Stranded For His Fake Sister

deserted highway because his "sister"

er, leaving me stranded in the scorc

posted a video of him at the gala, captioning it "My

tner, just a placeholder he could discar

didn't call him to b

thouse and took a pair of heavy tailo

ing but a pile of ruined scraps on the floor,

packed my life into a sin

e had staged the breakdown to

gain-but I wasn't the same woman

pte

ie's

always happened before these family galas. Three hours of driving, th

always tried to ease my tension, but even his touch felt like a ho

ick glance at the screen. Krystl

ered, his voice softenin

ow furrowed. "Broken

rview mirror. "On the highway? Nearby? O

stle's car broke down a few mil

e was there to do? This

sleek black SUV, hazard lights flashing. Even strande

own, far too elaborate for a simple car trouble. It was the dress she'd been talking about for we

ing, teary smile. "Oh, Colton, thank goodn

r movements fluid and practice

e me a quick, airless hug through the open wind

lint of something else. Som

s since I was found and brought back to the Kn

managed, my voice flat.

Krystle and her daughter, Lily. Lily, a sweet six-year-old, c

, his concern genuine. He always

kseat. But there was a prob

ves along for the ride. They were sprawled across the back,

?" Colton asked, his tone a little str

ely shifted. "Nah, man. We're comfy. Plus, Lily needs s

d, eyes still gl

tears. "Oh, it's fine," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "

way. It was a three-hour drive from civilization.

Krystle upset. He hated conflict, especia

ice firm. He turned to me. "Kattie, honey, yo

on wasn' t really a question.

I mind everything. But my mou

for a little while," he added, as if that made a dif

ce out here. I knew it. We had

in the gut. The air left my lu

tiny, fragile whisper, ba

nger seat. Didn't say a word as he ushered Krystle and Lily into the car, Lily now

fake sincerity. Her eyes, however, were triumphant. She

n the driver's seat. He gave a quick, sideways glanc

stance, a rapidly fading dot on the lon

into a shimmering mirage. The heat pressed in, a suffocatin

laceholder. An inconven

I always