Unwilling Bride: The 1V5 Love Drama novel Chapter 8

"Jane, slow down! You'll have Ava flat on the floor in a second." Asher Morren's voice floated up from below, full of quiet disapproval.

Jane stopped mid-step and flashed a guilty grin. "Alright, Asher! I got excited."

Then, noticing Ava's wrist, she winced. "Great. Now I've marked you up. Let me see that."

Ava tugged her sleeve down. "It's nothing, Jane. My skin bruises if a breeze looks at it wrong."

"Still," Jane muttered, annoyed with herself. "You're too delicate."

The red print stood out sharply against Ava's porcelain-pale skin. While pretending to check it, Jane brushed her fingers across her cousin's hand. It was impossibly soft—long, graceful fingers, neat nails, a warmth that made her stare a little too long.

Everything about Ava was like that—flawless without trying. Her figure was elegant but strong, her waist narrow, her legs endless. She had thick black hair that gleamed under the light, eyes the same deep shade—unmodified, naturally dark. The shape of her face, the gentle curve of her eyes—she looked like she'd stepped straight out of an old Terran portrait. Not a trace of genetic modification anywhere; just pure, untouched Celestine beauty.

When genetic modification hit its craze, people redesigned themselves like art projects. The practice was banned decades ago, but the legacy remained—hair in metallic hues, eyes like neon glass.

"Petals bright against the fading dawn."

It was the one line of old Terran verse that had ever stayed with Jane, and it came to mind the moment she first saw Ava.

"Are you two ready yet?" Asher called again, impatience creeping in.

Asher—Elias' younger son, forty, still unmarried—waited by the door.

They piled into the hovercar, and Asher asked, "So, Ava, any schools you've got your eye on?"

Ava blinked. "I'm heading back to my campus in a few days."

"You mean back to Alayna Planet?" Jane groaned. "That's half the system away. You think we'll sleep easy with you out there alone?"

Ava gave a small smile. "Don't worry. I've got my secret backup."

Jane arched a brow. "You mean that mimic skin? Forget it. You don't need to hide anymore, Ava. You're home now."

Just saying it made her chest tighten. Ten years behind a false face—she couldn't imagine it.

The New Year rush hadn't faded. Light displays glittered overhead, and chatter filled the air. Ava hadn't walked through a mall in years; back on Alayna Planet, her shopping had been digital or at flea markets. The luxury around her felt almost foreign.

Jane led the way straight to a design studio on the third floor. "Asnio! Morning, my ever-stylish Dad!"

The man inside looked up, all sleek lines and perfect posture. Asnio Varo, celebrated as the Style Sovereign and Margaret's sixth husband, broke into a grin.

"My beautiful Jane! What a surprise." He set aside his tools and opened his arms, pulling her into a hug. "Have you gotten thinner again? You're working too hard."

Jane was Margaret's only daughter out of eighteen children. After awakening her mental power at twenty-eight, she'd earned a viscount's title and now ranked third tier. Asnio couldn't be prouder.

After a few warm exchanges, Jane turned and gestured. "Asnio, meet my cousin—Ava Morren."

He hadn't been able to attend Patrick's funeral—an industry gala had chained him down—but seeing Ava now, he froze for a moment.

Wow! She truly looks more beautiful than Margaret mentioned—actually, even more so.

He smiled, eyes bright. "Ava... a lovely name. The Luna Goddess, yes? It suits you perfectly."