Silk and Sirens (Twisted Ever After #3)

Prologue

Aeris

“But Daddy—”

“But nothing, Aeris. Meet that man again, and you won’t be welcome home.”

My fist clenched, even as my heart ached.

This was what he did, discarded the people he supposedly loved the moment they failed to obey. With Luke I never felt like this, like one of Father’s pretty baubles, there only to parade around in some twisted performance of the perfect family. Expected to smile. To exist only when spoken to.

It was why Luke was different. He listened. He made me feel heard.

“Why would I even want to come home?” I snapped, my voice breaking as tears burned down my cheeks. “It hasn’t been the same since Mira left, since you stopped being here at all!”

I regretted the words as soon as they hit, my dad’s eyes widening a fraction before they cooled over with his typical dismissal. “That’s enough,” he warned, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re a child—”

“But—”

“That’s enough!” he barked louder this time, the walls of his home office almost vibrating from the force.

“You want this freedom, but you’re fifteen, Aeris.

You’re my daughter, and yet you behave as if everything I give you is somehow lacking,” he said coldly.

“The best private school, designer clothes worth more than most people earn in a year, food always in the cupboards, and whatever latest bloody gadget you want.” His gaze hardened. “And still, it’s not enough.”

I scoffed, causing his eyes to narrow. “Mira—”

“Do not mention her name again,” he growled, and I had to force myself not to recoil at the venom. But he was only proving my point.

“See? Luke understands me. He listens, lets me talk about her and—”

My father’s hand struck the desk as he stood, the sound sharp. “Luke’s an adult taking advantage of your naivety,” he said, voice clipped and controlled. “Don’t make your sister’s mistake.”

This time it was my turn to flinch, unable to hold it back.

“If he comes anywhere near you again, I’ll have him arrested.”

“Daddy—”

“This is your last warning, Aeris.” His gaze didn’t waver.

“As long as you live under my roof, you’ll obey my rules.

I’ve brought you up to be better than just a common whore.

But if you’re foolish enough to choose that man over your family after everything we’ve been through, then this will no longer be your home. ”