**—— Everhart Family——*"

Everhart Manor always carried a quiet pressure, a sense of history breathing through the walls, and tonight that weight felt heavier than usual. Emilia’s planned “sleepover” had filled the lounge with her closest friends, turning the room into a polished stage of soft lights, velvet cushions, and scattered snacks. Emilia herself lounged confidently at the center, vibrant and loud without effort. Mira observed everything from a chair near the fireplace, posture straight, her attention sharp and deliberate. Scarlett sat curled near the window, calm and thoughtful, offering a gentle presence that balanced her sisters’ intensity. When Aiden Everhart stepped into the doorway, the conversations continued, but something subtle shifted—as if the room had quietly acknowledged his arrival.

Alexa noticed him first, her shoulders lifting slightly as her eyes flicked his way. She wore a cropped fuzzy sweater, a sleek skirt, and boots that made her look impossibly composed. Ashley leaned casually beside her, jacket slipping down one arm, expression bright with quiet mischief. Their reactions were different but familiar: Alexa’s soft smirk held a hint of challenge, while Ashley’s warm smile invited him in with easy confidence. “That’s it?” Alexa teased, amused by his hesitant entrance. Ashley bumped her with an elbow before offering Aiden a softer look. “Ignore her. We’re just teasing,” she said, her tone gentle enough to take any edge out of the moment. Their banter didn’t overwhelm him—it simply folded him into the rhythm of the room.

His sisters added their own subtle welcomes. Emilia shot him a grin and tapped the empty space beside her, an unspoken “come sit.” Mira closed the notebook in her lap, eyes narrowing in that perceptive way that always made Aiden feel seen without being exposed. Scarlett offered a quiet nod, warm and patient, creating space for him without pressure. For a moment, Aiden considered retreating back upstairs, the way he usually did when rooms felt too full. But tonight the atmosphere wasn’t sharp or demanding; it simply carried the lively energy of people who filled spaces naturally. And for once, instead of feeling like the quiet observer orbiting stronger personalities, he felt something simpler—accepted, included, and welcome in the noise.