The Calviero kitchen smelled like fresh croissants and roasted espresso beans. Elara sat curled on one of the velvet stools, her spoon lazily swirling honey into a delicate porcelain teacup. Across from her, Isabella had just left after a brief conversation, and the sunlight filtering through the tall windows painted golden stripes across the marble island.
Elara had barely taken two bites of her almond croissant when the front door opened with a dramatic crash.
"Honey, I'm home!" Anastasia's unmistakable voice echoed down the hallway.
Moments later, she strode into the kitchen like she owned the entire estate – which, given her confidence, no one would dare question. Her long blonde ponytail bounced behind her, her neon-orange sunglasses still perched on her head despite being indoors.
Behind her came Olivia, dressed in a sleek tan trench coat over a matching knit dress, her auburn curls bouncing softly as she walked.
"Anastasia," Ellara said, blinking,
"how–why are you–"
"There's a new drop at DeLuca Vintage," Anastasia said breathlessly, flinging her phone onto the counter like it was the most important news in Italy. "They just got this insane shipment of one-of-a-kind boots from Paris. Like, pre-Y2K. Gilded buckles. Handmade leather. I had to come get you."
"She called me at seven in the morning," Olivia said, setting down her purse and sliding onto a stool. "Said if I didn't come, she'd personally hack my calendar and delete all my study alarms."
"I wasn't bluffing," Anastasia said sweetly.
Elara laughed, setting her tea down. "You two really are something else."
"Where are your brothers?" Olivia asked, glancing around. "It's unusually quiet today."
As if summoned by fate itself, the hallway erupted in overlapping footsteps and low voices.
"Speak of the devils," Anastasia muttered.
Elias entered first, his dark hair slightly tousled, a towel slung over his shoulder. Right behind him came Leo, a silver pendant glinting in the light, and Andre, his blond streaks wet from a quick rinse and his button-up half done. All three looked like they'd just come from a training session – or maybe a very competitive basketball game – and none of them seemed to expect a kitchen full of girls.
Elias paused mid-step. "Why are you here?"
"Good morning to you too, sunshine," Anastasia said, popping a grape into her mouth.
"How did you even get in?"
"Gate code," Olivia chirped up innocently.
"I changed the gate code yesterday."
"Yes," Anastasia said, tossing him a wicked grin. "And your brother gave me the new one. He likes me more."
"Which brother?"
"Does it matter?" she replied.
"Unfortunately, it does," Elias muttered.
Just then, four more boys filed in behind them, clearly friends of Elias's. One had shaggy brown curls and an ever-present smirk. Another had slightly freckled cheeks, a dimple when he smiled, and a phone in hand he barely looked up from. The third looked like he should’ve been on a magazine cover, with sandy blonde hair and a sleepy charm. The last had close-cropped black hair and the posture of a soldier – watchful, alert, but with mischief in his eyes.
"This is Adrian," Elias said, pointing to the curly-haired boy. "That's Max–he doesn't speak before ten unless caffeine is involved. Lots of caffeine."
YOU ARE READING
Inheritance Redefined
General FictionIn a family shaped by shadows, her light might be their only hope - or their greatest weakness. When Elara's mother marries into the infamous Calviero family, her world changes overnight. At just fifteen, she's thrust into a dangerous realm ruled by...
