Chapter 1

Ruby's POV

I thought the worst thing that could ever happen to me was losing my Paddington bear. I never knew it would be losing my dad.

It had been so sudden. One morning, he kissed my forehead and left for work and two hours later, I was in the hospital identifying his body.

Life never prepared me for such pain. Nothing did.

Losing dad became the worst thing that had ever happened to me. The pain of knowing we'll never go camping in summer or eat s’mores on my birthday night or the fact that he'll never watch me graduate college like he always wanted, crushed me. What would happen to me?

I stared at the bronze casket as it was being lowered onto earth and the realization hit me like a freight train. Dad was really gone.

Mom put her arms around me and held.me tight against her. “Don't worry, darling. Your dad will always be with us.”

She was right. He'll always be here, watching over us both.

I wiped my tear stained face and puffed my shoulders. Dad wouldn't meet me ugly-crying. He'd laugh.

“Dad, I promise to make you proud. No matter what.” I swore to him and poured a glass of his favourite whiskey onto his glass. I was going to make it.

I was on the verge of getting my life back and I was going hard. And just when I thought I had everything under control, mother dropped a bombshell.

“Ruby, I'm getting married.”

I blinked. “What?”

She repeated. “I'm getting married.”

I stared blankly at her, waiting for her to laugh and tell me she was joking but she didn't.

“Mom…”

She sighed as if she'd been expecting my reaction. “I thought about it before making this decision, Ruby, and… Logan is a good man.”

“Are you serious, mom?!”

“Yes! Logan is a good man. He'll take care of us.”

I just had to scoff. “Take care of us? Mom, you've been seeing each other for 2 weeks. What could you possibly want out of a marriage with him?!”

“That's enough!”

“No! It's not! Dad…” my voice cracked. “Dad hasn't even been gone for a year, and you're… you're already jumping into someone else's arms? You're such a liar! A cheat. You —”

“Watch your mouth, Ruby!” Mom cut in sharply.

“I'm not done talking, Monica!” Those words spilled out before I could stop them.

Mom let out a gasp. “How dare you!”

“Admit it, mom. Do you even love this guy? Or are you after his money?”

Mom slammed her fist on the table so hard it shook. “That's not true! You take that back!”

I shook my head. “You're unbelievable, mom!”

Mom pushed back her seat. “I don't care what you think, Ruby! I love Logan and he loves me. I don't need your approval. I will marry him whether you like it or not!”

And just when I thought she was done running my life, I never realized she was only beginning.

Two days later, mom appeared with her luggage all packed and ready like he was showing somewhere.

“Get your things. We're moving.” She announced over breakfast like it was some casual conversation.

I almost choked on my cereal. “We're what?”

“Logan wants us to live together as a family. So yeah, we're moving.” She said, flipping her red hair over her shoulder.

Moving. Live. Family. Those words tasted bitter on my tongue.

“Mom…”

“Ruby, the decision has already been made.”

“You can't be serious!”

“I am!”

“You didn't even talk to me.about this first! I'm not ready!”

“You would've reacted this way so I didn't bother.”

I looked at her for any signs of second thoughts and I was disappointed. There was none.

“Mom, come on.” I pleaded but she wasn't having it.

“I’ll be in the living room.” She said, turning on her heels.

Her decision was final. I was stuck.

Our ride to Logan’s was one of the most quiet drives mom and I had ever had. We didn't speak to each other or even pointed at stop signs like we used to when we went on a trip together. We kept mute till we arrived at the Sullivan mansion, Logan's home.

Calling the house big would've an understatement because it was enormous. It was a lot bigger than I had imagined. I knew Logan was rich but not this rich.

Logan Sullivan, my soon-to-be stepfather, rose to his feet the moment we entered the grand living room. He was tall and that stance screamed power and wealth. But I barely looked at him because flanking him were two young men.

Mom hadn't mentioned anything about two extra people. She must've noticed me staring at them like an airhead because she patted my tense shoulder. “Ruby, these are Stephen and Nathan. Stephen, Nathan, meet my daughter, Ruby. They'll be your new step brothers.”

“What?” I didn't know when that word escaped but I regretted saying it.

My “brothers” narrowed their eyes on me. None of them were smiling. They looked at me like I was an intruder. In a way, I was.

Logan gave a nervous chuckle and patted the back of his neck. “Ah. Both of you must be tired from your journey.”

“Yeah. Boarding two different planes and driving for miles can get you pretty tired.” Mom said with a short laugh.

What was funny?

Logan gestured to one of the boys. “Uh. Boys, why don't you help them with their bags?”

Nathan, one of the brothers, stepped forward to help.

Ah. Thank God. He isn't hostile. I'm saved.

Unlike Stephen, Nathan was tall,. broad-shouldered and exudes the same aura of wealth and power like his father. His dark eyes locked on mom and then to me, and to my utter shock, he scoffed and walked away.

No word. No greeting. Nothing.

Stephen followed after him without sparing us a second glance.

My hands balled into fists. Those little shits!

I snapped my head to mom and she just smiled. So this is the family you want to live with?

“Let's show you to your rooms.” Logan said, clearing the tension in the air but I still felt it.

So this was going to be my new family?

Wow. Perfect.

Just perfect.