Wicked Grin
"Powder, there’s no way that nerd's going to agree to this," Jayce muttered, slouching in his chair with a skeptical glance. His fingers drummed absently on the armrest, a habitual gesture whenever he was deep in thought. "Claggor’s the quiet type. Doesn’t go for that kind of drama."
Everyone knew Claggor, the reserved one. The guy who lived in his head, buried in his work or tucked behind the walls of his family’s legacy. Unlike Mylo, who turned every room into a circus, Claggor was calm, grounded, and kept to himself. He had that soft, sincere smile that made people trust him, but few ever got close. Most knew him by his quiet generosity or uncanny ability to dodge social events. The fact that he’d never once brought a date to a banquet spoke volumes. Women might orbit him, but no one ever stayed.
"I’ve heard the rumors," Jayce continued, folding his arms. "No one really knows what’s going on with Claggor. Some say he’s got no interest in romance, others think it’s something deeper. Doesn’t matter. Point is the guy’s not the type to get swept up in something like this."
Powder’s grin widened. "That’s where you’re wrong, Jayce," she replied with a wink. "Claggor’s stubborn, sure, but if I tell him Caitlyn practically saved our sister’s life, he’ll be eating out of the palm of my hand. That man can’t resist a good story."
Jayce arched a brow, clearly unconvinced. "You planning on tossing yourself into traffic just to sell this idea, then?"
Powder waved him off, confidence radiating. "Nah, no need for that. I’ll just say Caitlyn donated half her blood and nearly keeled over doing it. Trust me, he’ll be on board in no time."
Caitlyn blinked, baffled. "That’s not how it happened."
"Details," Powder shrugged, still grinning.
Caitlyn crossed her arms, doubt creeping into her expression. "I don’t think Claggor’s going to buy it. He spoils his sisters, sure, but when it comes to relationships, he’s as stubborn as a brick wall."
"Exactly," Jayce added with a slow shake of his head. "The guy’s a fortress. Beautiful women fawn over him at every gala, and he doesn’t even blink."
Caitlyn sighed, her gaze distant. "And Maddie wouldn’t care. She’s not the type to get jealous. I could show up with a prince on my arm, and she’d still think she’s above me."
Jayce smirked. "If Margot’s there, Maddie won’t even notice the rest of the room. It’s like she disappears the second Margot walks in."
Powder raised a brow, leaning back in her chair. "Wait. You’re into women?"
Caitlyn blinked slowly, caught off guard. "Yes, Powder. I thought that was obvious."
"Not judging," Powder said quickly, tapping her chin with mock thoughtfulness. "Just... noting it." She grinned. "Actually, that makes the plan better. Jealousy’s overrated, we don’t need that. We need a power move."
But Caitlyn wasn’t listening anymore. Her mind drifted.
She had told herself she was over Maddie. That she’d moved on. But the wounds still festered. The memories, the betrayal, the hollow sting of being told she was the perfect partner... only to be cast aside when it mattered. It wasn’t just losing Maddie. It was losing the belief in everything she'd built. Years spent inside a one-sided illusion.
Now, the walls were up. High. Cold. Impenetrable.
"Forget Maddie," Powder said, cutting straight through her thoughts. "Let’s focus on kicking Ren and your uncle’s asses. Make them pay for disrespecting you."
Jayce’s eyes lit up. "Now that’s a plan I can get behind."
Caitlyn didn’t respond. She rubbed the back of her neck absently, her gaze unfocused, lost in something distant and old.
Powder, unfazed, pulled out her phone.
Jayce glanced over, voice softening with concern. "You alright, Sprout?"
"Mm." Caitlyn nodded distractedly.
They’d mostly ignored Powder, assuming she was buried in memes or mindless scrolling.
Then Caitlyn caught the grin spreading across her face.
Caitlyn leaned in, voice cautious. "Powder. What are you doing?"
"Oh, nothing," Powder sang, far too innocent.
Jayce narrowed his eyes. "You didn’t—"
"Oh, yes, I did!"
Caitlyn sat up. "You texted your brother?!"
"Yup."
"Behind my back?" Her voice sharpened. "We’ve barely even spoken, and you’re already plotting behind my back? Shouldn’t this kind of thing come with, I don’t know, at least one awkward lunch first?"
Powder’s grin stretched wider. "One day, you’ll thank me," she chirped. "You’ll look back and say, ‘Wow, Powder, you’re a genius matchmaker.’"
Caitlyn crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Or one day, you’ll wake up in Stillwater Prison because of your brilliant plans."
Just then, Powder’s phone dinged.
She squealed. Loudly. And with far too much enthusiasm.
"He said yes!" she practically screamed.
"No way," Jayce blinked.
Powder shoved the screen in their faces. A bright green message bubble sat there, blunt as a hammer:
Sure, I don’t mind.
Caitlyn stared at the screen, mouth slightly open. Jayce just blinked.
Powder clapped her hands, vibrating with excitement. "See? Perfect plan!"
Caitlyn didn’t respond. Her arms remained crossed, her expression unreadable.
But deep inside, just barely, something cracked.
The walls she’d built so carefully…
...trembled.