❝Why do always call me Cherry?❞
❝Because your lips taste like Cherries.❞
When teenage supervillain Havoc stands up to the head of the League of Villains, Colby Madden's family is forced to change their identities and relocate to a sleepy Texas subur...
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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐔𝐍 glowed softly against the thin layer of frost covering the neighborhood rooftops. The Maddens' front yard was already bursting with activity. Hartley stood in the driveway wearing a red knit hat with a fuzzy pom on top, practically vibrating with excitement as she held a tangled string of lights above her head like it was a sacred relic.
"It's the day before Christmas," she announced dramatically, her smile impossibly wide. "My absolute favorite day of the entire year!"
Aveline, wrapped in Colby's oversized green hoodie and holding a bucket of glittery ornaments, smirked softly. "Yeah... we can tell, Hartley. You've been singing Christmas songs since six this morning."
Hartley didn't deny it. "Because it's magical! Look—lights! Pine trees! Joy in the air! Cookies baking! And everyone's just a little bit nicer to each other—"
Jake walked out, dragging a massive spruce behind him with Vic guiding from the back, grumbling as needles poked him. "Wow, that is a lot of excitement for a fat guy coming down a chimney."
Vic shot him a look. "Be respectful. Santa's got connections."
Hartley gasped when she saw the tree. "Here it is! Our first family Christmas tree. We cut it down ourselves!"
Jake scoffed. "We? I cut it down."
Vic lifted his chin. "And I told you to do it. That's teamwork, Jake."
Aveline stepped closer to the tree, touching the branches with careful fingers. "It's pretty. Kind of crooked... but pretty."
Colby leaned in with a grin. "Matches Jake's personality."
Jake shoved him lightly. "Watch it, elf boy."
Before Colby could retaliate, a familiar voice shrieked from the sidewalk.
"Did you just chop down my tree?!"
Celia stood there, clutching her fur-trimmed coat dramatically. Her eyes were wide with outrage.
Aveline subtly stepped behind Eva. "She looks like she's going to throw something."
Eva put a hand up. "Celia, breathe. It's the holidays. Remember what your anger management coach told you."
Celia inhaled sharply through her nose. "Show compassion," she recited through gritted teeth. "Try to keep it together until your next appointment."
She exhaled, visibly restraining herself. "Fine. Since I gave you a tree you clearly stole, you're going to help me finish my Christmas to-do list."
Colby blinked. "Wait—your list?"
Celia pointed directly at him. "Yes. And you will be helping me."
