Stepsister's Scorn, Lover's Lie

ds a constant stream of feigned outrage and protective assurances. "We'll get to t

g blanket. Each word was a careful

t like a sanctuary, now a gilded cage. He fussed over her, o

s voice soft. "I'll make some

mind reeling. She neede

n his tablet, left carelessly on the coffee table. An impulse, born of a despe

s she opened his messa

ening thread of messages b

e? Is the little cha

utifully. She's devastated.

rves so much worse for what sh

This is only the beginning.

Detailed plans. His contempt

ng diversion. So naiv

dful, heartfelt stories about her dead m

ly calls, large money transfers to Seraphina for her "restorative break" abroad, pet names. He

This wasn't just about a stolen soloist spot. This wa

made her drop the tablet back onto

oncern on his face. He walked towar

ing that's happened... and, well, we were toget

box. Emergency

he intimacy they'd shared, was like a slap in the face. It underscore

r mouth. She clutched th

ed, her voice surprisingly st

his lips brushed her cheek. A small, almost imperceptible recoil, but she felt his body

ou just focus on yourself. I'll make sure whoever did this pays. And when th

omises. Did he think she

A curt call from her stepfather, A

y offic

e to be seen, supposedly still recovering from her "ordeal" of returning from abroad and the shock of t

idn't wa

ve disgraced this family, Ava

va started, but

face contorted with rage. Then, his hand

cheek throbbing, tear

eputation," Arthur seethe

ched with cold

a flimsy ticket onto the mahogany desk. "Back to your mother's old town. Upstate. You will

was bani

pfather. The fight drained out of her. What wa

ttled over her. She wanted to leave. She

ised by her quick c

welcome home party tonight. Ethan is hosting it for her. You will attend. You will smile.

he was a prop for their

d numbly.

lowly began to pack the few belongings she kept there. La

th deliberate, steady hands, she unraveled it, stitch

e'd given her, every token of his feigne

rded item, was a small act of seve