Chapter 1

I could already hear everyone’s presence before I had even entered my parents’ mansion. They lived a bit outside New York. I took a deep breath and rubbed my temples before going in. When I stepped inside, the scent of expensive perfume and polished wood assaulted my senses. The air was thick with the weight of unspoken words, a tension that crackled like static electricity. The muffled voices were now loud and clear. Everyone was already there. Our seemingly perfect family reunited for this quarter’s family dinner. I wandered around lost in thoughts when I heard a voice behind me. “What took you so long?” It was Sonan – my eldest brother. His warm voice carried a teasing undertone. I turned to find him leaning against a wall, his arms crossed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Again?” he added, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. I sighed, “You know how it is. The city’s a jungle, and Rico’s the king of the beasts.” I managed a weak smile. “We ended up in this abandoned warehouse this time. Does he think it’s funny to waste my time like that every time?“ “So… you didn’t get him?” Sonan was a very organized man. He probably thought that if he were the chaser, he would’ve already got Rico. As the oldest, he always knew everyone’s business. He also gave the best advice, which was the only thing I was looking forward to tonight. „No, I got distracted. I blame you for that“ he laughed at that and guided me to the dining table.

There are eight of us. Three were Marion and Cyrus‘ biological children. The rest of us were adopted. They started by adopting Sonan and his sister from Senegal when they were eleven and three sixteen years ago, and it gave them a good image, so they continued adopting.

“Ryen, Honey, where were you? Everyone is already here.” My mom said, coming up to me with a weak smile. It wasn’t a question she wanted an answer to. She hadn’t even looked me in the eye. That was just her default Conversation-Starter. At least she said something. My Dad just sat across the room glaring at me. That one never liked me anyway. I was the last one they adopted and probably also the reason they stopped adopting at all.

I greeted all of my siblings before I sat down at the dinner table. Not long after, our chefs came in and brought the food. The table quickly filled with delicious meals and expensive wines. I served myself some beef teriyaki with jasmine rice and poured some champagne into my glass. My mind was elsewhere, but a sharp cry pierced the air, jolting me from my reverie. Trevor and Isla were at it again, their voices rising in a heated argument.

“Shut up, Trevor!” “Why? It’s so obvious you like him.”

There goes my inner peace. My mother sighed, her patience wearing thin. “Enough!” she commanded. “Sit down. Now.” Isla pouted, but reluctantly obeyed. Trevor grumbled under his breath but returned to his seat as well. Mom took a bit out of her food then looked up at Isla who was now nibbling on her food while resting her head in her palm. I guess being the golden child comes with limitations. “And Isla, I hope you don’t really like that guy, Miguel.” “What? No, of course not, Mom!” Mom just went back to eating. I retreated into myself, a silent observer of the dysfunctional drama unfolding around me.