The dining hall of the Laurent estate was as grand as ever—an opulent display of wealth that, to outsiders, seemed straight out of a fairy tale. To Anastasia, it was just another reminder of the world she had left behind.
The table stretched long enough to seat a dozen guests, yet only a few occupied it tonight. At one end, Genevieve Laurent sat with her usual poised elegance, sipping her wine. At the other, Hugo Laurent, patriarch of the family, watched his granddaughter with a glint of amusement in his sharp blue eyes. Beside Anastasia sat Juliette, her cousin, idly swirling the stem of her glass between two fingers, watching the exchange unfold with thinly veiled amusement.
The conversation had been tame—until Hugo decided it was time to dig into Anastasia's personal life.
"So, my dear," Hugo began smoothly, setting down his fork with deliberate slowness. "Tell me, how many hearts did you leave shattered at Harvard?"
Anastasia, mid-sip of her wine, barely managed to swallow without choking. She exhaled through her nose, setting her glass down carefully, before fixing her grandfather with a blank stare.
"I was focused on my studies."
Juliette snorted softly into her glass.
Hugo gave a long, exaggerated sigh. "Focused on your studies? Good Lord, how terribly dull." He waved a hand. "Come now, mon trésor. A Laurent woman, spending five years in an elite institution, and not a single scandal? Not even a whisper of romance?"
"I wasn't looking for one," Anastasia replied evenly.
Hugo tsked. "You make it sound like love is something one searches for. It finds you, mon ange. Did no one try?"
Anastasia fought the urge to sigh. "Grandfather—"
"Oh, definitely someone tried," Juliette cut in, smirking as she rested her chin on her palm. "The real question is how many."
Hugo brightened. "Ah! Now this is a question worth pursuing." He turned back to Anastasia, expression gleeful. "How many admirers did you reject?"
"I wasn't keeping count," Anastasia deadpanned.
Hugo clicked his tongue. "Mon dieu, such a waste."
"She's always been like this," Juliette mused, toying with the delicate chain of her bracelet. "Back in Paris, boys would practically trip over themselves, and she'd barely spare them a glance."
Anastasia shot her cousin a warning look. "And yet you had enough scandals for the both of us."
Juliette's smirk widened. "True. But at least I had fun."
Genevieve, who had been sipping her wine in silence, sighed. "Papa, must we do this at dinner?"
"Of course we must!" Hugo huffed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "It is my duty as the patriarch to ensure that my granddaughter did not waste her prime years locked away with books."
Anastasia pinched the bridge of her nose. "I did not waste them."
Juliette hummed. "I think what Grand-père wants to know is whether you had a distraction or two."
Hugo nodded. "Precisely! I hope at least someone caught your eye. Or perhaps…" His gaze sharpened. "You left someone behind?"
Anastasia's grip on her fork tightened.
That slight hesitation was all Hugo needed. His smile turned triumphant.
"Ah-ha!" He leaned forward, delighted. "There was someone."
Anastasia took a slow breath. "I never said that."
"But you also didn't deny it." Juliette tapped her nails against the rim of her glass, watching her cousin with curiosity. "Interesting."
Genevieve sighed again, though there was a hint of amusement in her gaze. "She won't tell you if she doesn't want to."
Hugo waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, I know." He then turned back to Anastasia. "But I also know you, mon trésor. And the way you're dodging the subject? Intriguing."
Anastasia forced a neutral expression.
"I could have someone look into it," Hugo mused, swirling his wine. "Just a little digging. Perhaps an old classmate?"
Her jaw tightened. "Don't you dare."
"Oh, so it is something worth looking into," Juliette teased. "Now I'm curious."
Anastasia shot her cousin a glare. "You're supposed to be on my side."
Juliette shrugged. "Not when you're keeping secrets."
Before Anastasia could protest, the dining hall doors suddenly burst open.
The sound of high heels clacking against the marble floor echoed through the room, each step filled with purpose.
Then—
"ANASTASIA FUCKING LAURENT!"
Before she could even react, a petite but formidable force slammed into her, arms locking around her shoulders in a vice grip.
"You absolute bitch," Caroline Dupont wailed, squeezing her within an inch of her life. "You abandoned me for five years!"
Anastasia gasped, barely able to catch her breath. "Caro—"
"Five years," Caroline continued dramatically. "Five years of trauma! Do you know how many social luncheons I had to attend alone?"
Anastasia let out a breathless laugh. "I missed you too."
Caroline pulled back, scanning her from head to toe. "You don't even look like you suffered," she accused. "Unfairly gorgeous as always. Ugh, I hate you."
Anastasia grinned. "Love you too, Caro."
Caroline huffed. "Damn right, you do."
A throat cleared behind them.
Genevieve sighed, already exasperated, as she regarded the second guest who had entered.
Colette Dupont—Caroline's mother and Genevieve's oldest friend—stood at the entrance, watching her daughter's antics with an indulgent smile. She was as elegant as ever, dressed in a perfectly tailored navy gown, her sharp hazel eyes missing nothing.
"Genevieve," Colette said smoothly. "I see your daughter has returned and caused a dramatic spectacle within minutes. A talent, truly."
Genevieve exhaled. "Colette."
Caroline, still latched onto Anastasia, pointed accusingly at her mother. "Maman, I had to be dramatic. Do you know how many years of emotional neglect I've suffered?"
Colette arched a brow. "Considering the hundreds of messages you sent her, I doubt neglect is the correct word."
Caroline scoffed. "Texting is not the same as physical presence, Mother." She turned back to Anastasia, eyes sparkling. "Now, tell me everything. Was Harvard full of handsome men? Did you have a delicious affair? Please, say yes."
Juliette smirked. "We were just discussing that."
Hugo nodded enthusiastically. "Excellent timing, Caroline! Perhaps you can get answers from her."
Caroline's eyes lit up. "Oho! A past romance? Oh, Stassi, spill."
Anastasia groaned. "I hate all of you."
Hugo smirked. "Ah, now this is entertaining."
Juliette raised her glass. "To Anastasia's mysterious love life."
Caroline beamed. "Oh, this is going to be fun."
Anastasia, trapped between her meddling family and an overly dramatic best friend, let out a long, suffering sigh.
She was never escaping this.