My stepbrothers seduction

center of her room, a san

eer curtains, illuminating the d

bands plastered on the walls, sketches pinned above her desk, and th

liar comfort of her

esilience and vulnerability. Standing at 5'6", her

to her mid-back, catching th

th passion, now reflected a storm of em

ace, while a light dusting of freckles across

tention, but today she wish

ight of a moving truck parked in t

een dreading since her father an

ctor, had chosen to move on, leaving

ide pierced through her thoughts, echoing in her m

mily arrived in a f

recting the movers with a cheerful en

felt she wasn't: poised, out

urface as she observed her father smilin

familiar, one she hadn't seen since h

epped out of the truck with an air of casua

an athletic build that spok

sly handsome, and his piercing blue eyes held a glint of

d himself, exuding an undeniable charm that drew

ion a mix of amusement and challenge, as if

r voice bright and inviting, as she gest

clenching at the sight of her father blend

d her father-with these strangers

k this is a good idea?"

ng room, where the chaos of boxes and unfamiliar faces overwhelmed h

f surprise and concern. "Adria, this is

hat we had! What you're throwing away." The words hung in the air, heavy with grief and fr

ve on, even though he

there, she even thought

apartment close to school, so a

d go

ly reached where

Claire was ri

rame, arms crossed, watching th

trolling into her life and acting like he owned the place? This was the second time she'd seen him; th

yes narrowing. "I'm never going to be." Sh

, feigning innocence. "I di

her anger. Adria's heart raced as she turned to

r children come in and change everythi

lve remained firm. "Adria, Claire is here to h

She sighed, her face darkening. For months, seeing her dad with C

ria didn't understand why Claire stood ther

tunning as always," Claire said with a bri

jolting back at the touch.

re said, pulling Ad

ittle girl's voice

ing at her sundress. She turned and looked down

self to be mean to Lily.

Lily's accent and playful demeanor. She was obviously lik

, but I could never forget your beautiful face, even i

"Come on, you're just a baby bu

stiffened, Lily pulled back, looking worried

at all. I just... didn't

to it. I like to hug people I like. That's why I don't hug Nathan." She s

ught Lily was good with wor

living room as the maids car

didn't regard her father, just like she didn't regard his mother. But there was a way he seemed cool with everything, even though she could see t

and now... this man comes in and becomes the second "man" of the house. She hated that in the dad's quest of b

this stranger as an "older brother." Just the thought

ck to reality. She saw it was Nathan who spoke, and he was lookin

numerous ways to kill him. See? That was exactly the reason she didn't like h

ng at him and eyeing him with

he just saw her forcing herself to be nice to his mother and sister. It's not as if he

ng room was so large, there could be a safe distance. Taking advantage, Nathan walked t

intimidated but because she didn't understand how a man that annoying could posses

to be able to badmouth him to her friends. To be a

? Smitten or hating?" H

d never be smitten by a person who had piercing on his brow and a cut in i

was looking at you, you'd notic

his lips curved to a full-blow

lling her nut because of her chestnut hair? How typical of a 22-year-old bo

he could say anything, he

ng to call her back. He noticed that the argument w

y were nice people, and Claire was just lovable. But he di

wouldn't he scold Nat

slammed her bedroom door shut, the sound reverberating through the house. Her heart pounded in her chest, and tea

like a stranger in her own home, watching her father's love for another woman grow while hers felt neg

knew she needed to calm down. But she needed to let out her sorrow first. Just as she thoug

d to keep this from her peers, to avoid talking about it. But her best friend Tiffan

wasn't doing this anymore; she would go to school

ow. He opened it and picked up a tiny bag. His confident d

ly. Just when she thought she'd look away, he looked up straight

He didn't think she was ogling him, did he? L