I waited a while before going back into the hall.

I wandered through the gala, and it was comforting.

I turned to walk down a new hall. All the paintings on the walls were eerily similar, showing depictions of war and soldiers fighting for their homes.

The reality of everything has been settling in.

My mother has practically disowned me. Although I don't think she ever wanted me as her child, so I was technically disowned the moment she left the hospital without me.

I own a billion dollars, which is more than I'll ever need. The amount of money people could only dream of having.

I own a library that is an anagram to remind me of my dead sister.

I haven't gotten anywhere on my cold case because I have focused on everyone else's problems.

And finally, my whole life is getting up and ended by a billionaire's final wish to start family drama in hopes of 'bringing the family back together.' I know I could not say anything about family, but a whole riddle that will break someone's heart before finally fixing it seems very unnecessary. Everything Tobias Hawthorne decided to do with his grandsons seemed superfluous.

I was always envious of the Saturday puzzles and how he trained them to become amazing at all different aspects of their lives. I now know how much that impacted them. Nash always felt like he was a second thought of his grandfather, Grayson was convinced he was the heir apparent, so he spent his whole life trying to be utterly perfect. Jameson was told he was ordinary, so he spent his life depending on the validation of winning, and Xander hid behind humour because he knew how much his older two brothers needed to win.

I always knew how magnetic they all were. I led myself to believe I really knew what I was getting into every time I did something dumb with Jameson.

I didn't.

Even if I didn't know what I was getting into, the Hawthornes each showed me something important.

I got leadership skills and the ability to rebut quickly from Nash.

I was able to learn how to be specific and hardworking from Grayson. Something I probably never would have learned otherwise, considering most of my intelligence is natural.

Jameson taught me the art of escapism and how much I love winning.

Even Xander reminded me sometimes you cannot be too serious.

I know these were important for me to know. I wish that I didn't need to know it. I wish I could-

My thoughts trailed off when I heard footsteps behind me.

Male, around 6ft, walks rather simply—toes to heal, careful not to crease his shoe too badly.

It's Grayson. I know it before I even turn around. It's not just the walk but the fact he is probably the only person who would walk silently, waiting for me to spin around.

I turn slowly to avoid him seeing me at first. The idea is shut down fast as his eyes are not travelling around the room even though he is walking slowly. They are directly on me.

Grey eyes on mine.

To take the situation back into my control, I tilt my head and slowly walk towards him till we eventually circle each other without saying a word.

He stops walking first.

His eyes are locked on mine, but I can tell he is troubled about something. Something about me, I presume.

I trail my thoughts back to Jameson, waiting in the one corridor.

I immediately feel stupid. The painting he was standing in front of. It was Cézanne's Four Brothers. I am really off my game today if I miss that.

I assume Avery went to find him after dinner. Or, in her terms, she went to go get some air. Grayson follows since he is just as obsessed with this puzzle as Jameson is. Then, they have a conversation that leads to everyone being hurt.

Can you guess what it is about?

Yes! You guessed it, Emily.

Because everything revolves around her. Such a poor, innocent soul she is.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Grayson cut me off, "Don't say anything about how I am feeling."

I raise my eyebrow at him.

He glares at me, indicating that right now is not the time for my constant mockery.

"You rely on knowing this about others to ignore things about yourself, Annabelle."

I open my mouth to detest, but I am cut off once more, "You cannot just keep pushing everyone away because you can't handle what is happening in your own life. Most people let you. I am not going to. Not anymore."

He is serious. More serious than when he insisted I take him with me to see my mother or any other time when he forced his way into something.

None of this is funny, though somehow I find myself hysterically laughing.

Tonight, I went from fine, annoyed, anxious, and sad to laughing hysterically.

It is ridiculous. Grayson Hawthorne is the king of pushing people away and ignoring his own emotions.

Though his excuse for doing it is much weaker than mine.

'The heir apparent mustn't show any emotion, or he will be seen as unworthy'

Before I look back up at Grayson, I take a deep breath. When I finally tilt my head up toward him, he looks mildly confused and extremely concerned.

I sigh, letting go of the deep breath I just took out of my lungs. "You are worse than me, Grayson. Tonight is a perfect example of what is on your mind all the time. It wasn't your fault, but you still think it is. I can't fix it because no matter how many times someone could say to your face that you didn't kill Emily laughing, you wouldn't believe it."

The look on his face now brings me back to every single time I have hurt him beyond apologies. I can't stop. He needs to hear this.

"Emily wanted to do something thrilling. Something that made her feel alive. When she wanted something, she got it. There was no way she wouldn't have found another way to do it. Grayson..." I trail off for a second before grabbing his wrists and inching even closer to him, "Nothing could have saved her. Even if you had been with her the whole time, she still would have died. I need you to hear this because I can't stand a single second more of you blaming yourself."

I stare straight at him, and for a second, everything is quiet. No thought of his emotions or what he is thinking about races around in my mind. All I can see is Grey eyes on mine.

"Why?" he crocks out.

He is one word away from breaking down. One word from ruining whatever we are.

"Because," I smile at him, "It hurts you." I reach up and tap his temple, "up here," I move my hand and place it on his chest, "and here."

He grabs my hand on his chest, holding it for a brief moment.

He released my hand and used it to tilt my chin up higher, "Stop pushing me away, and I will stop blaming myself."

He was lying. Not that he knew. One day, I would fix It. If I wanted him enough, I would be able to figure it out.

"Deal, Blondie."

He groaned, "Why does it always have to be that name?"

"Fine, as much as it does annoy you, it is rather weak. I'll think of a better one just give me some time."

He raises his eyebrows, "Since when do you have no time to figure out a problem?"

I step back away from him, untangling my left arm from his, "Since we have a puzzle to solve, Hawthorne."

Ethan's POV

I don't think I have ever been to a more boring charity gala.

My sister disappeared. Then Grayson disappeared. Oh, and Jameson never appeared.

So, from deductive reasoning and the fact I was able to skip school this week, I'd assume they are on a mystery hunt that does not include amazing, interesting, intellectual brothers. Just two that just don't seem to leave my sister alone.

I walk around before spotting a couple on the dance floor.

Xander and Avery.

I think Xander is the best one out of his family. He seems the most level-headed. This is a very bold statement coming from me.

A very

Avery

Her name would be really cool if it was like a whole ass anagram or something, including her middle name and stuff. However, it would probably show her parents are obsessive about solving puzzles.

It would explain how she fits in well with the Hawthornes.

"Pretend I'm the most fascinating person you've ever met," I hear Xander say to her. Her face is filled with a sort of amazement at whatever they are talking about.

I look down at my pocket as I feel it buzz.

I groan when I see the name.

Anna: I am so sorry, Ethan I have to do something. Your Aunt is going to pick you up in around 20 minutes. I promise I will tell you all abt it tmrw

I was right about the mystery hunt.

I also hope I am right about who she decided to go with.

I better get a speech at their wedding.

A/n

I love this chapter, which is good, considering I have been procrastinating writing it for two days.

My hockey tournament went well. We came second and only because the other team was supposed to be in Division 1, but they were not. 

Thank you so much for reading!

I love you all ❤️