Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Chapter 897: Love, Please

On the way home, Orion carried Aveline the entire time. The family had made it clear- her feet were not allowed to touch the ground until they were fully healed.

As soon as they returned, relatives took turns visiting to check on her, and Joyce was the first to call through a video chat.

When Aveline opened the call, a worried face filled the screen.

"Are your feet okay? How could they be so awful, putting thumbtacks there?!" Joyce exclaimed, her voice tense. "I've already bought a ticket. I'll be there first thing tomorrow morning! Hmph, anyone who dares to bully my sister must have a death wish."

Joyce rolled up her sleeves, revealing a delicate yet determined hand in the frame. "Joyce, seatbelt," came a calm voice from off-screen.

"Got it, Ashy," Joyce replied obediently.

"I told you to call me Uncle Asher!" Asher's exasperated face appeared briefly, as Joyce stuck out her tongue mischievously.

Aveline sighed, her expression helpless. "Joyce, it's just a small scratch. I'm really fine. Flying all the way from New York is completely unnecessary!"

Joyce's grin revealed her dimples, sweet and carefree. "Well, it's been months since we last saw each other. I miss you! Ashy's bringing me back."

Seeing her sister's smile, Aveline's heart softened. The world seemed a little brighter. It was true-she hadn't seen Joyce in a long time.

"Alright, just be careful on the way. And please, don't give Uncle Asher too much trouble, you little rascal," Aveline teased.

"I'm not causing trouble! Ask Ashy if you don't believe me."

"Call me Uncle Asher," he muttered, ruffling Joyce's hair with a resigned hand.

"Are you heading to the airport?"

"Yes, we're almost there. Aveline, as soon as you open your eyes tomorrow, you'll see me! Excited? Thrilled? Ugh, I should've just surprised you instead of telling you."

"Alright, alright. Be careful on your way here. I'll hang up now before you distract Uncle Abrtern formulring. Der laver your sen!!"

"Bye, Aveline!" Joyce smiled and ended the call.

quieter than usual, careful not to let

kind of miss that silly girl too." Aveline's face lit up as she spoke, though

head out so you can rest," Orion said, gently patting

eyes playful. "Aren't

lips. It had become their little ritual-Orion always kissed her

time, in her family's house, it felt different. Orion's breath hitched as he gazed at her

wrapped her arms around him, savoring the moment. When Orion kissed her, it was

thundering in his chest. For a moment, he worried Julian or Aurora might walk in, but he couldn't pull

immersed

soup," Aurora's voice called

two sprang apart instantly,

come out after Orion finishes explaining this problem to me. Let it cool for a bit,

Aurora replied, her footsteps

exhaled in relief, then playfully tapped Aveline's nose.

tone teasing. "It's a tough

solving it," Orion whispered. "I really should go now. If I stay longer,

said softly, watching

the door, turning back.

can't sleep without thinking about you," she replied. "Goodnight,

last kiss on

room.

Julian and Aurora

come here," Julian

Mrs. Barnet, I take full responsibility. I failed to

a glance,

much you care about her. Not telling us was probably her idea, wasn't

admitted. "You know how stubborn she can be." Julian sighed. "We won't dwell on the past. What's done is done. But

from the other students at Cherrywood, and it's hard for Aveline to make genuine friends there. We've also arranged for you to

"Will Aveline agree?"

she'll understand. And we know you've never liked Cherrywood anyway. Just promise us this-no

I'll protect her with everything I