Stepbrother's Secret

e Hayes mansion, but no matter how hard she tried, s

hone. But it felt empty, like a hollow shell that only looked perfect on the outside. Every hallway

made him seem almost untouchable. He was attentive, always offering her a smile and a hand when she needed it, but there was something about him that didn't sit

g. It wasn't even the mansion or the sudden wh

g, but there was a weight to his presence that made Lena's heart race. His silence spoke volumes. There was something magnetic about him, something that pulled her in even though ev

wasn't just his looks-tall, dark, and brooding-but the way he moved, the way he carried himself like he was alway

tice that something was off. They'd been together for over a year, and while things had always been easy, now there was a palpable distance between them. Ryan tried to a

into the darkened horizon, her phone buzzed

e message for a moment before

carefree smile she'd grown used to seeing. He stood in front o

ant lately. I get that things are changing with your mom and all

ted the guilt that washed over her, but she wasn't ready to admit to herself,

said, trying to sound convincing. "This

ht through her façade. "I get that. But I'm here for you, you k

thin. But every time she tried to focus on him, her thoughts would inevitably drift to Caleb. She couldn't help it. A

ace a hand on his. The gesture was meant to reassure him, but

oncern. He squeezed her hand gently. "I just want to make su

through her. "There's nothing to worry about," she said, he

ning in to kiss her forehead. "Alright. Just..

lk away, a knot forming in her stomach. She couldn'

t sure how much longer she could hold everything together. As much as she tried t

oon, everything she had worked to prote