Lara’s POV

“I swear, if we’re late again, the manager’s going to kill us,” Sia huffed, pulling her hoodie over her head as we rushed out of college.

“It’s just the part-time shift. Not like they’re paying us extra,” I muttered, tightening my ponytail.

This was our daily routine. Classes in the morning, part-time work at the children’s daycare center in the evening. It didn’t pay much, but it kept me out of the house longer—which was all I wanted.

By the time we wrapped up our shift, the sun had already dipped below the horizon. Sia gave me a quick hug and left for her place. I dragged my feet toward home, dread settling in my stomach like a stone.

I hated going home.

Not because it was haunted or cursed or anything dramatic like that. Just... lonely. Painfully lonely.

My father barely acknowledged me unless he had to, and my stepmother? She treated me like a nuisance. Like I didn’t belong.

The only light in my house was Blake—my little half-brother. Sweet, innocent, and completely off-limits. My stepmother didn’t like me getting close to him. Said I’d “confuse” him.

As I stepped through the front gate, I saw my father smiling—actually smiling—while speaking to someone on the phone. I paused for a second.

“Was that... Mia?” I whispered to myself.

Yup. His real daughter. His favorite.

My stepmother was in the kitchen, cooking something that smelled like celebration. Probably for Mia.

I sighed and walked straight to my room, dropped my bag, and sat at my desk to finish the last bit of homework. The room was silent, the kind of silence that presses against your ears.

Eventually, exhaustion won. I curled up on the bed and drifted into sleep

“Lara?” A soft knock. Then, “Lara, dinner’s ready, Dear,” came Aunt Leela’s gentle voice.

I blinked awake and rubbed my eyes. She was the only person in this house who still cared.

“Coming,” I mumbled, washing my face quickly before heading downstairs.

But as I neared the dining hall, I froze.

Laughter.

Her laughter.

Mia.

And then... him.

I stepped into the room, and the air shifted.

Everyone turned to look at me.

My stepmother’s face twisted in annoyance. My father looked away like I was an afterthought. Mia gave me her usual fake smile.

And then there was him—Alex.

Her husband.

My brother-in-law.

He didn’t smile. He didn’t look away. He just stared.

His eyes were cold, unreadable, but there was something else there. Something dark. Something that made my skin crawl.

I looked away and sat as far from them as possible, focusing on my food.

But I could feel his gaze. Burning. Unrelenting. Watching every movement I made.

I wanted to vanish.

“I came to invite you all to Rose’s wedding,” Mia chirped, smiling at my parents. “Alex’s sister.”

“Of course, darling,” my father beamed. “We’ll all be there.”

All?

I paused mid-bite.

Did that include... me?

“Lara, you’ll come too, right?” Mia turned to me suddenly.

I blinked. “Me?”

My stepmother scoffed. “What for?”

“She can help with Rose’s dress, or maybe keep the kids busy,” Mia added sweetly. “Right, Daddy?”

My father nodded slowly, not even looking at me. “Hmm. Fine.”

So that’s why they were taking me.

Not as family.

As free labor.

I kept my head down and finished eating, the humiliation bubbling inside my chest like acid.

As I stood to leave, I picked up my plate and quietly walked to the kitchen. I just wanted to wash it and disappear. But as I turned the tap on—

I felt him.

Behind me.

Too close.

I turned slowly, my breath catching in my throat.

Alex.

He stepped closer, his eyes locked onto mine, his presence towering and suffocating. I stepped back instinctively, bumping into the counter.

He leaned in, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.

“You looked... scared,” he whispered. “I like that.” 1

My blood ran cold.

Without saying a word, I shoved past him and bolted up the stairs, my heart pounding in my ears.

I didn’t stop until I was in my room, door locked, back pressed against the wood.

What the hell was that?

And why did it feel like the beginning of something I wasn’t ready for?

Author’s Note:

To be continued...

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