Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 41

Chapter 41 When the Picture Shatters 

+ Pearls 

“Aunt Claire didn’t lack options back then, Jane explained casually. “She had more than a few engagements lined up. After everything blew up, two of them walked. These days, she’s married to six 

Ava paused, trying to rearrange the math in her head. “Then why only two children?” The question slipped out before she filtered it. She doesn’t even have to carry them herself.If love is the real deal, why stop so early? 

“What I heard was that Uncle Samuel paid for crossing the family. When the Holcombs kicked him out, they made him sign a deal.” 

Jane leaned against the seat before adding, “He and his brother weren’t from the same mother. Gavin was raised quietly by a mistress. The woman who actually married into the family was Samuel’s mother. When the truth surfaced, she divorced. Gavin returned to the family publicly after that.” 

Ava stared. “They exiled him, controlled his future, and still dictated how many kids he could have?” Her brows knit together. “That’s beyond dysfunctional.” 

Jane smirked. “That’s barely the appetizer. Spend enough time on Capitol Planet, and you’ll need a spreadsheet to track who’s married to whom. In–laws marrying in–laws. Bloodlines folding in on themselves. People collect scandals like trading cards.” 

Ava felt her grip tighten; disbelief edged her voice. “That’s real? Who wants relationships like that? Everyone just cheating, swapping partners like expired groceries?” 

Jane gave a careless shrug. “It’s simple economics: too many men, not enough women. When desperation kicks in, morals get flexible. Women aren’t exempt either. Some people keep their standards. Some don’t. That’s human nature. Your matches, at least, are clean.” 

Her tone dropped. “I had my husband run background checks–no hotel trails, no girlfriends, and no hidden affairs. I double–checked. Worst–case scenario, they’ve got hands and imagination. No artificial companions.” 

Ava shifted uncomfortably. “Jane, you missed your calling. Law enforcement would’ve promoted you in a week.” 

Cassius stepped in before the spiral deepened. “Enough, Jane.” 

Jane waved him off. “Fine. Let’s move on. We’ll talk about your cousin, Mason.” 

Her voice lost its humor. “Mason grew up unwanted. His mother checked out, and his father was absent. Don’t let his size or that blank stare fool you; it’s his armor. Keep your footing when you meet him.” 

Cassius nodded. “He was raised with an older brother and a younger sister. His family lives in galleries and donor lists, all art for art’s sake. Mason never embraced that lifestyle, making him feel isolated at home. He earned his fortune during college and shifted focus to business. Since then, things have remained cold.” 

Jane rolled her eyes and scoffed. “If you ask me, the entire Heiser family is just a bunch of oddballs. They all behave as if reality doesn’t matter, acting like they’re the refined, cultured group while everyone else is supposedly uncivilized. 

“His mother is on another level altogether. She exists in a constant haze of romance novels and fictional coastlines. You’ll realize this as soon as you meet her. Describing her as exhausting hardly does her justice.” 

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Chapter 41 When the Picture Chatters: 

Curiosity crept into Ava’s chest despite hersell. What does a child become when love never shows up? 

Her mind visualized a figure: tall, reserved, appearing arrogant and unapproachable, probably gloomy and sharp–edged. 

Then reality walked in. 

A black shirt worn under a loose jacket, with the collar open and the chest visible. The suit looked faded, as if rules were flexible. One leg was casually crossed, posture relaxed, yet the gaze was piercing enough to cut through the air. 

Ava froze. 

Her thoughts went silent. Her face followed. 

This man lacked the refined restraint she recalled. The previously controlled corporate predator now appeared feral. His hair wasn’t slicked back today, but slightly undone, giving off a dangerous vibe. The change made him seem worse, not better. 

Her knees almost betrayed her. 

No sense of righteousness or discipline–only a raw, heavy presence that feels unsettling, like something out of place in sterile environments. 

This is who the Match Bureau paired me with? 

Isn’t this excessive? 

Every expectation she’d built collapsed. 

Enough imagining, enough planning; she surrendered. 

At this point, she’d just float and see where fate dumped her. 

“Ava Morren.” 

Her name cut through the room. 

She straightened her body instinctively, keeping her spine upright and her voice calm. “Here.” 

Jane burst into laughter, grabbing Ava’s shoulder and piercingly staring Mason down. “Don’t test her.” 

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