Inside the estate.
"Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom, Anika's here!" Tessa announced, handing out the gifts Anika had brought. "These are all from her. I told her not to bring a thing, but she insisted it'd be rude to show up empty-handed on Thanksgiving."
"Hello, Grandpa, Grandma, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy," Anika said, her voice soft and warm.
There was something about her—soothing tone, those captivating eyes—that just pulled everyone in.
"Anika, come sit with us! It's been way too long since you last visited. I was just telling my husband—you've gotta stay a few days this time, keep me company," Martha said, beaming.
Anika smiled, genuinely pleased. "If you're sure I'm not imposing, I'd love to."
"Imposing? Of course not! We'd be thrilled!" Martha took Anika's hand gently. "Tessa, take Anika upstairs and let her pick a room, get settled."
"Got it, Mom." Tessa led Anika up the stairs. "You should just take the same room as last time. You're already familiar with it."
"Works for me," Anika said, totally easygoing about it.
She wasn't planning to stay long anyway. Once she found her own place, she'd be out.
"I'll grab you some fresh towels. Hold up!" Tessa darted off.
Anika pushed open the door to her room, about to walk in, when she heard noises from next door. That room had always been empty during her previous visits, but now it sounded occupied.
She decided not to be nosy and settled in, waiting for Tessa.
"Who's staying next door?" Anika asked, curious.
Tessa's voice dropped to a whisper. "That's Adrian's room. Just... do yourself a favor and stay outta his way."
Anika was puzzled. "Why? Is he dangerous or something?"
Tessa nodded, her face serious. "He's way more intimidating than you think. His mood swings—you never know what'll set him off. And the big thing: a while back, he injured his legs. Can't stand at all. Ever since, he's been even more volatile. Nobody in this family wants to poke that bear."
Anika's heart skipped. "..."
The image of the man from last night flashed through her mind—his legs injured, unable to walk.
No. It couldn't be. There was no way that man was Adrian Murphy.
She and Tessa hung out in the room until dinner. As they were heading out, a loud crash came from next door—something heavy hitting the floor.
Instinctively, Anika glanced around the corner, but Tessa yanked her back. Even so, Anika caught a glimpse: the man who had fallen from his wheelchair. Even sprawled there, unable to move, his intense gaze and that perfectly tailored black suit radiated authority.
She recognized his face instantly.
It was him—the man from last night.
"That's Adrian? Your uncle?" Anika asked, her voice barely a whisper, shock rippling through her.
She'd literally gotten tangled up with her best friend's uncle.
"Yeah, now come on, let's go," Tessa hurried, tugging Anika away without even checking if Adrian could get himself up.
Anika was floored. "..." Seriously? Just leave him like that?
"He fell," Anika pointed out.
"Someone else will help him. If we go in there and he freaks, we're dead," Tessa muttered.
Downstairs.
Evan Murphy had arrived with Lorelai Wells, and they were seated on the living room sofa.
Anika's eyes met Evan's for a split second. He looked pissed—probably thinking she'd shown up to patch things up. But he'd made it crystal clear over the phone: they were done. No going back.
His glare was a silent warning: don't cause a scene, or they wouldn't even be friends.
Anika read him loud and clear. But she had zero intention of making a scene. She didn't waste energy on petty stuff, least of all on someone like him. While Anika kept her cool, Tessa was the exact opposite. She grabbed Anika's arm and marched right over.
"Oh, so this is your new girlfriend, bro? She's alright, I guess, but she's nowhere near as stunning as Anika," Tessa said, dripping with sarcasm. It was her house—she'd say whatever the hell she wanted, especially when it came to defending her bestie.
Martha's face hardened. "Watch your mouth! Lorelai is your brother's girlfriend, and if things go well, she'll be your sister-in-law. Apologize. Now!"
Apologize?
Not a chance.
"Then my brother must be blind—trading a diamond for a damn pebble."
Evan jabbed a finger at Tessa. "Watch it, Tessa, or I'll slap you right in front of Mom and Dad."
Tessa leaned in, defiant. "Oh, I totally believe you. You can't tell a dog from a deer, so hitting your own sister? Sure, go for it. I won't even duck. Hell, I'll drop the family name if I flinch."
"You little..." Evan's jaw clenched.
Lorelai stood up, plastering on a gracious smile. "Aunt, Evan, don't blame Tessa. She's just... outspoken. I actually love her boldness. It's refreshing."
Smooth talker. A real piece of work.
Tessa wasn't buying it. She grabbed Anika. "C'mon, sis, forget her."
Everyone gathered around the table.
"Tessa, go invite Adrian down for dinner," Martha ordered.
No one wanted to do that. No one wanted to get caught in his crosshairs.
"Nope. Not going," Tessa said, clinging to Anika's arm.
"Then you don't eat. Go."
Tessa reluctantly dragged herself upstairs, but she was terrified. She turned pleading eyes to Anika. "Come with me, please! You're strong. If he flips out, you can totally throw him over your shoulder."
"Sure," Anika said. "You're my ride-or-die, remember?"
Tessa grinned. "You're the freaking best! Love you, sis!"
Upstairs, they spent a solid ten minutes arguing over who'd open the door. Finally, Anika gave Tessa a playful shove, and Tessa stumbled right into the room, landing in front of the wheelchair.
"Oops."
Tessa waved awkwardly. "Uh, hey, Adrian."
The man in the wheelchair was dressed in a sharp black suit, looking utterly relaxed yet radiating command. His piercing eyes fixed on Tessa, clearly irritated. He didn't have to say a word—the displeasure rolled off him in waves, ready to explode.
Tessa froze, her smile crumbling into a pathetic grimace.
His lips parted, about to speak.
Just then, Anika stepped in, smoothly helping Tessa up with a smile. "I know you wanted a Thanksgiving present from him, but there's no need to be so formal greeting him, right?" She met Adrian's eyes without a flinch, her voice easy and natural. "We came to invite you down for dinner, Mr. Murphy. It'd be rude to keep everyone waiting, don't you think?"
"Out."
Adrian's voice was low but absolute, sending Tessa scrambling backward. She grabbed Anika's arm, ready to bolt.
"I meant you can leave," Adrian clarified, his gaze locking onto Anika. "But she stays."
Anika's heart nearly stopped.
It was him.
