Chapter 104 Chapter 104

Chapter 104 Chapter 104
Michael’s voice echoed through the entire living room like he owned not only the space but the moment itself. 

“ACE! COME ON! We’re going back to your room so I can keep beating you! I swear I’ll beat you even more now—especially in front of your girlfriend!” 

He dragged out the word girlfriend with exaggerated pride, grinning like he’d just revealed the plot twist of the century. Courtney burst into laughter, leaning her head against Ace’s shoulder, indirectly telling me she didn’t have to fight for space in his world because she already had a spot carved out for her. Ace groaned, rolling his eyes as he nudged Michael with his elbow. 

“You didn’t even beat me,” Ace said, though he was smiling. 

Michael gasped dramatically. “Oh, so now you’re lying in front of your girlfriend? The betrayal.” 

Courtney giggled and looped her arm through Ace’s. “You didn’t tell me you were bad at video games.” 

“I’m not,” Ace replied quickly. “Michael’s just—” 

“Better?” Michael chimed. 

“Annoying,” Ace corrected. 

Courtney playfully shoved Michael’s shoulder. “Leave him alone!” 

Michael bowed theatrically. “I live to expose him.” 

Ace lifted his chin, exasperated and amused all at once. “I hate you.” 

“How can you hate me because you’re so bad?” Michael sing-sang as he started walking toward the stairs. “Now come on! Bring your pride upstairs so I can destroy it.” 

Ace sighed and let himself be dragged along, and Courtney held his hand as they followed Michael up toward the stairs. 

Their laughter was cruelly loud. I stood there alone, watching them disappear up the staircase. Michael bouncing like the mischievous person he was, Courtney glued to Ace’s side, and Ace… Ace not looking back. 

I told myself not to care. But caring wasn't something I had much control over anymore. 

I forced my expression to remain neutral, even though every part of me felt hot and heavy with the ache that came from being forgotten in a room full of people you thought saw you. 

The three of them reached the landing, and I assumed that was it, that they’d go without me. That maybe Ace preferred it that way. That maybe he didn’t want me there, not with her beside him. 

And then— 

“Sabrina,” Ace’s voice called from halfway up the stairs. 

I snapped my head up instinctively. 

He was leaning slightly over the banister, looking down at me. 

Courtney had already disappeared into his room. Michael peeked out from the doorway, waving impatiently. 

Ace held my gaze now, but his expression was unreadable. 

“Aren’t you coming?” he asked. 

My chest tightened. 

Was he being polite? Performative? Was he doing this because she was here? 

I didn’t answer him, not because I didn’t want to, but because I genuinely couldn’t trust my voice not to shake. Instead, I simply walked toward the stairs and followed him up. 

He stepped aside as I passed him. His shoulder brushed mine lightly. Even that stupid, accidental contact made my heart misbehave. 

Ace didn’t comment. 

Neither did I. 

Inside his room, Courtney was already perched comfortably on Ace’s bed with her shoes off, legs folded neatly under her. As soon as she saw me, her whole face lit up with genuine excitement. 

“There you are!” she said, jumping a little as she hurried over. “I was hoping you’d join us!” 

She clasped her hands together in front of her, beaming. 

Her enthusiasm was almost too much. It made it harder to hate her, and I desperately needed to hate her. 

“I wanted to ask,” she continued eagerly, “are you Ace’s cousin or something? Or… something else?” 

Before I could open my mouth, before I could decide what lie or half-truth or polite explanation to offer— 

Michael cut in. 

“She’s Ace’s stepmom.” 

Courtney paused. 

Then she laughed. 

Like Michael had just told the funniest joke she’d ever heard. 

“Oh my God, Michael!” she giggled, lightly hitting his arm. “You’re such a bad friend! Why would you say something that ridiculous?” 

Michael grinned wider. “Ask Ace.” 

Courtney raised her brows, amused, then turned to Ace. “Should I?” 

Ace exhaled slowly and nodded once. 

“Yes.” 

Courtney blinked. 

“Wait—yes… as in… yes, she’s really your stepmom?” 

Ace rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. She is.” 

Courtney’s jaw dropped with pure astonishment before her surprise melted into excitement. 

“That is SO cool!” she exclaimed. 

I froze. 

Cool? 

She thought this was cool. 

“I mean—wow,” she went on, bouncing slightly on her toes. “An age gap romance? Like a real one? Your dad really married someone younger? That’s… that’s honestly amazing! I read so many books with this trope. Secret romance, huge age gap, wealthy older guy, younger wife—ugh, one of my favorites. It’s so dramatic and intense! Sexy, even!” 

She wiggled her shoulders playfully. 

I forced a smile. “Yeah,” I said, my voice sounding distant even to me. “It’s… something.” 

Courtney moved closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially as she linked her arm through mine like we were old friends. 

“How did they meet? Was it like a whirlwind kind of thing?” 

Michael popped a handful of chips into his mouth. “Ask her. I'm sure she loves telling stories.” 

I shot him, and he winked. 

Courtney gasped softly and tugged on my arm. “Oh, please tell me! I love that kind of thing.” 

I swallowed the burn rising in my chest. 

“Uh… well…” I began slowly. 

But Michael interrupted again. “She seduced him.” 

Ace groaned. “Michael.” 

Courtney burst into laughter. “Oh my God, stop!” 

Michael put a hand to his heart, feigning sincerity. “I speak only the truth.” 

I forced out a small laugh, though every part of me heated with embarrassment. Michael shoved a controller toward Ace. 

Boy, was I glad Michael spoke up before me. Imagine having to explain the details of my existence in the Wendell household. Nobody wanted to hear that boring story of my father being poor and unable to clear his debt. 

“Anyway,” Michael said, “back to the important stuff. Ace getting destroyed.” 

Courtney gasped and turned to me again. “Do you play video games?” 

“Not really,” I said. 

“Oh! Then you can sit with me on the bed. I’ll teach you! Or we can just watch them embarrass themselves.” 

She pulled me with her toward the bed before I could protest. 

I let her. 

Even though sitting on Ace’s bed with Ace’s girlfriend, while Ace himself sat on the floor in front of us, felt like the universe was personally trying to torment me. 

The mattress dipped as we both sat. Courtney tucked her legs under herself again, cheerful as ever. 

“So Sabrina,” she said warmly, “how long have you been married to Scott?” 

Before I could form a sentence, Michael answered for me. Again. 

“Not long enough. They’re still in the honeymoon phase.” 

Courtney squealed. “That’s adorable!” 

I clenched my jaw behind another brittle smile. 

“That must be so exciting,” she continued. “Married to a man like Scott? He’s so elegant. And powerful. I mean... he’s intimidating, but in a good way.” 

I gave a soft laugh. “Yeah. Something like that.” 

“And you’re so young,” she added, examining me with admiration rather than judgment. “You must’ve had so many people shocked. I love it.” 

Michael snorted. “Oh yeah. Shocked is the word.” 

I glared at him again. 

Courtney tilted her head. “How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?” 

I answered honestly. “Eighteen.” 

“Oh wow. We’re actually age mates,” she said. “And Scott’s what—forties?” 

“Forty-five,” Michael chimed in. “I guess.” 

Courtney’s eyes widened. “NO WAY! That is so—ugh—romantic.” 

Courtney leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper meant only for me. 

“Is he obsessed with you? He seems like the kind of man who would be. Don’t tell Ace I asked that.” 

From the floor, Ace muttered, “I can hear you.” 

Courtney stuck her tongue out at him before turning back to me. 

“Sabrina? You can tell me,” she teased. “Is Scott like one of those super-possessive older husbands in romance novels?” 

My throat tightened. 

I swallowed. “He’s… kind. Very protective.” 

Courtney sighed dreamily. “I love that.” 

Michael glanced over his shoulder with a wicked grin. “Sabrina’s full of surprises.” 

I didn’t rise to the bait. I didn’t have the energy. 

Courtney continued speaking. 

“I really want to see this,” she said. “He seems so classy. And honestly? You and him together... super impressive. You’re both gorgeous.” 

“Thank you,” I said softly. 

“If I wasn’t in love with Ace as much as I was...” she chuckled. “I’d totally go for Scott myself.” 

Ace shifted on the floor. His controller was still in his hand, but his focus clearly wasn’t on the game anymore. He kept glancing at me, but they were subtle flicks of his eyes that he quickly hid whenever Courtney leaned toward him. 

Courtney nudged me gently. “You must really love him.” 

I nearly choked. Michael burst out laughing while Ace froze. 

Courtney blinked. “What? Did I say something wrong?” 

“No,” I said quietly. “Just… caught off guard.” 

Courtney smiled sympathetically and squeezed my hand. “Well, I hope the two of you stay happy for a long time.” 

“Thanks,” I whispered. 

Michael suddenly flopped backward onto the floor, groaning. “Ace won. I hate everything.” 

Courtney clapped her hands. “Yay! Good job, baby!” 

Ace smiled softly at her. “Thanks.” 

The ache in my chest hurt even more. 

Courtney leaned closer to me again, whispering, “He gets so grumpy when he loses. It’s adorable.” 

Michael rolled his eyes. “You have terrible taste.” 

“And you have a terrible attitude,” she fired back playfully. 

The exchange made Ace chuckle under his breath. Courtney smiled proudly, then looked at me again. 

“So,” she said, “tell me everything about your marriage. I’m dying to know.” 

Michael grinned like a wolf. Ace looked like he wanted to disappear. 

And I… I had never felt so full of rage, longing, pain, and restraint all at once. But I kept my smile in place. Even though it hurt. 

Because Courtney was sweet. Because she didn’t know. None of this was her fault. 

And it was because Ace—