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Blair's POV
After ending the call with her mom, Blair stretched, exhaled, and made her way downstairs. The scent of garlic butter and grilled chicken drifted up the staircase, making her stomach rumble.
She entered the kitchen and saw Cassie and Jazmine already having lunch—pasta tossed in creamy Alfredo sauce with grilled chicken, sprinkled with parsley and paired with a side of toasted garlic bread. They both looked up when she walked in.
"Hi," Blair said softly.
"Hey," Cassie and Jazmine echoed in unison.
Jazmine gave her a small smile, grabbed her plate, and excused herself. "I'll finish this upstairs," she said, casually, but with intention—leaving them space.
Blair hesitated for a moment before sitting across from Cassie.
Cassie was the first to speak. "I'm sorry," she said, eyes focused on her fork.
Blair blinked. "No need to apologize. You were just standing up for Jazmine."
Cassie gave a small chuckle. "Maybe... but I was also standing up for myself. You know," she glanced up, "I've always been a little jealous of how James treats you."
Blair's eyes widened. "Jealous?"
Cassie nodded. "Yeah. James doesn't look at anyone the way he looks at you. And don't even try to say he doesn't treat you specially. He told me. To my face."
Blair's breath caught. "Oh… he told you?"
Cassie nodded again, this time with a small smile. "He did. And Blair… I don't hate you. I mean, I was a little hurt. But I don't hate you."
Blair's voice came out small. "If I told you I liked him back… would you hate me then?"
Cassie grinned and rolled her eyes. "As your sister? Never. Maybe for other things, yeah. But not for a boy." She laughed, lightening the air.
Blair stood, then so did Cassie, and they walked toward each other. The hug that followed was long overdue.
"I'm so happy we talked things out," Blair whispered.
Cassie held on tighter. "I missed you so much."
"Me too," Blair smiled as they pulled away. "Wait—hold on. You have a date Saturday?"
Cassie's face lit up. "Yep. Joseph."
"Joseph? The tennis tournament guy?" Blair squealed, bouncing slightly.
Cassie laughed. "Yes! We've been texting, talking on the phone. He's sweet, funny, checks a lot of boxes."
Blair fanned herself dramatically. "Okay, romantic queen! We love a man who checks boxes."
Their laughter was cut off by the front door opening. Maddie, Caleb, James, and Andrew walked in, the energy in the house shifting.
Andrew dramatically clutched his chest. "Cass and Blair… talking? And the house is still standing? It's the end of the world, guys!"
Cassie smirked. "Keep talking, and I'll make it end sooner."
Everyone laughed—Blair completely forgetting people were watching as she ran straight into James's arms. He caught her easily, his hands settling on her waist.
"Missed me that much, Maybell?" he teased.
"Shut up, James," she muttered, burying her face in his shirt for a second before pulling away.
Blair moved to hug Maddie while Caleb scanned the room. "Is Sarah home?" he asked, turning to Cassie.
"No," Jazmine answered, coming down the stairs with a curious look. "Why?"
Maddie and James exchanged glances.
James spoke first. "Because… we followed her today."
"And let's just say…" Maddie picked up, "we found out a lot."
Cassie and Jazmine stood, eyes sharp.
James nodded toward Caleb, who was holding the sealed envelope. "We got a DNA sample from Lucian. We tested it."
Caleb's hands trembled slightly as he passed the envelope to Maddie. "I can't open it," he whispered.
Maddie took it carefully, the room falling dead silent as every pair of eyes landed on her.
She read, brows furrowing slightly… then lifting.
"Caleb…" she said softly, lifting her gaze with a stunned smile. "You are… not Lucian's father."
Cheers erupted instantly. Andrew literally fist-pumped. Cassie screamed. Jazmine let out a relieved gasp. Blair practically bounced where she stood.
Caleb turned to Maddie, joy all over his face, and kissed her—deeply, right in front of everyone, not caring. The kind of kiss that said finally and I'm free and thank you for standing by me all in one.
Blair clutched her chest. "So… we wait for the confrontation?"
Cassie stepped forward with a devilish gleam in her eye. "Nope. I confront her tonight. And then I kick her out. Watch me."
Andrew whistled. "And people say Cassie's not useful. Look at her shining in her villain arc."
As the excitement settled, some headed toward the kitchen to start dinner prep, others stayed chatting in the living room, hearts lighter, laughs louder.
But there was still one final storm coming.
And they were all ready.
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The living room of the Quest mansion was unusually still. Everyone was scattered around, pretending to do other things, but their eyes kept darting to the door.
Finally, they heard it—the soft click of the front door opening.
Sarah walked in, looking tired, her purse slipping off her shoulder. She froze when she saw the whole house practically waiting for her.
Cassie was the first to move, pushing her chair back with a screech and standing up. Her arms were folded tightly across her chest, face set like stone.
"Well, well, if it isn't the family wrecker," Cassie said sweetly.
Sarah blinked, clearly confused. "What's going on?"
Cassie stepped closer, her voice rising. "You were really going to let my brother ruin his life, huh? You were going to let him stay tied to a child that isn't even his. Hurt Maddie. Hurt all of us—just so you could play happy family?"
"I—what? I don't know what you mean," Sarah said quickly, voice trembling, eyes wide with fake innocence. "I just want to go to bed. I'm exhausted."
Cassie laughed coldly. "Bed? No, darling. You're not sleeping here. You're leaving. Your suitcases are already packed."
The maids stepped forward dramatically, dropping Sarah's bags near the door with a loud thud.
"Stop pretending, Sarah," Cassie snapped. "We know about Lucian."
Tears welled in Sarah's eyes. "How did you know?" she whispered.
Blair crossed her arms, stepping forward. "That's not the point, Sarah."
Maddie, standing firmly by Caleb's side, added, "Just leave."
Sarah shook her head desperately and turned to Caleb, her face crumbling. "Caleb, please! I swear, Lucian looks like you. He could be your son , Our son"
Andrew raised an eyebrow and muttered, "Yeah, the kid doeshave similar facial features, man."
Sarah turned sharply toward Andrew, hope flashing in her eyes. "See! He does! He could be Caleb's—"
James cut in coolly, arms folded. "Yeah, no. DNA test, Sarah. We took a sample from Lucian today. Genes doesn't lie."
Sarah's mouth fell open. She looked around wildly at all their cold, unflinching faces.
James's voice hardened. "Do us a favor. Leave quietly before we have to call security."
Sarah's lips wobbled. She dropped to her knees dramatically, crying harder. "Please! Please, Caleb! I'm sorry! I messed up, but—"
Maddie, stone-faced, pulled out her phone. "Fine. You want drama? I'll call security."
Within minutes, two security guards marched in. Without a second thought, they each grabbed one of Sarah's suitcases and lifted Sarah herself up by the arms.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Sarah sobbed, kicking her legs uselessly. "I'm sorry! I can change! Please!"
Cassie didn't even blink as she watched. "Bye, Sarah."
The guards carried Sarah and her luggage right out the door as she sobbed loudly all the way.
Once the door slammed shut, there was a stunned silence—broken only by Jazmine leaning over to Maddie and whispering loudly, "Damn, Madds. You didn't even let her finish her performance."
Maddie snorted, flipping her hair. "I can't stand that blonde."
Andrew collapsed on the couch dramatically. "Can someone PLEASE pour me a drink? I just witnessed history."
And for the first time in days, real laughter filled the room.
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Later that night, after dinner and laughter had settled the house, Maddie and Caleb slipped away into Caleb's room. The door shut with a soft click behind them, sealing them off from the chaos of the day.
Maddie sank into his bed, curling into the pillows as Caleb walked over, pulling off his hoodie and tossing it onto the chair. He sat beside her, pulling her into his arms without needing to ask.
Her cheek pressed against his bare chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. His fingers traced light patterns along her back, grounding her.
"I still can't believe it," Maddie murmured. "It's finally over. No more Sarah."
Caleb pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Told you. She was never going to win."
Maddie tilted her face up to him, her expression soft. "I was scared," she admitted quietly. "What if the test came back different? What if I lost you?"
He cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing her cheek. "Mads, you're not losing me. Ever. You're it for me, okay? I love you."
Her breath hitched a little at the words, even though she'd heard them before—they still melted into her bones every time.
"I love you too," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him down until their foreheads touched.
Their lips met, slow at first, like they were relearning each other after the storm. His hand slid into her hair, hers gripping the hem of his shirt, pulling him closer until there was no space left between them.
"Stay with me," Maddie said, breathless against his lips.
Caleb answered her the only way he knew how—by kissing her deeper, guiding her gently down into the bed, his hands roaming her body with care and longing.
That night, there were no ghosts, no doubts—just two people, finally free to be in love.
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