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XLV : Caught in the Click, Running from the Flash
Last Updated:
2025-03-26 23:31:46
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Stealing My Sister's Fiancee XLVI: Golden Streets and Hidden Choices
Los Angeles in the afternoon always feels different. The golden sunlight strikes the glass windows of the skyscrapers, creating dazzling reflections on the busy streets. The air is still warm from the midday heat, but the breeze blowing in from the beach brings a pleasant coolness.I had just finished shooting and was now sitting at my dressing table in my old penthouse, wearing a silk kimono while checking my phone. Aaric hadn’t returned from New York yet, which meant I still had my freedom.Marcus Blackwood's name was listed in the last call.I leaned my head back, recalling our brief conversation earlier.“I’m attending a dinner party tonight, and I’d be delighted if you’d join me.”Marcus sounded as usual—calm, polite, and without pressure. Unlike Aaric’s invitations, which always felt like veiled commands, Marcus was merely inviting me, giving me the option to refuse if I wanted.But I didn’t refuse.Maybe it was part of me that wanted to prove I could still make my own choices.
Last Updated : 2025-03-27Stealing My Sister's Fiancee XLVII : He Knew Before I Did
A middle-aged man in a navy-blue suit walked over with an enthusiastic expression. His face was slightly flushed—maybe from the wine warming his body or perhaps from excitement he could barely contain.“My God, I can hardly believe you’re really here!” he said, his voice brimming with excitement as his eyes lit up when they met mine. “I have to thank Marcus for bringing you to this event.”I smiled warmly and extended my hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr...?”“Richard Calloway,” he said quickly, shaking my hand a bit too firmly, like a fan unwilling to miss his chance. “But please, call me Richard. I’m one of the hosts tonight. And Maya, I have to admit... I’m a huge fan.”I chuckled softly, easing my hand out of his grasp with practiced elegance. “Oh? That’s interesting.”Richard laughed, sounding almost nervous. “No, seriously! I’ve followed your career since your first indie film. Scarlet Ruins, right?”I raised an eyebrow, a little impressed. “Wow, not many people know about that one. I
Last Updated : 2025-03-28Stealing My Sister's Fiancee XLVIII : You Held My Wrist, I Held My Breath
Aaric didn’t give me a chance to refuse. His hand gripped my wrist, not too tight, but firm enough to make sure I couldn’t pull away. Before I could utter a single word, he was already leading me toward his car, a black vehicle that now felt like a trap.The car door opened, and in one swift motion, he pushed me inside with the confidence of a man who knew I wouldn’t be going anywhere. I could have protested, I could have resisted, but I didn’t. My fingers clenched the hem of my dress as Aaric shut the door beside me, then moved to the other side and slid into the driver’s seat.As soon as the engine roared to life and the car started moving, I bit my lip, trying to suppress the unease creeping up my chest. All I wanted was to go back to my old penthouse, not to the grand house I now shared with him, a house that was never supposed to be mine.But Aaric had other plans.The silence inside the car felt like a short fuse ready to ignite at any moment. I could sense Aaric’s gaze from the
Last Updated : 2025-03-29Stealing My Sister's Fiancee XLIX : Blueprints and Butterflies
Five Years Ago.Years ago—long before all of this, before the world felt so distant from those times—I was a design student.I spent my days in the art studio, sketching, studying composition, tweaking typography, and working on projects that always kept me up all night. But amidst all that, I had one small obsession: film.I never wanted to be a director or a screenwriter, but there was something about how films worked—the way colors, lighting, and framing shaped a story—that fascinated me. So, I took a few film theory classes as electives. I loved sitting in a dark room with a big screen, listening to professors dissect scenes in detail, discussing the hidden symbolism within a single frame.I always believed that in life, everyone has their own way of seeing the world. For me, the world always looked like a film—sometimes in warm, soft colors, other times in a dark, cold noir scheme.And that night, at a college party that was supposed to be one of the brightest chapters of my life
Last Updated : 2025-03-30Stealing My Sister's Fiancee L : Who's here?
That morning had just started to feel a little better when I finally stepped into the faculty building, my hands still busy straightening the messy papers after the incident with Aaric. I walked quickly through the increasingly crowded corridor, trying to reach the studio room before my professor found another reason to make my day worse.But of course, I wasn’t that lucky.“Maya!”I stopped abruptly, almost dropping the folder in my hands. That voice… oh no.When I turned around, just as I had expected, Professor Leonard was striding toward me with his signature long, purposeful steps. His tall figure was dressed in a crisp white shirt and a tie that always seemed too tight. His expression was stern, his sharp eyes like a hawk locking onto its prey.I took a deep breath and forced a polite smile. “Good morning, Professor.”He didn’t return my smile. “I need to talk to you.”I gave a small nod. “Of course. What is it?”“This weekend’s seminar,” he said without preamble. “I want you to
Last Updated : 2025-03-30Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LI : Indie Songs & A Ride Back Home
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. But my heart pounded like a giant hammer striking my chest over and over again.My steps inched closer to the dark corner of the room, my sneakers squeaking softly against the floor. The shadow in the corner didn’t move, but I could swear I heard something there earlier."If you're joking..." I muttered under my breath, half-threatening, though my voice trembled slightly.I stepped even closer. My breathing sounded louder than it should. I was just one step away from the large shelf in the corner when suddenly—"BOO!""AARGH!" I nearly threw the marker in my hand as someone jumped out from behind the shelf.Loud laughter exploded in front of me. Samuel. Wearing a worn-out T-shirt, his hair a mess, and a satisfied grin like a kid who had just won the biggest prize at an amusement park."Your face!" he said between fits of laughter. "Oh my God, I wish I recorded that!"I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to steady my erratic breathing. "You.
Last Updated : 2025-03-30Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LII : Doodles & Distractions
That morning started peacefully—for the first five minutes.I sat at the kitchen table, letting the scent of freshly brewed coffee fill my nose. My favorite ceramic mug felt warm in my hands, and each sip I took was like a small gift to myself. The morning sun slipped through the gaps in the curtains, casting golden patterns on the table.Then came the noise.“JOY! I’M NOT GOING TO SAY IT AGAIN! IF YOU DON’T WAKE UP IN FIVE SECONDS, I’M GOING TO DRENCH YOU!”I let out a long sigh and stared sadly at my coffee cup. My brief moment of peace was over.The sound of a door slamming was followed by Elle’s hurried footsteps. Her hair was a mess, half pulled up with a clip that was barely holding on. Her pajamas—a loose shirt with a lazy cat printed on it—were wrinkled on one side, as if she had just wrestled with her bed.“She won’t wake up!” Elle shouted as she grabbed an empty glass from the table and filled it with water.“I know.” I lifted my coffee cup calmly. “You don’t have to kill he
Last Updated : 2025-03-30Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LIII : Leather Jackets and Loose Lips
As soon as class was dismissed, I grabbed my sketchbook and started slipping it into my bag. Margo was already standing beside me, arms crossed over her chest, her expression full of curiosity ready to explode.“So,” she said in her usual dramatic tone, “if you’re not interested in auditioning, why did you bother taking Film Theory?”I zipped my bag shut with a sharp motion. “Because I like movies, Margo.”“Bullshit.” She arched an eyebrow sharply. “You want to be an actress, don’t you?”I let out a short chuckle, trying to ignore the sudden heat creeping up my face. “When I was a kid, yeah. But now I don’t—”“You’re lying,” she cut in quickly. “I know you love acting. You love attention.” She pointed at the whiteboard where I had just drawn. “You were acting just now, Maya! Like you knew everything about architecture.”“That’s because I do.”Margo let out a long sigh, then threw her hands up in frustration. “You’re seriously wasting your potential.”I turned on my heel and walked out
Last Updated : 2025-03-30
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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
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee LXXV - Better Than Cashmere
The morning came slowly.Sunlight slipped through the gap in the curtains, brushing against my skin like warm fingers that weren’t quite ready to wake me up. The air in the room was still cold, but something kept me from moving.An arm around my waist. Heavy. Warm. Familiar.Aaric.Once again, he was holding me like I was the only thing keeping him from falling. Like my body was the anchor that kept him alive.I slowly opened my eyes and glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand. Almost seven. Still enough time before I had to get ready for the shoot. But my body didn’t want to move. Not yet.I thought I’d have trouble sleeping after last night—after the blood, the gunshots, and seeing the true face of Aaric’s world. But instead, I slept more soundly than I had in a long time.And that... was a problem.I took a deep breath and slowly peeled myself out of Aaric’s embrace. It wasn’t easy. He mumbled something in his sleep but didn’t wake up. His arm dropped onto the bed as I got u
