Dinner at the Harts mansion was unusually lively that evening. Ava sat beside Isabella at the long mahogany table, her legs swinging under her chair. She wasn't intimidated by the chandeliers or the polished silverware — she was too busy whispering little jokes to Isabella between spoonfuls of creamy pasta.
Claire noticed the change instantly. Her daughter's usual quiet was replaced by small bursts of laughter, her shoulders less tense. Adrian noticed too, though in his mind, it was the glow of the beautiful dress box upstairs that had her in such good spirits.
Halfway through the meal, Adrian dabbed his mouth with a linen napkin and turned his warm, expectant gaze on his daughter.
Adrian: "So, my little princess… did you love the new dress Daddy picked out for you?"
Isabella froze for a second, fork paused midair. Then she smiled, a careful, practiced smile.
Isabella: "Yes, Daddy. I… I love it."
But in her mind, another voice played, Ava's from earlier that afternoon.
"If you wear the dress this time, your mum will give me another one… and we'll both have princess outfits. Then we'll be perfect together."
It had made sense at the time. Ava wanted a dress. Isabella wanted her best friend to be happy. And if that meant pretending for now… she would pretend.
Back in the present, Isabella pushed her plate slightly forward and turned to her father with that rare spark in her eyes.
Isabella: "Daddy… Can Ava come to Granny's birthday?"
Adrian didn't even hesitate.
Adrian: "Yes, Princess. She can join you."
Ava nearly dropped her fork, her smile stretching wide. Claire caught the joy on both girls' faces, and the small ache in her chest knowing the real reason behind it.
Just then, the house phone rang. One of the uniformed servants glided into the room, murmured briefly into the receiver, then approached Adrian.
Servant: "Sir, it's Ava's mother. She's asking if Ava can spend the night. She has a night shift."
Adrian's answer was immediate.
Adrian: "Clean a room for her. Make her comfortable, she's my baby's favourite person."
Isabella's eyes lit up brighter.
Isabella: "Daddy, can she be in my room?"
Adrian chuckled softly, shaking his head.
Adrian: "No, love. She needs her own room. But it'll be close to yours, so you can see her in the morning."
Claire watched the exchange, her mind already turning over tomorrow's possibilities… and tomorrow's risks.
After dinner, Claire guided the two girls upstairs, her heels clicking softly against the marble steps. Ava's new room was smaller than Isabella's, but it was still beautiful, with lavender walls, a soft canopy bed, and gold trimmings on the furniture. Ava's eyes widened, her fingers brushing the silky bedspread.
Ava: "It's so pretty… like a real princess room. I don't want to ever go back home"
Claire smiled, pleased at her excitement. "I'm glad you like it, sweetheart." She turned to one of the maids.
Claire: "Please help Ava bathe and get ready for bed."
Leaving Ava with the maid, Claire took Isabella to the bathroom. The warm steam from the bath filled the air, scented with her favorite vanilla soap. Claire helped her out of her clothes and wrapped her in the oversized bunny towel she'd had since she was two.
Isabella: "Mummy… why can't I tell Daddy I don't want all the gifts he gives me?"
Claire paused, meeting her daughter's eyes.
Claire: "Bella… It's because Daddy wants you to be his little princess. If you wore boys' clothes… you wouldn't be the princess he dreams of. You'd look more like a little prince."
Isabella: frowning "But I don't want to be a boy. I want to be a girl. I just… I don't like to be in dresses."
Claire's heart sank. She lifted her gently, carried her to bed, and helped her into her pale-pink nightdress.
Claire: "I promise I'll find a way to talk to your daddy about it. But for now, you have to listen to him, okay?"
Isabella nodded slowly, and Claire kissed her forehead before tucking her in.
That night, when the house was quiet, Isabella slipped out of bed and padded down the hall to Ava's room. Ava was still awake, waiting for her.
Isabella climbed into the small bed, pulling a tablet from under her arm. "Let's read," she whispered. Ava nodded eagerly, snuggling close as the screen lit up their faces. Together, they scrolled through the story of a princess and her prince, the soft glow painting their smiles in the dark.
After a while, Isabella tilted her head, watching Ava instead of the story. "Do you think you'll ever want to meet a prince one day?" she asked quietly.
Ava shook her head, her voice steady. "No. I just want to stay with you, Bella. For life."
For a moment, neither of them said anything. Then Isabella smiled, warmth spreading through her chest, and wrapped her arms around Ava.
The tablet slipped to the side as their giggles turned to yawns. Finally, the two girls drifted to sleep, holding each other, the moonlight spilling across their faces.
NEXT MORNING
The soft glow of morning light spilled across the Hart mansion. Down the hallway, Ruth stepped quietly into Bella's room to wake her for breakfast but the bed was empty.
Her heart skipped. For a moment, panic washed over her. She checked the bathroom. Nothing. Then she remembered Ava was in the house.
Ruth hurried to Ava's room and pushed the door open gently. There they were, two small figures curled up under the blanket, the tablet resting dark at their side. They weren't clinging like little children anymore, but lying close, arms loosely draped around each other as if comfort was second nature. Their foreheads brushed together lightly, breaths steady, the kind of quiet bond that needed no words.
The sight made Ruth pause. Something about it was sweet and innocent, yet she knew that if Adrian saw them like this, questions would come.
A small smile tugged at her lips before she quietly pulled out her phone, snapping two quick pictures. She'd keep them for herself, a little memory of how close the girls had become.
Moving carefully, Ruth slid her arms under Isabella and lifted her from Ava's embrace. Ava stirred for a moment, letting out a soft sigh before turning over and drifting back into sleep.
Ruth carried Isabella back to her own room, laying her gently on the bed. "Come on, Bella," she whispered, brushing hair from the child's forehead. "Time to wake up."
She called for one of Ava's assigned maids to come go to her room and help her get ready as well. The morning routine began as if nothing had happened.
Still, as Ruth walked away, a thought flickered in her mind. She had noticed Isabella's dislike for frilly dresses. She had noticed how her eyes lit up only when Ava was around. And now, seeing them this close…
She shook her head quickly, as if to push the thought away. She's just a child, Ruth told herself. It's nothing.
But the image of the two girls tangled in each other's arms stayed with her all morning.