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LIX : Shadows & Stolen Kisses
Last Updated:
2025-03-31 22:56:08
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Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LX : Spotlight & Sketches
The photoshoot studio is vast and bright, with large lights hanging from the ceiling, casting almost too-perfect a glow. The air is thick with the scent of hairspray and expensive perfume, mingling with the photographer’s voice directing the model across the room. People are moving back and forth, carrying clothes on hangers, makeup tools, and pricey cameras that make me feel like a deer caught in headlights.I’m sitting in front of a giant mirror, its round lights surrounding it, my hands gripping the chair’s arms while a makeup artist brushes my face. Next to me, Elle is recording a video on her phone, her face beaming with enthusiasm she can’t hide.“Okay, I have to capture this moment,” she says, pointing the camera at my face. “Maya De Cruz, the designer girl who suddenly became a model. What’s it like being the center of attention?”I snort, trying to look relaxed even though my fingers are still clutching the chair. “Honestly, I’d rather be behind the scenes.”Joy, sitting on a
Last Updated : 2025-03-31Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LXI: No Good Deed is Free
The cold New York night air stung my skin as I stepped out of the café, crossing my arms over my chest to ward off the creeping chill seeping through my coat. Fine snowflakes drifted from the dark sky, layering the sidewalk in a thin, powdery sheet. I had just spent the last few hours buried in my design project, losing track of time until I realized it was nearly midnight.I took a deep breath, ready to walk back to the apartment I shared with Elle and Joy. The café wasn’t too far from home—about ten blocks away. Normally, I enjoyed walking through the city, especially when the streetlights cast a warm glow and the city’s pulse stayed alive even late at night.But tonight felt different.I glanced across the street where a group of burly men stood huddled on the corner, leaning against the brick wall of an old building bathed in dim light. They spoke in low voices, chuckling occasionally, and one of them lit a cigarette. Not an unusual sight in this city. But the way they kept glanci
Last Updated : 2025-03-31Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LXII: Sketching Chaos
This morning, the faculty building felt colder than usual. The spring air, which should’ve been warm, still carried the remnants of winter’s bite. I walked down the third-floor corridor, the sound of my footsteps echoing against the walls lined with event posters and exam schedules.The Interdisciplinary Studio: Design and Architecture— a course that brought together graphic design, interior design, and architecture students for collaborative projects—was one of the most anticipated yet dreaded classes by many. Especially since Professor Sinclair was known for being tough and perfectionistic with every assignment.As soon as I entered the spacious, bright classroom, I was met by the buzz of students busy preparing their presentation materials. The morning sunlight streamed through the large glass wall on one side of the room, casting soft shadows on the polished wood floor. Long tables were arranged in a U-shape, allowing everyone to face each other easily.I chose a seat by the windo
Last Updated : 2025-03-31Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LXIII : Blueprints & Battle Lines
The wind picked up, carrying the scent of rain trapped behind dark clouds at the horizon. The orange light began to fade, replaced by streaks of purple and deep blue. The city’s hum grew clearer from the rooftop, as if reminding me that time kept moving even while we were caught in this never-ending game of egos.I tried to focus again on the sketchpad in front of me—rough outlines of an interactive garden with dynamic panels that could reshape themselves according to the needs of the public—an open-space concept blending nature and technology. But my concentration was broken, disturbed by the man next to me, still wearing that half-mocking smile with his arms crossed over his chest.“Modular design, interactive public space,” Aaric repeated his idea with a dismissive tone. “Ambitious, but too complex for a student project.”I snorted. “That’s what makes it interesting. I prefer a challenge over just designing a flower garden with wooden benches.”He raised an eyebrow, looking at me l
Last Updated : 2025-03-31Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LXIV : You Shouldn’t Feel This Good
FlashbackThe neon lights in the bar flickered slowly—red and blue crashing against the black walls like a drunk mural. The music thumped too loud for me, too soft for Aaric’s world.I don’t really know why I let myself come tonight. Maybe I was too tired to argue. Or maybe it was the way he said, “They wanna meet you too. So you know I’m not as weird as you think.” That half-smile of his—he knew I couldn’t resist a subtle challenge.I wore a fitted black tee and my favorite pair of jeans, the ones with a naturally torn knee, not the factory kind. My hair was tied up in a half-assed bun, and my makeup was barely there—because, honestly, I couldn’t be bothered.His friends stood around a huge sofa, drinks in hand, laughing, their conversations overlapping like an energetic orchestra. They all had their own vibe—somewhere between Vogue streetwear and too rich to care. But they were friendly. One of them, Alessia, even cheered when Aaric pulled me down to sit beside him.The problem was
Last Updated : 2025-04-06Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LXV : Gilded Girl with a Cracked Voice
These past few weeks have felt like summer arrived too soon, warm, intoxicating, and catching me off guard.I can’t quite remember when everything started to change. Maybe it was the night Aaric picked me up on his motorcycle in the rain, handing me his spare helmet without saying a word.Or when he showed up at my workspace at midnight, carrying a coffee and a half-squashed croissant, saying, “You look like you need food—and someone who admires your sketches.”Or maybe it was when he kissed my temple right after a brutal studio presentation, then walked away without looking back.Little things. Stupid things.But they lulled me in. Too much.I hugged my pillow tighter under my chin, staring up at the dark ceiling from beneath my fading grey blanket. Elle and Joy were already asleep, I could hear the soft snoring through the door. But I was wide awake, my mind spinning with fragments of a life that suddenly felt foreign.Two days ago, I was at Aaric’s friend’s birthday party, in a pen
Last Updated : 2025-04-07Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LXVI : Unsaid, Unmoved, Unavoidable
The library was nearly empty now, save for the low hum of an old AC unit and the occasional soft cough from a final-year student who looked like he hadn’t slept in three days. I was still in my spot, tucked into the corner of the architectural psychology section, sitting cross-legged on the carpeted floor, laptop open on my lap and headphones hanging around my neck like an accessory I never actually used. The caffeine from my morning cappuccino had long worn off, but the adrenaline lingered, courtesy of this morning’s tea and Samuel’s scandalous confession.I thought I had at least one more peaceful hour left. But then I heard them, quick, purposeful footsteps, the kind only made by low-heeled boots worn by someone in a hurry. Too familiar.I didn’t even have to turn around before Margo’s voice, always slightly louder than necessary, cracked through the silence like a firecracker.“Babe,” she called out, emerging from behind the shelves like a character from a noir film. “WHY HAVEN’T
Last Updated : 2025-04-08Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LXVII : Neon Lies & Other Addictions
I bit into my chicken wrap with the kind of enthusiasm you’d use to chew through all your bad life decisions. The chicken was too chewy, the sauce a little too sweet. But at least it gave me an excuse not to talk.Aaric was still sitting across from me, fingers tapping the bottle cap like he was strategizing how to conquer another planet.“How about we just date?”I stopped chewing.The cafeteria suddenly felt too bright. Too real. The chicken wrap lost all its charm in an instant.I stared at him, sharp. “What?”“I mean… we’ve been—” He shrugged. “Spending time. A lot of it. You let me sleep in your bed. You steal my hoodie. We flirt. A lot. I figured… why not just make it official?”I stood up before I even realized I was standing.My chair screeched across the floor. The half-eaten wrap still in one hand. The other grabbing my sling bag.“You figured wrong.”“Maya—” he stood too, but I was already walking, fast, out of the cafeteria.My breath suddenly felt like a spark waiting to
Last Updated : 2025-04-09
Latest chapter
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee Trouble at My Door
Marcus and I walked slowly down the glossy corridor, the chandelier lights shimmering overhead. The soft echo of our footsteps mixed with the low hum of the ship’s engines in the distance. I pulled my thin cardigan tighter around me, the night air starting to bite at skin that had gotten used to the warm Los Angeles sun.When we stopped in front of my cabin door, Marcus slipped his hands into his pockets, his face relaxed—but there was something in his eyes. A small, unspoken hope.“Hey,” he said, leaning in just a little. “After coffee on deck tomorrow... want to go snorkeling? We can head to the quieter side of the beach. They say the water’s crystal clear.”I smiled, raising an eyebrow with my best acting skills. “Snorkeling? Sounds like a plan. I definitely need something more exciting than watching Mellan and Aaric show off their couple goals all day.”Marcus chuckled softly, his voice low and easy. “That’s the spirit. I’ll book the spot later, so we can just head out tomorrow.”
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee She Stood Anyway
I didn’t know why I agreed. Maybe because I was too tired to say no, or maybe because Marcus said it so casually—like he was inviting me to watch the sunrise. Not like he was asking me to walk to the quieter part of the ship and watch a theater rehearsal up close.“We’ll just take a quick look,” he’d said, like fifteen minutes could erase all the tension from the dinner we’d just survived.The back deck of the ship felt like another world. No elegant dining tables here, no classical piano music, and most importantly—no Mellan and no Aaric. Just a small, semi-permanent stage with rows of stage lights hanging above like manmade stars. Around it, the crew and cast moved in rehearsal clothes—some in dance shoes, others in loose shorts and tight black tees.Marcus stood beside me, hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on the stage like a man who genuinely appreciated art. I, on the other hand, stood with my arms crossed, trying to calm the heartbeat that hadn’t settled since dinner.“You know w
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee A Seat at the Table
Dinner on the main deck started promptly at seven.They even sent out little invitations to our cabins, like this was a small wedding, not a family vacation wrapped in pretense.The dinner table stretched long across the deck, covered in crisp white linen with a centerpiece of white flowers and tall, slender candles. Each place had a cushioned chair and a small name card tucked neatly above the plate.The waitstaff looked like they were serving dinner to senators.I showed up five minutes late. Just enough to signal disinterest, but not long enough to start a scene.“Yes, Maya’s sitting next to Marcus,” my mom said as I arrived, her voice cheerful but her eyes already issuing a warning before I could say a word.Of course.Marcus stood and pulled out my chair, polite as always. “You look great,” he said quietly as I sat down. “Santorini colors suit you.”I gave him a small smile. “Thanks.”Across the table, Mellan was sitting with Aaric, showing him photos on her phone, laughing, chat
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee The Weight I Wear
The room was spacious. Dark wood panels lined the walls, streaked with shiny gold accents, and the floor was covered in thick cream-colored carpet—too soft for shoes to tread on. Sheer white linen curtains danced in the ocean breeze, revealing an endless blue beyond the private balcony.I should have been grateful to be here.But all my body wanted to do was collapse.Ever since we boarded the yacht this afternoon, I hadn’t had a single second to just sit still without someone approaching me—family, guests, or people Mom had invited solely because their last names carried weight.“Maya! I’m a huge fan of Helena!”“You still look as gorgeous as ever. Are you filming something new?”“Is it true you and Marcus are still friends? You two are just perfect together.”All of it with wide smiles. All of them with eyes waiting for a slip. A crack. A weakness.And me?I smiled. I nodded. I recited the answers I’d memorized. “Thank you. Yes, we’re still close. Filming starts again next month.”T
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee I Packed a Smile and Left My Heart
The sky looked freshly washed from the night before. The morning air was still cool, the sun hadn’t turned harsh yet, and the street outside Aaric’s house felt too peaceful for a day I knew would slowly tear me apart.A black SUV had been waiting in front of the gate since 8:10.I walked down with a small suitcase, lips glossed just enough, sunglasses covering half my face, and a professional smile I’d been practicing in the mirror all morning. The same smile I used to wear for the press when I was with Marcus. Now I wore it for my own family.The car door opened.My mom sat inside, dressed in an ivory blazer and an expensive scarf wrapped too perfectly around her neck. Her eyes scanned me quickly, then she gave a small nod. No compliments, no critique. That meant: “acceptable.”Next to her, Dad was busy on his phone as always, giving a half-nod without even looking up.And in the backseat—someone who made my breath catch for just a second.Mellan.Her face was glowing. Her long hair
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LXXVI : Half a Heart, Fully Sketched
The house had gone still. Even the waves sounded farther away than usual, as if intentionally giving space to the worries stacking quietly in my chest.An open suitcase sat on the bed. Summer dresses folded neatly. A straw hat. Leather sandals. Two bikinis I chose not because I planned to swim, but because I thought—that's just how it’s supposed to look. That’s how a woman should show up on a vacation with her younger sister’s fiancé’s family.Tonight, I wasn’t Maya. I was just… a prop in someone else’s story.I opened the drawer on the right side of the wardrobe, looking for sunscreen or maybe a light t-shirt—anything to fold, just to keep my hands busy. But the drawer stuck. I tugged a little harder… and as it opened, something slipped out from underneath.A dark brown leather notebook. The corners worn. No label. No name.My heart started pounding.I stared at the thing for a few seconds. It felt like stealing. But this was… my room too, wasn’t it? At least, by our agreement.My fi
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LXXVIII —The Calm Before the Wreck
Morning came without a sound.I sat at the edge of the bed, wearing a thin T-shirt and sleep shorts, while the early sunlight slipped quietly through the gap in the curtains, casting strange patterns on the wooden floor.My phone buzzed on the nightstand. The screen lit up: Mom.I let out a reflexive sigh. Answering a call from my mother wasn’t just a conversation—it was like walking into a job interview without knowing what position you were applying for.I hit the green button.“Maya.”Her voice was cold and firm as always—no hello, no small talk.“Morning, Mom.”“I spoke to Mellan last night.”I straightened up, suddenly feeling like a little girl caught breaking the house rules.“Yeah?” I answered cautiously.“We’re going sailing next week. The Blackwood family’s private yacht. Summer vacation. We leave Monday. I want you to come.”I froze. “I have a shoot next week.”“I checked your schedule. Nothing that can’t be moved,” she said quickly, like she’d already planned this far in a
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LXXVII — Too Close for Pretend
The coastal night air greeted me as the front door clicked shut behind me. My shoes tapped wearily against the wooden floor, and a moment later, I saw him.Aaric.Standing on the second-floor balcony, leaning against the glass railing, his silhouette tall and still under the soft, dim glow of the outdoor lights.The ocean stretched out behind him. Dark and calm. A stark contrast to the chaos inside my head.He didn’t say anything.But he looked at me.That look... deep, unhurried, like he was trying to etch the image of me into his memory.For a second, I wanted to go to him. Ask how he was after nearly dying last night. Make sure he wasn’t carrying any invisible wounds.But I didn’t move.Because I knew: the moment I made room for emotion, none of this would be about the deal anymore.Our arrangement was clear. I came to him when my reputation was in ruins, and he—with all his power and toxic influence—offered help. A house. Protection. Career support. In return, I had to stay here.
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LXXVI : You Look Better in Heartbreak Lighting
After an hour-long break, I was back on set. My hair was still slightly damp from the setting spray Amira had used, and my skin felt a little sticky from the fake tears that had been washed off and reapplied. But inside me, Helena’s pulse was still lingering.The shooting space was different this time—brighter, more open. We were on the dining room set. The next scene showed Helena finally coming home after disappearing for a few days, trying to act “normal” even though her world had just fallen apart.Daniel was already in his seat, wearing a soft cream sweater, his hair tousled like he’d just rolled out of bed. He was reading the script, marking up a few lines with a pencil, occasionally scribbling notes on facial expressions.I sat across the table and grabbed the hot coffee waiting for me. As I took a sip, I stared at the set in front of us: a long wooden table, two tea cups, and a vase of slightly wilted flowers. The props were perfect—just understated enough. Like Helena’s relat
