5.5 years ago....
Tachibana's family vacation in Paris.
The scent of sea breeze and fresh French croissants filled the Parisian air as the Tachibana family stepped out of their sleek black Mercedes van.
The French classic apartment they rented sat gracefully beside a quiet beach, its elegant white facade complemented by ivy-laced balconies and the distant sound of waves crashing on the shore.
A soft golden light bathed the cobbled streets as the family began unloading their luggage, their voices rising with excitement.
Well, most of them.
Ian, despite his earlier reservations, now found himself hauling a set of heavy leather suitcases into the foyer with Christine and Marko, who were beaming as they chattered in broken French with the property's caretaker.
It wasn't exactly how Ian imagined himself spending the week - but for Ruth's sake, he agreed.
Meanwhile, Ruth popped the trunk open, brushing her thick black hair behind her shoulder as she started pulling out garment bags and neatly packed luggage.
Dressed in a beige cashmere coat, she looked effortlessly stylish - confident, in control, her lips curled into a half-smile as she neatly organized each suitcase by owner.
Then came the click of delicate sandals.
Kira.
She approached with her usual grace, her presence quiet but sharp. Her expression was unreadable, porcelain-smooth with just a flicker of something deeper - resentment, or perhaps hurt. Her arms were crossed as she watched Ruth.
"Why did you have to invite him, Ruth?" Kira said flatly, no hint of courtesy. "This vacation is supposed to be just the four of us. Like always."
Ruth sighed deeply, not looking up. "Kira, we already had this conversation."
"And I told you it was a mistake," Kira shot back.
Ruth zipped up one of her bags, finally turning to face her younger sister. Her tone was calm but stern. "You don't get to dictate who I bring into my life, let alone our family trip. Ian is important to me. I want you to give him a chance."
Kira's lip twitched slightly. She looked down at her perfectly manicured nails and then back up, her gaze now burning. "He doesn't belong with us. He's... not one of us."
"And what does one of us even mean, Kira?" Ruth said with slight irritation, her voice rising. "A Tachibana? A fucking pedigree? This isn't some aristocratic bloodline. We're people. And Ian's a good man. You just refuse to see it."
"You never listen to me anymore," Kira whispered, more to herself than to Ruth. "Ever since he came into the picture, you've changed."
That made Ruth pause. Her expression softened briefly.
"I haven't changed. I just... finally have something for me, Kira. Something outside the perfect family, the perfect expectations."
Kira's shoulders tensed. "And what about us? What about everything we've been through together? I've always been there for you. Always. And now it feels like... I don't matter anymore."
For a moment, there was a strange silence between them. Something unspoken swelled between the sisters - a deep, old bond that had frayed with time and jealousy. Ruth looked away, lips pressed tightly.
"Kira... You'll always matter to me. But I'm not your possession."
Kira's eyes shimmered briefly, but her voice grew colder. "It's not about possession. It's about trust. He's not worthy of you. I can see it. Why can't you?"
Before Ruth could respond, a voice echoed across the cobbled street.
"Girls. Enough."
Marko stood near the apartment entrance, arms crossed, Christine beside him with a disappointed look on her face. The atmosphere shifted instantly, their parental presence imposing.
"We could hear you from inside," Christine added. "Is this how we begin our family vacation?"
Ruth and Kira looked down like guilty children. Ruth nodded. "Sorry, Mom. It won't happen again."
Kira didn't say anything. She turned and quietly picked up one of the smaller suitcases, walking past her parents and up the steps into the apartment.
Christine watched her go with a quiet sigh. Marko turned to Ruth.
"I understand things are difficult between you two," he said gently, "but you brought Ian here. Make it work."
Ruth gave a tight nod. "I will."
The evening passed in golden warmth. As the family gathered in the beautifully set dining room of the French apartment, wine glasses clinked, and stories flowed.
Ian proved polite, helpful, and surprisingly charming when Marko teased him about being roped into a family vacation. Christine seemed fond of his humility, and even Ruth's laughter came easy beside him.
But Kira... was quiet.
She sat beside Christine, barely touching her food, her gaze occasionally flickering toward Ian with that same unreadable look. She smiled when spoken to, but her eyes never warmed. And every time Ruth laughed at one of Ian's jokes, Kira's jaw would subtly tighten.
Later, after dinner, Ruth and Ian went to the balcony to take in the view of the beach lit under the moonlight. Ruth leaned against him, her arms wrapped around his waist.
"Thanks for coming, even though you didn't want to," she said softly.
Ian kissed the top of her head. "You made it hard to say no."
From the shadows of the living room, Kira watched them silently. Her fingers curled tightly around the edge of the velvet curtain.
She whispered to herself, "Not now...not now. Just you wait, Ian."
And behind her, the soft tick of the antique clock echoed like a warning.