𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒 | SPINOFF

CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE

MARCELLA
CRIST

"Yeah, my parents told me about the idea too," I said, my voice low as I glanced at Damon. "But let's be real, Avery would feel too guilty. She thinks of you as her brother, Damon. She wouldn't want to leave you for my parents, no matter what's offered."

Damon's jaw tightened, his gaze fixed on the floor as he leaned back against the wall. "I know," he muttered. "But she does feel left out. Stella's eighteen; she doesn't need a parent or legal guardian anymore. Daisy has me, and Avery... she's the lonely one. The one caught in between."

I nodded, biting my lip. "She doesn't say it, but I see it. She's trying so hard to find her place, but it's like she's on the outside, looking in. Still, Damon... I don't think this is what she wants. She has dreams, sure, but not if it means walking away from you."

Damon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I want what's best for her, Angel. Not what's suitable for me. She needs a real family. I'm not enough—I can't give her the life she deserves. If your parents can offer her that life, how can I stand in the way? Her getting legally adopted by your parents doesn't mean we stop being family. She's my sister, my best friend. That won't change." His voice cracked slightly at the end, and I knew how much this was tearing him apart. For as much as he loved Avery, he loved her enough to let her go if it meant she could have more.

"Damon," I said softly, "I think we can convince her if we work together."

He nodded, his shoulders slumping slightly with the weight of the conversation. "Let's call her up to Papa's office. We need to talk to her."

I glanced toward the living room. Avery was perched on the couch, giggling softly as she helped Stella apply makeup to Grayson while he napped, his little chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm.

Things had been calm lately, a rare and fragile peace. Avery had started taking medication for her panic attacks. Stella was healing—going to the gym, studying, and slowly finding her footing again. Jaxon and Lily were back together, reclaiming their place as the legendary couple everyone admired. My brother and Damon had even been civil with each other.

Jaxon hugged me today. That, in itself, was a miracle.

"Avery," I whispered softly, careful not to wake Grayson, who was still sound asleep. "Can you come with us to Papa's office? We need to talk to you."

Avery's eyes flickered up to meet mine, her brow furrowing slightly before she stood. "Can Alessio come?" she asked, glancing at her boyfriend. Alessio was already on his feet before she'd finished speaking, as protective as ever. Avery rarely went anywhere without him these days; he was her anchor, her shadow, her sense of safety in a world that had left her scarred.

I glanced at Damon, who shrugged. "Fine," I said, leading the way downstairs in a silence that was surprisingly comfortable.

"Hey, Dad—" I began as I pushed open the office door, but the words died in my throat. I froze, unable to believe what I was seeing.

Avery burst out laughing behind me, her hand flying to her mouth as Alessio quickly turned her around, covering her eyes. "Don't look," he muttered, trying to stifle his own laughter. Damon groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose, while I stood there, mortified. My mama was perched on Papa's lap, the two of them locked in a heated kiss that made my stomach churn.

"Seriously?" Damon muttered under his breath.

Papa sighed heavily, reluctantly pulling away as Mama smoothed her hair and climbed off his lap, her face composed as if nothing had happened. "Sorry, kids. Come in," she said, clearing her throat as though we hadn't just caught them.