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Aella followed her mother into the boutique without argument, the bell chiming as they stepped in. Her good mood, however, dissipated when she noticed her sister searching through one of the racks.

“You should go say hello,” Victoria nudged her arm, alerting Aella to the fact that she’d seen her as well.

“I’m not trying to get into an argument with Brax today. I’ll pass.”

“Weren’t you just talking about how you wished you could invite her to be part of your big day? Maybe this is the universe’s attempt at helping make that happen. Talk to your sister, Elle. I’ll be near the shoes.”

Groaning her displeasure at the position she’d been put in, Aella took in a deep breath and started towards Braxton. She was almost positive that their interaction would go left, but for her mother’s sake, she was willing to try.

“Hey, Brax,” she said hesitantly, greeting her sister.

The look Braxton delivered when she lifted her head made Aella immediately regret her decision.

“What are you doing?”

“My mom and I are out wrapping up a few things for my wedding,” she revealed, noticing the shocked look on Braxton’s face.

“I wasn’t aware you were engaged. Congrats.”

“Thanks. Listen, I know we aren’t on the best of terms, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re my sister. And I’d like it if you⁠—”

“Braxton,” a sharp voice caught the attention of both young women.

They turned as an older woman approached. She wore a structured, knee-length coat that fit her cleanly, her posture upright. Her hair was pulled into a sleek bun with visible gray at the temples. Fine lines marked her face, her lips set in a firm line, and her gaze was steady and assessing as it moved between them.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing, Ma,” Braxton said, hanging her clothes back onto the rack. “Everything is all good.”

“Is it?” Braxton’s mother raised an eyebrow. “Because your body language says otherwise.”

“Hi,” Aella extended her hand, hoping to try to redirect the awkward situation. “I’m Aella.”

Ignoring her outstretched hand, Aella’s mother sneered. “I know who you are. And I’m more interested in why you’re harassing my daughter.”

“Harassing?” Aella repeated. “Since when is a conversation harassment?”

“When it’s unwanted. My daughter doesn’t want anything to do with you.”

“Ma!” Braxton hissed. “There’s no need for you to cause a scene. Just let it⁠—”

“Everything okay over here?” Victoria intervened.

Aella palmed her face, knowing the situation was likely going to shift from bad to worse.

“Ma, let’s just go. I told you this was a bad idea.”

“No, it’s not.” Aella didn’t think it was possible, but Braxton’s mother turned her nose up even further. “I don’t know why you and your daughter are bothering mine, but let me make it very clear that I won’t allow her to be bullied or⁠—”

“Bullied?” Victoria repeated. “My daughter’s intentions were to try to invite her sister to her wedding.”

“A wedding hosted by a family she wants nothing to do with. Which she’s repeatedly made clear. You and your husband have done an amazing job of excluding her from the time she was born until now. Keep it that way.”

This time, it was Aella who spoke. “Excuse me? My parents have never tried to exclude anyone from anything. It’s Braxton’s choice not to be around.”

“Don’t speak for me, Aella,” Braxton hissed. “But you’re absolutely right. I choose not to be around anyone who goes out of their way to continuously remind me that I’m not wanted.”

“Brax, please get the fuck off the pity train,” Aella argued. “You want to be a victim so badly, and it’s old. Okay, Daddy had you outside of his marriage. The only people still holding on to that are you and your bitter-ass mama.”