BONDS UNBROKEN

CHAPTER FOUR

Chapter Four

Two years had passed, yet Briella hadn’t heard much from Marcellus beyond his first call after arriving in the USA. Still, she never stopped sending him messages, never stopped calling, never stopped hoping he’d pick up.

“Are you calling him again?” Genevieve asked softly, stepping into the room.

Briella quickly put down her phone and forced a smile. “No, no, baby. What are you doing here? I thought you were going out with your friends?” She reached over to pat Genevieve’s hair.

“Yes, I just came to tell you I’m leaving now.” Genevieve’s lips curved into a playful pout. “You should go out too. Brighten up! Tomorrow’s our birthday, and I’m sure you don’t want me to be sad.”

Surprisingly, though Briella was older, both sisters shared the same birthday.

“Oh! That reminds me—Christopher and Annabel said they’re coming over today,” Briella gasped. She hadn’t prepared at all.

“You’d better hurry then. Bye, big Sister!” Genevieve said, dashing out as her friends called for her.

“Take care, baby! And don’t come home too late!” Briella shouted after her.

---

Thirty minutes later

The doorbell wouldn’t stop ringing. Briella hurried to answer it.

“Ella! Happy birthday in advance, baby!!” Annabel squealed, hugging her so tightly Briella nearly stumbled.

“Let her breathe!” Christopher scolded, rolling his eyes.

“Oh—sorry,” Annabel muttered sheepishly, making Briella chuckle.

Besides Genevieve and Marcellus, Annabel had always been in Briella’s circle. They had been friends since high school, though not as close as the other two. Still, Briella often said:

“Well, baby Genie’s my number one. Between Marc and Annabel… they both play different roles in my life.”

Everyone knew the truth though: Genevieve first, Marcellus second, Annabel third.

As for Christopher—he was Marcellus’s best friend, as close as a brother. With Marcellus being an only child, his world had always revolved around just two people: Briella and Christopher.

“So, what’s the plan for your birthday?” Christopher asked.

“It’s not just hers, you know. Genevieve too,” Annabel reminded.

“Oh, right. Still don’t know why you two aren’t twins,” Christopher teased, making Briella chuckle.

“I have no plan,” Briella admitted lazily. “Maybe I’ll just get Genie some gifts.”

“What!? Are you kidding?!” Annabel gasped. “It’s your 20th birthday and Gen’s 18th—you can’t just ignore it!”

“Yeah. Even if you don’t want to, at least do it for our smart little lawyer,” Christopher added playfully.

“I’m sure Genevieve already has plans,” Briella said with a shrug. “She’s smart, but not some nerd who knows nothing but books.”

That much was true—Genevieve was known for her brilliance, but unlike Briella, she was still lively and carefree.

“You’re talking about yourself, aren’t you?” Christopher teased.

“Yeah, ever since we got into college, you’ve turned into such a nerd,” Annabel whined.

“Well, not completely. She’s still scared of insects,” Christopher said.

“Oh true! Don’t move, Ella—there’s a cockroach behind you!” Annabel shouted.

“Ahhh!!” Briella screamed, jumping onto the sofa, only to realize there was nothing there. She glared at Annabel and threw her shoe at her.

“I’m not a nerd. I’m just… focused on my books these days. Marcellus dared me to be top of my class. Said I couldn’t do it.” Briella folded her arms with a smug look.

“Wait… so Marcellus is the reason you became like this? Oh, I curse that boy!” Annabel cried dramatically, making the others burst into laughter.

They later went shopping, laughing and teasing the whole time. The day was light, fun, and fleeting—until they all returned home.

---

10 p.m. — Briella’s house

Genevieve came through the door, her voice bright. “Big Sister! Are you home?!”

“Go freshen up and come down for dinner,” Briella called from the dining area.

Fifteen minutes later, they sat together at the table, eating.

“How was your hangout today?” Briella asked.

“It was fun, big Sister. Do you know—” Genevieve started, but was cut off when Briella’s phone rang.

“Keep eating, I’ll get it,” Briella said, standing.

Genevieve smirked to herself. “She always says that. I wasn’t going to offer anyway.” She chuckled and kept eating.

Moments later, Briella returned with her phone in hand.

“Who was that?” Genevieve asked, spoon halfway to her mouth.

“I don’t know. It stopped ringing before I picked up—” Briella began, only for the phone to ring again in her hand.

This time, her expression shifted when she saw the caller ID. She looked straight at Genevieve.

“Mum,” she whispered.

---

✨End of Chapter Four✨