CHAPTER 23
Mia’s POV
The whispers followed me as I walked through the hallways, but something was different this time. There were no sneers, no insults spat in my direction. The usual taunts that had become a part of my daily routine were oddly absent.
The silence wasn’t comforting, though. It felt strange, unsettling even, but I couldn’t deny the small bubble of relief that formed in my chest.
By the time I reached my locker, I let out a soft murmur to myself. At least one thing they did right.”
I was sure this was my stepbrothers‘ doing. Maybe their overbearing nature had finally worked in my favor. The bullies who had tormented me every day for months now avoided my gaze, whispering only among themselves. It didn’t matter how it happened; it was one less thing to worry about.
As the day wore on, I found myself glancing at the clock more often than usual. My stomach churned with nervous energy, anticipation bubbling beneath the surface. By the time the final bell rang, I was nearly running out of the classroom, my bag slung over my shoulder as I made my way to the gate.
And there he was.
Tristan leaned casually against the wall near the gate, his arms crossed and a small smile tugging at his lips. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else.
I smiled back, my cheeks warming as I walked toward him.
“Hey,” I said softly, stopping just a few feet away.
“Hey yourself,” he replied, pushing off the wall and holding something out to me.
“What’s this?” I asked, looking at the small envelope in his hand.
“An invitation,” he said simply. “I want you to come to a party I’m hosting tonight.”
Before I could respond, I felt it—the oppressive, suffocating presence of my stepbrothers. The air shifted, and I didn’t even have
to look to know they were there. My smile faltered, and I quickly shoved the invitation into my bag, hoping they hadn’t seen it.
Tristan frowned slightly, his gaze flickering over my shoulder. “They’re here, aren’t they?”
I nodded, unable to find the words.
His expression hardened for a brief moment before softening as he looked back at me. “Mia, about earlier-”
“Time to go,” Xavier’s voice cut through the air like a blade.
I flinched, turning to see all four of them standing there, their expressions dark and full of barely contained anger.
“Let’s go,” Xavier repeated, his gaze fixed on me as he grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the car.
“Wait,” Tristan said, stepping forward.
Xavier turned to him, his posture tense. “Stay out of this.”
“She doesn’t have to go with you,” Tristan said evenly, though there was an edge to his tone.
“She’s not your problem,” Rolex added, his eyes narrowing.
“Don’t make me repeat myself,” Xavier warned, his grip on my arm tightening slightly.
“Tristan,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
He looked at me, his jaw clenched, but he didn’t say anything else. I could see the frustration in his eyes as Xavier dragged me
CHAPTER 23
+25 BONUS
away, the other three brothers flanking me on all sides.
When we reached the car, Nathan opened the door and pushed me inside. I slid across the seat, my head bowed as I tried to hold back the tears threatening to spill.
The ride was tense, the silence suffocating. But it didn’t last long.
“What the hell were you doing with him?” Sean demanded, his voice sharp and accusing.
I didn’t answer.
“Answer him,” Xavier said, his tone cold and unyielding.
“I wasn’t doing anything,” I said quietly, my voice trembling.
“Nothing? You were standing there, smiling at him like some lovesick fool,” Sean sneered. “Do you have no shame?”
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I stared down at my lap.
“Are you that desperate for attention?” Rolex added. “Throwing yourself at every guy who looks your way?”
“Stop,” I whispered, barely able to get the word out.
“What was that?” Nathan asked, his tone mocking.
“Stop,” I said louder, tears streaming down my face now. “Why do you care? You hate me anyway!”
Sean scoffed. “You think we don’t have the right to care? You live under our roof.”
“And you’re an embarrassment,” Rolex muttered, his tone laced with disdain.
I couldn’t hold back the sob that escaped my lips. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”
“Shut up,” Xavier snapped. “Stop crying. It’s pathetic.”
I turned my head toward the window, my chest heaving as I struggled to breathe through the pain. Their words cut deeper than I thought possible, and I felt like I was drowning.
Suddenly, Nathan cursed, jerking the wheel sharply. The car swerved violently, and I was thrown against the door. Pain shot through my side as the vehicle careened off the road.
The car hit something hard—a massive stone–and came to an abrupt stop. My head slammed against the window, and a sharp pain shot through my skull.
The brothers scrambled out of the car, their voices raised as they argued about what had just happened.
I tried to move, but my body felt heavy, my limbs sluggish. My head throbbed, and I realized with growing panie that I couldn’t
get out.
The car shifted slightly, the sound of gravel crunching under the tires sending a fresh wave of fear through me.
The cliff’s edge was closer than I’d thought.
The vehicle teetered, and my breath hitched as I felt it begin to move. My vision blurred, and I clung to the seat, my heart racing.
Memories flashed before my eyes–my mother’s laughter, Tristan’s kind smile, the endless taunts and sneers from the
brothers.
This couldn’t be how it ended.
“Help,” I whispered, though my voice barely carried.
The car shifted again, and I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for what was to come.
CHAPTER 24
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.