Chapter 4: Blood, Oaths, and Broken Plotlines

He’d dressed up in a crisp white shirt, looking like a storybook prince.

Watching his back, I couldn’t help but ask, “Zach, how has Sis treated you?”

The question hung in the air, heavier than I meant it to be. Daisy perked up, sensing the shift.

He turned, eyes shining. “After Dad, you’re the best person to me in this house.”

His words were simple, but they hit me like a punch. I blinked, trying not to tear up.

“Then if I need your help, will you be there?”

I tried to keep my tone light, but my voice wavered. Zach nodded, solemn as a judge.

“If you ask, I’ll do anything.”

His answer was immediate, no hesitation. I smiled, ruffling his hair again.

“Good boy.”

He grinned, shy but proud. Daisy barked, as if agreeing.

I couldn’t help but grin.

For the first time in days, I felt hope flicker in my chest. Maybe this story wasn’t so bad after all.

So what if it’s a tragedy novel? So what if it’s long?

I’d weathered worse storms. As long as I had Zach, maybe I could rewrite the ending.

As long as the male lead listens to me, maybe things will turn out okay.

I glanced at Daisy, who wagged her tail in encouragement. Whatever came next, I’d face it head-on.

On New Year’s Eve, the governor’s mansion hosted a big party, and Dad let Zach come along—there was still a year before he’d meet the heroine, and I was impatient.

The Brooks family always got invitations to the governor’s annual shindig. The place was strung with twinkle lights and velvet drapes, with enough food to feed an army. I could tell Zach was nervous, but I made sure he stuck close.

At the party, men and women sat at separate tables.

It felt old-fashioned, like something out of a Southern debutante ball. The ladies in their gowns, the men in their suits, everyone pretending not to gossip about each other.

Finally, when the governor left and things loosened up, I went to find Zach, only to see him being pressured to drink.

A group of older boys crowded around him, glasses raised. Zach’s face was flushed, but he stood his ground, refusing more than a polite sip. Good for him.

He looked over the rim of his glass, searching the crowd until he found me. Relief flickered across his face.

He spotted me, came over, and took my hand. “Sis is here.”

He squeezed my fingers, his grip warm and steady. I smiled, pulling him out of the circle of rowdy boys.

I pulled him aside and pointed at the woman in the peach dress at the head table. “See her? That’s Savannah Foster, the most beautiful girl in the state. Isn’t she stunning?”

Savannah looked like she’d stepped out of a magazine—long blond hair, perfect posture, a smile that could charm the birds out of the trees. I nudged Zach, trying to spark that fated first meeting.

In the original, Zach fell for Savannah at first sight at a party just like this.

It was supposed to be love at first sight, the moment everything changed for him. I watched his face, waiting for the magic.

He stared, but then shook his head.

Instead of awe, he just looked puzzled. I blinked, thrown off script.

Me: ???

I raised an eyebrow, unsure what to make of his reaction. Daisy, waiting by the door, cocked her head too.

“What’s that look? She’s not beautiful?”

I nudged him again, trying to get a rise out of him. He just shrugged.

I turned him toward her. “Look again, carefully.”

He obliged, squinting across the room. For a second, I thought I saw a flicker of interest, but then—

Zach looked, then suddenly turned and gagged—

He clapped a hand over his mouth, eyes wide. I reached for him, worried.

He actually threw up?

He bolted for the nearest trash can, leaving me standing there, mortified. A few guests turned to stare. I wanted to sink into the floor.

I was too eager, trying to force the leads together. But Zach hadn’t even hit puberty yet. Right. He’s still a kid.

So I took him to the city’s fanciest club to broaden his horizons.

The Blue Velvet was the kind of place with velvet booths, live jazz, and a menu that screamed old money. I figured if Zach saw enough beautiful people, he’d get the idea.

System: [Host, you just wanted to come yourself, right?]

I glared at the HUD, ignoring its smug tone. Maybe I did want a night out, but that was beside the point.

I gritted my teeth. “Shut up.”

I muttered under my breath, but forced a smile for Zach. The kid deserved a break.

Then I smiled at Zach, shaking my wallet. “Whatever you want, name it. Tonight’s on me.”

I flashed my credit card, feeling like a big shot. Zach hesitated, glancing around at the glittering crowd.

He frowned, worried. “If Dad finds out we came here, he’ll be mad.”

He sounded so earnest, I almost laughed. I leaned in, dropping my voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

I flicked his forehead. “If you don’t tell and I don’t tell, how would Dad know?” Classic.