Humiliating my stepbrother's girlfriend

Lily’s POV  

The next day at the academy, Sam found me by my locker, looking hesitant.  

“Lily…” she started, biting her lip.  

I turned to her, raising a brow. “What?”  

She sighed. “I just—I wanted to say I’m sorry. About my birthday party. About Vanessa. I should have stopped her.”  

I stiffened at the mention of her name. The memory of being shoved into the pool, struggling for air, Ryder’s smirk lingering in the background—it all came rushing back.  

I forced a small smile. “It’s not your fault, Sam.”  

She looked guilty. “I should have done something.”  

I shrugged. “It’s over now.”  

But we both knew it wasn’t.  

Because Vanessa wasn’t done with me.  

 Later That Day – Academy Cafeteria  

I sat alone at my usual table, picking at my food and trying to ignore the stares. People always stared. Whether it was because I was the Alpha’s stepdaughter or because of Ryder’s cruel games, I didn’t know.  

Or maybe I did.  

Just as I was about to leave, the sound of heels clicking against the floor made my stomach tighten.  

Vanessa.  

She strutted toward me, her group of friends trailing behind her like obedient little shadows. She was the queen of the academy—the beautiful, cruel, and untouchable Vanessa.  

And, unfortunately, Ryder’s girlfriend.  

I braced myself.  

“Well, well,” Vanessa sneered, stopping beside my table. “If it isn’t the charity case of the academy.”  

Her friends giggled.  

I clenched my fists but didn’t respond. That only encouraged her.  

She leaned in slightly. “What’s wrong, Lily? Cat got your tongue? Or are you still choking from the pool incident?”  

I felt my face heat up as the memory flooded back. The way I had struggled, gasped for air, how everyone had laughed.  

Vanessa smirked. “You looked so pathetic that night. I mean, who knew you’d need Ryder to save you?”  

My heart clenched.  

She tilted her head, eyes glinting with something cruel. “Oh, wait. Maybe he only saved you because he pities you. Or maybe…” She smirked. “He just wanted to have a little fun before dumping you back in the trash where you belong.”  

Laughter erupted around the cafeteria.  

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. Don’t react. Don’t give her the satisfaction.  

But my silence only made her push further.  

She grabbed my tray and dumped my food onto my lap.  

Gasps echoed around the room.  

I froze, gripping the edge of the table.  

She laughed. “Oops. Looks like I made a mess. But, hey, you’re already used to being treated like garbage, right?”  

Something inside me snapped.  

I stood up so fast my chair screeched. The cafeteria fell silent.  

Vanessa blinked, momentarily startled.  

I grabbed my drink—and before she could react, I threw it at her.  

The soda splashed across her face and down her expensive designer dress.  

The silence was deafening.  

Vanessa gasped, eyes widening in shock. Her perfectly styled hair was soaked, her makeup smudging.  

Her friends gaped at me, stunned.  

I smirked. “Oops. Looks like I made a mess.”  

Then, before she could recover, I grabbed my bag and stormed out of the cafeteria, leaving behind a humiliated Vanessa and a room full of stunned students.  

But as I turned the corner, I ran straight into someone’s chest.  

Strong hands gripped my arms, steadying me.  

I looked up—straight into Ryder’s amused, knowing eyes.  

“Well, well,” he murmured, smirking. “Didn’t know you had that in you, little lamb.”  

My stomach flipped.  

Crap.

Ryder’s smirk deepened as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching me like I was the most amusing thing he’d seen all day.  

“You should’ve seen Vanessa’s face,” he chuckled. “Absolutely priceless.”  

I huffed, trying to step around him. “Move.”  

He didn’t. Instead, he tilted his head, his dark eyes gleaming with something unreadable. “Didn’t know you had that kind of fire in you, Lily.”  

I clenched my fists. “Yeah, well, I’m full of surprises.”  

He let out a low laugh. “Clearly.”  

I tried to push past him again, but he stepped in front of me, blocking my path.  

“Seriously, move,” I snapped, my patience running thin.  

He raised an eyebrow. “And if I don’t?”  

I glared at him. “Then I’ll make you.”  

That only made him smirk wider. “Oh? Now that I’d love to see.”  

I groaned in frustration. “What do you want, Ryder?”  

His smirk faltered just a little. “Just curious… Why now? You’ve let Vanessa walk all over you for so long. What changed?”  

I hesitated. Even I didn’t fully understand it. Maybe I was just tired of being the victim. Tired of being weak.  

I crossed my arms. “Maybe I just realized she’s not as untouchable as everyone thinks.”  

Ryder’s gaze darkened slightly. “No, she’s not.”  

Something in his voice made me pause. A flicker of something—resentment? Or was it something else?  

Before I could figure it out, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hall.  

Vanessa.  

“LILY!” Her screech made me wince.  

I glanced at Ryder, expecting him to step aside and let her get her revenge. But instead, he casually turned, blocking her path before she could reach me.  

Vanessa stopped short, eyes still burning with rage. “Ryder, move!”  

He smirked at her. “Why?”  

Her jaw clenched. “She humiliated me! Did you see what she did?!”  

He tilted his head. “Yeah. It was fantastic.”  

Her eyes widened. “Excuse me?!”  

I almost gasped myself. Was Ryder defending me?  

He shrugged, completely unfazed. “You had it coming, babe.”  

I expected Vanessa to explode, but instead, she softened, reaching for his arm. “Baby, you’re my boyfriend. You’re supposed to be on my side.”  

Ryder’s smirk didn’t fade, but something in his eyes turned cold. He leaned down slightly, his voice dropping low enough that only she and I could hear.  

“Remind me, Vanessa—when exactly did I agree to that?”  

Her face paled.  

I stared at him, stunned.  

What the hell was this?  

Ryder had always enjoyed tormenting me. He never once stopped Vanessa from bullying me before. So why now?  

Vanessa swallowed hard, her anger now mixed with something else—fear.  

I didn’t understand it. Since when was Vanessa afraid of Ryder?  

She forced a laugh, stepping back. “Fine. Whatever. Have fun with your little charity case.” She shot me a final glare before turning on her heel and storming away.  

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.  

Ryder turned back to me, that damn smirk still on his face.  

“You’re welcome,” he said.  

I scowled. “I didn’t ask for your help.”  

He chuckled. “No, but it was fun watching her squirm.”  

I shook my head, stepping around him before he could trap me again.  

But as I walked away, I could feel his gaze on me.  

Something was different about Ryder today.  

And that terrified me more than anything Vanessa could ever do.