Fractured Hearts: Blood Ties

At the Jones mansion, Alicia was ordering the maids around when her husband, Sebastian, came downstairs to the dining hall. "Good morning, my beautiful and pretty wife," Sebastian greeted, kissing her on both cheeks, making Alicia smile. "Oh, my dear Seb, don't you get tired of this?" she teased. "We have two daughters, and you're still lovesick," Alicia said, shaking her head in amusement. "If I don't act lovesick with you, who else would I act with, huh? Answer me?" Sebastian replied, hugging her from behind. Just then, their children, Adelina and Audrey, entered the room. "Good morning, Dad, Mom," Audrey greeted, sitting down. She was the eldest. Adelina looked at them with no expression. "Mom, Dad, when you two want to play lovey-dovey, please stay in your room. It makes me want to puke." Sebastian smiled. "She can't even greet us before she starts scolding us, sweetheart." "Who did she take that from, hmm?" Alicia retorted, smiling. "From Daddy, of course, who else?" Audrey responded, causing their parents to laugh. "What's for breakfast?" Adelina asked coldly. The maids rushed to serve the food, fearing Adelina's notorious temper. "I hope you like it, Dove," Alicia said as Adelina took a bite. "Mom, it's good! Thumbs up!" Audrey exclaimed, smiling. "Of course, my wife is the best," Sebastian boasted, kissing Alicia's hand, making her giggle happily. "Oh, please, Dad, spare us the crap," Audrey said, rolling her eyes, making Sebastian laugh at her expression. "Now that you two are done with high school, which school do you want to attend?" Sebastian asked the girls. "Harvard University to study business management," Audrey responded, looking at her father for approval. Sebastian nodded, smiling. "What about you, Dove?" Sebastian asked Adelina, who was eating calmly. "Anywhere will be good, sir," Adelina responded coldly, her characteristic demeanor. "Choose a school, and we'll be here to help you," Alicia said, encouragingly. Sebastian and Audrey nodded in agreement. Adelina dropped her eating utensils, stood up to leave, but stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Oh, by the way, Mother, don't leave the food to the maids again. They spoiled it," Adelina said to Alicia before leaving the dining hall and heading upstairs to her room. "Why is she always like that, Seb?" Alicia asked her husband tearfully, making Sebastian hold her hand. "Don't worry, Mom, I'll talk to her," Audrey said, assuring her mother, but Sebastian stopped her. "Don't worry, Jade. She's like this because of the way I treated her back then," Sebastian said regretfully. "But, Dad..." Audrey wanted to argue, but Sebastian continued. "Even if you talk to her, she won't listen to you," Sebastian said, and Audrey nodded understandingly. "Come on, enjoy your meal," Alicia said, smiling at her. "I wonder what's wrong with the food," Audrey asked no one in particular. "The question I asked her is what caused her to lose her appetite. Later, take some food to her, Jade," Sebastian responded, smiling amusedly. "Yes, Dad, you're right," Audrey laughed. "My children are now grown," Alicia said happily, and Sebastian nodded, looking at her lovingly. Meanwhile, Adelina was watching them upstairs, a rare smile on her face. She went back to her room, still smiling. It was rare to see her smile, even during graduation, when she and her sister were the overall best students in school. But she was frowning then, earning her the nickname "The Bloody Asura" from some students. She didn't care, though. The only thing she cared about was her family. Nothing else mattered.