A Sister's Strength

Ava

The tension between all of us felt like a thunderstorm about to break. Chloe stood motionless in the driveway, arms crossed, her eyes darting between me, Orion and Holly.

I leaned against the wall, silent but watching. I could feel her anger simmering beneath the surface. This is so good. I looked at Holly and couldn’t help the smile that threatened to tear my lips apart.

Holly took a deep breath, schooling her expression into calm authority. “Miss Chloe,” she said, her voice steady. “You won’t be going with them.”

Chloe’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”

Holly smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “You heard me. Why would you even think that you could go with them? It’s a honeymoon!”

Chloe started pacing back and forth, her fists clenched at her sides. “You invited me to pack. What kind of game are you playing, Holly?”

Holly crossed her arms, matching her glare. “I needed you to know how serious I am about boundaries. You’ve crossed too many lines. Don’t think I haven’t noticed. Both during the wedding and here.”

Orion stepped forward, his eyes darting between them. “Holly—”

Holly held up a hand, silencing him. “I’m not done.” Her gaze locked on Chloe. “While Orion and Ava are in Venice, you’ll be leaving the mansion. Rose will be staying with me. I don’t need your presence here.”

Chloe’s mouth opened and closed, her confidence cracking. “You can’t do that. I’m his assistant.”

She tilted her head. “Exactly! His assistant! And besides, not for the next three days, you’re not. You have a house, don’t you? Use it.”

Her face paled, the smirk finally slipping. “You don’t understand—”

“I understand more than you think.” Holly said, her voice dropped, steel behind every word. “You are leaving this minute”

“You don’t have the right to…” Chloe began but Holly interrupted her immediately.

“Of course I do! This mansion is in my sister’s name, not your boss and I’m pretty sure she doesn’t have any problem with you leaving. Or do

You, Ava?” She asked, turning her head slowly to my direction.

My eyes flicked to her, wide with shock. For the first time since waking up today, I felt something other than anger—something like hope. Orion didn’t move, his face unreadable.

“No Hols,” I whispered, “I don’t have any problem with that.”

Chloe’s voice trembled with fury. “You think you’re in control?” She sneered, looking like she wanted to swallow Holly whole and in that moment, I saw something deadly in her eyes.

I leaned in, my voice low but firm. “I know I am.” I glanced at Orion, daring him to intervene. He stayed silent, his jaw tight.

“None of you have the right to tell me to leave or stay,” she spat, “the decision is not up to either of you.” She turned towards Orion. The look in her eyes dared him to reject her, to deny her.

I watched his confident and calm expression falter. I couldn’t believe my sister thought this through. For once, I didn’t feel alone. The thought that someone else other than myself had my back made me so warm inside.

Orion glanced at me then at Holly, refusing to meet Chloe’s eyes.

“Will that be a problem, Orion?” Holly asked sweetly, batting her lashes to add extra effects and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

I could literally feel Orion’s discomfort and helplessness. And that made me super excited about the drama.

He ran a hand through his hair and muttered a silent ‘no’. He cleared his throat and finally turned to Chloe.

“Holly is right. I won’t be needing you for now, um…so, go back and I’ll let you know when I’m back,” he finished quickly, not meeting her gaze the entire time.

“But Orion…”

“Just go, Chloe!” he growled in frustration.

Chloe stormed out, her footsteps echoing down the driveway. When the car door slammed, the silence left in her wake was deafening.

Orion finally spoke, his voice tight. “You didn’t have to do that,” he said to Holly. My sister retreated behind me, eyes down.

I met his gaze, unflinching. “Yes, she did. Who wouldn’t?”

I grabbed my sister and pulled her in gently, my voice soft but firm. “Thank you,” I whispered.

She nodded. I could feel her heart pounding against mine in sync. Holly and I shared a long embrace, neither of us speaking. I could feel the weight of her concern, her silent promise to hold everything together while I was gone.

Finally, she pulled back, her eyes filled with something I hadn’t seen since Orion started pushing the buttons—trust.

“Take care of yourself,” she whispered.

I nodded, a smile spreading across my lips. “You too. And watch out for monsters under the bed,” I teased and she threw her head back, laughing cheerfully.

Her lips curved into a smirk and then she echoed “I am the monster.” We both laughed it off. It felt good, like the old times.

Orion stood by the car, watching us. His expression was unreadable, but there was an impatience in his stance. Without another word, I climbed into the car, sliding across the cool leather seat. Orion got in beside me, and the driver pulled away, the mansion disappearing behind us.

The silence between us stretched, heavy and thick. I could feel his eyes on me, but I refused to look at him. Finally, he broke the silence.

“Did you set that up?” His voice was low, but there was an edge to it.

I turned my head, raising an eyebrow. “Set what up?”

He scoffed, his eyes narrowing. “Don’t play games, Ava. Did you and Holly plan that little ambush?”

I leaned back, crossing my arms. “What if we did? Feeling cornered?”

His jaw tightened. “You think this is funny?”

I let out a short, humorless laugh. “I think it is so funny, Orion, don’t you?”

He shifted closer, his presence filling the space between us. “You’ve always had a sharp tongue, but this is a new low, even for you.”

I met his gaze, unflinching. “You mean my seventeen year old sister finding it odd that your assistant is living with you and your beloved wife? Sorry if that’s inconvenient for you.”

He reached out, his hand catching my chin, tilting my face towards his. His grip was firm, his eyes burning into mine. “Don’t push me, Ava.”

I slapped his hand away, my eyes flashing. “Or what? You’ll run back to Chloe? Oh wait, or your mom?”

I pulled out my phone ignoring his furious growls as my fingers flew over the screen. I messaged Rose, leaving her a bunch of instructions regarding the company and for Holly’s safety for the next three days.

Orion silently watched me, his expression unreadable. “You think you’ve won something here, don’t you?”

I smirked, slipping my phone back into my bag. “I think I’m done playing by your rules.”

A slow, dangerous smile curved his lips. “What makes you think Chloe isn’t already waiting at the airport?”