Against fate : rebirth of the stubborn heiress

The scent of warm vanilla waffles, grilled peaches, and espresso drifted through the Bellani estate's sunlit dining room. Outside the French doors, the estate gardens bloomed in bursts of lavender and cream roses, swaying gently in the morning breeze.

Summer sat curled up like a lazy kitten on the window seat, dressed in a lavender cashmere robe with her hair in soft waves. She had absolutely no plans of doing anything productive today. None. Unless shamelessly soaking in love, money, and gourmet brunch counted.

Davis, already in joggers and a sleeveless hoodie, was trying to flip pancakes while arguing with the chef.

"I swear, if you flip that one more time and it lands like a frisbee again, I'm confiscating your spatula," Summer warned, pointing with her fork.

Davis smirked. "You don't even know how to boil water."

"I don't need to," she said sweetly. "That's what you're for."

> Sham Sham: [Emotional Stability +1. Affection Environment Detected.]

Minor System Calibration Ongoing.

She squinted at the system panel in her peripheral vision and swiped it away with a mental flick. Sham Sham had been oddly quiet this morning, humming with a soft glow like it was… resting? Or watching.

"Where's Leo ?" she asked as Rosa refilled her coffee.

"He had a call with Grandfather about the Paris deal," Davis replied. "Said he'll join us for lunch. Also, Travis locked himself in the garage again."

Summer rolled her eyes. "What is he doing now—hacking into the Pentagon?"

"Probably something equally dramatic."

Travis, her second brother, was a strange mix of ice and obsession. To the world, he was a reclusive genius with dangerous charm. To Summer, he was her emotionally stunted shadow. And she loved him for it.

Just then, her phone buzzed.

Incoming Message: Leo

"You missed two investment calls this morning. Are you alive?"

Summer grinned and replied.

Summer: "Still breathing. Just surrounded by carbs and one pancake terrorist."

Leo: "Handle your stock filters by noon, princess. The market doesn't care about your cheekbones."

She laughed and tucked the phone under her thigh.

Leo, her fourth brother, was her investment mentor. The coldest out of all four, but when it came to stocks and startups, he transformed into a god. He'd started giving her mock funds to manage a year ago. She'd doubled the value in six months.

Summer turned to Davis. "Did you check the acquisition news on LangTech?"

Davis blinked. "You're talking business on a Sunday?"

"Multitasking, baby. I'm wearing fluffy socks and flipping profit margins."

He held up his hands. "That's terrifying. You sound like Leo."

She smirked. "He's rubbing off on me. Gross."

---

Later, her two closest friends arrived.

Cassie was in high heels and lip gloss at 10 a.m., clutching a designer tote. "I swear the spa steam guy was flirting with me again. Do I look flirtable?"

"You look like a spoiled poodle," Summer said, smiling.

"And yet you love me."

The second friend, Aria, was more grounded—quiet, clever, observant. She leaned over to kiss Summer on the cheek. "Saw your clip from the gala last night. You looked like royalty."

Summer sighed dramatically. "That's because I am."

> Sham Sham: [Affirmation Recognized. Aura +1.]

They settled into the brunch spread, girls gossiping while Davis refilled glasses and mocked their taste in men.

"I don't get why you're still single," Cassie said to Summer, swirling her juice. "You could have any guy in Italy—"

"I don't want 'any' guy," Summer interrupted. "I want someone who makes my skin prickle and my system whisper: 'that one might destroy you... or save you.'"

Aria tilted her head. "Wow. That was romantic. Who are you and what did you do with Summer?"

Summer smiled faintly, then stabbed a strawberry. "I'm just saying. If I'm going to let someone into this chaotic little world, he better be ready to handle it all."

Behind her nonchalant tone, something deeper stirred. She remembered the cold of betrayal, the sting of indifference. She remembered dying. And now? She was building something no one could take from her.

---

Rosa returned with a small wrapped box. "Young miss, this came from your mother's old storage. The antique wing finished inventorying."

Summer reached for it, something in her chest tightening.

Inside the velvet-lined box lay a delicate jade hairpin, threaded with silver runes. It shimmered faintly—nothing flashy, but something about it felt alive.

> Sham Sham: Artifact recognized. Host compatibility confirmed.

System Upgrade Initiated: Task Stream Expanded. New Modules Available.

Main Questline Unlocked: Inheritance of the Devlin Bloodline.

Summer's breath caught.

Devlin?

She didn't remember hearing that name before—but the chill down her spine told her it wasn't random. And neither was the artifact.

Davis noticed her stillness. "You okay?"

She blinked and smiled. "Yeah… just got goosebumps."

---

As the girls resumed laughing, and her brother pretended not to eavesdrop, Summer leaned back, eyes thoughtful.

She had money, protection, and a second chance.

Now, the real game was beginning.

And she wasn't just going to play it.