On the way home, Orion carried Aveline the entire time. The family had made it clear-her feet were not allowed to touch the ground until they were fully healed.
As soon as they returned, relatives took turns visiting to check on her, and Joyce was the first to call through a video chat.
When Aveline opened the call, a worried face filled the screen.
“Are your feet okay? How could they be so awful, putting thumbtacks there?!” Joyce exclaimed, her voice tense. “I’ve already bought a ticket. I’ll be there first thing tomorrow morning! Hmph, anyone who dares to bully my sister must have a death wish.”
Joyce rolled up her sleeves, revealing a delicate yet determined hand in the frame.
“Joyce, seatbelt,” came a calm voice from off-screen.
“Got it, Ashy,” Joyce replied obediently.
“I told you to call me Uncle Asher!” Asher’s exasperated face appeared briefly, as Joyce stuck out her tongue mischievously.
Aveline sighed, her expression helpless. “Joyce, it’s just a small scratch. I’m really fine. Flying all the way from New York is completely unnecessary!”
Joyce’s grin revealed her dimples, sweet and carefree. “Well, it’s been months since we last saw each other. I miss you! Ashy’s bringing me back.”
Seeing her sister’s smile, Aveline’s heart softened. The world seemed a little brighter. It was true-she hadn’t seen Joyce in a long time.
“Alright, just be careful on the way. And please, don’t give Uncle Asher too much trouble, you little rascal,” Aveline teased.
“I’m not causing trouble! Ask Ashy if you don’t believe me.”
“Call me Uncle Asher,” he muttered, ruffling Joyce’s hair with a resigned hand.
“Are you heading to the airport?”
“Yes, we’re almost there. Aveline, as soon as you open your eyes tomorrow, you’ll see me! Excited? Thrilled? Ugh, I should’ve just surprised you instead of telling you.”
“Alright, alright. Be careful on your way here. I’ll hang up now before you distract Uncle Asher from driving. Behave yourself.”
“Bye, Aveline!” Joyce smiled and ended the call.
“Was that Joyce?” Orion asked, his voice quieter than usual, careful not to let Joyce overhear and tease Aveline.
“Yeah, she took time off to come see me. Honestly, I kind of miss that silly girl too.” Aveline’s face lit up as she spoke, though she called her sister a “silly girl” with obvious affection.
“It’s getting late. I should head out so you can rest,” Orion said, gently patting her head before standing to leave.
Aveline tugged at his sleeve, her eyes playful. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
He paused, confused. “Hmm?”
She pointed to her lips. It had become their little ritual-Orion always kissed her before leaving.
This time, in her family’s house, it felt different. Orion’s breath hitched as he gazed at her inviting lips. Slowly, he cupped her chin and kissed her, tender and deliberate.
Aveline instinctively wrapped her arms around him, savoring the moment. When Orion kissed her, it was as if the whole world turned into a swirl of pink bubbles.
His heart raced, thundering in his chest. For a moment, he worried Julian or Aurora might walk in, but he couldn’t pull away.
Tonight, Aveline seemed just as immersed in the moment as he was.
“Aveline, I made you chicken soup,” Aurora’s voice called from outside the door, breaking the spell. The two sprang apart instantly, cheeks flushed.
Aveline stifled a laugh and called out, “Thanks, Mom! I’ll come out after Orion finishes explaining this problem to me. Let it cool for a bit, okay?”
“Alright,” Aurora replied, her footsteps fading.
Orion exhaled in relief, then playfully tapped Aveline’s nose. “What problem am I explaining, hmm? Little liar.”
“This one’s about love,” Aveline said, her tone teasing. “It’s a tough one. Might take a lifetime to figure out.”
“Then we’ll spend a lifetime solving it,” Orion whispered. “I really should go now. If I stay longer, Mrs. Barnet might start suspecting something.”
“Okay,” Aveline said softly, watching him with a smile.
Orion hesitated at the door, turning back. “Aveline, don’t forget to think about me.”
“I can’t sleep without thinking about you,” she replied. “Goodnight, my love.”
He stepped forward, leaving one last kiss on her forehead before slipping out of the room.
In the living room, Julian and Aurora were waiting for him.
“Orion, come here,” Julian said.
Orion had expected this. Bracing himself, he approached. “Mr. Barnet, Mrs. Barnet, I take full responsibility. I failed to protect Aveline. If you want to scold or punish me, I understand.”
Julian and Aurora exchanged a glance, their expressions calm.
“You’ve known Aveline since she was little,” Aurora said gently. “We know how much you care about her. Not telling us was probably her idea, wasn’t it?”
“She didn’t want you to worry,” Orion admitted. “You know how stubborn she can be.”
Julian sighed. “We won’t dwell on the past. What’s done is done. But starting tomorrow, Aveline will transfer back to her old school.
“Your background is different from the other students at Cherrywood, and it’s hard for Aveline to make genuine friends there. We’ve also arranged for you to transfer back. This world is where you both belong.”
“Will Aveline agree?”
“She will. After what happened, she’ll understand. And we know you’ve never liked Cherrywood anyway. Just promise us this-no more incidents like this in the future.”
“I promise. I’ll protect her with everything I have.”
Julian nodded. “We trust you, Orion. Now go get some rest. It’s late.”
“Goodnight, Mr. and Mrs. Barnet.”
As Orion stepped out of the house, he let out a long breath. He had expected harsh words, but they hadn’t come.
The next morning, just before dawn, Aveline was roused by a familiar voice.
“Aveline, I’m back!”
“Joyce, you’re here already?”
“Yeah, just got here. It’s been ages since we slept together. Let’s cuddle!” Joyce grinned, crawling into her sister’s bed.
Despite the distance that often separated them, their bond as sisters remained unshakable.
“Alright, let’s sleep for a bit,” Aveline said, pulling her into a hug.
Aurora peeked in quietly, watching her daughters snuggled together. One looked like her, the other like Julian. They were the perfect reflection of her love with him.
Smiling warmly, she tiptoed away, leaving the two to their moment.
Joyce, however, was too excited to stay quiet for long.
“Aveline, what exactly happened at Blossom Valley? Why were you and Orion in the same room? How far did you two progress?”
“Don’t be nosy! I already told you nothing happened,” Aveline huffed.
“Nothing? Not even hand-holding or kissing?”
“You little pervert!” Aveline turned away, refusing to engage.
Joyce leaned in closer, grinning. “Admit it, you like him. Your face changes every time you hear his name! Tell me, what does it feel like to like someone?”