The grand hotel loomed before me, its marble stairs bathed in the fading amber of the late afternoon sun. I stepped out of the car, smoothing the folds of my elegant silver gown, wishing I could disappear into the pavement. This celebration had nothing to do with me, even though it was my mother’s wedding dinner.
I hadn’t seen her in months, not since she’d called to announce she was marrying for the fourth time, this time to a wealthy businessman, Robert Sinclair. I had only agreed to attend because I knew the alternative was worse: weeks of her relentless guilt trips and scathing remarks about my "ungrateful attitude." So, here I was, bracing myself for a night of fake smiles and shallow congratulations.
The grand entrance to the hotel shimmered with chandeliers and luxury. As I walked in, a sinking sensation twisted in my stomach. No matter how many times I was pulled into her world of glitz and glamour, I never quite fit in. My mother, once a minor actress who still clung to the remnants of her past fame, had always reminded me of that. Her favourite line, repeated throughout my childhood, was how she would have "made it big" in Hollywood if it weren’t for marrying my "loser father" and having me. She made it sound like my very existence had derailed her dreams.
My dad had left us when I was a baby; I grew up with my grandparents. They loved me and made sure that I never missed my mum.
When I was 17, my grandfather died. A heart attack. Suddenly, violently, and without any warning. His death shattered me. I had never felt so alone. My grandmother was getting too old, and with her dementia, she could no longer take care of me. My mother came back into my life. Not out of love or guilt, but because she needed someone to stand besides her at her public events. A daughter completed her image. I had no choice. I had nowhere else to go.
Now, at twenty-three, I was facing yet another event in her world. I stepped through the gilded doors into the ballroom; heavy tension gripped me. I scanned the room, noting the expensive gowns, the flawless hair, and the laughter that seemed forced, as if the air itself was staged.
And then my worst fear materialised, as if the universe had decided tonight wasn’t torturous enough. Across the room, in a tailored suit that clung to him like a second skin, stood Logan Sinclair.
I froze.
The blood drained from my face, my heartbeat roaring in my ears. It couldn’t be him. Not him. But it was. Logan Sinclair. My high school tormentor. The boy who had made my teenage years a waking nightmare. Why was he here ?
He hadn’t changed much, except for the fact that he looked sharper now, more handsome, as if it were even possible. But the same arrogant smirk was there, the same piercing blue eyes that had once cut me down with a single look. He was laughing with a few men, completely unaware that I had walked into the room. For a fleeting second, I considered bolting for the exit. I didn’t care about the scene it would cause. But before I could move, his gaze shifted and landed on me.
Our eyes locked.
I could see the exact moment recognition flickered in his eyes. His smirk faltered, but only for a moment, before he regained his composure, cool and unbothered. But I wasn’t. The air felt too thick. The ballroom walls seemed to close in on me. Memories I’d buried deep—ones I had spent years trying to forget—rushed back in an overwhelming wave.
The snide comments, the humiliating pranks, the casual cruelty that came so easily to him. Logan had been everything a high school bully could be—popular, untouchable, and relentless. And I had been his favourite target.
I clenched my hands into fists, trying to steady my breathing. Fear. It was fear I hadn’t felt in years—fear that made me feel small and powerless, like the sixteen-year-old girl who had spent too many lunch breaks crying in the bathroom stall, wishing she could disappear.
He excused himself from the conversation he was in and began walking towards me. Every step he took felt like the world was crumbling under my feet.
“Isabelle Munroe,” he said when he reached me, his voice smooth and casual, as if we were old friends. As if he hadn’t once made my life hell.
I forced myself to meet his gaze, even though everything inside me screamed to look away. “Logan,” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.
He studied me for a moment, his eyes flickering with something unreadable before settling back into that infuriating calm.
“Long time no see,” he said, his voice low.
I swallowed hard, my heart hammering in my chest. I wanted to say something—anything—but the words caught in my throat. Before I could gather my thoughts or force my body to move, the sharp click of high heels echoed from behind me. My mother’s perfume—something expensive and floral—hit my senses before her voice did.
“There you are, Isabelle!” she called, her voice too bright, too loud, dripping with forced enthusiasm. She was already gliding towards us, her elegant gown trailing behind her like the train of a queen.
I turned, forcing a smile as she approached, her arm immediately curling around mine in a possessive gesture. “I’ve been looking all over for you,” she said, though I knew she hadn’t. Her eyes flicked between Logan and me, and she tilted her head, a gleam of satisfaction crossing her features.
“Ah, I see you’ve met Logan.” She squeezed my arm, not out of affection but as if to remind me that I was here to play a part in her perfect picture.
“Met?” Logan’s voice cut in smoothly, laced with amusement. “We go way back, actually. Went to the same high school.” His eyes remained locked on mine, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth, daring me to contradict him.
My mother’s laughter tinkled like delicate glass as she glanced between us, entirely oblivious to the tension coiling between Logan and me. “Oh, how delightful!” she said. “Isabelle, I’m sure you two will get along fabulously. Logan is Robert’s son and your new stepbrother.” She beamed at him like he was some kind of trophy son.
Isabelle -"WHAT !" I said aloud.I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat, fighting the urge to flee. I wanted to scream, to run out of the ballroom, to put as much distance between Logan and me as possible. But my mother’s arm held me in place, her nails gently digging into my skin, a silent reminder that I had to play along. To be the dutiful daughter at her perfect wedding dinner.“And Isabelle,” my mother continued, turning to me, her smile still too wide. “Logan is going to be part of our family now. Isn’t that wonderful? I knew you’d be thrilled.”Thrilled. The word hung in the air like a cruel joke. This wasn’t just about enduring a few awkward moments at a dinner party. Logan Sinclair was going to be my stepsister. The boy who had tormented me for years, the source of so many of my insecurities, was now my family !I forced a tight-lipped smile, though my hands were shaking, clasped together to steady myself. “Yes,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s… wonderf
Isabelle -The party continued to swirl around me, but I was barely aware of it. The alcohol was starting to hum through my veins, numbing the sharp edges of everything—the embarrassment, the anger, the sheer frustration of seeing Logan Sinclair again. I needed to get away from him, from all of it. The clinking of glasses, the murmured conversations, the sparkling chandeliers above—it all felt like a blur as I stood at the bar, staring into the amber liquid in my glass.The peace didn't last for long, as my mother marched over to me with a look that screamed “Time to meet the family!”.She latched onto my arm like she was afraid I might make a break for it at any second.“Come on, darling, let’s introduce you to everyone!” she said.Before I could even protest, she was dragging me across the ballroom, weaving through clusters of fancy-dressed guests, most of whom I’d never seen before and would, hopefully, never have to see again. The faces blurred together: cousins I’d barely met, se
I stood there, frozen, my glass of champagne hovering in midair. I could feel my mother’s eager eyes burning into the side of my face, her grip tightening around my arm as if to say, Smile, be grateful!Perfect? Perfect for what, exactly? Working under Logan Sinclair, the guy who had single-handedly made my teenage years a living hell? And not just any job—his secretary?Oh no. Nope. No way.But before I could protest—before I could even think of a half-decent excuse—my mother chimed in with that sugary, sweet voice she used whenever she was trying to convince people we were a perfect, functional family.“Oh, that’s wonderful, Robert! Isn’t it, Isabelle? What a fantastic opportunity!”Opportunity. That word made me want to scream. But instead, I forced the most unconvincing smile of my life; my mouth stretched so tight I thought my face might crack.“Uh… yeah. Great,” I managed, though my voice sounded strained even to my own ears.Logan, who had been standing a few feet away, must’ve
The smile faltered, just for a split second, before she regained her composure. “What are you talking about? This is an amazing opportunity for you!”“No, it’s not,” I insisted, frustration bubbling up. “I can’t work for him. He... well, we never liked each other back in high school. I can't imagine having to deal with him on a daily basis. It would be too much for me to handle. "She sighed dramatically, as if I were being unreasonable. “Isabelle, that was years ago. You can’t still be holding onto that.”I stared at her in disbelief. “I’m not holding onto it, but that doesn’t mean I want to be his secretary! I’ll find something else, somewhere else. Just… not this.”My mother’s eyes softened slightly, but not in a comforting way. No, this was the calm-before-the-storm look—the one she used when she was about to unleash her patented guilt trip.“Oh, Isabelle,” she sighed, placing her hand on my arm. “I know you’ve had your differences with Logan, but people change. And this job—it’s
Logan -I stared at the ceiling, my room cloaked in darkness except for the faint glow of the city lights seeping through the blinds. Sleep wasn’t coming—not tonight. My mind kept circling back to the same thoughts repeatedly. Isabelle.I turned onto my side, hoping that a change in position would somehow trick my brain into shutting off. But no matter how I lay, her face crept back into my mind, her eyes flashing with anger and resentment.I rubbed my face with both hands, frustration gnawing at me. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. I sat up, throwing off the covers. Sleep was impossible. My mind wasn’t letting this go, so I might as well stop pretending.Without really thinking about it, I found myself getting up and walking towards the closet. At the top shelf, buried under some old boxes and a forgotten gym bag, was something I hadn’t touched in years. A diary.I hesitated for a moment, my hand hovering over the dusty stack. Did I really want to go back there? To relive that
Logan -I slammed Isabelle's diary shut with a soft thud. My fingers rested on it for a moment, as if closing it would somehow shut out the memories too. But no, the memories were still there, swirling in my mind, sharp and jagged. I rubbed my forehead, trying to push back the headache that was starting to build.Why did I do that? Why was I such a jerk?The question felt like a punch to the gut every time I asked it, and I’d been asking it a lot lately. More than I wanted to admit.I tossed the diary back onto the shelf. Every time I thought I had finally moved past that part of my life, something would pull me back. And now, seeing Isabelle again, it felt like the universe was rubbing my nose in the mistakes I’d made.I hadn’t expected her to be my new stepsister. When my dad said he was remarrying, I figured it would just be another awkward family dinner, some uncomfortable, forced small talk with my father’s latest interest, and then back to my life. I never thought she’d walk thr
Isabelle -Dear Diary,Tomorrow is my mother’s wedding. Mum’s always loved grand events—the bigger, the better. And while I want to be happy for her, truly, sometimes it’s hard not to feel like a visitor in her world. But for once, tomorrow isn’t about that. It’s about her happiness, her fresh start, and I can respect that. She deserves it.But then… there’s Logan.I still remember the first time I saw him in high school: tall, effortless, and extremely handsome. He was the epitome of everything I wasn’t—popular, confident, and arrogant beyond reason. And God, did he make it his mission to remind me of that?But tomorrow... he’s going to be family, and soon my boss. But I am not that meek girl anymore. I’ve worked hard to become someone I respect. I’ve built myself up from every bruise he left on my confidence and from every cruel joke that made me feel invisible. If Logan Sinclair thinks he can waltz back into my life and keep tormenting me, he has another thing coming.I’ll be civil,
IsabellaDragging my overstuffed suitcase through the marble-floored hallway, I felt every ounce of its weight as it clattered over the polished surface. The grandeur of the Sinclair mansion was overwhelming, and I’d barely scratched the surface. Towering ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers, walls lined with expensive artwork that screamed “old money,” and a staircase so grand it looked like it belonged in a period drama—it was all too much. I knew the Sinclairs were rich, but this mansion was the kind of place that made you realize there was rich, and then there was loaded.The guest room assigned to me was nothing short of spectacular. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathed the space in soft light, and the view of the perfectly manicured gardens outside made me feel like I’d stepped into a painting. A massive canopy bed, dressed in plush linens and too many pillows, stood in the center. Gilded furniture and a faint lavender scent gave the room a sense of effortless luxury.I hoved th
IsabellaThe city lights shimmered below us, casting a golden glow over the balcony. A gentle breeze carried the distant hum of traffic and the scent of fresh roses from the garden below. It was quiet, peaceful—perfect.I leaned against the railing, watching the world move beneath us, when two strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind. Logan’s warmth enveloped me, his chin resting lightly on my shoulder.“You’re staring,” I teased, tilting my head to meet his gaze.“I can’t help it,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the side of my neck. “You’re breathtaking.”A blush crept up my cheeks, but I rolled my eyes playfully. “You say that like you haven’t seen me a thousand times before.”Logan turned me around, his hands framing my face as he studied me with that intense, unwavering focus that always made my heart stutter. “I could see you a million times and still not get enough.”I bit my lip to keep from smiling too wide, but it was useless—he always had this effect on me.“Bes
IsabellaI never expected to see Logan at my home. But there he was, walking down the garden path like he belonged here, like he had every right to show up after everything.The evening air was warm, carrying the scent of roses and freshly cut grass, but I felt frozen in place on the patio. My fingers curled around the edge of the wicker chair, my heart hammering a little too hard against my ribs.His gaze found mine, unwavering. “Hi.”I swallowed. “Hi.”An awkward pause stretched between us before I found my voice again. “How did you find me?”Logan shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I begged your mother to tell me.”I raised a brow. “She actually told you?”“She made me swear I wouldn’t make things worse.” His lips twitched like he was trying for a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.I exhaled, glancing at the empty chair across from me. “Sit down.”He hesitated only for a second before stepping forward and lowering himself into the seat.“How are you?” he asked,
LoganParis was screaming.Not the kind of dramatic, crocodile-tear crying she used to do when we were together. No, this was full-blown, red-faced, glass-shattering rage.And honestly? I didn’t give a damn.“You ruined me, Logan!” she shrieked, pacing back and forth in my office like a caged animal.“Do you have any idea how many deals I’ve lost because of your stupid lawsuit?”I leaned back in my chair, completely unfazed. “I don’t know, Paris. Maybe as many as Isabella lost when you spread lies about her?”Her jaw clenched. “Oh, don’t give me that moral high ground bullshit. You never cared about her reputation before.”My eyes darkened. “That’s where you’re wrong.”I had let too many things slide in the past. Let Paris manipulate me, let her get away with her games, let her tear people down just because she could. But not this time. Not when it came to Isabella.Paris scoffed, arms crossing. “Do you really think I’m going to let you do this to me? I’ll fight you in court, Logan. I
Isabella -After a long moment, we finally pulled apart. My mother wiped her eyes quickly, as if embarrassed by her own vulnerability. I let out a shaky breath, still trying to process everything, when she suddenly said, “I’m divorcing Robert.”I blinked. “Wait… what?”She sighed, rubbing her temples. “It was never a real marriage, Isabella. It was always an agreement.” She looked at me, her expression softer now. “And I don’t want to stand in the way of you and Logan.”I stared at her, completely caught off guard. “You don’t have to do that. I mean… I know things between you and Robert were never perfect, but still—”She let out a laugh, shaking her head. “Sweetheart, this isn’t a sacrifice. Trust me, it’s the opposite. I want this.”I frowned. “But why now?”She smiled. “I want to spend some time with myself, maybe even figure out who I am outside of all this. And I want to take care of your grandmother. She’s not getting any younger, and after everything, I think she deserves to ha
IsabellaI felt a lump rise in my throat, but I didn’t interrupt. I needed to hear this, no matter how painful it was.“We fought all the time,” she continued, her voice growing harder. “He would yell, and I would yell back. He accused me of trapping him, of ruining his life. And I… I hated him for it. I hated him for making me feel like I was nothing, like I was a burden. But I stayed because I didn’t know what else to do. I had you, and I thought… I thought I could make it work.”She stopped again, her hands trembling as she wiped at her eyes. “And then he died. It was a car accident—drunk driving. Everyone thought it was so tragic. They pitied me, the young widow with a baby. They called us the perfect couple, the high school sweethearts who never got their happy ending. But they didn’t know the truth. They didn’t know how much I hated him, how much I resented him for everything he put me through.”Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I took a step back, struggling to proc
IsabellaI froze, my breath catching in my throat. My mother, too, seemed startled. She leaned forward, her perfectly manicured hands clasped tightly in her lap. “Yes, Mom,” she said, her voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “I’m here.”My grandmother’s eyes searched her face, as if trying to place her in a world that had long since slipped away. “Where’s Matthew?” she asked, her tone almost childlike in its innocence. “Is he coming?”My mother’s expression faltered, just for a second, before she smoothed it over with a practiced smile. “He’s away for work,” she said gently. “But he’ll be back soon.”My grandmother nodded, seemingly satisfied, and closed her eyes again, her grip on my hand loosening as she drifted back into sleep. I stared at my mother, my mind racing. Matthew? Who was Matthew?My grandmother had said it with such familiarity, as if it were a name she had spoken a thousand times.The silence in the room was heavy, broken only by the sound of my grandmother’s steady bre
Isabella -The gravel crunched beneath my feet as I walked up the familiar path to my grandparents’ house. The air smelled of pine and damp earth, a comforting scent that carried me back to summers spent running through the fields, carefree and untouched by the weight of the world. But now, the house stood as a quiet sentinel, its white paint chipped and its shutters slightly askew, as if it too had aged alongside me. I paused at the front steps, my hand resting on the weathered railing, and took a deep breath. This was my refuge now, the only place where I could escape the chaos that had become my life.The key turned with a soft click, and I pushed the door open, stepping into the dimly lit foyer. Dust motes danced in the slivers of sunlight that filtered through the curtains, and the air was thick with the scent of old wood and forgotten memories. I dropped my bag by the door and let my fingers trail along the wall as I walked further inside. The house was exactly as I remembered i
Logan You could practically hear the tension crackling in the air.Amanda froze, her wine glass hanging in mid-air like she had just witnessed a murder. My father’s expression darkened so fast, I thought he might actually explode.My mom, however, looked downright delighted. “Oh, this just keeps getting better,” she mused, looking between them with the kind of joy only found in well-aged revenge.Dad, jaw clenched, exhaled through his nose before muttering, “Logan, this is not the time—”“Oh, I think it is,” I cut in. “You’re really going to sit there and act like you have the moral high ground? After everything?”Dad stood, his eyes locked onto mine, but before he could unleash whatever dramatic speech he had prepared, Mom clapped her hands together again. “Alright, that’s enough of that. Robert, listen to me, and listen well. I do not have the energy to deal with your nonsense. Approve this relationship. Let my son be happy.”Dad didn’t budge. Amanda, who still looked like she regr
Logan’s POVI skimmed through the annual report. Sinclair Industries was vast—far more than just the gaming division I managed. My father oversaw several subsidiaries, and while I generally stayed out of his affairs, I made it a point to review the financials at the end of each fiscal year.But something wasn’t adding up.I frowned as I examined the numbers for one of our European acquisitions. A massive loan—hundreds of millions—was taken from a French bank. I hadn’t been informed of this, and given the sheer size of the investment, I should have been.“What the hell is this?” I muttered, flipping through the pages.Derek, who was standing by the window, turned toward me. “Figured you’d notice that.”I shot him a sharp look. “You knew about this?”He shrugged. “Not all the details. Just that your father took a sizeable loan to buy that European company. It’s been under wraps, probably because he didn’t want questions.”I exhaled slowly, my mind running through the implications. My fa