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Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
I woke up to find my ex’s brother’s soft c*ck inside me. “Jesus hell!!!” A scream escaped. “What’s this? Playing an amnesiac after forcefully riding me for a whole night?” He slowly opened his eyes and teased. “Gosh, get out. Last night was a mistake,” I spat. Alcohol did cause trouble. I just wanted to use him to take revenge on Bray. But how did we end up sleeping together? A pause. Then a cold sneer. “Mistake?” I bit my lip hard to stifle my moans as he slowly pulled out. But suddenly— Knock. Knock. Knock. Accompanied by a roar— “Katy, are you inside?” I panicked and quickly pushed Braydon away, but he suddenly yanked me back. “Where are you going, Peach? No one can cast me away after doing this to me.” Another growl rang out. “I heard you, b*tch! Get the f**k out, or I’ll break in!” No. No. No. Not like this. Revenge tasted delicious. But this circumstance is just... too awkward... ****** KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my h*p. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest b**e, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shhht-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm dumb enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm Silly enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every dam day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I wanted to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. BRAYDON’S POV “аs hole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. gosh, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be Dаmed if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her l1ps. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know dayum well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a Hot smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, I'm free. “Go on, taste it,” I rumble. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just finished?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "scr'w you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his l1ps. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my l*ps twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flrt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flrt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty protection wrppppers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That dam nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sx, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and godаm, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jrk toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so Dam tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my l^ps before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he c0cks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a sk'аnk.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his sh. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his l*ps. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suk in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We hа'd sx plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-as it. He can smell bull a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his li ps. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my li...ps?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my li. p and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His l*ps curve. “Why don’t you want to ks me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my t****s, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Slowly, I tilt forward until my l*ps press against his. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his l^ps, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her h**s. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and move it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my l^ps, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jger'erk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my l^p, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hll is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my wa1st and tugging me against him. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip. KATY’S POV “Text me the details,” I tell our debate president as I step out of the hall, and she gives me a quick thumbs-up in reply, already turning to talk to someone else. I exhale, shifting my bag higher on my shoulder as I make my way toward the campus café. Honestly, I’d been praying for practice to end early because I’m so thirsty, and all I can think about right now is getting a drink. And maybe it’s everything that’s happened today, or maybe it’s just the long hours, but I feel completely drained as I walk. It’s like I’ve lived three days in one. And the worst part is knowing I still have tutoring with Braydon tonight. The thought alone makes me sigh, my hand raking through my hair. As I push forward, two girls walk past me, and one of them tilts her head my way and whispers something to her friend. Then, clear as day, I hear her say, “Yeah, that’s her.” My steps falter a little, and I turn back, just to make sure she isn’t pointing at someone behind me. But the hallway is empty, and no one is behind me. Which means… she was pointing at me. My mind starts to scramble for a reason why. Did I drop something? Do I look weird? I’m still trying to figure it out when another girl walks past. She keeps her phone angled low, pretending to scroll, but the lens is tilted straight at me. She flicks her eyes up for half a second before looking away, like she didn’t just snap a picture. A knot tightens in my stomach. I raise my hand to my face, brushing across my cheek, my forehead, and even my l*ps, half-expecting to find something smeared, but my fingers come away clean. So then… why is everyone staring? When I push through the café doors, it’s packed with students clustered around small tables, and the baristas are calling out names over the buzz of conversation. But the moment I step inside, a hush seems to roll over the place, and heads turn, eyes landing on me. It’s that strange, heavy silence, like everyone knows a private joke about me and I’m the last one to find out. God, it’s freaking me out. Is this still about Braydon? I keep my pace steady and slip into line at the counter. All I want is an iced coffee, maybe two cups if it’ll keep me alive through tutoring later. Behind me, a girl joins the line. At first, I don’t pay her any attention, assuming she’s probably waiting on her order. But then she edges closer…too close and I feel the warmth of her breath at my neck before her fingers tug lightly at my sleeve. I spin around, startled, and she takes a quick step back, hands up like she didn’t mean it. “Sorry,” she says, a nervous smile tugging at her l*ps. “I just wanted to check if it’s real or fake. You don’t mind, do you?” Take a look at what? I think, blinking. Then I look down at myself, and it hits me. dam it. The jacket. I’m wearing Braydon’s hockey jacket with his name stitched across the back. Everything suddenly clicks into place: the stares, whispers, and secret photos. I press my hands to my face for a second, almost embarrassed at how long it took me to notice. How could I have been so oblivious? But then another thought crosses my mind. How could she think it’s fake? Does she really think it’s impossible for me to be wearing it? Or that I’d just plop on a fake jacket and walk around campus? I shoot her a glare. “It’s real,” I say. “Why would I wear a fake jacket?” She gasps, covering her mouth with her hand. “So it’s true?” she whispers, leaning closer. “Tr…true what?” I stammer, my brain scrambling. “That there’s something going on between you and Braydon,” she says. “I heard he brought you a drink at the library, and now you’re wearing his jacket. Apparently, half the school is freaking out, and his fan club is losing it because he’s never ever given anyone his jacket before.” I clear my throat, feeling a strange flicker of pride. Even if our relationship is fake, it feels good to know I’m the first girl he’s broken his own rules for. “I mean, it’s not a big deal,” I tell her, waving my hand like I actually mean it. “It’s just a jacket.” She inches closer, coking an eyebrow. “So… it’s true?” I know exactly what she’s trying to do. She’s trying to confirm if we’re actually together, but I can’t bring myself to say it. I’m not about to hand her the first confirmation, not when it would make it look like I’m the one completely obsessed. Our deal was that he would pursue me, that he’d show the interest first. I square my shoulders and force that awkward, practiced smile like the ones cheerleaders always have in movies. “Why don’t you ask him?” I say smoothly. “I don’t talk about my personal life.” Turning back to the counter, I catch a flash of disappointment cross her face. Not that I care. Well… maybe just a little. A few minutes later, I give my order, and the barista hands it to me after what feels like forever. I grab the cup and step out of the café, feeling a wave of relief wash over me as I’m away from their staring eyes and whispers. I mean, Cadston College is quite small, but still, I didn’t expect the rumors to spread this intensely. His fan club is losing it? I scoff and roll my eyes, not paying close attention, and almost collide with someone. “Sor…” I start to say, but then I look up and freeze. Staring back at me is the same face, the same red hair, the same girl I saw yesterday. The one Bryan… yeah. Did she walk into me on purpose? “Hi, Katy,” she says, cutting me off before I can continue. “Can we talk?” I frown, a thousand thoughts racing, but the loudest one is: what could the girl my ex cheated with possibly want to talk about? Anger surges inside me, and I step aside, gripping my iced coffee like it’s the only thing keeping me from lunging. “I have nothing to talk about with you,” I say, my voice tight, and start to walk away. “I didn’t know you were still together with him,” she calls after me. I pause, my fingers twitching around the cold cup as the words echo in my head. She didn’t know? I turn slowly, tilting my head. “How? I mean, you knew we were dating.” She steps closer, closing the small gap between us. “I did,” she says. “I asked him, but he lied to me. He said you split up, and I only found out that he lied when he told me you were coming, right before you showed up.” I scoff, shaking my head because her words sound like made-up lies. She thought we broke up? Really? “I don’t believe you,” I grind out, my jaw tight. “And if he sent you to lie to me, go f'k- yourself and him. You deserve each other.” “I have proof,” she insists breathlessly, just as I start to turn away. Before I can fully look back, she pulls out her phone and angles it toward me. “Here. I’m not lying.” I stare at the screen, my stomach tightening, and it doesn’t take more than a few seconds for my eyes to fall on the words: BRYAN: We broke up. sk'аnk’s always busy with everything but me. Come over and have fun with me. She couldn’t even do it right anyway. My heart clenches as I reread the words, even as I whisper to myself to stay calm and not let it get to me. Then the redhead tucks her phone into her pocket and takes a small step closer, her eyes earnest. “Look… I know I don’t really know you and I probably don’t deserve your respect. But I want you to know that I would never, ever try to come between you and Bryan. I’m not that kind of person. I was just… I believed him, and I’m sorry. I really am. That was wrong of me, and I hate that I even got caught up in this.” She pauses, taking a slow breath. “Anyway… maybe things were meant to happen the way they did. I hear you’re with Braydon now. Good luck with him.” And then she’s gone, melting into the crowd, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the anger still simmering from what I just read. KATY’S POV I knock on Braydon’s door, expecting his usual lazy grin to greet me. Instead, the door swings open to reveal my brother, Justin. For a second, I just blink at him, thrown off, but he doesn’t look surprised to see me. In fact, the look he gives me makes it very clear that he’s been waiting for me. My stomach dips. Great. Of course, this would happen today. The universe is definitely against me for some reason. “Get in here,” he says, his tone leaving no room for argument. I hesitate, shifting on my feet. Part of me wants to spin around and pretend I knocked on the wrong door. But Justin doesn’t bluff. When he’s in big-brother mode, he’s scary. So I do as I’m told and step inside. The living room smells faintly of pizza and body spray, a mix that screams college guys live here. A couple of textbooks are scattered across the coffee table, though I’d bet good money nobody’s actually read them. Justin sits back on the couch like a judge ready to pass sentence, then motions for me to stand in front of him. I roll my eyes, but obey because it’s not like I don’t know the drill. He’s always been overprotective, painfully so. It took Bryan three weeks, three weeks of convincing, before Justin finally let him take me out. And he monitored all our dates till we became official. Why older brothers are built like this, I’ll never know. “Dude!” Justin suddenly calls out, loud enough to make me flinch. “Get out here!” Right on cue, Braydon walks out of his room shirtless, his hair a complete mess like he just rolled out of bed. Seriously, does this guy even own a shirt? He drops onto the couch beside Justin, who shoots him a look before turning all of his attention back to me. Perfect. So why am I the only one standing here like I’m on trial? “I wanted you to get here before I ask my questions because I’d like to hear both sides.” Justin says, like he’s officiating a trial. “I could’ve texted you, but this is better, so I can beat the shhht out of Braydon if it’s true.” He stares between us. “What the fk is going on between you two?”
"I woke up with my ex’s brother still buried inside me—and the bast@rd was smiling. “What the hell? Get out of me!” I punched him in the chest, but he just held me tighter against the mattress. “Shh. You’re the one who climbed on top of me last night, begging for it,” his thumb traced my lower lip. “And now you want to play the victim?” Before I could answer, the bedroom door shook with a violent bang. “KATY. OPEN THE FKING DOOR.” My ex’s roar made the walls shake. ""I know you’re in there with him!"" I froze. My heart was pounding against my ribs. Braydon didn’t even flinch. Instead, he grabbed my hips and thrvst into me again—so deep I had to bite my lip until it bled to keep from making a sound. “Let me go!” I hissed, struggling to get him off me. He flipped me over in one fluid motion, trapping me beneath his weight. “Where do you think you’re going, Peach? You wanted revenge, didn’t you? Well, let him hear exactly what you did with his brother.” Another blow. The wood creaked. “I’m going to kill you both!” Braydon let out a dark laugh against my ear. “Well, you’d better hold on tight.” He rammed into me again. Harder this time. On purpose. A moan escaped my throat before I could stop it. I should have been terrified. Humiliated. Instead, my body arched on its own, seeking the next thrust. He tightened his grip on my waist. “That’s good,” he murmured. “Let him hear.”" --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
I woke up to find my ex’s brother’s soft c*ck inside me. “Jesus hell!!!” A scream escaped. “What’s this? Playing an amnesiac after forcefully riding me for a whole night?” He slowly opened his eyes and teased. “Gosh, get out. Last night was a mistake,” I spat. Alcohol did cause trouble. I just wanted to use him to take revenge on Bray. But how did we end up sleeping together? A pause. Then a cold sneer. “Mistake?” I bit my lip hard to stifle my moans as he slowly pulled out. But suddenly— Knock. Knock. Knock. Accompanied by a roar— “Katy, are you inside?” I panicked and quickly pushed Braydon away, but he suddenly yanked me back. “Where are you going, Peach? No one can cast me away after doing this to me.” Another growl rang out. “I heard you, b*tch! Get the f**k out, or I’ll break in!” No. No. No. Not like this. Revenge tasted delicious. But this circumstance is just... too awkward... --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"I woke up with my ex’s brother still buried inside me—and the bast@rd was smiling. “What the hell? Get out of me!” I punched him in the chest, but he just held me tighter against the mattress. “Shh. You’re the one who climbed on top of me last night, begging for it,” his thumb traced my lower lip. “And now you want to play the victim?” Before I could answer, the bedroom door shook with a violent bang. “KATY. OPEN THE FKING DOOR.” My ex’s roar made the walls shake. ""I know you’re in there with him!"" I froze. My heart was pounding against my ribs. Braydon didn’t even flinch. Instead, he grabbed my hips and thrvst into me again—so deep I had to bite my lip until it bled to keep from making a sound. “Let me go!” I hissed, struggling to get him off me. He flipped me over in one fluid motion, trapping me beneath his weight. “Where do you think you’re going, Peach? You wanted revenge, didn’t you? Well, let him hear exactly what you did with his brother.” Another blow. The wood creaked. “I’m going to kill you both!” Braydon let out a dark laugh against my ear. “Well, you’d better hold on tight.” He rammed into me again. Harder this time. On purpose. A moan escaped my throat before I could stop it. I should have been terrified. Humiliated. Instead, my body arched on its own, seeking the next thrust. He tightened his grip on my waist. “That’s good,” he murmured. “Let him hear.”" --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"He's your fake boyfriend, but now he's kneeling between your legs. ""You're so juicy, Peach,"" he says, tasting you like eating up a real peach. Licking. Sucking. Biting. You let him finish. A secretive satisfaction inside— Yep. After a whole month of “love practice”, you’ve uncontrollably fallen for him. “The last lesson, real couples f**k,” he whispers, piercing through you with a swift motion. “How?” You ask between gasps. “Rough. Raw. And a whole night.” He stills, and then buries to the hilt..." --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"He's your fake boyfriend, but now he's kneeling between your legs. ""You're so juicy, Peach,"" he says, tasting you like eating up a real peach. Licking. Sucking. Biting. You let him finish. A secretive satisfaction inside— Yep. After a whole month of “love practice”, you’ve uncontrollably fallen for him. “The last lesson, real couples f**k,” he whispers, piercing through you with a swift motion. “How?” You ask between gasps. “Rough. Raw. And a whole night.” He stills, and then buries to the hilt..." --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"He's your fake boyfriend, but now he's kneeling between your legs. ""You're so juicy, Peach,"" he says, tasting you like eating up a real peach. Licking. Sucking. Biting. You let him finish. A secretive satisfaction inside— Yep. After a whole month of “love practice”, you’ve uncontrollably fallen for him. “The last lesson, real couples f**k,” he whispers, piercing through you with a swift motion. “How?” You ask between gasps. “Rough. Raw. And a whole night.” He stills, and then buries to the hilt..." --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"He's your fake boyfriend, but now he's kneeling between your legs. ""You're so juicy, Peach,"" he says, tasting you like eating up a real peach. Licking. Sucking. Biting. You let him finish. A secretive satisfaction inside— Yep. After a whole month of “love practice”, you’ve uncontrollably fallen for him. “The last lesson, real couples f**k,” he whispers, piercing through you with a swift motion. “How?” You ask between gasps. “Rough. Raw. And a whole night.” He stills, and then buries to the hilt..." --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
I woke up with my ex’s brother still buried inside me—and the bast@rd was smiling. “What the hell? Get out of me!” I punched him in the chest, but he just held me tighter against the mattress. “Shh. You’re the one who climbed on top of me last night, begging for it,” his thumb traced my lower lip. “And now you want to play the victim?” Before I could answer, the bedroom door shook with a violent bang. “KATY. OPEN THE FKING DOOR.” My ex’s roar made the walls shake. "I know you’re in there with him!" I froze. My heart was pounding against my ribs. Braydon didn’t even flinch. Instead, he grabbed my hips and thrvst into me again—so deep I had to bite my lip until it bled to keep from making a sound. “Let me go!” I hissed, struggling to get him off me. He flipped me over in one fluid motion, trapping me beneath his weight. “Where do you think you’re going, Peach? You wanted revenge, didn’t you? Well, let him hear exactly what you did with his brother.” Another blow. The wood creaked. “I’m going to kill you both!” Braydon let out a dark laugh against my ear. “Well, you’d better hold on tight.” He rammed into me again. Harder this time. On purpose. A moan escaped my throat before I could stop it. I should have been terrified. Humiliated. Instead, my body arched on its own, seeking the next thrust. He tightened his grip on my waist. “That’s good,” he murmured. “Let him hear.” ****** KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my h*p. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest b**e, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shhht-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm dumb enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm Silly enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every dam day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I wanted to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. BRAYDON’S POV “аs hole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. gosh, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be Dаmed if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her l1ps. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know dayum well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a Hot smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, I'm free. “Go on, taste it,” I rumble. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just finished?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "scr'w you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his l1ps. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my l*ps twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flrt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flrt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty protection wrppppers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That dam nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sx, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and godаm, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jrk toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so Dam tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my l^ps before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he c0cks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a sk'аnk.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his sh. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his l*ps. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suk in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We hа'd sx plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-as it. He can smell bull a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his li ps. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my li...ps?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my li. p and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His l*ps curve. “Why don’t you want to ks me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my t****s, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Slowly, I tilt forward until my l*ps press against his. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his l^ps, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her h**s. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and move it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my l^ps, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jger'erk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my l^p, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hll is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my wa1st and tugging me against him. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip. KATY’S POV “Text me the details,” I tell our debate president as I step out of the hall, and she gives me a quick thumbs-up in reply, already turning to talk to someone else. I exhale, shifting my bag higher on my shoulder as I make my way toward the campus café. Honestly, I’d been praying for practice to end early because I’m so thirsty, and all I can think about right now is getting a drink. And maybe it’s everything that’s happened today, or maybe it’s just the long hours, but I feel completely drained as I walk. It’s like I’ve lived three days in one. And the worst part is knowing I still have tutoring with Braydon tonight. The thought alone makes me sigh, my hand raking through my hair. As I push forward, two girls walk past me, and one of them tilts her head my way and whispers something to her friend. Then, clear as day, I hear her say, “Yeah, that’s her.” My steps falter a little, and I turn back, just to make sure she isn’t pointing at someone behind me. But the hallway is empty, and no one is behind me. Which means… she was pointing at me. My mind starts to scramble for a reason why. Did I drop something? Do I look weird? I’m still trying to figure it out when another girl walks past. She keeps her phone angled low, pretending to scroll, but the lens is tilted straight at me. She flicks her eyes up for half a second before looking away, like she didn’t just snap a picture. A knot tightens in my stomach. I raise my hand to my face, brushing across my cheek, my forehead, and even my l*ps, half-expecting to find something smeared, but my fingers come away clean. So then… why is everyone staring? When I push through the café doors, it’s packed with students clustered around small tables, and the baristas are calling out names over the buzz of conversation. But the moment I step inside, a hush seems to roll over the place, and heads turn, eyes landing on me. It’s that strange, heavy silence, like everyone knows a private joke about me and I’m the last one to find out. God, it’s freaking me out. Is this still about Braydon? I keep my pace steady and slip into line at the counter. All I want is an iced coffee, maybe two cups if it’ll keep me alive through tutoring later. Behind me, a girl joins the line. At first, I don’t pay her any attention, assuming she’s probably waiting on her order. But then she edges closer…too close and I feel the warmth of her breath at my neck before her fingers tug lightly at my sleeve. I spin around, startled, and she takes a quick step back, hands up like she didn’t mean it. “Sorry,” she says, a nervous smile tugging at her l*ps. “I just wanted to check if it’s real or fake. You don’t mind, do you?” Take a look at what? I think, blinking. Then I look down at myself, and it hits me. dam it. The jacket. I’m wearing Braydon’s hockey jacket with his name stitched across the back. Everything suddenly clicks into place: the stares, whispers, and secret photos. I press my hands to my face for a second, almost embarrassed at how long it took me to notice. How could I have been so oblivious? But then another thought crosses my mind. How could she think it’s fake? Does she really think it’s impossible for me to be wearing it? Or that I’d just plop on a fake jacket and walk around campus? I shoot her a glare. “It’s real,” I say. “Why would I wear a fake jacket?” She gasps, covering her mouth with her hand. “So it’s true?” she whispers, leaning closer. “Tr…true what?” I stammer, my brain scrambling. “That there’s something going on between you and Braydon,” she says. “I heard he brought you a drink at the library, and now you’re wearing his jacket. Apparently, half the school is freaking out, and his fan club is losing it because he’s never ever given anyone his jacket before.” I clear my throat, feeling a strange flicker of pride. Even if our relationship is fake, it feels good to know I’m the first girl he’s broken his own rules for. “I mean, it’s not a big deal,” I tell her, waving my hand like I actually mean it. “It’s just a jacket.” She inches closer, coking an eyebrow. “So… it’s true?” I know exactly what she’s trying to do. She’s trying to confirm if we’re actually together, but I can’t bring myself to say it. I’m not about to hand her the first confirmation, not when it would make it look like I’m the one completely obsessed. Our deal was that he would pursue me, that he’d show the interest first. I square my shoulders and force that awkward, practiced smile like the ones cheerleaders always have in movies. “Why don’t you ask him?” I say smoothly. “I don’t talk about my personal life.” Turning back to the counter, I catch a flash of disappointment cross her face. Not that I care. Well… maybe just a little. A few minutes later, I give my order, and the barista hands it to me after what feels like forever. I grab the cup and step out of the café, feeling a wave of relief wash over me as I’m away from their staring eyes and whispers. I mean, Cadston College is quite small, but still, I didn’t expect the rumors to spread this intensely. His fan club is losing it? I scoff and roll my eyes, not paying close attention, and almost collide with someone. “Sor…” I start to say, but then I look up and freeze. Staring back at me is the same face, the same red hair, the same girl I saw yesterday. The one Bryan… yeah. Did she walk into me on purpose? “Hi, Katy,” she says, cutting me off before I can continue. “Can we talk?” I frown, a thousand thoughts racing, but the loudest one is: what could the girl my ex cheated with possibly want to talk about? Anger surges inside me, and I step aside, gripping my iced coffee like it’s the only thing keeping me from lunging. “I have nothing to talk about with you,” I say, my voice tight, and start to walk away. “I didn’t know you were still together with him,” she calls after me. I pause, my fingers twitching around the cold cup as the words echo in my head. She didn’t know? I turn slowly, tilting my head. “How? I mean, you knew we were dating.” She steps closer, closing the small gap between us. “I did,” she says. “I asked him, but he lied to me. He said you split up, and I only found out that he lied when he told me you were coming, right before you showed up.” I scoff, shaking my head because her words sound like made-up lies. She thought we broke up? Really? “I don’t believe you,” I grind out, my jaw tight. “And if he sent you to lie to me, go f'k- yourself and him. You deserve each other.” “I have proof,” she insists breathlessly, just as I start to turn away. Before I can fully look back, she pulls out her phone and angles it toward me. “Here. I’m not lying.” I stare at the screen, my stomach tightening, and it doesn’t take more than a few seconds for my eyes to fall on the words: BRYAN: We broke up. sk'аnk’s always busy with everything but me. Come over and have fun with me. She couldn’t even do it right anyway. My heart clenches as I reread the words, even as I whisper to myself to stay calm and not let it get to me. Then the redhead tucks her phone into her pocket and takes a small step closer, her eyes earnest. “Look… I know I don’t really know you and I probably don’t deserve your respect. But I want you to know that I would never, ever try to come between you and Bryan. I’m not that kind of person. I was just… I believed him, and I’m sorry. I really am. That was wrong of me, and I hate that I even got caught up in this.” She pauses, taking a slow breath. “Anyway… maybe things were meant to happen the way they did. I hear you’re with Braydon now. Good luck with him.” And then she’s gone, melting into the crowd, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the anger still simmering from what I just read. KATY’S POV I knock on Braydon’s door, expecting his usual lazy grin to greet me. Instead, the door swings open to reveal my brother, Justin. For a second, I just blink at him, thrown off, but he doesn’t look surprised to see me. In fact, the look he gives me makes it very clear that he’s been waiting for me. My stomach dips. Great. Of course, this would happen today. The universe is definitely against me for some reason. “Get in here,” he says, his tone leaving no room for argument. I hesitate, shifting on my feet. Part of me wants to spin around and pretend I knocked on the wrong door. But Justin doesn’t bluff. When he’s in big-brother mode, he’s scary. So I do as I’m told and step inside. The living room smells faintly of pizza and body spray, a mix that screams college guys live here. A couple of textbooks are scattered across the coffee table, though I’d bet good money nobody’s actually read them. Justin sits back on the couch like a judge ready to pass sentence, then motions for me to stand in front of him. I roll my eyes, but obey because it’s not like I don’t know the drill. He’s always been overprotective, painfully so. It took Bryan three weeks, three weeks of convincing, before Justin finally let him take me out. And he monitored all our dates till we became official. Why older brothers are built like this, I’ll never know. “Dude!” Justin suddenly calls out, loud enough to make me flinch. “Get out here!” Right on cue, Braydon walks out of his room shirtless, his hair a complete mess like he just rolled out of bed. Seriously, does this guy even own a shirt? He drops onto the couch beside Justin, who shoots him a look before turning all of his attention back to me. Perfect. So why am I the only one standing here like I’m on trial? “I wanted you to get here before I ask my questions because I’d like to hear both sides.” Justin says, like he’s officiating a trial. “I could’ve texted you, but this is better, so I can beat the shhht out of Braydon if it’s true.” He stares between us. “What the fk is going on between you two?”
"He's your fake boyfriend, but now he's kneeling between your legs. ""You're so juicy, Peach,"" he says, tasting you like eating up a real peach. Licking. Sucking. Biting. You let him finish. A secretive satisfaction inside— Yep. After a whole month of “love practice”, you’ve uncontrollably fallen for him. “The last lesson, real couples f**k,” he whispers, piercing through you with a swift motion. “How?” You ask between gasps. “Rough. Raw. And a whole night.” He stills, and then buries to the hilt..." --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"He's your fake boyfriend, but now he's kneeling between your legs. ""You're so juicy, Peach,"" he says, tasting you like eating up a real peach. Licking. Sucking. Biting. You let him finish. A secretive satisfaction inside— Yep. After a whole month of “love practice”, you’ve uncontrollably fallen for him. “The last lesson, real couples f**k,” he whispers, piercing through you with a swift motion. “How?” You ask between gasps. “Rough. Raw. And a whole night.” He stills, and then buries to the hilt..." --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"He's your fake boyfriend, but now he's kneeling between your legs. ""You're so juicy, Peach,"" he says, tasting you like eating up a real peach. Licking. Sucking. Biting. You let him finish. A secretive satisfaction inside— Yep. After a whole month of “love practice”, you’ve uncontrollably fallen for him. “The last lesson, real couples f**k,” he whispers, piercing through you with a swift motion. “How?” You ask between gasps. “Rough. Raw. And a whole night.” He stills, and then buries to the hilt..." --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"He's your fake boyfriend, but now he's kneeling between your legs. ""You're so juicy, Peach,"" he says, tasting you like eating up a real peach. Licking. Sucking. Biting. You let him finish. A secretive satisfaction inside— Yep. After a whole month of “love practice”, you’ve uncontrollably fallen for him. “The last lesson, real couples f**k,” he whispers, piercing through you with a swift motion. “How?” You ask between gasps. “Rough. Raw. And a whole night.” He stills, and then buries to the hilt..." --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"He's your fake boyfriend, but now he's kneeling between your legs. ""You're so juicy, Peach,"" he says, tasting you like eating up a real peach. Licking. Sucking. Biting. You let him finish. A secretive satisfaction inside— Yep. After a whole month of “love practice”, you’ve uncontrollably fallen for him. “The last lesson, real couples f**k,” he whispers, piercing through you with a swift motion. “How?” You ask between gasps. “Rough. Raw. And a whole night.” He stills, and then buries to the hilt..." --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"He's your fake boyfriend, but now he's kneeling between your legs. ""You're so juicy, Peach,"" he says, tasting you like eating up a real peach. Licking. Sucking. Biting. You let him finish. A secretive satisfaction inside— Yep. After a whole month of “love practice”, you’ve uncontrollably fallen for him. “The last lesson, real couples f**k,” he whispers, piercing through you with a swift motion. “How?” You ask between gasps. “Rough. Raw. And a whole night.” He stills, and then buries to the hilt..." --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"I woke up with my ex’s brother still buried inside me—and the bast@rd was smiling. “What the hell? Get out of me!” I punched him in the chest, but he just held me tighter against the mattress. “Shh. You’re the one who climbed on top of me last night, begging for it,” his thumb traced my lower lip. “And now you want to play the victim?” Before I could answer, the bedroom door shook with a violent bang. “KATY. OPEN THE FKING DOOR.” My ex’s roar made the walls shake. ""I know you’re in there with him!"" I froze. My heart was pounding against my ribs. Braydon didn’t even flinch. Instead, he grabbed my hips and thrvst into me again—so deep I had to bite my lip until it bled to keep from making a sound. “Let me go!” I hissed, struggling to get him off me. He flipped me over in one fluid motion, trapping me beneath his weight. “Where do you think you’re going, Peach? You wanted revenge, didn’t you? Well, let him hear exactly what you did with his brother.” Another blow. The wood creaked. “I’m going to kill you both!” Braydon let out a dark laugh against my ear. “Well, you’d better hold on tight.” He rammed into me again. Harder this time. On purpose. A moan escaped my throat before I could stop it. I should have been terrified. Humiliated. Instead, my body arched on its own, seeking the next thrust. He tightened his grip on my waist. “That’s good,” he murmured. “Let him hear.”" --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"He's your fake boyfriend, but now he's kneeling between your legs. ""You're so juicy, Peach,"" he says, tasting you like eating up a real peach. Licking. Sucking. Biting. You let him finish. A secretive satisfaction inside— Yep. After a whole month of “love practice”, you’ve uncontrollably fallen for him. “The last lesson, real couples f**k,” he whispers, piercing through you with a swift motion. “How?” You ask between gasps. “Rough. Raw. And a whole night.” He stills, and then buries to the hilt..." --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"He's your fake boyfriend, but now he's kneeling between your legs. ""You're so juicy, Peach,"" he says, tasting you like eating up a real peach. Licking. Sucking. Biting. You let him finish. A secretive satisfaction inside— Yep. After a whole month of “love practice”, you’ve uncontrollably fallen for him. “The last lesson, real couples f**k,” he whispers, piercing through you with a swift motion. “How?” You ask between gasps. “Rough. Raw. And a whole night.” He stills, and then buries to the hilt..." --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"He's your fake boyfriend, but now he's kneeling between your legs. ""You're so juicy, Peach,"" he says, tasting you like eating up a real peach. Licking. Sucking. Biting. You let him finish. A secretive satisfaction inside— Yep. After a whole month of “love practice”, you’ve uncontrollably fallen for him. “The last lesson, real couples f**k,” he whispers, piercing through you with a swift motion. “How?” You ask between gasps. “Rough. Raw. And a whole night.” He stills, and then buries to the hilt..." --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
I woke up to find my ex’s brother’s soft c*ck inside me. “Jesus hell!!!” A scream escaped. “What’s this? Playing an amnesiac after forcefully riding me for a whole night?” He slowly opened his eyes and teased. “Gosh, get out. Last night was a mistake,” I spat. Alcohol did cause trouble. I just wanted to use him to take revenge on Bray. But how did we end up sleeping together? A pause. Then a cold sneer. “Mistake?” I bit my lip hard to stifle my moans as he slowly pulled out. But suddenly— Knock. Knock. Knock. Accompanied by a roar— “Katy, are you inside?” I panicked and quickly pushed Braydon away, but he suddenly yanked me back. “Where are you going, Peach? No one can cast me away after doing this to me.” Another growl rang out. “I heard you, b*tch! Get the f**k out, or I’ll break in!” No. No. No. Not like this. Revenge tasted delicious. But this circumstance is just... too awkward... --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
"I woke up with my ex’s brother still buried inside me—and the bast@rd was smiling. “What the hell? Get out of me!” I punched him in the chest, but he just held me tighter against the mattress. “Shh. You’re the one who climbed on top of me last night, begging for it,” his thumb traced my lower lip. “And now you want to play the victim?” Before I could answer, the bedroom door shook with a violent bang. “KATY. OPEN THE FKING DOOR.” My ex’s roar made the walls shake. ""I know you’re in there with him!"" I froze. My heart was pounding against my ribs. Braydon didn’t even flinch. Instead, he grabbed my hips and thrvst into me again—so deep I had to bite my lip until it bled to keep from making a sound. “Let me go!” I hissed, struggling to get him off me. He flipped me over in one fluid motion, trapping me beneath his weight. “Where do you think you’re going, Peach? You wanted revenge, didn’t you? Well, let him hear exactly what you did with his brother.” Another blow. The wood creaked. “I’m going to kill you both!” Braydon let out a dark laugh against my ear. “Well, you’d better hold on tight.” He rammed into me again. Harder this time. On purpose. A moan escaped my throat before I could stop it. I should have been terrified. Humiliated. Instead, my body arched on its own, seeking the next thrust. He tightened his grip on my waist. “That’s good,” he murmured. “Let him hear.”" --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
A rap summary of the 2026 Ridvan message! 🙏🏽 - At the National Convention of the Baha'is of the United States, I was inspired to write some rhymes highlighting some of the key points from the newly released Ridvan letter from the Universal House of Justice! 💙 - During one of the sessions, I decided to share the rap with everyone gathered, and invited up National Spiritual Assembly member (and fellow lover of rap/hip hop), Tim Conley (aka @professahtee ) to accompany the rhymes with a freestyle beatbox! He rocked it! 🎤 - It was a joyful moment (and such a fun way to explore the Baha'i Writings and guidance). I hope it brings everyone inspiration, and helps shine a light on the beautiful content of the Ridvan message! - #bahai #bahaifaith #ridvan
"I woke up with my ex’s brother still buried inside me—and the bast@rd was smiling. “What the hell? Get out of me!” I punched him in the chest, but he just held me tighter against the mattress. “Shh. You’re the one who climbed on top of me last night, begging for it,” his thumb traced my lower lip. “And now you want to play the victim?” Before I could answer, the bedroom door shook with a violent bang. “KATY. OPEN THE FKING DOOR.” My ex’s roar made the walls shake. ""I know you’re in there with him!"" I froze. My heart was pounding against my ribs. Braydon didn’t even flinch. Instead, he grabbed my hips and thrvst into me again—so deep I had to bite my lip until it bled to keep from making a sound. “Let me go!” I hissed, struggling to get him off me. He flipped me over in one fluid motion, trapping me beneath his weight. “Where do you think you’re going, Peach? You wanted revenge, didn’t you? Well, let him hear exactly what you did with his brother.” Another blow. The wood creaked. “I’m going to kill you both!” Braydon let out a dark laugh against my ear. “Well, you’d better hold on tight.” He rammed into me again. Harder this time. On purpose. A moan escaped my throat before I could stop it. I should have been terrified. Humiliated. Instead, my body arched on its own, seeking the next thrust. He tightened his grip on my waist. “That’s good,” he murmured. “Let him hear.”" --- Chapter 001 KATY’S POV “Hey, I’m heading over now. Can you bring out the books I left?” I press send and shove my phone into my jacket pocket as Bryan’s townhouse comes into view, my steps automatically quickening. I have Statistics in thirty minutes, and Mrs. Tompson would rather swallow a jean jacket than let me walk into her class without my textbook, the same textbook I managed to leave lying around in my boyfriend’s room. As I walk faster, I recheck my phone, half expecting a reply, but there’s nothing. Not even a typing bubble. For a moment, I wonder if he has already left, but it‘s unlikely. It’s only 9:30 in the morning, and Bryan never leaves his room early. One of the perks of being a baseball player is that he doesn’t have to treat academics like life or death the way I do. I reach his townhouse and take the stairs two at a time, my purse bouncing against my hip. The higher I climb, the more rushed my breathing feels, though it has less to do with the stairs and more to do with this creeping frustration that he still hasn’t texted back. By the time I get to the third floor, where his room is, I’m already picturing walking in and tossing a sarcastic comment about how hard it is to answer a simple text. My hand reaches for his doorknob when I hear his voice through the door. “Hurry up, my girlfriend will be here soon.” I freeze. “You need to leave.” Who is he talking to? The question barely forms before the door flies open and a girl rushes out, nearly colliding with me. My breath hitches. She gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of panic and shame. In the sliver of a second before she bolts, I take in her messy red hair, wrinkled shirt, and unbuttoned jeans. A sickening masculine scent, one I recognize very well, clings to her. My gaze snaps to Bryan, who is standing in the middle of the room in nothing but his boxers, his own chest bare, and his hair tousled. A cold, sharp shiver runs down my spine, stealing the air from my lungs. My knees go weak, and the knot in my stomach turns to a solid block of ice. Without a word, the girl tears past me, disappearing down the hallway. My fingers begin to tremble, and my heart hammers so hard it feels like it will burst through my ribs. I stumble back, a bitter taste rising in my throat. “Baby, wait.” Bryan’s voice follows me as he steps into the hallway. I spin around and run, determined to put as much distance as I can between us, my chest burning with anger. He catches me, his hands clamping around my wrist before I can escape, spinning me back toward him and blocking my path. "Baby, let's talk.” "Let go of me," I snap, my voice shaking. "Don't touch me!" I shove against his chest, but he doesn't budge. He tugs me toward his room, his grip tight. "It's better if we go inside. Everyone can hear us out here." Inside, I shove him away, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths. I want to demand answers, but I already know the truth. The evidence is everywhere: in the rumpled sheets, the scent of her perfume, and the desperate, guilty look in his eyes. He paces the room, running a hand through his hair before stopping and grabbing my shoulder. "I messed up, okay?" He drags a hand over his face. "It was a mistake.” My eyes twitch. “A mistake?” “Yeah, baby," he says, his eyes skittering away from mine. "Some of the guys came over last night. We drank too much. I got so shit-faced I… I thought she was you. I don't even remember half of it.” I blink, unable to process his words. My mind stumbles over them, each syllable making less sense than the last. Did he really just say that? Does he actually expect me to believe this pathetic lie? I stare at him, my mouth slightly open, waiting for him to take the words back. But he doesn't. He just holds my gaze, searching my face as if he's trying to see if I'm stupid enough to swallow his bucket of lies. “You… you thought she was me?” I choke out in anger. “Are you actually serious right now?” “Yes, baby, I'm serious. I didn't mean it. It was a mistake," he insists. "And honestly, she came on to me first. How was I supposed to resist when I was drunk? Come on, you know I love you.” A bitter laugh escapes my lips. "Cheating is one thing, Bryan," I snap, taking a step toward him, "but thinking I'm stupid enough to believe your lies? That's a whole other level.” “Katy, you’re overreacting,” he states, his voice growing colder. “Jasper and Hannah had the same kind of problems, and they worked it out. Why can’t you be more like her?” I feel heat flare through me. “Overreacting?” I yell. “Fourteen months, Bryan! Fourteen months of promises, and you’ve broken every single one! And you have the nerve to tell me I’m overreacting?!” He scoffs, his mask finally dropping. "Promises? You really want to bring that up?" I recoil. "What do you mean by that?" He crosses his arms and steps toward me. "You want to talk about promises? Fine. Let's talk about it." He jabs a finger in my face, his eyes darkening. "You promised your schedule would never affect us. How's that working out? Every damn day, you're busy. Debate, magazines, some lame club! You put everything else before me.” “That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off. “I play sports, and I still make time for you!” he yells, and I flinch. “You know what? This is your fault!” He jabs my shoulder again. “This happened because of you, not me. You!” I step back, rage crawling up my spine. Never in a million years did I imagine that the person I had loved and trusted for a whole year could be like this—twisting the truth, blaming me, acting as if I were at fault. “You are a coward, Bryan.” I whisper, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “That’s what you are. Blaming me, twisting everything, and calling it my fault? I’m done.” I dash to his desk, sending papers and books tumbling to the floor as I hunt for my textbook. I need to get out of here before my anger takes over, before I do something I will regret. “You act like there’s someone better out there. There isn’t, and there won’t ever be.” He sneers from behind me. “Nobody else will ever make you feel alive the way I do.” I pause, staring up at him. He steps closer, his voice rising as he repeats his claim. “You were nobody before me, Katy. I made you popular. You walk into a room, and people know your name because of me. Bryan Cooper.” Something inside me snaps. I close the distance between us, breathing against his face. "You will never speak to me again," I hiss. "And mark my words, you will be replaced by someone hotter, smarter, and better than you could ever be. I yank the couple necklace he gave me off my neck and fling it at his feet. Without another word, I storm out with my textbook, tears burning my eyes. I managed not to cry in front of him, but as I run down the stairs, the dam finally burst. I collapse against the side of the building, clutching my chest as sobs tear out of me. It feels like someone has ripped my heart away and shredded it into a million pieces. Our memories and moments fill my mind, stabbing me over and over. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fumble to answer it, my hands shaking. “Katy?”My brother’s voice floats through. “Yeah?” I sniffle, wiping my tears. “Don’t forget you promised to tutor Braydon after class today,” he says, sounding annoyed. “He’s already bugging me.” I bite my lip, wanting to tell him I can’t right now, not in this state, but I had promised to help his friend. I exhale, pushing back the lump in my throat, and slowly rise to my feet. “Okay,” I manage to say. Chapter 002 BRAYDON’S POV “Asshole!” I shout, the words ripping from my throat as some guy cuts me off. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, throwing a glare in the rearview mirror, even though I know he can’t see me. Perfect. Just perfect. I’m particularly in a bad mood today. Hell, I’ve been in a bad mood all week. Nothing seems to go right, and every little thing is just… another straw on the camel’s back. And it’s all because my old man’s ultimatum keeps gnawing at me. “Pass all your courses, or forget about hockey.” His voice drills into my skull. Simple, right? Like I could just flip a switch and make it happen. I can rock Cs in most of my courses, well, except in Marketing Management and Business Ethics. If I fail those, there’s no graduation, no hockey, and worse, Bryan gets his hands on my mom’s company. That’s exactly what he and his mother have been scheming for, and I’ll be damned if I let them take what my mom built with her own sweat and blood. The thought gnaws at me, making me want to punch something, and I can’t hold in the audible groan that escapes my throat. I pull into my apartment lot and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, gripping the wheel and staring at myself in the rearview mirror. “You got this,” I tell myself. I can do it. Lucky for me, Justin’s kid sister, Katy, is a genius. All I need is a few sessions with her, I’ll keep my grades, and hockey stays mine. That’s the plan, the smart plan. But right now, I need something to distract me before I lose it. I nod, shove the door open, and head for my building. I slow as I near my door, spotting someone leaning against the frame. Her head lifts, eyes locking with mine, and a smirk curls her lips. Stacy. Exactly the distraction I ordered. I’d shot her a text twenty minutes ago, but didn’t think she’d make it so quickly. Guess not. She’s in nothing but a jacket and lacy tights. And when a girl waits at your door dressed like that, you know damn well there’s nothing underneath. “Took you long enough.” She shoots me a sexy smile that says I’m about to forget all about my bad day. My gaze drags over her as I slip the key into the lock. “Is that all for me?” Her eyes glitter. “Sure, big guy.” I’ve barely stepped inside before her manicured fingers trail across my chest. “How long has it been?” she purrs. “A long time,” I answer. Her smile widens as she shrugs out of her jacket, letting it pool on the floor. She gets on her knees and crooks a finger at me. "Come here.” I waste no time closing the distance between us. The world outside the door, the frustrations of the day, my father's ultimatum, my grades, all fade into a distant hum. She takes the waistband of my jeans, her fingers teasing the button open before tugging at my zipper. A second later, my cock springs free, a release I've been craving all day, and lands in her waiting hand. The feel of her fingers wrapping around me pulls a low groan from my throat. “Go on, suck it,” I rumble. On my command, she opens her mouth and wraps her lips around my length. **************��Two hours later, Stacy is snuggled up beside me, her head resting on my chest. She traces meaningless lines across my skin, a gesture of intimacy, but I don’t like the cuddly stuff. It makes me feel trapped. I slowly shift, dislodging her head, and search for my shorts on the floor. “You..” “I missed you,” she blurts, cutting me off. I spin, caught off guard for half a second before I reel it back in. The first thought that comes to mind is: Did she forget the rules? We first hooked up three months ago, and I was crystal clear about my boundaries.Things were easy because she was fine with a no-strings-attached arrangement. But now, I'm not so sure. It seems she's going to be like all the others, the ones who start wanting more after a few times. “I’ve been busy,” I mutter, dragging on my shorts. I can’t say I missed her, too, because that’ll only mess things up and lead her on. But the truth that she hadn't crossed my mind once since we last hooked up is too cold to say aloud. “I’m exhausted. Got morning practice.” I rub the back of my neck, hoping she takes the hint and leaves. But that’s far from what she has in my mind. “Are you really kicking me out minutes after we just—” her voice sharpens, “after we just had sex?” “Stacy, listen…” “Seriously, is this it? Is this all I am to you? We just hook up and that’s all?” She looks visibly upset now. “I thought we were clear about this," I reply, my voice firm. "From the very beginning, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. No strings attached, just this.” Her fingers tremble as she snatches her jacket off the floor. "Well, I don't want to be your whenever-you-want girl anymore. I want to be your girlfriend." “You know that’s not happening.” I respond flatly. “But why?” She demands. "I don't have to explain myself and don’t act like I tricked you. You knew the deal from day one,” I tilt my head at the door. “If casual wasn’t your thing, you shouldn’t have agreed. Now do us both a favor and leave.” Her expression immediately softens, her eyes filling with a plea as she realizes I'm serious. "Big guy..." she croaks, her voice breaking. "I just… I just really like you. Can't you—" She lifts a hand to touch me, and I take a sharp step back. Her hand is left hanging in the air, and her eyes turn cold instantly again. The vulnerability is gone, replaced by a cutting anger. "Why exactly can't I be your girlfriend?" she asks, her voice hard. "What is it? Do you have a checklist I don’t measure up to?” I don't answer. I turn and stride out of the bedroom. She follows, her shoes thudding on the hardwood floor, but I ignore her. I pass the dining table, head straight for the fridge, and crack open a beer. She stops short, the anger in her body suddenly replaced with bewildered hurt. "So that's it? You're just going to grab a beer? You don't even care, do you?" I take a slow sip, not looking at her. "I thought we were clear. I don't." "I can be a good girlfriend!" she pleads, her voice rising. "I'm a great girlfriend. Just give me a chance." I shake my head. "I don't need a girlfriend." The words hang in the air for a moment before something in her breaks. She lets out a frustrated cry and yells, "Screw you!" She lunges for the front door, yanking it open. She dashes out and almost collides with a girl coming down the hall, a stack of books in her arms. The girl sidesteps to avoid being hit. It's Katy. Her tired gaze lands on Stacy, then drifts to me, her expression unreadable. Stacy gives her a slow once-over, then whips back to me with a sneer. “Really? I thought you had standards!” My mouth opens, ready to shut her down, but Katy beats me to it. “Relax. I’m not here to hook up with him. Unlike you, I actually have a purpose.” Both of us freeze. My brows lift, caught off guard. Stacy’s smirk falters, and for a split second, she looks like she’s been slapped. Chapter 003 KATY’S POV The redhead glares at me, her chest rising and falling like she’s trying to push the anger out in measured breaths. I wait for a retort, but she spares me only a cutting look, huffs at Braydon in dismissal, and storms off, muttering cusses to herself. I stare after her, gritting my teeth as irritation prickles my skin. What’s it with me and redheads today? First, with Bryan in the morning, and now, his brother. It seems they both have a type. A low chuckle from the doorway yanks my attention back. Braydon leans casually against the frame, an infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. His abs are on full display, golden against the light, every line impossible to ignore. “Didn’t think you had that in you, Peach.” I lift an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and curiosity bubbling up inside me. "Peach?" He pushes off the door and takes a step closer, his hand reaching toward me. I recoil slightly, a shiver running down my spine despite myself, and his grin only widens. “Relax,” he says, tilting his head toward my chest. I glance down and there it is: a peach, drawn smack in the center of my shirt. Heat rises to my cheeks, and I can’t help but roll my eyes, letting out an amused scoff. I bulldoze past him into his living area. “Put on a shirt.” “Why?” His voice hums with amusement, even though I refuse to look at him. “Getting a little distracted by the view?” I spin around. “Ever heard of the word decency?” I snap. “It’s spelled—” “Hey, I can spell that. What do you take me for?” he cuts in, feigning annoyance, which somehow makes it even more irritating. He shuts the door and strolls over to the eat-in counter. A can of beer sits there, and before my eyes, he tilts it back and gulps down the entire thing in one smooth motion. “Is that alcohol?” I ask, fists clenching at my sides. He shoots me a strange look, eyes flicking to the now-squashed can in his hand. “It’s beer… so yes, I’m pretty sure it’s alcohol.” He tilts his head, his smirk creeping back. “Aren’t you supposed to be the smarter one?” Anger bubbles inside me. Did Justin not tell him I’m coming over? But no, Justin called me this morning to remind me. So, Braydon knows I’m here to tutor, not watch him get drunk. “You’re drinking on a night I’m supposed to tutor you?” I demand, my voice tight. He sighs dramatically and tosses the can in the trash. “Don’t be so peachy, Peach,” he says, his voice teasing. “It’s just one can and it’s not enough to knock me out. Besides… we can just get to know each other today. Justin definitely didn’t mention you’ve grown into a pretty woman.” I feel irritation crawl up my spine, and my lips twitch. My eyes dart to the door, tempted to leave, but then I remember Justin’s pleading and the one thousand dollars he promised for my new MacBook. I fix him with a death glare. “First of all, don’t call me Peach again. Second, have you considered that the reason you’re flunking your courses is that you flirt too much, and let’s not forget your unhealthy obsession with hockey? If you actually stop thinking about ways to flirt with me, maybe we can get something done tonight. But if you don’t, I’ll be more than happy to waste your time and watch you fail.” “Do you have friends?” he throws at me casually, catching me off guard. “Or have they all ghosted you because all you do is read and forget to socialize?” His words sting, bringing back the memory of what Bryan said to me this morning, but I swallow the hurt. “You must be so good at socializing that you forget other things matter.” I lift my book. “Oh, things like graduating from college.” His smirk widens, and I can see he’s taking this as a challenge. Is my insistence… kind of a kink for him? “Now, where’s your room? Let’s get started,” I add, keeping my voice calm. He leads the way to his room, and I follow, my eyes scanning the space as I enter. Posters of the Chicago Blackhawks cover the walls, along with a few other players I recognize from Justin’s room. Surprisingly, it’s cleaner than I expected, until my gaze lands on his bed. Bile rises in my throat. The sheets are scattered, and two empty condom wrappers lie on the floor. I bolt out, clutching my books, heat flooding my face. He follows, a look of amused surprise on his face, but I don’t slow down. “We’ll just read here,” I say, refusing to meet his eyes. I drop my books on the table, my hand aching from carrying them too long. Braydon prowls closer, shrinking the air between us “Why’d you run like that?” He asks. “Can’t handle being in the same room with me, Peach?” That damn nickname again. My patience frays. “You should clean up your room after sex, especially if you’ve got company. It’s called decency. Maybe you’ve heard of it, though clearly, you haven’t.” His fingers suddenly tilt my jaw, forcing my eyes to his. “Are you sure that’s the only reason? You know, I can make time for you.” That’s it. I’ve had enough. Heat floods my chest as I snatch my books off the table and storm toward the door. “Find someone else!” I yell. He catches my arm, trying to stop me, but I yank hard against his grip. I will not sit through two hours of his shameless flirting, not today. Not after the day I’ve had. “Hey, I’m sorry, okay?” Braydon’s voice softens as he pleads. “Get your hands off me.” I twist, trying to shake him loose. “I’ll behave, alright?” he rushes out. “I’ll put on a shirt, stop calling you Peach, never say another word you don’t like. Just, please, tutor me. I’m desperate.” I whirl around, ready to snap that he doesn’t act desperate enough, when my pocket starts buzzing nonstop. With a huff, I yank my phone out, half-expecting one of my study group members. But no, it’s Bryan. My stomach knots as I click the notification. Instead of apologies like I imagined for a second, my screen is filled with vile messages from him. My throat burns as my eyes lock on one message that makes the rest blur away. ~~BRYAN: Return my baseball jacket. My new girl wants it.~~ Everything else fades as hot anger sears through me. I read the line twice, but the words don’t change. He wants me to return his baseball jacket? And not just that, he already has a new girl, less than twelve hours after we broke up. My jaw clenches so tight it aches. He’s doing this to rile me up, and goddamn, it’s working. If I don’t hit back, he wins. The memory of him sneering that I’d never find someone better than him scorches me deeply. “Hey…” A tap on my shoulder jolts me, and Braydon’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear a word I said? I said I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” My head jerks toward him, and it takes a moment to recollect myself, his last word lingering in my mind. Anything you want. The words replay like a chant, and suddenly my mind is crawling with ideas that shouldn’t be there. My gaze rakes down his frame and back up, and he catches it, brows pulling together in confusion. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it, but the thought is so damn tempting. Braydon Cooper, the campus golden boy and star forward of the hockey team. He’s the guy girls would do anything to be seen with, and guys hate him because he can take their girlfriends with a smile. He might be a player, but everyone knows he’s picky. Ruthlessly picky. So much so that girls brag if they even make it into his bed. Just being seen with him is enough to boost your social status overnight. You get invitations to events just because you’ve caught the eye of Braydon Cooper. And right now, he’s standing in front of me, saying anything I want. He’s perfect for my revenge plan. Not just because of who he is, but because he’s Bryan’s brother. What better way to grind Bryan’s inflated ego to dust than to show him his so-called replaceable ex is on the arm of his hotter and better brother? I turn to face Braydon fully, heat prickling under my skin. “You’ll do anything?” I ask, watching him closely. He studies me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes for the first time since I walked in. Still, he nods. “Yeah.” I take a slow breath, steadying the heat in my voice. “Then here’s the deal. I’ll tutor you, and not just enough for you to pass. You’ll ace your classes, every single one of them, with at least a B. That’s my part.” He narrows his eyes, waiting. “And yours?” “In return,” I say, “you’ll use your charm, your connections, your golden-boy reputation to pursue me publicly. We’ll build a high-profile relationship and everyone will see us.” Chapter 004 KATY’S POV “What?” Braydon stares at me like I’ve just sprouted two heads. “I said that—” “Yeah, I got you.” He cuts in, stepping closer as if to read my face better. “You’re asking me to play boyfriend?” I lick my lips before answering, my pulse hammering. “Yes.” He scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Sorry to disappoint you, Peach, but dating isn’t my thing. Anything but that.” The sting hurts more than I expected, disappointment slicing through me. I exhale slowly, biting my lip. I’ve heard his no-dating rule before, but dismissed it as just another line to make himself more desirable. But now… the way he shuts me down makes me wonder if he’s actually serious enough to walk away from an offer like this. I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Think about it. Midterms are in four weeks, and it’s a major part of our final grade. If you want to pass, you need time with me, and that’s a month to prepare. This is a win-win deal.” “Uh-uh.” He flicks his hand. “I’ll pass. There has to be something else you want. I mean…” His smirk resurfaces. “I didn’t take you for one of my fangirls.” I roll my eyes, glaring at him. “I’m not interested in you. And I’ve never harbored some secret crush on you.” “Really?” He cuts in, his tone edged with disbelief. “So why? I mean… aren’t you still with Bryan or something?” “You should’ve remembered that before flirting with me,” I snap back. My chest heaves once, and I force myself to calm. It takes everything in me to push out the words. “Bryan and I broke up.” His face doesn’t change, not even a hint of sympathy. He also doesn’t look like he’s about to say an empty sorry to hear that. Instead, he cocks an eyebrow. “So what? Trying to use me as your rebound?” The urge to scream at him burns in my throat, but I bite it back. I’m negotiating, and I need this deal. Swallowing hard feels like impaling myself as I admit the truth. “He cheated on me.” That gets him. His expression shifts, the teasing dropping from his face. His eyes darken, a flash of anger sparking there. “That son of a bitch.” “It’s fine,” I choke out, though it’s not. “I just… I want to prove him wrong. He said I can’t find someone better than him. But—” I shrug, forcing the resignation into my voice. “I guess your rule is your rule.” I turn, feigning surrender, pretending to walk away even though part of me is begging for him to stop me. “Wait!” His voice rings out just as my hand grazes the door. My lips twitch into a smile, but I force it down, schooling my face into something neutral as I turn back to him. Braydon drags a hand through his hair, and I know he’s thinking. And honestly, I don’t blame him. I already know how explosive it’ll be once the news spreads. Justin will definitely flip out, and everyone will have their eyes glued to my life like it’s their favorite show. Frankly, the only good thing to come out of this is that Bryan will absolutely lose his shit. “You’ll really help me ace my courses?” he finally asks, his gaze locking with mine. I nod. “Yeah. But that depends on how convincing you are as my boyfriend.” His brow furrows. “What does that even mean?” “It means people have to believe we’re dating,” I say evenly. A smirk tugs at his lips. “That’s gonna be a hard sell, considering my track record.” I suck in a breath, my patience thinning. “Do you really want to graduate, or not?” He nods his head, shooting me a mock glare. “You’re so annoying.” “Then do we have a deal?” I press, refusing to back down. He stays quiet, the silence stretching long enough for me to second-guess everything. Then he sighs. “We’ve got a deal.” I almost squeal, but I bite it back hard. He actually agreed. I can’t believe I pulled this off. And suddenly, the weight of it sinks in…this is huge. In the history of Cadston College, I’m his first girlfriend. First. Which makes it not just a win, but a direct slap in Bryan’s face. Another point on the scoreboard for me. “Thank you,” I say, setting my books down before my hands can shake. “I hope you’ll be a great girlfriend,” he replies smoothly, that tone of mischief back in his voice. “Because I’ll give this my all. Quick notice though, I’m a handsy guy.” His teasing is back, but this time, when our eyes lock, I can’t fire back like I usually do. The air shifts between us, heavy and charged. My throat tightens, and I look away, scratching at my arm like that can distract me. It doesn’t. If anything, it only makes me more aware of how close he is. “Ummm…let’s talk about the rules.” I manage to say. “What rules?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer as his hand lands on my shoulder, tugging me a little closer. I go stiff instantly, every nerve locking up. His frown deepens. “You can’t freeze up when I touch you if we’re going to sell this dating thing.” A spark of alarm shoots through me. “And why would you even touch me?” He tilts his head, one brow arching. “Because, Peach, I’m supposed to be your boyfriend.” My throat tightens. “Can’t you convince people without touching me?” I counter, heat crawling up my neck. “We can…hold hands sometimes.” “Are you really that shy?” His lips twitch. “What, was your relationship with Bryan PG-12 or something?” “No,” I snap before I can stop myself. My voice falters, then steadies again as I lift my chin. “We had sex plenty of times. And yeah, there was PDA. Difference is, he was actually my boyfriend.” He steps closer, and with a maddening slowness, pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin burns at the contact. “We just made a deal, Peach,” he says softly. “And the way I see it, that makes you my girlfriend now. If we’re gonna convince Bryan, we don’t get to half-ass it. He can smell bullshit a mile away so we do what real couples do.” The room feels like it’s closing in, the air too thick, my heartbeat too loud. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. If I want Bryan to choke on this, I have to play the part. I nod, forcing the words out. “Maybe…we should practice holding hands and some physical stuff. Just to make it natural.” He almost laughs but reins it in, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Practice, huh? Okay, Peach. Let’s practice.” He guides me stiffly to the couch and sits beside me. Then he extends his hand, and my throat dries. Slowly, I reach out and take it. The moment our skin touches, a zap of electricity shoots through me, and I yank my hand back. He feels it too, and I can tell because he doesn’t tease me. Instead, he licks his lips. “Let’s try again. Extend your hand.” I swallow, shove my hand forward, and he takes it. His fingers weave through mine, and my heart slams against my ribs, so loud it feels impossible he can’t hear it. His gaze lingers on me as he strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and shivers ripple down my spine. Why does something as simple as holding his hand make me feel this way? “See?” he murmurs. “It’s not that hard.” I nod quickly, pretending the heat in my belly isn’t getting worse with every second. He shifts closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and his scent floods my senses. “Now,” he says, his voice dropping, “next on the list of physical contact is kissing.” Chapter 005 KATY’S POV I rip my hand away, glaring at him, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Are you out of your mind?” He snorts. “Do you, or do you not, want Bryan to believe we’re dating?” My jaw drops in outrage. “What does that have to do with my lips?” He shakes his head like I’m hopeless. “What do you think relationships are? Study groups? Business meetings?” He leans closer, and I instinctively lean back, my heart racing. “Men are physical beings and I’m the most physical of all. Bryan knows that. If he notices I’m not all over you, we’ve got a problem. And we don’t want problems, do we?” I bite my lip and look away, my brain spiraling. Maybe I should find someone else for this fake-dating nonsense, because his suggestions are ridiculous. He makes me react in ways I don’t understand, and now I’m actually considering kissing him. Him, of all people. No. I cross my arms and face him. “This isn’t a game. It’s fake dating, and I am not kissing you.” He leans back, unfazed. “Okay, then what do you suggest we do when we’re out? Bars, my hockey games…” I blink. “Wait, bars? I have to go with you to bars? Why?” He lifts a brow like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because that’s what girlfriends do.” Oh, this is already too much. The thought of hanging out with his friends, who I’m sure are just as loud and cocky as he is, makes my stomach turn. “Trust me, Peach,” he says with that maddening grin, “if you show up on my arm at a bar, Bryan will lose his mind. You’ve got to do things with me you’d never do with him, or he’ll never buy it.” I narrow my eyes. “And what exactly happens at this bar?” “We have fun, grab a couple drinks, and I introduce you as my girlfriend…” His grin widens. “Oh, and heads up? Half the girls there will probably want to kill you.” I roll my eyes, though I can’t deny it makes sense. Going out with him and stepping into his world will convince anyone we’re together. Bryan especially. He knows I hate loud places, so if he hears I went to a bar with Braydon, he’ll lose it. “Fine,” I mutter. “I’ll go.” “And at least one home game,” he adds quickly. I sigh. “That too.” “And you’ll wear my jacket around campus.” I give him a tight nod. “But no kissing. If you want that, call the redhead.” His lips curve. “Why don’t you want to kiss me? Scared you’re bad at it?” I scowl. “I’m a great kisser!” “Yeah?” He leans in, close enough for my breath to catch. My heart skips, heat curling low in my stomach. “Then prove it.” “Why do I have to prove anything to you?” I snap, though my palms are slick with sweat. “I know I’m a good kisser. End of story.” His tilts his head. “I see fear in your eyes. Don’t worry, I get it.” “Wh—” The sound sputters out of me. He’s unbelievable. “Why would I be scared to kiss you?” He shakes his head slowly, like he’s humoring me. “A lot of people freeze up when—” “Fine!” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. “Let’s do it.” For a second, his eyes widen, shock flickering there before it melts into a smile. His green eyes darken, heat sparking in them or maybe it’s just me burning up. My hands tremble against my thighs, and my whole body feels like it’s caught fire. This cannot be happening. Except it is, because he leans in and closes the gap between us. Our knees brush, and it feels like sparks shooting through me. My hand lifts almost on its own, my fingers brushing his cheek and my thumb traces along his jawline. His eyes catch the light, and I swear I can see the rapid flutter of his pulse in his throat. Slowly, I tilt forward until my lips press against his. The instant they touch, heat floods through me, racing from my mouth down the length of my body. My skin prickles, every nerve coming alive with a low pull in my stomach that I can’t control. He tastes faintly of beer as his tongue slides in my mouth, but somehow it’s addictive, like I’ve never tasted it before. For a moment, I forget everything: where we are, why we’re doing this, and even who I’m with. All I feel is heat rolling through me. And then reality slams back. I’m kissing Braydon. The last person I should ever be kissing. Panic claws at my chest, and I rip myself away, breathless. My face burns hot, my chest rising and falling too fast. From the corner of my eye, I catch him licking his lips, and I tighten my thighs. I should say something smart, but my throat is dry, and I don’t trust my voice not to give me away. My palms are damp, so I rub them against my jeans, praying he won’t point out how rattled I am. “Well,” he drawls at last, his eyes locked on me, “I guess we have chemistry. We’ve got nothing to worry about.” I force myself to look at him, but the heat in his gaze is too much, and I turn away almost instantly. “Is that so?” I laugh nervously, rubbing my arms. “Then I guess we’re done here.” I spring to my feet, gathering my things, but before I can escape, his hand closes around my wrist. My breath catches as I glance down at him. “There’s one more thing,” he says. “Wh…what?” My voice trips over itself. “The way you look at me.” I’m sure my chin is red now because I feel all the blood in my body rush to my face. How do I look at him? How? “What do you mean?” I manage to ask, barely above a whisper. “You need to look at me like you’re in love,” he says. Relief flickers through me when I realize he’s still talking about our act, not me. But then his fingers lift, tilting my chin toward him, and my throat goes dry. My gaze drops to his lips, and panic surges. “I think I’m good,” I blurt, stumbling back. Clutching my books to my chest, I make for the door before I can completely fall apart. Chapter 006 KATY’S POV I slip into the lecture hall and sink into my usual seat, letting my bag drop beside me. My gaze flicks around the room before I can stop myself, and I scan the faces of everyone present. Of course, I already know Braydon’s schedule, so I know he shouldn’t be here. Still, I only exhale once I’m certain. It’s ironic, really. He’s supposed to be my fake boyfriend, and yet here I am, relieved he isn’t anywhere near me. And today is supposed to be our first day for everything we planned but my stomach is fluttering with nerves. The truth is that after last night, I need space, breathing room, and time to convince myself I’m not making a mistake by trusting him. I usually pride myself on making good choices. Safe ones. But with him, all my carefully built walls crumble, and wisdom evaporates. That’s how I end up doing things like kissing him like I want it and like I’m not supposed to remember it’s fake. Worse, I didn’t just kiss him, I melted and moaned into his mouth as if I couldn’t help myself. The memory sends a shiver racing down my spine, and I shift in my seat, wishing I could shake the feeling away. “Miss me?” a familiar voice teases in my ear. I jump, startled, before turning. Allie slides into the chair beside me, her smile bright and easy. Right on cue, our professor walks to the podium, but I barely notice him because I’m too busy staring at my best friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow,” I whisper, grinning as relief warms my chest. God, it feels good to see her. Allie isn’t just my roommate, she’s my anchor, and my sister in every way that matters. She’s been gone for days, celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. “So basically, you didn’t miss me,” she says, pulling out her notebook, her eyes glinting with mischief. “I missed you so much my entire life collapsed without you,” I whisper dramatically. She smothers a laugh. “Or maybe you were just having too much fun without me.” If only she knew. Fun is the last word I’d use for all the mess that happened. And I know she’s going to freak out when I tell her because I have to tell her. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it while she was away because I didn’t want to ruin her week. But now that she’s back? There’s no hiding and there’s too much to unpack. “I’ll tell you everything after class,” I whisper, flipping open my notebook. Her pen pauses midair, and she leans closer, her brows raised. “Now I’m anxious.” “After class,” I whisper back, forcing my attention to the podium. The professor’s voice drones on, but the words might as well be static. My heart is already racing, my palms damp against the notebook. Just the thought of telling Allie what happened makes me feel nauseous. She has the kind of relationship people dream about with a steady, loving boyfriend. Meanwhile, mine crashed and burned in the ugliest way possible. The contrast feels like holding up my mess beside her perfection, and part of me wants to swallow it down and never say a word. But I know I can’t. She’s my best friend. And if there’s anyone I can break in front of, it’s her. When the lecture finally ends, Allie wastes no time. She grabs my wrist and practically drags me outside, weaving through the crowd until we find a quiet corner. Her eyes are already wide, her whole body buzzing like she might explode if I make her wait a second longer. “Okay,” she says, hands on her hips. “Tell. Me. Everything.” I let out a shaky laugh, but it dies in my throat. “You think it’s some funny, messy story,” I murmur, staring down at my shoes. “But it’s not.” Her teasing smile slips slightly. “Then start wherever you can.” So I do. I tell Allie everything, starting with catching Bryan cheating and his mockery afterward, which pushed me into a fake relationship with Braydon. The words come out shakier than I expect, and by the time I finish, I feel wrung out. Allie just stares at me, her eyes so wide it almost makes me laugh if it didn’t hurt so much. For a long moment, she doesn’t say a word. Then she exhales slowly and pulls me straight into her arms. I sink into her hug, holding on tightly because God, I needed this. I haven’t even told Justin yet, so she’s only the second person to know, and somehow that makes me feel relieved. When she finally pulls back, her hands stay firm on my arms as she searches my face. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly. I nod, a small, self-conscious laugh escaping. “Yeah. I mean, I cried last night… and then cringed myself into secondhand embarrassment over my own actions with Braydon.” “I’m going to kill Bryan when I see him,” she grinds out. “How could he do that, and who does he even think he is?” I give a small shrug. “Guess you never really know someone, do you?” For a moment, the noise of the hallway swallows us before Allie leans closer until her shoulder brushes mine. “Okay, but…” she lowers her voice, her eyes practically gleaming, “are you one hundred percent serious about Braydon? Because if you are…” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but her grin is trying to break through. I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you dare get excited.” But it’s too late because the sparkle in her gaze gives her away. She’s always been obsessed with Braydon and thinks he’s hotter than every lead in her comic books combined. Back in freshman year, she even ran his fan page before she started dating and reluctantly passed it on like she was handing over a crown. The way her eyes shine now, I can tell she’s trying to hide how thrilled she is at the drama. With a sigh, I dig out my phone and thrust it into her hands. “Here. Proof.” Her jaw drops the second she sees his name light up my screen. I watch her scan the texts he sent me last night while I was curled up on my bed, crying over everything, and also trying to convince myself our fake relationship wasn’t a bad idea because of the kiss. BRAYDON: Send me your schedule, Peach. ME: Don’t call me Peach. BRAYDON: Okay, send me your schedule, Princess. Allie slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes bouncing between my screen and my face. “Oh my God. You’re not joking.” “Why would I joke about that?” I mutter, trying not to laugh. “Does Justin know about this?” she presses. I shake my head, sighing. “No. And I don’t even know how to tell him.” She grins wickedly. “Girl, you are treading dangerous waters… but I fully support this.” I open my mouth to respond when a new notification flashes across my screen. “It’s Braydon,” Allie squeaks, clutching my arm. “Shhh,” I hiss, leaning down to read it. BRAYDON: Your schedule says library time at 12 p.m. Still on, Princess? I roll my eyes at his text. First it was Peach, now it’s Princess. What’s next, Queen of the Universe? I turn to complain, but Allie is practically glowing, her face lit up like Christmas as she stares at my phone. “Really?” I scoff. “You have a boyfriend and you’re drooling over another guy.” She shakes her head. “I hate to be this kind of best friend, but you’re literally texting Braydon. Braydon!” She repeats it like she wants it to get inside my head. “Do you know what that is?” I stare down at my phone. It’s not like he’s Justin Bieber or something. “He’s a normal guy and my brother’s friend,” I say. She slaps her forehead. “Do you realize you’re his first girlfriend ever, and he doesn’t do relationships?” I’m about to laugh her off when a sight snatches the sound out of my mouth. My chest tightens as my gaze snags on a figure across the quad, and my body feels like it’s being pricked with thorns as I stare. Allie follows my gaze to Bryan, who’s walking slowly a few meters away with his arm wrapped around a girl’s shoulder. A girl, different from the redhead he was with yesterday. I force my gaze away and swallow, hoping it soothes the heat rising inside me, but it doesn’t. It hurts, and I’m scared to admit how much it does. Chapter 007 KATY’S POV The library is unusually packed today as if people know what’s coming. Every table is filled with groups cramming for midterms, laptops glowing, and coffee cups balanced on notebooks. I try to keep my eyes on the book in front of me, but the words blur together as I read the same line three times. My body also feels restless because any moment now, Braydon will walk in, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for the attention that will follow. After seeing Bryan with that girl, though, every hesitation I had about this arrangement with Braydon vanished. He didn’t just cheat, but also made a spectacle out of it. And as if doing that wasn’t enough, he had to parade someone else around campus like a trophy. But if he wants to go low, then fine. I’ll go lower. All the way down. I glance down at my wristwatch, trying to calm the pounding in my chest. “Where is—” “It’s Braydon Cooper.” Someone at the next table half-whispers, and squeals at the same time. My head lifts on instinct, and there he is, walking down the row of tables like he owns the place. Even in a library full of stressed-out students, he’s impossible to miss. Conversations dip, pages stop turning, and a few phones tilt in his direction as he heads straight for my table. He stops in front of me, his green eyes locking on mine. “Hey, Peach.” “You’re here,” I whisper, tearing my gaze away before anyone can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. He pulls out a chair and drops into the seat beside me, earning a chorus of gasps from nearby tables. I can’t tell if people are shocked to see him in the library because let’s be real, this is probably his first time here, or if it’s because he chose to sit with me. Either way, the attention is loud, and it’s exactly what we planned. “Reading without me?” he teases, leaning closer and his fingers brush a strand of hair behind my ear like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I feel so hurt.” I lick my lips, trying to keep my cool. He told me from the start he’s a handsy guy, and I agreed I’d play along. So yeah, I’ll be the girl who acts unbothered by the campus heartthrob touching her in the middle of the library, even if my pulse clearly didn’t get the memo. “We both know you hate reading,” I tell him, forcing a smile that feels way too charming. “And please don’t touch me out of nowhere. Give me a heads-up.” He leans in closer, and I almost jerk back but catch myself just in time. “I thought we went through this.” He whispers, then pulls out a can of Coke from his pocket, setting it in front of me. “I didn’t know if you preferred coffee or soda.” The gesture is simple, but it sends the room into overdrive. Whispers ripple from the aisles, and I catch people peeking from behind the shelves, pretending to browse while very obviously staring. Seriously? What’s their deal? Yeah, Braydon’s a star on the hockey team and will probably go pro after college, but they’re acting like he’s already a celebrity or in the NHL. Well… I shouldn’t complain. The faster the news reaches Bryan, the better. “Thanks, Bray,” I manage, the word strangling me on its way out. He cringes. “Bray? That’s the best you’ve got?” I bite my lip, mortified. What am I even supposed to call him? Bryan and I never did nicknames, and we were on a first-name or baby basis. And there is no universe where I’m calling Braydon baby. He sighs, clearly over my struggle, then grabs my wrist and tugs me to my feet. Before I can react, he’s pulling me between two shelves into a quiet corner, away from all the eyes burning holes into us. “Are you really this stiff?” he asks, caging me in against the wall. “Bray? Really?” I glance around, making sure no one’s watching, before muttering, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to call you. Bray’s not that bad.” He scoffs. “Out of thousands of options, you go with Bray? Try something better. Maybe… Big guy.” “Big guy?” I arch a brow. He nods smugly, gesturing to himself like the answer is obvious. My eyes betray me, running over him before I can stop. And fine, he’s not wrong. He’s all man, from the broad chest stretching his shirt to the long legs and fingers that make him seem even bigger in the cramped space. I snap myself out of it before my gaze drifts lower, folding my arms across my chest to put some distance between us. Not that it helps because he’s close enough that one wrong move and we’ll be pressed together. “I’m not calling you Big Guy,” I tell him flatly. “But I’ll come up with something… nicer.” “And it has to be before Zach’s party,” he shoots back. “Zach’s party?” I narrow my eyes. “Who the hell is Zach, and why are you suddenly bringing him into this?” I can tell where this is heading, and yeah, I hate it already. “Because we’re going to that party,” he says. I shake my head. “Nope, that’s not happening. We agreed on bars and one home game. That’s it. Nothing about frat houses, or parties.” “Zach’s our goalie,” he says, like that alone should settle the argument. “And there’s no way I’m missing his birthday bash.” “Then go alone.” He smirks, leaning closer. “That’d be weird… when I’ve got a hot girlfriend I’m supposed to show off.” My heart does that annoying thump-thump thing, but it’s not nearly enough to change my mind. Loud parties are the last place I want to be. They drag up memories I’ve spent years trying to bury, and a part of me I don’t let anyone near. Agreeing to bars was already pushing it, but this? This is a hard no. “I’m not going,” I say again, firmer this time. “Bryan isn’t going to figure it out just because I’m not glued to your side twenty-four-seven.” “Peach, it’s just—” “No.” The word scrapes out harsher than I intend, but I don’t care. His persistence grates on me, mostly because I can see where this is going. He’ll keep pressing, trying to dig into the reason I avoid places like that, but I don’t talk about it. Not now. Not ever. “I don’t know why—” he starts, only to stop when a girl sidles up to the shelf beside us. She isn’t fooling anyone by pretending to look at books, because her ears are all wide. I paste on a sweet smile and reach up, pretending to adjust Braydon’s collar. “Hold still,” I murmur. He raises a brow but quickly plays along, sliding his hand around my waist and tugging me against him. Now we’re chest-to-chest, close enough that my pulse skips in protest. The girl lingers a second too long before finally moving on. “Why can’t people just mind their business?” I mutter, tugging at his collar one last time before dropping my hand. He stays rooted to the spot, staring at me like he’s trying to figure me out. The silence stretches long enough to make me shift on my feet. “People are going to start talking about us,” he finally says, shrugging out of his jacket. “I know you hate loud places for some reason you won’t tell me, but everyone’s gonna be at that party. If you really want to prove him wrong, that’s the best night.” I open my mouth, ready to argue, but before I can get a word out, he presses his hockey jacket into my hands. Then, with a quick, almost disarming softness, he taps my chin with his knuckles. “I’ll see you tonight.” And just like that, he strides out, leaving me staring down at the jacket clutched in my grip.
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
Chapter 1 Ruining Your Face with Paint Evervale City, the Reed Family Estate. "Ms Quinn, it's time to change dress. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will be home soon!" Margaret Harper stood at the door, the room is dark, she didn’t dare turn on the lights, She could only see the young girl leaning against the headboard, holding a tablet in her hands. The flickering light cast shadows on her delicate face, making it impossible to discern any emotion. Just as she was about to repeat, thinking Serena hadn't heard her, Serena sat up and turned on the light. Margaret stepped inside, and a wave of hot, stale air filled her lungs, making her momentarily breathless. This room used to be a storage space. It had no windows and certainly no air conditioning. Wiping away the sweat on her forehead, Margaret forced a smile. “Today is your birthday. Your classmates are all outside waiting for you.” Serena put down the tablet. “The dress.” Her voice was slightly hoarse. Margaret quickly handed over the outfit with both hands. In just a few moments, she was sweating again, yet Serena remained fresh and pristine, her bright features even more striking under the warm light. Serena took the dress, examined it for three seconds, then tossed it back. "It have smells." More accurately, it carried Celeste Reed’s scent. Margaret froze awkwardly. Mrs. Reed was usually quite generous, but for some reason, she was incredibly frugal when it came to Serena. Ms. Serena had been back for two months, yet her mother hadn’t buy her a single new piece of clothing. And she was her biological daughter! "I’ll get another one immediately!" Serena’s expression was unreadable. Margaret rushed to fetch another dress, this time still in its original packaging. Serena glanced at it. "You bought this?" Margaret blushed slightly. Something that costs only a few hundred dollars naturally couldn't compare to those worth thousands or even tens thousand dollars, it was obvious the moment you touched it. "If you don’t like it…" "It’s nice." Serena opened the packaging. A subtle new fabric scent lingered in the air. For the first time, someone had bought her new clothes. Though is cheap, but the dress fit her well. Margaret carefully styled Serena’s hair, she left two strands on either side, braided them into plaits, pulled them to the back, and secured them with a ribbon. Her hair cascaded down to her waist in natural waves, giving her the appearance of a princess straight out of a magazine, sweet yet elegant, with a touch of the girl next door’s charm. But why was it that such a lovely child was not cherished by her own parents? “Ms. Quinn, today is the end of your trial period. After today, you will officially be recognized as part of the Reed family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed will surely treat you same way as Ms. Celeste!” Margaret had never heard of a long lost biological daughter having to undergo a trial period before being accepted back into her own family. Serena merely looked at her, silent. Her obsidian eyes were void of emotion. Margaret realized she had spoken out of turn. Downstairs, in the living room. Celeste and her friends were gathered around, eagerly unboxing a cake that had just been delivered. The guests at tonight’s birthday party were all from the senior class, but Serena wasn’t close with any of them. In fact, she had few acquaintances in Evervale City at all. Celeste had intentionally invited her own close friends to support her long lost sister. One of the girls asked curiously, “Celeste, for your last birthday, your parents got you a limited edition gown. What did they get for Serena?” Celeste smiled. “She is a true daughter of the Reed family. Naturally, what they gave her won’t be any less than what I received.” Serena’s birthday dress had been personally selected by Celeste, one she had worn multiple times already. It even had a stain in the most conspicuous spot. That country bumpkin, completely unfamiliar with high fashion, would probably mistake it for an expensive design detail. “Since it’s Serena’s first birthday celebration, Lilian Smith Use your phone to record a video for her as a keepsake.” Celeste’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Just as she lifted her gaze, Serena entered the living room, and Celeste’s expression stiffened. What was Serena wearing? Why wasn’t she in the dress I have prepare? Her friends also froze. They had to admit, Serena was stunning. With just a little effort, even school beauty queens paled in comparison. Perhaps because her features were so exquisite, even a cheap dress looked elegant on her. Lilian stared at it for a long time but still could not tell which brand’s new release it was. Celeste clenched her jaw. You might have avoided this trap, but I have more in store for you. She strolled forward and pulled Serena into the living room, praising, "Serena, you look so beautiful today!" But her eyes were scanning the upstairs. The Reed family’s living room had a seven-meter-high ceiling, seamlessly connected to the second floor. At that moment, a teenage boy peeked out from behind the railing, carefully holding a bucket of something. It was a bucket of red paint, but she had secretly mixed in strong adhesive. If it got on the hair, the worst-case scenario would be shaving it off. But if it touched the skin, it would be a nightmare, there was no way it would fade for months! Celeste’s lips curled into a cold smile as she subtly maneuverer Serena right beneath the boy. If he acted, today’s birthday girl would become the biggest joke of the night. She wanted to show those who gossiped behind her back, accusing her of stealing someone else’s place, who the real heiress of the Reed family truly was! But in the next second, their positions suddenly switched.The boy above tried to warn Celeste to move, but at that moment, his knee buckled as if struck by something. He lost balance and fell backward. Crash! The bucket overturned onto him, spilling red paint everywhere. Some droplets dripped over the railing, landing directly on Celeste’s upturned face. “Ahhh!” I was about to be disfigured! The boy struggled to get up, but the paint and adhesive mixture made the floor slippery. He lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs. The entire living room instantly descended into chaos! Today is Richard Reed and Angela Roberts had just returned from a temple visit when they heard the screams. Rushing into the house, they were met with the sight of their son sprawled in a pool of blood and their daughter with a face covered in red streaks. The guests at the party scrambled, some helping people up, others hurriedly wiping away the mess. Only Serena stood in the middle of the mess, completely unscathed, her expression indifferent. “Serena Quinn!” Angela roared, her fury reaching a peak. Richard quickly realized, it wasn’t blood, it was red paint. “What happened?” Celeste wiped at her face, crying. “Mom, I just wanted to throw a nice party for Serena! I never expect, never expect…” Zachary Reed was thrown into a dizzy stupor from the fall, but he wasn’t seriously hurt. Climbing up from the floor, he pointed at Serena and accused her “Dad, Mom, is Serena pushed me down the stairs! She wants to kill me and steal my inheritance! You need to throw her out!” Lilian chimed in immediately, “Uncle, Auntie, I can testify, Serena pushed Zachary!” She shot the other girls a look, Even if the others couldn't outright lie, they definitely didn't dare to speak the truth. “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her in! Look what she’s done to our family!” Margaret Harper rushed in from the backyard, her scalp tingling at the sight of the chaotic mess. Here they go stirring up trouble again. “Ms. Serena, say something! You didn’t do anything!” Margaret was utterly panicked. Serena glanced at her and finally spoke. “Yes, I pushed him.” Margaret speechless. Angela pounced. "Look! She admitted it! She even dared to harm her own brother! Honey, we can't keep someone like her!" Serena looked at her coolly. “So, I pushed him from upstairs, then magically floated down to stand here.” Look at the red paint splattered all over the stairs, then at her spotless shoes utterly pristine. The irony was glaringly obvious! “If you don’t believe me, check the video.” Serena pointed at Lilian. Lilian hurriedly deleted the footage. “What video? You’re lying!” Serena merely smiled coldly. Angela was livid but found herself speechless. Chapter 2 Severing Blood Ties Seeing the plan about to fall apart, Zachary suddenly collapsed onto the floor, wailing, "Ahhh! My foot! It's broken!" Angela panicked again, rushing to help her son, her old and new grievances surging at once. "Serena, you bring nothing but misfortune! Why didn't you just die out there? Why did you have to come back and ruin our family?!" Margaret instinctively shielded Serena. "Mrs. Reed, how can you say that? Ms. Serena is your own…" "Enough!" Richard snapped irritably. "Margaret, take the guests out! Angela, call the doctor for the children! Serena, come to the study room with me!" Inside the study room, Richard lit a cigarette, attempting to suppress his rising frustration. He gestured toward the chair across from him, signalling for Serena to sit. Serena didn’t move remained standing. Richard didn’t force her, instead softening his tone. "Serena, you’ve seen it yourself. In just two months, you've turned this house upside down." Earlier today, he had consulted a fortune teller. Ever since Serena entered their home, his business had suffered setbacks, and his health had steadily declined. The fortune teller claimed that Serena was a curse upon him and that keeping her around would lead to the Reed family’s downfall. Some things were better believed than not. They had abandoned Serena once before, and now that she had returned alive, who was to say she wasn’t here for revenge! Flicking off the ashes of his cigarette, Richard continued, "Do you really think you belong here?" Serena remained silent, her dark eyes a swirling abyss ready to erase all filth and hypocrisy. Richard irritation grew like wildfire. Snuffing out his cigarette, he finally made up his mind. "You should return to the Sullivan orphanage for a while. Once your mother, sister, and brother come around, you can come back again?" At last, Serena spoke. "No need, let's sever ties." Richard’s fingers stiffened. "Serena, do you even know what you’re saying?" I can reject you, but you don’t get to reject me. "If you stay at the Sullivan orphanage, I can still send you money. If we sever ties, you won’t get even one dollar!" Serena’s response was indifferent. "I don’t need it." Richard nearly exploded on the spot. "Fine! Perfect! Just don’t come crawling back, begging later!" "I won’t." She might not have many virtues, but once she decided, she never went back on it. She had given herself a chance, and she had given this family a chance. The truth was, they had failed. Since they couldn’t make it work, it was best to sever ties cleanly, no hesitation, no lingering attachments. Richard stormed around the study before finally flinging open the door and shouting, "Margaret, call the Sullivan orphanage. Tell them to come pick up Serena. She is no longer a part of the Reed family!" His anger filled every corner of the house. Margaret had just finished escorting the guests out when she heard his words. Her heart trembled in fear. "Mr. Reed, please reconsider! Ms. Serena is still young. She can teach!" " Teach what? She’s the one who wants to cut ties with me!" The three in the living room fell silent upon hearing those words, Zachary stopped making a fuss, Celeste stopped crying, and even Angela no longer looked angry. All their gazes turned to Serena as she walked out of the study, as if they had finally gotten what they wanted but suddenly didn’t know what to do with it. "What are you waiting for?" Richard urged. Margaret looked at Angela. "Mrs. Reed?" Angela sneered. "She has repeatedly hurt Celeste and Zachary. Someone like her doesn’t deserve to stay!" Margaret then turned to Serena. Serena said, "Go ahead." Margaret felt a deep sense of despair. The call was made reluctantly. "Director of Sullivan orphanage, Walter Sullivan said he’ll be here within half an hour." No one spoke. All eyes were on Serena. She turned and went back to her room. Bang! Richard smashed an ashtray against the table. Margaret’s heart pounded. "I’ll help Ms. Serena pack." Serena didn’t have much things, just a notebook, a tablet, and a phone… She was leaving with as little as she had arrived, except now her suitcase carried a dress Margaret had gifted her. Margaret stole a glance at her. The girl’s gaze was lowered, seemingly not in the best mood, but that was all. "Ms Serena, if you apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Reed, they might not really send you back to the Sullivan orphanage." "They’ve wanted to get rid of me for a long time." Margaret’s heart tightened. "Aren’t you sad?" "I suppose, a little." After all, they were her biological parents. Margaret looked up at her. Serena’s porcelain white face was breathtakingly beautiful, but also chillingly distant. Even now, she refused to shed a tear. People always said that children who cried got candy. But this child she didn’t even know how to cry. What had she endured in these seventeen years? Margaret’s chest ached, her eyes welling up with tears. Serena glanced at her, puzzled, which only made Margaret feel more awkward. "Something got in my eye. Don’t mind me!" In the end, Margaret still cried. "Ms. Serena, let me give you one piece of advice, if you’re wronged speak out. There will always be someone willing to believe you." Serena didn’t understand why she was crying, but the tears on her hand were warm. In the end, she nodded slightly. The orphanage director arrived quickly. In the past year, Serena had been taken in and sent back four times. The stress had already turned his hair gray. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, are you certain about this?" Richard had calmed down by now. Sending Serena away felt like lifting a burden off his chest. He pulled out a check for one hundred thousand dollars, putting on a righteous facade. "Walter, this is for her education expenses." Rather than calling it education funds, it was more like hush money. "No need. If you're truly certain then sign the relinquishment papers. Since you are her biological parents, we need your consent to arrange another family for her…" Richard’s expression darkened. "Another family? She’s already seventeen. Who would take in a girl that old?" A seventeen year old is just an ungrateful stray,no family would be foolish enough to take her in! “That’s not something you need to worry about Mr. Reed!” Walter replied curtly, clearly fed up. Richard hesitated only briefly before signing. By the time Serena came downstairs, the paperwork was done. Walter gently reassured her, "Don’t be sad. We still have one last chance." Serena nodded slightly and walked out of the Reed family home without a trace of hesitation. "She really just left?" Zachary asked, still in disbelief. For the past two months, he had been battling Serena in a war of wits and tricks, all for this outcome. Now that his opponent was gone, he suddenly felt empty. Angela and Celeste remained silent. The September heat was stifling, yet Serena’s face was ice cold. Walter felt a chill in his heart. "Who is the next family?" The girl’s voice was light, devoid of emotion. Now that no outsiders were present, Walter demeanour became respectful. "Do you remember Mrs. Olivia from two months ago? She has two sons and has always wanted a daughter. She took an immediate liking to you, but at the time, we had just found your biological parents, so she missed the chance. I informed her when I was on my way here, and she was thrilled. She’s already on her way." He paused before adding, "I believe this family will be better for you." Serena had five chances. This was the last one. If it failed… Walter wiped the sweat from his brow. "Send Margaret 500,000 dollars for her retirement." The director paused for a moment. Among the nine members of GF9, this one was said to be the youngest, the most troublesome, and the hardest to manage. But looking at her now, he couldn’t help but feel that she actually had a strong sense of loyalty, it was just a matter of finding the right people for her. “Alright.” The Reed family had no idea what kind of treasure they had just discarded. The only person capable of perfectly integrating the ancient genetic code from the primordial tombs, she was a true national level experiment. A real little ancestor. Richard paced the living room twice before finally stepping out after her. "Take this check. Don’t say I never looked out for you as a father!" Have thrown her out, but the Reed family’s reputation still matters. One hundred thousand dollars probably the most money she had ever seen in her life! Richard was certain she would take it, but Serena didn’t even reach for it. Forcing on a kindly expression, he tried to persuade her, “None of the families that adopted you before were any good, and this time won’t be any different. You…” Before he could finish, the deep hum of an approaching Rolls Royce Phantom cut his words short. “Serena, your ride is here.” Chapter 3 The Little Devil Awakens "Olivia, is this the daughter you want to adopt?" Nathan Morrow sat in the driver’s seat, scrutinizing Serena. He had heard that the Reed family's so called wild daughter came from the countryside, was unruly, and had a terrible temper. But now, as he looked at the girl before him, she appeared delicate and well mannered, far from the disgraceful image painted by the rumours. However… Why adopt a child who still had biological parents? And in the same city, within the same social circles. Wouldn’t it be unbearably awkward if they ran into each other in the future? He had always known Olivia had dreamed of having a daughter, but he never expected her to choose this girl. Olivia looked at Serena with nervous anticipation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, carefully composing a gentle expression before speaking cautiously, "Serena, I’m Aunty Olivia. Would you like to come home with me?" Serena gripped the straps of her backpack, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t quite understand why any family would want to adopt her. "You want me?" Her face remained expressionless, but Olivia could see the sorrow hidden in her eyes. A stray kitten, abandoned and unloved, left with no choice but to bare its claws and feign strength in order to survive, only to end up wounded all over. Olivia’s eyes burned with emotion. "Yes!" She would take responsibility for this child, just as a real mother would. Family wasn’t just about taking, it was also about responsibility. "Alright." And just like that, Olivia took home the daughter she had always wanted. The speech she had meticulously prepared never even came into play. Walter placed Serena’s suitcase in the trunk. Olivia opened the car door, gently shielding Serena’s head as she helped her inside. On the other side, Richard approached. "Mr. Nathan, what brings you here?" His gaze landed on Olivia. He had never seen this woman before, but her striking presence was undeniable, and having Nathan the head of the prestigious Morrow family in Evervale City, personally act as her driver, There was no way he wasn’t feeling uneasy about that. The Reed family had treated Serena so poorly, if she truly found powerful backing, she might come back for revenge. Nathan saw through his concerns instantly and clarified, "My eldest brother is in the mountains and couldn’t come. I’m here to pick up Serena on behalf of my sister in law." Richard exhaled in relief. The Morrow family first house was engaged in farming, though they lacked power, but Nathan the true decision maker, deeply respected them. Without Nathan support, that first house of the family was essentially insignificant. But no matter how powerless they were, they still carried the Morrow name. Now, the issue was that the Morrow family had taken in the Reed family’s biggest disgrace. This meant that at any moment, the Reed family’s dirty laundry could be exposed. Richard had no choice but to consider the consequences. He turned to Serena, who had just settled into the back seat. "Going to the Morrow family will only bring them shame! If you have any self awareness, don’t burden them. Go back to the Sullivan orphanage where you belong!" His gaze shifted to Olivia. "Mrs. Morrow, Serena is not as innocent as she looks. You should think this through carefully!" Walter slammed the trunk shut with a sneer. "Mr. Reed, you have already severed ties with Ms Serena. You have no right to speak to her like that!" You have no idea if you really push her too far, the Reed family could be wiped out with just a flick of her finger! She wasn’t called a national-level little devil for nothing! Serena's icy gaze locked onto Richard, sending a chilling shiver down his spine as the hairs on his arms stood on end. At that moment, a warm hand enveloped hers. She turned to see Olivia’s gentle eyes looking at her reassuringly. Olivia softly rubbed Serena’s hand in comfort, and the chilling aura surrounding her dissipated. Walter knew this time, he had truly entrusted her to the right person. When Olivia turned back to Richard, her expression was filled with fury. "Mr. Reed, Serena is my daughter now. Watch your words! Nathan, let’s go." Nathan nodded toward Richard before speeding away. Richard’s face was stormy with anger. Ungrateful brat! With Serena gone, Walter made his report. "Ensure all records are complete, Leave no loopholes! " Many forces wanted to track down the little devil. Placing her in a well known family was a risky move. "Understood." Walter replied. Nathan personally felt that picking a fight with the Reed family over an adopted daughter wasn’t worth it. Richard was an insignificant man with little ability but a remarkable talent for causing trouble! Sure enough, before they even reached home, Nathan received a call from the principal of Haven High School. Nathan Glancing at Olivia, he put the call on speaker. "Mr. Nathan, Kelly Morrow placed second in the recent exams. Don’t worry, I just received a call from the Reed family. It turns out Serena, who ranked first, actually cheated. She’s also been involved in fights and harming, the school has decided to expel her!" The Reed family was truly skilled at fabricating excuses. Nathan scoffed at their pathetic manoeuvre. He responded, "Serena has been adopted by my eldest brother’s family." "Oh? Is that so?" The principal feigned surprise. Nathan continued, "She’s still young. If she doesn’t study, what else can she do, Besides, a school shouldn’t judge based on just one side of the story. By the way, I heard Haven High school is planning to build a new language lab. I happen to have 400,000 dollars available…" Money solved most problems. Nathan handled the matter seamlessly right in front of Olivia, leaving no room for complications. Olivia sighed in relief. "Noah, thank you." Nathan chuckled. "It’s nothing." His gaze flicked to the girl in the backseat. She was still staring at the military Humvees stationed at the roadside checkpoint. He had just spent 400,000 dollars on her, yet she hadn’t even spared him a glance. Uncultured country girl with no manners, he thought to himself. Just as he was about to look away, Serena suddenly turned to the rearview mirror, meeting his gaze head on. "Thank you," she said. "You’re… welcome." Her personality was truly unlikable. If I didn’t need something for help, I wouldn’t have got involve in this mess at all! The Morrow Manor was in the east of the city, while the first house lived in the west, near the mountains. On their way back, they encountered a long line of cars waiting at a military checkpoint, delaying them further. By the time Nathan arrive Morrow Manor, it was nearly dark. The moment he stepped inside, he heard his wife Mica Parker complaints. "They’re adopting a daughter, why are you getting involved? If they needed support, couldn't they have asked someone else? Did you really have to go yourself?" Nathan had not driven such a long distance in ages. Now, he slumped onto the sofa exhausted. "What do you know?" "Right, right, I don’t understand! Go ahead and be their lackey for the rest of your life!" Nathan ignored her. Instead, he casually asked, "By the way, didn’t I set aside 400,000 dollars for Kelly custom outfits the other day? Transfer that back to me." Mica immediately tensed. "What do you need it for?" "Serena’s grades are too poor, and now there’s a cheating scandal. The school is planning to expel her. Now that she’s part of the Morrow family, we can’t just let her get kicked out right? It would be a disgrace to us! So, I’m donating a new academic building to the school…" Mica nearly burst into tears. "Nathan Morrow, I want a divorce!" "If we get divorced, where will you get money for your designer bags and haute couture? Think your family can support you?" Mica throat tightened. She couldn’t even get the words out. Nathan waved her off. "Enough drama. I’m short on cash right now. Transfer the 400,000 dollars back to me " Fuming, Mica stomped upstairs. Nathan unfazed, pulled out his phone, staring at the dark screen. Ten minutes later, the screen lit up with a call from an unknown number. He immediately sat up, pressing a hand to his rapidly beating heart. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. Nathan? This is Wren Williams, the project manager for the Wading Waters Bay development. There was an oversight in your company’s application review, and unfortunately, you were mistakenly disqualified. I’d like to sincerely apologize. If your company is still interested, please come by tomorrow for an in person review…" Chapter 4 Dispose of the Body or Dismember It The new home was a three story villa, located in a somewhat remote area, just a few kilometers away from the famous Shadowridge Mountain. "Serena, from now on, this is your home!" Olivia personally carried Serena's suitcase up to the second floor. Serena paused at the stairs, hesitant. "No trial period?" Olivia's heart clenched, and her eyes nearly welled up with tears. "Serena, the moment you stepped through this door, you became part of the Morrow family. You are my daughter!" The corners of Serena’s lips twitched slightly. She lifted her foot and stepped onto the staircase. Olivia’s heart ached. She pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged room, Olivia asked "Do you like it?" There was a beautiful wardrobe, a vanity table, and bright floor to ceiling windows. Soft pink curtains swayed in the breeze. Serena narrowed her eyes slightly. It had been a long time since she had seen such bright sunlight and breathed such fresh air. "If you don't like it, Mommy will have it redecorated right away!" Serena murmured, "I… like it." Her expression remained unreadable. Olivia found herself struggling to understand her, realizing for the first time how intellectually demanding being a mother was. "This is the new school bag I got you…" Pink, brand new, carrying a fresh scent untainted by strangers’ hands. "Thank you." That one word was the highest affirmation Olivia could ask for. Her enthusiasm soared. "I also prepared some clothes for you…" Looking at Serena’s worn outfit, Olivia could guess it had been a donation from the Sullivan orphanage. Her heart clenched again. She pulled open the wardrobe, ready to surprise her new daughter, but Serena suddenly pressed down on her hand. "Later." Serena said. "Alright. Serena get some rest first, and Mommy will make you something to eat." Olivia carefully stepped out, stealing one last glance before closing the door. Serena stood beside the wardrobe, watching her leave. Her long hair swayed slightly in the wind, stirring something deep within Olivia’s heart. From today on, I finally have a daughter! The door shut, and Serena held her breath. The scent inside the wardrobe was even stronger now. Without hesitation, she yanked the door open before the intruder had any chance to react. A swift over the shoulder throw sent the man crashing to the floor. Thud! "Serena, what happened?" Olivia had barely reached the stairs when she heard the loud noise. She rushed back in a panic. Serena kicked the man under the bed before responding, "Mom, I'm fine. I just bumped into something." Her face remained pale and emotionless, but through Olivia’s doting eyes, she was nothing but an obedient, adorable girl. So adorable that Olivia wanted to pinch her chubby little cheeks. "It's all Mommy’s fault. I should have helped you unpack… Wait, what did you just call me?" It took Olivia a moment to process. Serena’s expression stiffened, but under the woman’s hopeful gaze, she hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "...Mom." Olivia was so overwhelmed with joy that she lost all composure. "I’ll go get you some fruit." As the door shut, Serena let out a quiet sigh and dragged the man out from under the bed. Before she could get a good look at him… "Serena, mommy forget to ask what fruit do you like?" Another swift kick… "I’m not picky." "That’s great! That’s great!" The door shut again. Serena resumed dragging the man, only for the door to open once more in her haste, and she accidentally kicked the man straight in the face. "Mom, anything else?" "No… Mommy just wanted to hear you call me that again." Serena and the unconscious man speechless. To avoid further interruptions, Serena obediently ate some fruit and told Olivia she wanted to rest. Once she locked the door, she dared to pull the suspicious body out again. The man was unconscious, his breathing weak. He had injuries, serious ones, but those weren’t the biggest problem. His skin was flushed red. When she pried his mouth open, his throat was swollen shut. An allergic reaction. Severe allergies like this required immediate to hospital, otherwise he could suffocate or suffer organ failure. She searched him thoroughly, no medication, no phone, no wallet, no identification. Thinking back to the military Humvees setting up roadblocks earlier, she figured this man’s identity wasn’t simple. She had to be cautious. As a newly adopted daughter, it wasn’t realistic to call an ambulance and attract attention. Throwing him out the window wasn’t an option either. Even disposing of the body discreetly was difficult given his size. Dismembering? Too messy. Left with no other choice, Serena pulled out a set of silver needles from her bag. After feeding him a specially formulated pill, she stripped him down and carefully inserted each needle into key acupoints. After about half an hour, the redness and swelling on the man's body began to subside. His breathing became steady, and his pulse gradually regained its strength. The emergency treatment had drained her. Serena was sweating by the time she finished. Sebastian Hayes slowly opened his eyes, only to see a stunningly delicate face with round apricot eyes shimmering like stars. "I…" Pain flared across his face, chest, and shoulders, and memories of those brutal kicks resurfaced. "You…" "You're not fully recovered yet, so don’t talk. Just listen." "Yes, I am your savior. Remember to pay me later." "Also, I fed you poison. If you dare try anything funny, I guarantee you'll be dead within ten days." "One more thing, you’ve been taking special allergy medication, haven’t you? If you don’t want to be impotent and die young, quit now." At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. "Serena, dinner’s ready." She quickly withdrew the needles and shoved him back under the bed. Opening the door, Olivia was waiting, eyes filled with concern when she noticed Serena was sweating. "Did you not turn on the Air conditioning? Don’t be afraid to use electricity. Even though your father earns little, he can still support our family of four." There was an odd sense of pride in her tone. Serena nodded. "Ok" Downstairs, dinner was already served. Sitting at the table was an eighteen year old boy, playing on his phone. When he heard footsteps, he glanced up and let out an audible scoff, just loud enough for Serena to catch. "Serena, your father and younger brother are still in the mountains and it will be a while before they come back. This is your eldest brother, Thanos Morrow. He also attends Haven High School and is in the same grade as you. Thanos, this is your sister. Thanos looked up, clearly displeased. "Mom, the school forum just posted that Serena cheated on her exams. You always say you hate cheaters kids right? Sure, she got first place, but it’s all fake. I may have ranked last, but at least I don’t cheat!" There was an inexplicable sense of pride in his tone, just like Olivia. No doubt, he was her biological son. Olivia looked at Serena nervously, instinctively protective. "Serena is not someone who chases after vanity, she wouldn’t cheat!" "Mom, don’t be fooled. Her entrance scores were as bad as mine. How could she suddenly jump to first in just a month? She’s obviously scamming you!" Olivia snapped, " Thanos Morrow, apologize!" Thanos lifted his chin defiantly. Apologize? Never! "No pocket money next month!" Thanos eyes darted around, and his chin lowered slightly. "No gaming console!" "Serena, I’m sorry!" Surprisingly sincere. "Don’t do it again." Serena said Why did that sound like a threat?
75k Miles, Three Owners. Bluetooth Radio, Sport Seats, Heated Mirrors + Electric Folding, 30-40MPG. Key-Less Entry and Key-Less Start, No Rust anywhere. 2x Keys. Brakes and Discs done all around + Sparkplugs. Modifications include BC Coilovers, Legal Limit Tints all around. Aftermarket DRL Taillights, Team Dynamics Alloys with Michelin Pilot Sport Tyres, EBC Green stuff Pads, K&N Air Filter, Aftermarket Fog Lights. Serviced twice a year a the least, as well as washed by hand. I have many more photos available both exterior and interior. Test Drives are more than welcome. Learn more about this listing on Facebook Marketplace: https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/979918217842541/ | 75k Miles, Three Owners. Bluetooth Radio, Sport Seats, Heated Mirrors + Electric Folding, 30-40MPG. Key-Less Entry and Key-Less Start, No Rust anywhere. 2x Keys. Brakes and Discs done all around + Sparkplugs. Modifications include BC Coilovers, Legal Limit Tints all around. Aftermarket DRL Taillights, Team Dynamics Alloys with Michelin Pilot Sport Tyres, EBC Green stuff Pads, K&N Air Filter, Aftermarket Fog Lights. Serviced twice a year a the least, as well as washed by hand. I have many more photos available both exterior and interior. Test Drives are more than welcome. Learn more about this listing on Facebook Marketplace: https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/979918217842541/