Adria Collins stood in the center of her room, a sanctuary turned battleground.
Sunlight filtered through her sheer curtains, illuminating the dust motes that danced in the air.
She was surrounded by remnants of her past: posters of her favorite bands plastered on the walls, sketches pinned above her desk, and the faint scent of vanilla lingering from the candles she often burned.
Yet today, the familiar comfort of her space felt stifling.
At 18, Adria was strikingly beautiful, a blend of resilience and vulnerability. Standing at 5'6", her slender yet curvy figure hinted at a dancer's grace.
Long, wavy chestnut hair fell to her mid-back, catching the light in shimmering strands.
Her vibrant green eyes, often bright with passion, now reflected a storm of emotions-anger, betrayal, and confusion.
High cheekbones accentuated her heart-shaped face, while a light dusting of freckles across her nose added a touch of youthful innocence.
Adria was no stranger to attention, but today she wished to fade into the shadows.
As she gazed out her window, the sight of a moving truck parked in the driveway filled her with dread.
This was it-the moment she had been dreading since her father announced his engagement to Claire.
Her father, once her unwavering protector, had chosen to move on, leaving Adria feeling abandoned and resentful.
The laughter and chatter of unfamiliar voices outside pierced through her thoughts, echoing in her mind like an unwelcome reminder of her new reality.
Her father's new family arrived in a flurry of activity.
Claire, radiating warmth, was busy directing the movers with a cheerful energy that made Adria's stomach churn.
Claire was everything Adria felt she wasn't: poised, outgoing, and effortlessly kind.
Adria's resentment bubbled beneath the surface as she observed her father smiling, clearly enamored by Claire's presence.
It was a smile that had become all too familiar, one she hadn't seen since her mother passed away two years prior.
Then there was Nathan, Claire's son, who stepped out of the truck with an air of casual confidence that made Adria's blood boil.
At 22, he was tall-6'2"-with an athletic build that spoke of hours spent in the gym.
His dark hair was tousled just enough to appear effortlessly handsome, and his piercing blue eyes held a glint of mischief that made him seem both alluring and infuriating.
Adria couldn't help but notice the way he carried himself, exuding an undeniable charm that drew others in, but to her, it felt like an insult.
He caught her gaze and smirked, the expression a mix of amusement and challenge, as if he knew the negative effect he had on her.
"Welcome to our home!" Claire called, her voice bright and inviting, as she gestured for Nathan to help with the boxes.
Adria could hardly bear to watch, her heart clenching at the sight of her father blending seamlessly into this new family dynamic.
The thought of sharing her home-and her father-with these strangers sent a wave of nausea through her.
"Dad, do you really think this is a good idea?" She could give them space.
Adria's voice was laced with bitterness as she stepped into the living room, where the chaos of boxes and unfamiliar faces overwhelmed her. She crossed her arms, her stance defiant as she faced her father.
He turned to her, his expression a mix of surprise and concern. "Adria, this is a fresh start for all of us. We need to-"
"I don't need a fresh start," she interrupted, her voice rising. "I need you to remember what we had! What you're throwing away." The words hung in the air, heavy with grief and frustration. She hated how easily he seemed to forget the past, how easily he was moving on.
She didn't want to move on, even though her mom died years ago.
She didn't want to stay there, she even thought to pack out of the house.
Good thing she lived in her own apartment close to school, so a few days after this pleasantries,
She'd go back.
Now, the new family reached where she was standing.
Just Nathan, Claire was right behind him.
Nathan leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching the exchange with an amused smirk.
"Hello, sister." His tone dripped with sarcasm, igniting a fire within her. Who did he think he was, strolling into her life and acting like he owned the place? This was the second time she'd seen him; their first encounter hadn't ended well, with tears streaming down her face and her screaming at her dad.
"I am not your sister," she snapped, her eyes narrowing. "I'm never going to be." She muttered the last part under her breath.
"Oh, I'm sorry," he replied, feigning innocence. "I didn't mean to offend you..."
His friends' laughter echoed in her ears, fueling her anger. Adria's heart raced as she turned to her father, desperate for him to choose her side.
"See, you're letting this woman and her children come in and change everything. Don't you care about what I want?"
Her father's expression softened, but his resolve remained firm. "Adria, Claire is here to help us heal. We all need to give this a chance."
The disappointment in his voice struck her like a physical blow. She sighed, her face darkening. For months, seeing her dad with Claire – sharing laughter they'd once shared – felt like betrayal.
Nathan walked past; his mother followed. Adria didn't understand why Claire stood there, receiving them as if she owned the place.
"Hi, Adria, you beautiful girl. You look stunning as always," Claire said with a bright smile, holding Adria's chin in her hand.
Adria felt irritated, almost jolting back at the touch. She smiled awkwardly. "Hello."
"Let's go in," Claire said, pulling Adria into the house.
"Is that her?" a little girl's voice asked from behind.
Before Adria could turn, she felt the girl tugging at her sundress. She turned and looked down at Lily, Claire's youngest child, 14 years old.
Adria couldn't bring herself to be mean to Lily. She smiled. "Hi, Lily."
This was their second meeting, and Adria had grown to like Lily's accent and playful demeanor. She was obviously like her mother, but Adria didn't find her behavior repulsive.