The Lost Heiress: Loved By Three

A family reunited

(Elias)

Avery's face shifted between disbelief and confusion. She still clutched those worn books like they were the only solid things in a world that had just tilted completely.

Serena stood frozen, her mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. But my focus snapped back to Avery, who looked like she might collapse at any moment.

"Breathe," I said curtly, stepping closer but avoiding her eyes. "Control yourself."

Jackson moved to her other side, his usual easy smile replaced by a fierceness I had never seen before. "You're safe now," he murmured, his voice gentle but his eyes still hard as they swept the remaining crowd. "No one is going to hurt you anymore."

Luca positioned himself just behind her, forming a protective circle. His jaw was set, and his voice carried clearly. "Anyone thinking of spreading rumors after this will answer to all three of us." Several students actually took a step back.

I’ve never seen my best friends protect a girl like this before.

Mrs. Blake stepped forward, her hands trembling as she reached toward Avery. "My name is Catherine Blake," she said softly. "And this is my husband, Richard."

"I don't understand," Avery said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Who are you? Why are you here?"

The pain flashing across Mr. Blake's face was almost too raw to watch. He pulled an envelope from his jacket with shaking hands. "We have something to show you. DNA results, birth records, hospital documents."

Mrs. Blake's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Avery. "Seventeen years," she whispered. "Seventeen years we have searched for you. Elias managed to get a strand of your hair one day when you didn't notice, that's how we did the DNA test."

Avery's books slipped from her hands, hitting the floor with another loud thud.

"No," she breathed. "That's not possible. The orphanage said my parents were dead."

"We never gave up hope," Mr. Blake said gently. "Never stopped looking."

"This is insane," Serena finally managed to choke out. "She can't just suddenly be rich. She's nobody."

The words barely registered with me, but Jackson moved forward. I had never seen him angry before, but the look on his face was frightening.

"Say another word," he said, voice deadly quiet. "I dare you. Say one more word about her and see what happens."

Serena stumbled backward, bumping into one of her friends. "You can't threaten me. My father..."

"Your father's company depends on contracts from Blake Industries," Luca interrupted smoothly, his voice edged with the authority of someone who grew up hearing boardroom talks at the dinner table. "I might just mention to my parents how their daughter has been treating the Blake heiress. I'm sure they'd be fascinated to hear about it."

The last color drained from Serena's face. Her friends were already backing away, clearly wanting no part of this. Everyone in the city knew the Blakes. Their wealth, power, and influence touched every corner, from the private schools to the mayor's office.

I stepped forward. My parents and the Blakes are close friends. We are neighbors, I grew up around the Blakes. Actually, that's why I was asked to witness their family reunion today. "Here's what's going to happen, Serena. You apologize. Then you leave. If I hear a whisper of gossip from you or your followers, we will make sure everyone at Prestwick knows exactly what kind of person you are."

"You can't do that," she said, voice shaking.

"Can't we?" I said coldly. "Jackson leads half the school. Luca's family runs the biggest parties in town. And me? Teachers listen when I speak. Cross us, and your time here ends."

Jackson nodded grimly. "Plus, I have some very interesting photos from your last party, Serena. The one where you thought no one was watching. I wonder what the disciplinary committee would say."

"And I know about your cheating on the SAT prep exams," Luca added casually. "Amazing what people tell you when they want invites to exclusive events."

Serena looked around desperately, but her friends had vanished. Even the other students were disappearing, not wanting to be involved.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, not looking at Avery.

"Louder," Jackson demanded. "And look at her when you say it."

Serena's head snapped up, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry, Avery. I'm sorry for everything."

Avery nodded slightly, still shell shocked. "Okay," she said softly.

"Now leave," I said shortly. "And remember what we told you."

Serena practically ran from the library, her heels clicking frantically on the marble floor. The few remaining students scattered like leaves in a storm, clearly getting the message.

With the threat gone, I turned back to Avery. She was staring at the Blakes with wide eyes, as if afraid they might vanish if she blinked.

"I need to sit," she said suddenly, swaying.

Jackson and Luca moved quickly to help, but I kept my distance. I caught her left arm but made no effort to soften the touch.

"This is real?" she asked, looking up at the Blakes. "You're really my parents?"

Mrs. Blake knelt beside Avery's chair, her eyes never leaving her daughter's face. "You have my mother's nose," she said with a watery smile. "And your father's stubborn chin."

"And apparently my academic drive," Mr. Blake added with pride. "We heard about your performance here. We're so proud of you."

"So what happens now?" Avery asked softly.

"Now we take you home," Mrs. Blake said immediately. "We introduce you to your brother. We show you your room, the one we kept ready for you all these years."

"I have a brother?"

"Caleb," Mr. Blake said, smiling through his tears. "He's fifteen. He's been asking about his big sister since he was old enough to understand."

I exchanged glances with Jackson and Luca. Avery was going from nothing to inheriting everything, and that kind of change painted a target on her back.

"She will need protection," I said flatly to Mr. Blake. "This news will spread fast, and not everyone will be happy."

"Already arranged," he replied, then looked at the three of us. "Though I get the feeling she already has some very dedicated guardians."

Jackson grinned for the first time since we arrived. "You could say that."

"We're not going anywhere," Luca added firmly.

Looking at her, surrounded by the family she never knew she had and the friends who chose to stand with her, I realized my life had just become infinitely more complicated. Everything had changed in one afternoon.