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၇୧i. Royalty.
"WE PICKED A BAD TIME TO COME BACK." Christopher muttered, glancing around their home. The storm had done its damage, leaving everything in shambles. They hadn't even had the chance to step outside yet, their arrival still barely registering in anyone's mind. Workers moved through the property, clearing fallen branches and debris. The air smelled like salt and wet earth, the kind of damp that clung to your skin.
"Yeah, we really did." Florencia agreed, her voice quiet but thick with resignation. Her husband wrapped his arm around her, the two of them standing still, taking in the destruction. Behind them, their daughters stood just as silently. Luciana was calm, watching the chaos without a word. Catalina, on the other hand, stood a few steps behind, arms crossed tightly, her expression unreadable—if not a little annoyed.
"How about a little walk, yeah?" Florencia suggested, turning toward the girls. She smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Just a short one, walking distance." She nudged Christopher, and the two of them began walking side by side, embracing each other. Christopher slipped on his glasses, and Luciana followed without a second thought. Catalina, however, stood frozen for a moment, watching them with a mix of irritation and indifference before rolling her eyes and reluctantly falling into step.
They passed through the gates of their large, secluded estate, stepping onto the neighborhood's winding streets. Catalina's gaze wandered, taking in the homes, the way the sun slanted low over the horizon, painting everything in shades of gold and orange. She followed them, but not without the heavy weight of reluctance dragging at her heels.
Minutes passed before they came upon another house, just as large, just as imposing as theirs. Gates, a long drive, the whole shebang. Florencia and Christopher moved toward it without hesitation. Catalina and Luciana followed in silence, feeling like they were stepping into something strange. Something that didn't belong to them.
"Cameron." Florencia called out as they reached the front porch. Her voice rang out like a familiar melody, drawing the attention of a man standing just outside. He turned around, and when he saw Florencia, his face broke into a smile.
"Well, well... If it ain't Florencia." Ward Cameron's voice was low and smooth, a little gravelly like it had been well-worn over time. He walked over to them with a grin, opening his arms wide for a hug. They embraced, laughing as they did. "I haven't seen you in... what? Two years? It's a pleasure."
"Yeah, I think we kind of picked the wrong day to make our big entrance." Christopher said, eyeing the mess around them. Ward's gaze shifted, taking in the scene as well.
