As Aeliana excused herself from the table, I was left alone with my parents, Thalia and Lucie. The comfortable, playful atmosphere we'd had during dinner faded, replaced by a more serious tension.
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "Alright, what's the real reason you're here?" I asked, my tone sharp. They rarely visited just to check in; there was always an agenda.
Thalia, with her striking red and white hair and ever-present aura of authority, leaned forward. "Ciara, we're worried about you," she began, her voice soft but firm. Lucie, with her kind green eyes and soft blond hair, nodded in agreement, her expression mirroring Thalia's concern.
"Worried?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "I'm fine. I have everything under control."
Lucie sighed, reaching across the table to touch my hand. "Sweetheart, one-night stands and casual flings might seem satisfying, but they're not enough. You deserve more—something real, something lasting."
