3.First Dinner

The chandelier light glimmered over the polished oak table, throwing soft gold over crystal glasses and silver cutlery.
Lily sat at one end, the brothers scattered around her, each a different kind of presence. Alex sat at the head, silent as always, his sharp gaze following her every move without a word.

Ethan, seated to her right, had tried to make conversation earlier, asking about her journey, but she'd responded with curt nods and turned back to her plate.
Then ethan said "Let's we introduce ourselves to our sister"

Luca mutter sarcastically "yes yes Look like our princess don't know about us"
One glare from alex make him shut up.

Alex sat at the head of the table, posture straight, gaze steady. "I'm Alex," he said finally, voice calm but carrying authority. "I'm your legal guardian now."

Lily gave the smallest of nods but kept her eyes down.

Across from her, Ethan leaned forward with a warm smile. "I'm Ethan. I handle most of the day-to-day things around here. If you need anything, you can come to me."

She still didn't look up.

Next to Ethan, Xavier barely shifted. "Xavier," he said flatly, his tone making it clear he'd rather be anywhere else. No elaboration. No warmth.

Lily didn't even blink.

From the far end, Xander grinned, leaning back lazily in his chair. "And I'm Xander. I'm the fun one, so don't let these guys scare you."

Silence.

Then Luca's voice cut in, low but sharp. "You're not going to say anything?"

Lily froze, still not looking up.

Luca's chair scraped against the floor as he leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "You didn't answer anyone. And earlier-" he gestured vaguely, "-you bumped into me like I was invisible."

She looked up at him now, her eyes sparking. "I didn't bump into you on purpose. And you are the one who walk carelessly! "

Ethan coughed into his hand, hiding a smile.

Luca's jaw clenched. "You could at least try to be polite."

Lily's voice rose, frustration spilling out. "Polite? To you? To any of you? Why should I be? "

"Because we are you brothers" he said

"Oh ! my brothers,oh my god I forget that! Anyway thanks for reminding me" she said sarcastically.

The words hung in the air like a blade.

They hate to admit that Her words hurt them so much. Luca fist clenched and knuckles turn white. He hardly try to control his anger. Lily notice his anger make her gulp .

Alex's voice cut through the tension, low and firm. "Lily-"

But she pushed her chair back, the legs scraping across the marble. "I'm done." Without another word, she turned and left the dining hall, the sound of her footsteps echoing behind her.

For a long moment, no one moved.

Xander let out a low whistle. "Well... that went well."

After she gone,luca not control his anger and throw the plate on wall .

"Luca" Alex warned him. Luca stood up and Leave. Storm towards main door.He went out.

"Great" Xander muttered.

While lilly can hear the glass breaking sound make her flinch.

____________

After few hours

Her stomach start to growling.

"Ugg! If I am angry during eating first i will finish food then i will leave that place."

For her,food is important

In annoying groan " i want food. I am hungry "

A sudden knock on the door made her jump. She scrambled to her feet.

When the door opened, Ethan stepped inside, holding a covered tray. "Brought you something before you starved yourself into a bad mood."

She blinked, suspicious. "I'm only accepting this so it doesn't go to waste. Got it?"

Ethan's lips curved into a small smile. "Got it."

She plopped down on the bed with the tray, flipping the cover open. The warm smell of food hit her like heaven, and she immediately began eating, muttering between bites.

Ethan stood nearby, leaning against the wall, watching her.

After a few moments, she paused mid-chew, glaring at him. "Why are you staring at me like that? "

He chuckled softly. "No, it's just... Luca was right. You haven't changed at all. We thought you would've changed, but-"

"Shut up," she snapped, slamming her fork down. "Who are you to say that to me?"

For a brief second, something flickered in Ethan's eyes - a quiet, almost invisible hurt - but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He straightened slightly, his tone still calm but softer now.

"You don't remember, do you?" he murmured, half to himself.

Her chewing slowed. "Remember what?"

Ethan just gave a faint smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Nothing. Finish your food."

Lily frowned, wanting to push for an answer, but the smell of her dinner was too tempting. She picked up her fork again, muttering under her breath, "Weird..."

Ethan stayed by the door, watching her with that same unreadable look.

___________________________________________

Luca's POV

The mansion was quiet except for the faint hum of the night air outside. Midnight had long settled in, and Luca stumbled through the front door, the faint scent of whiskey clinging to him. His steps were steady enough, but his eyes were a little too unfocused - just enough for Ethan to notice.

Ethan, who was leaning against the hallway wall with his arms folded, straightened when he saw him.

"If Lilly sees you like this," Ethan said quietly but firmly, "she might hate you even more. Don't scare her."

Luca didn't answer. His jaw tightened, his gaze sliding away like he hadn't heard - but Ethan stepped closer.

"I mean it, Luca. She's been through enough. You do anything to make her feel unsafe, and-"

"Yeah, yeah," Luca muttered, brushing past him. "Save the lecture."

But inside... it wasn't that simple.

You think I don't know? You think I want her to hate me?
When she left... when lisa take her away, it was like someone ripped out a part of him and left a gaping hole. He'd filled it the only way he knew - with anger, with walls, with a version of himself so sharp no one could get close enough to hurt him again.

He missed her. He missed her so badly it made his chest ache even now. Every laugh, every stubborn glare from when they were kids, every time she cling to him,ask anything she want, her rambling and....... she beg them to don't leave me with her puffy eyes- it all replayed like a cruel loop in his head.

And tonight... he just needed to see her.

Quiet as a shadow, he made his way upstairs, stopping outside her door. It was ajar just enough for him to peek in.

There she was - curled up under the blanket, her breathing slow and even, her face soft in sleep. She looked... the same. Smaller somehow, fragile in a way that twisted something deep in him.

Before he could stop himself, he stepped inside. Kneeling beside the bed, he brushed a loose strand of hair from her forehead and bent down to press the lightest kiss there.

"I miss you," he whispered, voice breaking. "I miss you so fucking much it hurts. I can't bear it if I lose you again. I won't let that happen. I'm sorry."

A tear slipped down his cheek, then another. He wiped them away quickly, but his voice cracked again.

"I'll try to change. I'll try to control my anger. Just... don't leave again."

He pressed another kiss to her forehead, lingering for a moment before pulling back.

When he stepped out into the hall, he froze - Alex was standing there, arms crossed, his gaze unreadable.

"She's not going anywhere,she will not going anywhere" Alex said quietly, but there was steel in his tone. "Don't worry. But this is your last warning - if you scare my princess again , you'll see my worst side."(he said about dining hall incident)

Luca faced him, a bitter little smirk tugging at his lips. "I know how to behave. I don't need your advice."

Without another glance, he walked down the hall toward his room, but Alex's words followed him like a shadow.