Chapter 12: Secrets and Bonds

Shays POV

"I don't care about a stupid dress, Xavier," I snap. "I want to be comfortable around people I don't even know."

He sighs, eyes narrowing just slightly. "You won't know them for long. Just a few hours."

"I don't want to wear a dress," I shoot back, crossing my arms.

Dad glances between the two of us, but it's Xavier who speaks again—his voice low and firm. "Shay, you will come to the party in the dress… or in nothing. I do not care. But we will not have you ruin our reputation."

I scoff. "You know what? I'm done. I'm leaving."

Just as I turn, Mum walks in. Her expression is tired but determined. "No, you're not. We've been looking for you since the day you disappeared. Now that we have you back, we want people to know our daughter has returned."

"Against my will," I mutter bitterly. "I should be able to leave when I want. But I can't."

I pause, my voice breaking slightly. "I'm sorry, but parents shouldn't force their children into situations that make them feel this uncomfortable… I know Nicholas wouldn't."

With that, I storm out of the main room.

But I barely make it down the hall before someone grabs my arm and pulls me aside—into a massive library I didn't even know existed.

How big is this place? I wonder briefly, before I see who it is.

Xavier.

He shuts the door behind us and turns to face me, his eyes darker than usual.

"We need to have a serious talk," he says quietly.

I cross my arms, matching his intensity. "Then talk."

Xavier looks at me, his voice cold and firm.

"For a thousand years—maybe more—we've been hunted by the Baron and his two sons. They've caused us nothing but hell, they—"

"They saved me," I snap, cutting him off. "When no one else did."

His jaw tightens, but I keep going, my voice rising with every word.

"Nicholas made me soup when I was sick. He stayed by my side every single time I woke up screaming and crying—after your perfect wife left me in the woods like I was nothing."

I glance over and see John, Julie, Jessie, Jack, Charlie, Henry, and Vince all standing there now. Watching. Listening.

Good. Let them.

"So, forgive me," I continue, my voice shaking but strong, "for caring about them. For loving and respecting the only father figure I've ever had. The one I would've still chosen, especially after this."

I look Xavier dead in the eye.

"I'll wear the stupid dress," I say, my tone sharp, "but once this pathetic show of a party is over... I'm leaving."

He opens his mouth, but I don't let him speak.

"I'm going to lie down before I'm forced to smile through the worst night of my life."

And just like that, I walk past all of them without looking back.

As I walk down the corridor, I can feel someone watching me. I stop and turn, but no one's there. The hallway is silent, empty—too quiet. I shake it off and keep walking.

When I reach my room, the first thing I see is the red dress laid out on my bed. I scoff, pick it up, and hang it on the wardrobe door like it's mocking me. Then I sit on the edge of the bed, sigh, and finally lie back, staring up at the ceiling.

An hour passes before Mum walks in with Xavier trailing behind her. She looks me over and says, "You need to get dressed. The party starts in thirty minutes."

"I don't care," I mumble, still lying on my bed.

She opens her mouth to say something else, but before she can, the door bursts open and Mark strolls in like he owns the place.

"I brought a dress for you," he says brightly, holding up a bag. "And some of your favourite chocolate."

I sit up slightly, eyebrows raised. He knows exactly how to disarm me.

Xavier scowls. "She already has a dress."

Mark doesn't even look at him. "Everyone out. We have to get her ready."

Mum rolls her eyes but doesn't argue. She and Xavier exchange a glance before stepping out and closing the door behind them.

I sigh as Mark drops the bag onto the bed and starts unpacking it. "I want to leave after the party," I say quietly.

Mark pauses. "Shay… they're not going to let you just walk out. They only just got you back after so long."

"I don't mean permanently," I murmur. "I just want to breathe without them watching my every move. Xavier especially—he's starting to freak me out. One minute he's kind, almost gentle… the next, it's like he flips a switch and becomes cold and intense. It's weird."

Mark sits beside me, handing over the chocolate. "You don't have to explain it. I see it too hell I grew up with it."

I look at him, my voice quiet but firm. "They're keeping secrets."

He raises an eyebrow, casually popping a piece of chocolate into his mouth. "So are you."

That stops me for a second. Our eyes lock, and neither of us says anything else. It hangs in the air like fog—thick, unspoken, but definitely there.

Then I exhale sharply. "Let's get me ready."

Mark grins, like that's the exact dramatic line he was waiting for. "Finally! I was about two seconds away from throwing glitter at you to snap you out of it."

I roll my eyes but can't help smiling a little. "I'm showering first. If I have to wear a dress, I'm not doing it while smelling like emotional damage."

He laughs as I head into the bathroom. The hot water helps a little—burns away the tension, if not the confusion. I towel off quickly, throw on my robe, and step back out.

I step out of the bathroom, the warmth of the shower still clinging to my skin, and Mark's already got everything ready. He shoots me a grin as I sit in front of the mirror. With a quick flick of his wrist, he gathers my damp hair into a sleek low ponytail. He pulls it back with precision, making sure every strand is neatly tucked and in place, but not so tight that it looks too formal.

Mark works quickly, taking a few strands from the front and letting them fall in soft waves to frame my face—just enough to keep it from looking too stiff. The rest of my hair is swept back in the ponytail, and he finishes it with a subtle twist, securing it with a velvet ribbon that matches my dress. The deep blue of the ribbon ties it all together perfectly, adding a little touch of elegance without stealing the spotlight from the dress.

I glance at myself in the mirror. It's simple, but polished—everything about it says effortless chic, just like the dress. The sleek low ponytail, the soft waves, the little detail of the velvet ribbon. It's not overdone, just like I want to be tonight.

Once we finish with my hair, I quickly swipe on some clear lip gloss. I stand up and Mark looks me over, eyes twinkling with a mix of pride and amusement. "Are you ready?"

I hesitate for a moment, then give him a small shrug. "Yes… no… maybe."

He laughs, shaking his head. "Shay, just imagine it's one of my dad's parties, okay?"

I nod, the thought oddly calming, and I watch as he helps me into the dress—a deep midnight blue velvet wrap dress with long sleeves, a high neckline, and a thigh-high slit that feels like the perfect mix of elegance and rebellion.

Mark steps back, eyeing me with a proud smile. "Beautiful as always."