Chapter 2 The New Family

"Dad, I'm going back. I still have a lot of things waiting for me," Maverick said as he sat stiffly at the long dining table, though deep down, he wasn't really sure what those things were. It was just an excuse to leave. Sitting across from Alodia and Roseline made him feel out of place.

Henrik, sitting at the head of the table, didn't even look up from his plate. His voice was firm and final.

"Stay for a week."

Maverick frowned. "But Dad-"

"Maverick!" Henrik's voice suddenly rose, sharp like a blade. He slammed his fork and knife down on the table with a loud clang. Everyone flinched. Even Roseline, who had been quietly eating, jumped a little in surprise.

"Alright. You don't have to yell," Maverick muttered, leaning back slightly in his chair. He knew from experience that arguing with his father was useless. His father never backed down once he made a decision.

As the tension faded a little, Maverick let out a soft sigh and glanced toward Roseline. To his surprise, she was already looking at him. But the moment their eyes met, she quickly looked down at her plate. He noticed how awkward and uncomfortable she seemed, which made the corner of his mouth twitch in amusement.

He allowed himself to observe her more closely this time. She was, without question, beautiful. She had a soft, heart-shaped face, with slightly slanted eyes framed by thick, dark lashes. Her eyebrows were neat and perfectly shaped. Her small nose was straight and delicate, fitting her dainty features. Her lips were thin but naturally pink, as if no makeup had touched them. But for some reason, Maverick didn't focus on her appearance-what caught his attention more was her quiet presence and the tension she carried, like she didn't belong here.

"Eat some more, sweetheart," Alodia said warmly, placing another spoonful of rice on her daughter's plate.

Roseline looked embarrassed. "I'm fine now, Mom. I'm already full," she replied softly, her eyes not lifting from her food.

Henrik, in a gentler tone than he had used earlier, asked, "Are you sure?"

Roseline opened her mouth, stammering slightly. "Y-Yes, Si-"

"Just call me 'Dad' too," Henrik said smoothly. "We're family now."

Roseline gave a small, hesitant smile. "O-Okay... D-Dad," she said, her voice quiet, as if still unsure. She cast a shy glance at Maverick again, who hadn't taken his eyes off her.

Henrik smiled and placed a hand over Alodia's. "Don't be shy, Roseline. From now on, we're one family here. Right, Maverick?"

"Yes, Dad..." Maverick answered, flatly and without emotion. He picked up his glass, drank a bit of water, then wiped his mouth carefully with a napkin. "I'm full. I'll go ahead."

Without waiting for a response, he stood up and walked away from the table.

Roseline turned her head slightly, watching him leave. She didn't mean to, but she couldn't help it. There was something about Maverick that made her curious. But when the man suddenly glanced back and caught her looking, her heart jumped. Her eyes widened in embarrassment, and she quickly looked down at her plate again, her cheeks turning red.

She didn't dare look up again.

With Maverick at twenty-eight and Roseline at twenty-two, their six-year age gap was noticeable in subtle ways.

Roseline used to live in comfort with her biological father. They owned a few small businesses, lived in a decent house, and never lacked food or clothes. But everything changed when her father had a terrible accident. They spent all their money on hospital bills. Every property they owned was sold just to pay off the expenses. Although her father eventually recovered, his health never fully returned-and not long after, he passed away.

That was when Alodia-her mother-met Don Henrik.

Alodia had borrowed a large amount of money from him during her husband's illness. When she couldn't pay it back, Henrik offered a different solution. Marriage. It was a decision that surprised Roseline, one she hadn't agreed with-but she had no power to stop it. Before she knew it, her mother had agreed, and they were preparing to move into the massive Cuervo mansion.

She had just come home from work one day when her mother told her, "Pack your things-we're moving in with Don Henrik."

Now, here she is, dressed in fancy clothes, sitting at a grand dining table with strangers.

Later that evening, Roseline helped gather the plates and glasses after dinner. She reached for a glass near her plate, but the head housekeeper-an older woman with a tight bun and sharp eyes-gently stopped her.

"Please, dear... if you don't want us to get in trouble with Don Henrik, leave the cleaning to us."

Roseline smiled a little, embarrassed. "Just call me Roseline," she said softly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to step on anyone's toes."

The woman nodded kindly but firmly. "We appreciate that, Roseline. But you're one of our employers now. Let us handle the rest."

Roseline nodded again and stepped back. She wasn't used to this kind of life-just sitting around while others do everything for her. At home, she always cleans, cooks, and helps with chores. Here, it felt strange doing nothing.

Feeling restless and out of place, Roseline quietly slipped outside into the garden to get some fresh air. The evening breeze touched her face as she looked around the large, beautiful grounds of the Cuervo estate. The sky was turning a deep blue, and the lights from the mansion glowed warmly behind her.

Everything looked perfect-but she didn't feel like she belonged here.

The gardens around the Cuervo mansion were vast and beautiful. Roseline slowly walked through the grounds, taking everything in. There were all kinds of plants-tall trees, neatly trimmed bushes, and colorful flowers arranged with care. Farther off, she saw crops growing in rows, and nearby was a massive swimming pool that looked like something used for professional competitions. Its clear blue water sparkled under the soft afternoon light.

She noticed that the mansion wasn't in the middle of a noisy city. Instead, it stood peacefully in the countryside, surrounded by green land and forests. It was quiet here-calm and far away from the world she used to know.

As she kept walking, Roseline reached the backyard. It was even more peaceful here. There was a lovely corner made for relaxing, with a bench swing hanging from a thick branch, and flowers planted in a perfect circle nearby. Someone had clearly put effort into keeping this place beautiful. The petals looked fresh and untouched, and the whole area had a warm, gentle feeling.

Roseline slowly reached out her hand to touch a bright red rose. Its petals were soft and flawless, standing tall on its green stem.

But just before her fingers made contact, a sharp voice cut through the air behind her.

"Don't you ever touch that!"

She froze.

"That flower belongs to my mom-and everything you see here does too."

Roseline's heart jumped in shock. She quickly pulled her hand back, as if the rose had burned her. She turned and saw Maverick standing just a few steps away, his eyes narrowed and voice cold. She hadn't even heard him approach.

"I-I'm sorry, big brother..." she said quickly, lowering her head in guilt.

Maverick raised one eyebrow. The nickname surprised him. No one had ever called him "big brother" before-not in his entire life. He didn't have siblings, and he had never let anyone get close enough to use that kind of name.

He let out a short, dry laugh. "Did I tell you it was okay to call me big brother? Are we suddenly brother and sister now?" His voice was cold, each word sharp and heavy.

Roseline's face turned pale. She could feel the weight of his gaze, and she backed away slightly without realizing it. "S-Sorry... I won't do it again," she whispered, looking down.

Maverick took a step closer. She took another step back.

He noticed her retreat and paused, watching her closely. Something about her fear made him stop moving.

"I'll go now," Roseline said in a soft voice. She turned to walk past him, wanting to escape the tension. But just as she stepped forward, Maverick suddenly grabbed her by the arm.

"I'm not done talking to you," he said firmly.

His voice wasn't yelling, but it was full of pressure-like a warning. His grip was tight, but not enough to hurt. Still, it was enough to make Roseline freeze.

"And when I'm speaking to you," he continued, "don't turn your back on me. You understand?"

Roseline was shaking now. His presence felt so overpowering, and his eyes were hard to meet. "Y-Yes! I'm sorry!" she cried, her voice rising in panic.

She quickly pulled her arm from his grasp and hurried back toward the mansion, walking fast-almost running.

Maverick stood still, watching her retreat. He didn't blink. His eyes followed every step she took until she disappeared inside the house.

Even then, he didn't look away from the spot where she had been standing.

"Why can't I stop watching her?" he asked himself.

He wanted to hate her. She was supposed to be part of the reason his life had changed. They had stepped into a family that wasn't theirs.

But instead of anger, all Maverick could feel was confusion. Her voice, her movements, her eyes-everything about her stayed in his mind, even when he didn't want it to.

Maverick let out a frustrated breath and ran a hand through his hair. Shaking his head, he slowly followed her path back inside, still bothered by the strange feeling Roseline left behind.