chapter 5

I saw my two siblings curled up on the couch, fast asleep. Oh no... I forgot they hadn’t eaten. Guilt sank in. I rushed over and gently shook them awake.

“Billy, Becky... wake up.”

They groaned, eyes still shut, heads turning the other way like seasoned little drama stars.

“Do you want noodles?” I asked with a small smirk.

Their eyes snapped open at once like magic.

“When it comes to food, these two can resurrect from the dead,” I muttered under my breath, amused.

“They can sacrifice anything for food,” I added, shaking my head.

“Oh, you woke them up?” said a familiar voice behind me. Raven.

“Cutie Raven!!” Billy and Becky shouted in unison, jumping off the couch like rockets.

“Awww, come here you little munchkins!” Raven stretched out her arms, expecting cute little hugs—what she got was a full-blown tackle. They all fell onto the couch together in a heap.

“Gosh, you guys have grown so much!” Raven gasped, still pinned down by the weight of the giggling duo. I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight—my best friend squished under two hyper kids.

“Okay, okay. I’ll go cook noodles. You three, try not to destroy the house.”

“Yes, sister!” the siblings chirped as I made my way to the kitchen.

I whipped up some quick noodles, the scent filling the house like a warm hug. We all sat down and had a nice dinner together. No fancy meals—just something simple and homemade. They didn't complain. They never do.

Now that Billy and Becky were growing older, they didn’t care much for bedtime stories anymore. Still, I couldn’t let go of my little ritual. I gave them each a peck on the forehead and said goodnight, then switched off the lights.

Later, I walked into my bedroom to see Raven in front of her laptop, typing away.

“What are you doing?”

“Working,” she said without looking up.

“Working? At night?” I rolled my eyes. “No wonder you’re such a workaholic. But then again, you are the head of Scarlet Magazine.”

She smirked.

“You filthy rich woman,” I teased, before leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Don’t stay up too late.”

“Mmm,” she hummed in response.

I smiled and slipped into bed.

The next morning, my alarm buzzed loudly. I sat up groggily and noticed something odd—Raven wasn’t there. Hmm… I guess she went home?

But when I went downstairs, there she was, sitting with my siblings, all laughing and having breakfast.

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty,” Raven called out.

“Good morning... wait, aren’t you going to work?”

“I’m taking a day off today,” she said, sipping her tea. “I’ll take care of your siblings while you work and maybe check on your parents later. If you need money, just call me.”

“Thanks, but—” I started to say, only to be cut off by Raven’s finger raised threateningly.

“Don’t. You. Dare. Hide. Anything. From. Me.”

“Geez! Okay, okay! I’ll accept your royal offer,” I muttered, pretending to grumble.

I had breakfast, dressed up, and got ready for another day of being my boss’s assistant. I told myself to stay focused and not get fired—again.

As I reached the office and greeted everyone, my boss walked in.

Whoa.

His shirt had the top two buttons undone, revealing just enough collarbone to distract a nun. He wore a black coat and matching pants, exuding cold elegance.

How do women even work around this man?

“Good morning,” I managed to say.

“Morning,” he replied coolly. “Ready to start your day?”

“Yes,” I answered, maybe a little too quickly.

—Meanwhile—

“Kids! Are you ready? It’s time for school!” Raven shouted from downstairs.

Billy and Becky came sprinting, racing each other to the car.

For Raven, Lily’s house had become her second home. She handled everything without being asked. But behind her confident smile was a deep gratitude. Lily had once helped her when she was terribly sick and all alone. Her mother had died of cancer, and her father had remarried and moved on. Lily had stayed. Lily had taken care of her.

No, Raven wasn’t alone.

She had Lily. And Lily’s family.

She opened her luxurious car door. The kids buckled themselves up quickly.

“Off off we go!” Raven sang, turning up their favorite songs. They giggled and sang all the way to school.

After parking and dropping them off, Raven turned to walk back to her car—only to freeze.

A small kid was standing next to her precious, shiny car... drawing on it. With. Crayons.

“My sweet car...!” she gasped.

She rushed over and gently took the kid’s hand.

“Sweetie, why’d you do that?” she asked, trying not to scream.

A voice came from behind.

“What are you doing with the kid?”

Raven turned.