Chapter 71 Ivy

Chapter 71 Ivy
The morning of the party arrives far too quickly.

Sunlight floods the dining room through the tall windows, warm and bright, glinting off polished silverware and fine china. The long table is already full when I step inside.

Everyone is here.

Mama sits near the center, blonde hair perfectly styled, her pastel power suit a soft lavender today. Papa sits beside her, composed and steady, newspaper folded but forgotten. His gaze lifts the moment I enter, scanning me the way he always does—healthy, upright, present. Only then does his posture ease.

“There you are,” he says warmly.

William is already at the head of the table, straight-backed, immaculate, very much in command even this early in the morning. His eyes snap to me instantly, assessing on instinct—did I sleep, am I pale, am I steady on my feet. Satisfied, he gestures toward the seat beside him.

“Sit here,” he says, already pulling out the chair.

Edward notices at the same time and grins, gray eyes lighting up. He’s seated two chairs down.

“She looks fine, William,” Edward says, reaching across the table to snag a pastry and slide it onto my plate. “But she’ll look even better after she eats.”

I laugh as I take my seat. “Good morning to you too.”

Mama beams. “Did you sleep well, sweetheart?”

Before I can answer, William is already pouring me coffee—exactly the way I like it. Edward follows by nudging the butter closer and stealing another pastry for himself.

“I did,” I say, smiling.

Across the table, Rose sits perfectly composed.

Her posture is immaculate, her expression pleasant, her teacup cradled delicately in both hands. She smiles when our eyes meet—but it doesn’t reach her eyes. 

Her gaze flicks briefly to everything my brothers do for me.

The chair that was pulled out.
The coffee William poured.
The pastry Edward insisted on.
Something tightens in her jaw.

“I’m glad,” she says softly. “You seem… well-rested.”

There’s something clipped beneath the politeness.

Zeus sits further down the table, broad and solid, salt-and-pepper beard neatly trimmed. He eats quietly, methodical as ever, though I catch the faintest glint of amusement in his eyes.

And then there’s Luca.

He sits beside Zeus, relaxed, tan skin warm against the crisp white of his shirt. His short brown hair is neatly kept, blue eyes lifting to mine the moment I glance his way. The look he gives me is steady, grounding—no fanfare, no show. Just there.

Mama clears her throat. “Now—before anyone leaves the table.”

Edward groans. “This sounds official.”

“—today is about Ivy enjoying herself,” Mama continues firmly. “No work discussions and absolutely no unnecessary tension.”

William raises a brow slightly. “Define unnecessary.”

Mama fixes him with a look. “You know exactly what I mean.”

Edward smirks. “I promise to behave.”

No one believes him.

Papa chuckles quietly. “We will all try.”

Rose lifts her teacup again, smile perfectly controlled. “Mama always plans beautifully. I’m sure today will be lovely.”

Mama doesn’t spare her a glance, her face cold the second Rose speaks. “It will be.”

There’s a beat of silence, and I can feel it—the imbalance at the table. The way attention naturally gravitates toward me. The way Edward and William orbit without even realizing they’re doing it.

Rose feels it too.

Her fingers tighten slightly around her fork.

Luca leans just enough toward me to murmur, “You alright?”

I nod. “Just… a lot.”

“You won’t be alone,” he says quietly.

That helps more then he knows. 

As conversation drifts—Edward already bragging about gifts he hasn’t purchased yet, Mama issuing reminders, Zeus making a dry comment about stress and digestion—I sit back and take it all in.

Then a loud thud echoes in the room, the dining rooms doors being open abruptly.

The dining room freezes.

For half a second, no one breathes.

Then I recognized him.

“Zachary?”

In my previous life I saw pictures of him and James together in magazines all the time. 

The man straightens immediately, silver‑dyed hair catching the sunlight like polished metal as he breaks into a grin. His gray eyes soften the moment they land on me. He’s dressed impeccably, as always: tailored jacket, slim trousers, boots that look runway‑ready but comfortable. A single earring glints at his ear when he moves.

And in his arms—

A large, pristine white box, tied with an elegant satin ribbon.

“Well,” he says, voice warm and teasing, “I was going for dramatic, but armed intervention wasn’t exactly the vibe I had planned.”

Edward exhales sharply. “Zach?”

William’s posture shifts instantly, he glares at Zach. “You were supposed to be abroad.”

“I was,” Zachary replies easily. “Italy. Then London. Then wherever James dragged me next.”

At the mention of James, something clicks for everyone.
Our other brother.
The reason Zachary has been living out of suitcases and film sets for the last year.

“I’ve been keeping our precious movie star camera‑ready,” Zach continues, rolling his shoulders.

Mama’s hand flies to her mouth. “Zachary!”

Papa’s chair scrapes back as he stands, a rare smile breaking across his face. “You didn’t tell us you were coming.”

Zach’s grin turns softer. “That was kind of the point.”

He finally looks back at me fully then, really looks at me—and something in his expression shifts. Concern flickers beneath the charm.

“You okay, Vine?” he asks quietly.

I swallow and nod, suddenly aware of how fast my heart is beating. “I am now.”

He steps forward without hesitation, crossing the room in long, confident strides. I barely have time to stand before he’s pulling me into a hug. He smells like clean soap and something expensive and subtle, nothing like the herbs clinging to me.

“I heard we were having a party,” he murmurs near my ear. “Figured you might need reinforcements.”

Edward snorts. “You brought fashion reinforcements?”

“And gifts,” Zachary says brightly as he pulls back and thrusts the white box into my arms. “Very important distinction.”

I stare down at it, stunned. “Zach… this is huge.”

“So is your birthday,” he replies simply. “And I missed so many over the years.”

Mama recovers first, already moving toward him with narrowed eyes. “You flew halfway across the world without telling anyone?”

“Yes.”

“For a party?”

“For Ivy.”

Mama sighs, then pulls him into a hug anyway. “I raised impossible children.”

Rose hasn’t said a word.

She sits perfectly still at the table, smile frozen, eyes locked on the box in my arms—and then on Zachary. The jealousy there isn’t subtle. It sharpens her expression, tightens her jaw, her fingers curling slowly around her teacup.

Another brother.
Another gift.
Another moment that isn’t hers.

“I’ll open it later,” I promise, fingers tightening around the ribbon.

He winks. “No! It’s for the party so you have to open it now.”

Edward slings an arm around Zach’s shoulders, laughing. “You really know how to make an entrance.”

Zach grins back. “I learned from the best.”

I look around the table helplessly at everyone—Mama glowing with pride, Papa smiling, Edward buzzing, William watching quietly, Zeus mildly amused, Luca steady and reassuring at my side.

And Zachary standing there with a gift and a grin meant only for me.