like to dance?”
Klaus’s gaze returned to her, spotting the couples dancing. “I don’t really know how to.”
“I can teach you,” she offered with a smile. Before he could object, she pulled him to the dance floor.
“Hold my waist,” she instructed, and he obliged. Their hands entwined, their gazes locked. Klaus drew her closer, smirking.
“Follow my lead,” he whispered.
Morticia raised a brow. Hadn’t he just said he couldn’t dance?
Her thoughts scattered as Klaus moved, guiding her steps with surprising skill. She chuckled when he spun her around.
“You have no idea how beautiful you are, baby girl,” he whispered, spinning her back into his arms, her back against his chest as his hands caressed her waist.
“How sexy you are,” he murmured, making her turn to face him, her cheeks flushing.
He pulled her closer, their chests pressing together. “How insane you’re driving me right now.”
Morticia chuckled. “Oh yeah? You’re my prince, and I’m your Cinderella.”
She spun and fell into his arms, their gazes locking affectionately.
Meanwhile, Ava gawked. What in holy hell is happening?
The genuine smile on Klaus’s face was rare, and it wasn’t lost on Josephine.
“When was the last time I saw him smile like that?” she murmured.
Then Ava’s eyes widened as something clicked. The tebby bear. Klaus was the teddy bear!
“Holy mother of Christ,” she mumbled.
“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Josephine asked.
“I think we might be in-laws soon,” Ava muttered, her gaze darting to the dancing couple, who seemed to have forgotten the rest of the world.
—
The music finally stopped, and Klaus and Morticia smiled at each other. However, they were brought back to reality as the guests began to clap.
Morticia’s face turned bright red. Her eyes darted around, landing on her mother, who remained stunned, her lips parted.
“I think my mother caught on to us,” she whispered to Klaus.
“Not a bad thing,” Klaus whispered back.
“Wow, Klaus, that was wonderful,” Finn approached, his voice calm. Klaus’s expression turned cold immediately.
“How have you been?” Finn asked.
“Why do you care? You should worry more about your new family,” Klaus replied curtly.
Finn smiled, already expecting Klaus’s cold attitude. “How have you been, Morticia?” he asked, shifting his attention to the girl beside him.
“I’m good,” she replied softly.
Klaus scoffed. “Fuck.”
“Thank you for coming, Klaus.”
“I didn’t come because of you. Quit acting like a Mr. Nice Guy; it doesn’t suit you. Just keep revealing the sulking demon you are,” Klaus snapped.
“Klaus,” Morticia whispered, tugging lightly on his arm.
“It’s alright, Morty. I understand how he feels,” Finn said with a nod.
“What?” Klaus frowned, stepping closer. He was the same height as his father, their striking resemblance almost unsettling.
“What the fuck did you just say? You understand me?” Klaus leaned in, his voice laced with sarcasm.
“Klaus, you shouldn’t cause a scene. Not now, not here,” Finn said softly.
“What now? I’m the son you screwed up so badly, and I’m always the one causing a scene, right?” Klaus chuckled bitterly.
“Klaus, you don’t understand-”
“Make me understand!” Klaus’s voice rose, drawing the attention of the guests.
Josephine stood, sensing the tension, and Ava followed her.
“Let’s talk later…” Finn tried to whisper.
“No! I want to hear it now. Why the hell did you leave her, huh? After breaking her so many times with your shitty behavior? You even went as far as doing it with her sister, and now you’re throwing her away like some fucking trash!” Klaus shouted, his voice sharp and cutting.
Evie, who overheard, gripped her dress in shame.
“C’mon, Dad, tell me! Why did you ruin my life with your crappy lectures and cheating bullshit? The countless times I saw Mom crying and yet you claimed it was her fault for not being perfect? Do you even remember what you did that night?!”
“Klaus!” Josephine rushed toward him.
He yanked his arm away when she tried to touch him. “Don’t stop me, Mom. Stop acting like you’re happy.” He turned back to Finn. “Not only did you throw her away, but you also married one of her old friends. Congratulations, Dad! You should save your energy since it’s your wedding night!” He scoffed at Katie, who said nothing.
“Klaus, let’s talk… in private,” Finn said, his tone firm now.
Klaus glanced at his mother’s pleading expression, then at Morticia’s worried gaze. Finally, he turned toward the small store to the right.
Finn faced Josephine. “I’ll talk to him.”
Josephine nervously played with her fingers. Her eyes met Katie’s, and they exchanged a subtle, unreadable look before Josephine tore her gaze away and returned to Ava. But at her first step, a strange sensation struck her.
–
In the Room
Finn pinched the bridge of his nose, his mind racing as he decided where to begin.
“What the hell are you waiting for? Spill it out,” Klaus demanded coldly.
Finn finally spoke. “First, I’m really sorry for being a terrible father. I don’t know how I’m going to make it up to you. I just need you to forgive me… I was terrible. I accept that. But I tried to make it up to you…”
“Oh yes, you did. And you’re doing a fantastic job, Father.”
“Klaus…”
“Did you force her to come here?” Klaus asked sharply.
“Listen to me, Klaus. The divorce…” Finn hesitated before continuing. “It wasn’t my idea. It was your mother’s. She’s the one who wanted it, not me.”
Klaus’s brows furrowed as he searched his father’s expression for a hint of sarcasm, but Finn remained serious.
“What?”
“I never wanted to divorce her. But she insisted. She had a reason…”
“What reason?” Klaus asked, curiosity mingling with unease.
Finn hesitated again, clenching his jaw.
“Fucking tell me!” Klaus snapped.
Finn finally said it. “Your mother… your mother is dying.”
Klaus’s eyes widened, his lips parting as the words struck him hard. He hadn’t fully processed the revelation when screams erupted from outside, followed by the sound of guests panicking.
Klaus and Finn rushed out. The scene before them shattered their hearts-
Josephine had fainted and fallen into the pool. Ava was literally screaming.
Kalus and Finn didn’t waste any moment. Both of them jumped into the water at once…