Three children, engrossed in building a Lego castle, heard thuds and loud noises from downstairs. No crying followed, so they ignored it.

"This has to be the worst babysitter we've ever had," Violet sighed, attaching a turret.

"Probably," her twin brother agreed. "I hope Aunt Jen and Uncle Cameron come back soon."

They all glanced at the digital clock. It was only 9:02 PM; the party wasn't supposed to end until 10:00. They had a while to wait.

"I hope Mom and Dad don't run into Grandma and Grandpa Hale," she said worriedly.

Violet had been preoccupied with this thought since learning the party celebrated Hale Investments' 100th anniversary. The company's name made it clear the family had a long history with it.

Dad never discussed his parents, but Violet deduced they were alive. Grandma Hall was deceased—Mom frequently mentioned her—and Violet's mother obviously missed her mother. Dad, however, showed no signs of missing his parents.

This had puzzled her for years until she overheard two teachers gossiping in third grade. They whispered about her being one of the "secret children" from a major scandal eight years prior.

Apparently, her dad had seized control of the company, ousting his father, who disapproved of her mother and wanted his son to marry someone else. This explained everything. The intimidating man her dad argued with during a preschool visit must have been her grandfather.

Violet didn't care. She had no desire to meet someone who disrespected her mother or disapproved of her and her brothers' existence.

Noah tilted his head, confused. "Why wouldn't you want that?"

"We've never met them," Kaleb explained. "My dad hates them."

"Only because they hate us and Mom," Violet added.

She didn't want Noah to think her dad was being petty. He'd made the right choice. Violet loved her family and couldn't imagine it any differently. Her parents were perfect together; anyone who disagreed was an idiot.

"How could anyone hate you?"

Violet smiled at Noah's earnest concern. He seemed genuinely offended on their behalf.

"I think it's because Mom isn't rich," Kaleb shrugged. "I've heard people talk about Dad. Apparently, he was a big deal before we were born."

"He is a big deal, dummy. Don't you know he was the youngest Fortune 500 CEO ever?"

He frowned. "No. How do you even know that?"

"Don't you remember Dad's interview for that business magazine? He got a copy, and I read it. Dad is super smart; he's practically a legend in the business world," Violet said proudly.

She thought it was cool that her dad had accomplished so much, especially for her mom. He'd always been a romantic. Looking at him with his wife and children, you'd never guess he was such a big shot.

Kaleb raised an eyebrow. "You read a grown-up magazine when you were six? Why am I not surprised?"

Violet stuck her tongue out. Her brother constantly teased her about her love of reading. She read anything she could get her hands on—fiction, nonfiction; it didn't matter. Books helped her cope with being alone at school. She sometimes sat with her brother and his friends at lunch, but they were noisy. She preferred the library, as fourth and second graders had different lunch times, preventing her from spending time with Noah.

She'd run out of interesting books at the elementary school library, so her mother started taking her to the public library weekly for more challenging material. Violet always kept a book or two in her backpack to avoid boredom.

"I think it's cool that you read so much," Noah said, absorbed in building a Lego dragon. "You get your homework done faster than anyone because you read so quickly. I'm jealous."

This was true. Violet and Kaleb had similar homework loads, but Violet always finished hers in a quarter of the time it took Kaleb. He'd complained more than once about her getting to play while he was still working at the kitchen table under their mother's watchful eye.

She shrugged. "You say that, but kids call me a freak for finishing workbooks so fast. Sometimes my teachers think I'm cheating on tests. I'm not; I'm just fast."

"Well, that's dumb. They shouldn't give you a hard time for being smarter than them," Noah said, as if it were obvious.

Violet agreed, though she wouldn't say it aloud. Her mom always said it was impolite to brag.

"People don't like what they can't do themselves," Kaleb said gruffly. "That's on them, Vi, not you."

Violet felt a surge of affection for her brother. He wasn't usually so articulate, but she felt his fierce love in his words. She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Thanks, Kal," she said, smiling.

Kaleb blushed. "Don't do that; it's embarrassing!"

She didn't understand. Cheek kisses were common in their family. He didn't seem to mind when Mom did it. Then again, Mom usually only did it at home. Noah was watching, and he looked unhappy. A sulky expression appeared on his face. "Where's my kiss? I said basically the same thing he did!"

"You're not my brother," Violet said, rolling her eyes.

It was obvious. Mom had said not to kiss people outside the family until they were older, advising her to save it for someone she loved. That seemed far off.

Noah grumbled but had no reply, and they returned to building the castle in silence.