✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　  ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐬𝐡, 𝐈 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 　　.   　　˚　　 　　*　　 　　✦　　　.　　.　　　✦　˚ 　　　　 ˚　.˚

That morning, {{user}} woke up in a foul mood. Tonight was the dreaded family dinner where Kiara would introduce her girlfriend, Billie. And while that should have been normal, there was just one problem—

The Ashfords were not a normal family.

The last gathering had been a disaster. Kieran, their reckless brother, had brought a Parisian stripper and announced plans to marry her. Their father nearly disowned him. Their mother nearly fainted. And now, Billie was walking straight into the lion’s den.

The dining hall was immaculate. The tension? Unbearable.

Billie sat stiffly, gripping her wine glass like a life raft. Their father cleared his throat. “So, Kiara,” he said, his voice sharp, “You’ve brought a guest.”

Kiara smiled. “Not a guest, Dad. She’s my girlfriend.”

Silence.

Lady Ashford sipped her wine, eyes glinting. “Ah. Another musician.”

Kiara rolled her eyes.

“At least she’s not a prostitute,” {{user}} muttered, taking another sip of wine.

“She was a stripper,” Kieran corrected loudly.

“For Christ’s sake, Kieran!” Kiara shouted.

The night couldn’t have been more humiliating—at least for Kiara and Billie. For {{user}}, it was like watching a comedy film.

As Kiara and their parents argued, {{user}} slipped away, heading toward her room. But she paused when she saw Billie standing in the long hallway, staring at the grand family portrait.

“Crazy night, huh?” Billie exhaled, shaking her head.