As I walked down the hospital corridor, a sense of determination steadied my nerves. I didn’t want the visit to be one where I felt pushed aside by Harry’s constant presence, his critical gaze always lingering, silently disapproving. I was determined to see dad on my own terms. Carrying the bag of food I and Margaret had carefully prepared, I focused on keeping my smile bright and my emotions in check.As I approached dad’s room, however, my hope wavered. Through the small window in the door, I could see Harry seated by his bedside, leaning forward, speaking with him in that familiar, smug tone. And the moment he saw me walk in, his eyes darkened, and his face soured, the easy warmth he’d worn melting into a look of irritation.“Hey, sweetheart!” Dad greeted me with a wide smile, one that softened the lines of age on his face. For him, I pushed away the anger brewing inside my heart and plastered on my best happy face as I walked further into the room. But Harry’s gaze was relentles
The drive back from the hospital blurred together in a tapestry of passing cars and shops, the city an indifferent witness to my tangled emotions. I’d always craved peace, a quiet kind of calm that I could never seem to hold onto when Harry was around. Even as the familiar streets drifted by, I felt a distance growing—between me, the life I’d known, and the perfect family I had dreamt about for years. Leaving dad behind had been even harder than I’d imagined. But staying? Staying had felt impossible.Weirdly, the thoughts I started to have on my way back mirrored the ones from almost a decade ago when I was leaving London. The parallels in my thoughts were too obvious to forget or ignore. That day confirmed that dad was never going to leave Harry, no matter what he did. By the time Simon pulled up to the mansion, exhaustion draped over me like a shroud. The house was quiet, almost too quiet, as I unlocked the door and stepped inside. The usual comfort of my room, the familiar scen
The next morning, I made my way downstairs, dreading every step I took because I could hear my grandma from the living room, yelling at Margaret because the tea was too hot. I didn't get enough time to think about leaving because I woke up to a text from Simon saying they decided to come earlier and he was on his way to pick them up from the airport. By the time I brushed my teeth and took a bath, they were home. I had no other choice but to face them. As I reached the living room, I spotted my grandparents seated stiffly on the couch, sipping tea in silence, their faces set in the usual stern expressions they wore like armour. Margaret was by the window, hands folded in front of her, watching the scene unfold with the air of someone hoping to keep peace but knowing it was a lost cause. “Good morning, Katherine,” my grandmother said crisply, glancing at her watch before giving me a long, disapproving look as I entered the room. “We were beginning to think you’d never join u
Two days had passed since I landed in the States, and my mind was still spinning from the whirlwind of changes surrounding me. Thoughts of my dad floated through my mind like leaves caught in a gentle breeze. The brothers tried to talk to me about it, but I shut them down nicely, telling them that I didn't want to talk about it. Lucas was the only one who insisted I tell him what happened multiple times, but stopped when he realised I wasn't ready to share it yet. For the most part of it ,things were back to normal. We are together while discussing some random topics. Dev was extra kind and warm, always taking care of me, while Caspian once again started to put distance between us. I tried talking to him, but it didn't work. He always had something important to be taken care of when I tried to talk to him. Others noticed that and told me not to think about it much because it was common for him to act like that sometimes. They told me that he would be back to his normal self i
“I just wanted to come close to you.” His voice echoed in my ears, low and unexpected. For a moment, I thought he might be joking, but his warmth against my back told a different story. Even after he slid the bridle off the horse, he remained close, his chest pressed against me. I closed my eyes, breathing deeply, trying to steady the rush of emotions heating my skin and the fire burning in my chest. ‘I like Lucas,’ I reminded myself firmly, but as his hands moved slowly, settling on my waist, that reminder began to blur. The thoughts of Lucas drifted away, replaced by an undeniable pull toward the man behind me. I hesitated, letting the silence between us thicken. My fingers fumbled with the stall door, securing it. I watched it for a while, not responding to his hand on my waist. Harry waited behind me, not forcing me, giving me a choice. His touch lingered at the edge of tension, and I could feel the unspoken question at his fingertips: Will you let this happen? He wanted m
The house was buzzing with conversation as I slipped through the front door. The warmth from inside wrapped around me, a stark contrast to the cooling night air outside. The evening had settled in, casting a gentle glow across the walls from the lamps scattered around the room. Harry headed upstairs, muttering something about needing a shower, while I found myself drawn toward the faint sound of Dev’s voice coming from the family room. I knew others would be there too, so I fixed my hair and taking a steady breath, I followed his voice down the hallway. I let my fingers brush over the cool, polished wooden art piece on the wall, looking at the entertainment room. Ian was in there, watching Umbrella Academy and somehow it made sense that he would be watching a show like that. Sensing my presence he turned back and looked at me in confusion. “I was just passing and saw you inside. Don't mind me,” I said, trying not to make him uncomfortable. He shook his head and gave me a l
The house felt quieter after we moved to the kitchen, the evening's events trailing behind me like the whispers of an unfinished conversation. Caspian and I found ourselves side by side, bumping our shoulders playfully as we worked. The warm lights cast a golden glow over the countertops. Dev stood at the far end, arranging ingredients for some side dishes he was preparing. I focused on chopping vegetables, the rhythmic sound of the knife against the cutting board calming my mind, but every once in a while, my gaze flickered toward Caspian. There was something about the way he moved—his confident, fluid motions as he prepared the sauce, the ease with which he commanded the space—that sent a thrill through me. I tried to shake it off, focusing instead on the task at hand, but it was hard to ignore the tension that simmered just beneath the surface. “Stop looking at me and move your hand faster,” Caspian said, breaking the silence. His voice was casual, but there was a softne
The soft hum of the elevator echoed in the quiet, steady and rhythmic, but it did nothing to calm the storm swirling inside me. My heart pounded so loud in my chest that I was sure Caspian could hear it. The tension between us had built up all night, simmering just beneath the surface, and now, as the elevator descended, I couldn’t help but start to panic. ‘Am I ready for this?’ I shifted on my feet, glancing at Caspian beside me. He stood tall, his expression unreadable but calm, like he already knew what was going to happen. Like he knew me better than I knew myself. That thought sent a thrill through me, though I couldn't differentiate if it was out of excitement or fear. “If you're not ready, we can go back and forget this,” he had said, his voice softer than I expected. The offer hung in the air like a lifeline, but I had shaken my head. ‘There is no turning back. I am the one who told him that I would tonight.’ I reminded myself and kissed his upper arms for some rea
“Kat? What’s wrong?”I stared at him without saying anything. He looked hot without his glasses and perfectly combed hair. He was in a T-shirt and a pair of joggers. His hair was ruffled and I almost felt sorry for waking him up just because I was feeling hot. I wasn't even sure if he would fuck me, but I had no other option. I couldn't go to Lucas or Harry in that condition; Dev was the only one I felt would understand the condition I was in and wouldn't judge me for it. “Can I come inside?” I questioned and he nodded his head, pulling the door all the way. “Come in...” He stopped when he noticed I was only wearing the top, and nothing else. It was one of those oversized tops, so he didn't notice much when I was in the darkness of the hallway, but in his room, under the bright lights, he saw it, and his cheeks turned red. He looked at me in confusion, like a deer caught in the headlight. “Thank you,” I said, biting my lips seductively. “And sorry for waking you up.” “What is go
“One...” I was able to speak it out, raising my ass due to the sting that I felt afterwards. It hurt! It really did hurt! “Good! You remembered the rules.” He sounded almost impressed, and for some reason, that brought a smile to my face. “Not many remember the rules on their first time. I guess the internet articles did teach you a few things.” I was about to respond when without warning he spanked my other butt with the same force, if not more. I felt the vibration of the impact travelling up to my heart, and down to my crotch. I moaned. “Ah… two!” I remembered to count, clenching my jaw to hold back the cry. I wanted to turn back and finger myself because the sexual tension in my core was rising to a new height. “I thought you would forget about the rule, and I will get to hit you double the amount,” he said mockingly, and I braced myself for the next impact. “Not my day, I guess. Well, in that case, I've to make these forty spanks worthwhile.” The next hit didn't come
Caspian was sitting on my bed, leaning back a little with his strong arms at his sides. His legs were spread to give me a good look at his package. His features were sharp and flawless. He was truly God's sexiest creation and the most handsome among all the brothers. His forest-like dark green eyes undoubtedly beckoned me to be drawn into them since the first day I saw him. I couldn't wait to run my hand through his dishevelled, dark-brown hair, but somehow I felt like he was planning something else. I felt butterflies in my stomach seeing the first few buttons on his white shirt undone, revealing his bare chest. Just a glimpse of the muscular chest behind the fabric made me feel hot. I felt the urge to run my tongue down his body. He glanced at his wristwatch and then up at me, causing me to close my eyes in anticipation. He knew what he was doing to me, coming dressed up in his work clothes instead of the jeans and T-shirt he was wearing during dinner. “I-I… I don't know wha
“You knew he was watching us?” I didn't know what to think anymore. Caspian’s confession hit me like a blow to the chest. My trust in him, the way I defended him against Lucas, suddenly felt like a mistake. That familiar nagging voice, the ‘what if’ in the back of my mind, screamed louder than ever. I couldn't completely let go of the doubts, and Caspian saying he knew Lucas was watching us in the backyard brought back the fear. I took a deep breath and turned toward him. Caspian, who usually carried an air of confidence and control, now looked almost… remorseful. His head was down, and his eyes downcast as if he could already read my thoughts. “Don’t,” he whispered, his voice breaking as he continued. “Please, Kat. Don’t go there.” “W-why?” My voice was barely steady when I questioned, because my emotions were in a chaotic swirl. “Why didn’t you stop when you saw him? Why didn’t you tell me then?” He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his dark hair before sitting dow
The dining room was alive with chatter, the brothers bouncing between casual banter and stories while Mom and Derek listened with amused smiles. The long table was set with a spread that smelled heavenly—roast chicken, fried rice, creamy mashed potatoes, spicy crabs and grilled vegetables. Normally, the warm, lively atmosphere would have made me feel comfortable, but things were different that night. While I was extra cautious with Ian sitting beside me, nervously scratching his knuckles, I also had to deal with Caspian, who was directly across from me. He wore a dangerous smirk, and every so often, he would run his toes along the length of my legs. On the other hand, since the start Lucas had been quiet. He wasn’t talking like the others. Even Ian made a few comments when Derek addressed him, but Lucas just shrugged whenever someone asked him something. Instead, he’d been watching me. More specifically, he’d been watching Caspian, whose occasional glances my way seemed to int
Harry’s eyes looked for answers when he stepped into Ian’s room. His gaze was bouncing between the two of us like he’d stumbled upon something scandalous. “What’s going on here?” he asked his tone light but carrying the curiosity of someone who definitely knew something was brewing between them but wasn't sure. “Is everything alright? Ian?” I glanced at Ian, who had stiffened at the question. His fingers were fidgeting with the edge of his shirt, and the nervous energy radiating off him was almost visible. He didn’t want to talk about what had just happened, and I couldn’t blame him.I knew I couldn't leave it to him to answer because if he was socially awkward, there was also a huge possibility that he had trouble lying. I never had that difficulty, maybe because I was born to two of the biggest liars in the world. “It’s nothing important,” I said quickly, offering Harry a small smile. I stood, brushing imaginary dust off my jeans. “I was just asking him if there was something he
The moment I stepped back into the house, I felt a sense of relief. The cool air brushed against my heated skin, and I felt the shift in energy. My earlier interaction with Caspian still lingered in my thoughts, but as I walked toward the kitchen, I noticed Ian standing near the counter. He was pouring a glass of water, his shoulders stiff and his movements looked almost robotic. His silver hair was slightly dishevelled, and when he turned briefly to glance at me, I caught the telltale redness in his puffy eyes. My heart tightened. Ian rarely showed any vulnerability, preferring to stay quiet and blend into the background. Seeing him like this sent alarm bells ringing in my head. I forgot about Caspian almost instantly and walked towards him. “Ian,” I called gently, trying to understand what must have happened. He froze, his glass of water clutched tightly in his hand. He didn’t meet my eyes. Instead, he turned to stare at the counter as though it might give him an escape. “I
Mom was talking animatedly to Dev, her laughter light and carefree, while Derek engaged Caspian in a conversation about work. I sat there, feeling like an outsider, as Mom and Dev talked about the places she visited with Derek. It hurt me to see that Dev knew more about her than I did, and the way she talked with him showed how strong their relationship was. However, she read my mind because her eyes lit up all of a sudden as she forced the conversation towards me. It was a hollow try, but I let her, to see what she had for me. Just ten minutes ago, she commented about us making plans for the day, but she already forgot about it and made plans with Leo to check out a local spa and then cook dinner with Dev and Derek. “Kat,” her voice drew attention, her manicured hand on my arm. “Do you need anything, sweetheart? You’ve been awfully quiet.” I shook my head, managing a small smile. “No, I’m fine. Just a little tired, that's all.” Derek glanced over, his brows furrowing. “Y
The morning light stirred me awake, and I yawned, blinking at the warm haze filling my room. It was a Saturday, meaning no classes. Thus, I was planning to sleep till the afternoon, or at least stay in bed. But, that changed when I heard muffled sounds coming from below—voices, laughter, and some shuffling. I sat up, listened closely, and felt a slight tug of curiosity gnawing at the edges of my sleepy mind.After brushing my teeth and splashing some cold water on my face to wake up, I quietly made my way down the hallway, the gentle hum of conversation growing louder with each step. As I descended the staircase, I slowed, catching a glimpse of the scene unfolding in the entrance hall.There, sitting together on the long couch, were Derek and… my mother.I stopped short, taking in the sight of her. It felt like ages since I’d last seen her. She looked different, almost like a stranger wearing my mother’s face. She seemed… lighter somehow, more carefree. Her features were softened b