For a long moment, neither of them moved, their bodies tangled, their breaths heavy.
Then he leaned in, brushing his lips over hers, softer this time. “I guess this changes nothing,” he murmured. Eloise swallowed, still breathless. “Right.” But they both knew that was a lie. A sudden flash of headlights through the window made Eloise freeze. “Oh shit,” she breathed, her heart slamming against her ribs. Dino pulled back slightly, brows furrowing as another set of lights illuminated the kitchen. Someone was pulling into the driveway. Eloise scrambled, slipping off the counter with shaky legs, grabbing for her discarded clothes. “Where the hell are my shorts?” she hissed, searching the floor."Everyone will eventually know you're my stepbrother," Eloise said, arms crossed. "I think it's best we keep things down." Dino tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Of course," he said smoothly. "Plus, Jess already knows." Eloise exhaled, about to respond, when the door suddenly burst open. Sandra. Eloise’s stomach twisted at the sight of her. Sandra, who had made her life miserable in high school. The same Sandra who used to sneer at her, belittle her every chance she got. And worse Dino’s ex. Before Eloise could react, Sandra let out an excited squeal and practically threw herself into Dino’s arms. "I’ve missed you so much, Dino!" Dino tensed slightly but let her cling to him, his reaction controlled. "Hey, Sandra." Sandra finally turned her attention to Eloise, her gaze flicking over her like she was assessing her worth just like old times. Then, with a forced smile, she said, "Oh. Eloise, you're here too!" Eloise kept her expression blank. "Yeah,
Dino and Sandra walked by, their conversation light and easy, the kind that came from years of familiarity. Eloise kept her eyes on her screen, pretending not to notice the way Sandra’s laughter rang a little too loud, the way she clung to Dino’s arm like she had every right to be there. She should be used to it. Sandra had always been that way... possessive, smug, the kind of girl who made sure everyone knew what was hers. Back in high school, Eloise had been on the receiving end of that cruelty more times than she could count. The casual insults hidden behind bright smiles, the sharp words disguised as jokes, the way Sandra had made sure Eloise never forgot her place. And now, here she was again, standing in front of her desk like she owned the space, like nothing had changed. "Eloise," Sandra drawled, her voice dripping with that familiar condescension. A slow smirk curled at her lips as her gaze flickered over Eloise
As Dino and Sandra disappeared down the hall, Eloise let out a slow breath, pressing her fingers to her forehead. The tension that had settled in her shoulders refused to ease, the lingering presence of Sandra clawing at her nerves. She should be used to it by now Sandra’s games, her smug little jabs. But it still got under her skin, no matter how much she told herself she didn’t care. "Hey, sis." She didn’t need to think twice to know that voice. Luca. Eloise dropped her hand and turned, finding him leaning against the doorway with that lazy grin of his, arms crossed like he had been standing there for a while, watching. "Why, Luca?" she asked, exasperation creeping into her voice. "Why what?" He tilted his head, the grin never wavering. "Why am I here? Or why am I cal
Luca let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “Damn, bro. No need to get defensive. Just calling it like I see it.” Dino smirked, but his eyes flickered toward Eloise, gauging her reaction. She didn’t flinch, didn’t look up from her lunch, but the way her grip tightened on her fork told him she wasn’t as unaffected as she wanted to seem. Good. He leaned against the table, arms crossed casually. “Besides, even if Sandra and I were a thing, that’s not your business, is it?” His words were directed at Luca, but his gaze lingered on Eloise. Luca caught on immediately, his grin widening. “Oh-ho. So that’s what we’re doing?” He turned to Eloise, watching for a reaction. “What do you think, sis?” Eloise finally looked up, her expression blank. “I think Dino can do whatever he wants. It’s not like it affects us.” Dino felt something in his chest tighten at her indifference. He didn’t know why he expected a different reaction maybe a glare, maybe a biting remark... but this? This c
Dino smirked. “She’ll be here soon.” Sandra's lips curled. “Wow. She actually showed up?” Before he could answer, a shift in the room’s atmosphere made heads turn toward the entrance. Eloise had arrived. She stepped in like she owned the place, wearing a sexy short gown that hugged her curves in all the right places. The fabric shimmered under the ballroom lights, and the daring neckline left just enough to the imagination. Her confidence was effortless, her walk graceful, and for the first time, people weren’t looking at her in mockery, they were staring in awe. Sandra’s smirk faltered for a split second before she forced it back into place. She clapped her hands dramatically, drawing attention. “Eloise, I see you’re here.” Then she turned to the crowd. “Hey, everyone, look! It’s Eloise, the Locker Girl! Remember?” Laughter rippled through the group, just as Sandra intended. Eloise remained composed. She didn’t flinch. She didn’t shrink back. Instead, she met Sandra
The reunion continued in full swing, with the ballroom brimming with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. Waiters in crisp uniforms weaved through the crowd, offering trays of drinks, while the live band played soft jazz in the background. It was the kind of upscale event that their high school classmates would have dreamed of back then flashy, extravagant, and meant to show off success. Eloise moved through the room with ease, engaging in polite conversations, exchanging pleasantries, and effortlessly shutting down any lingering whispers about the past. The old Eloise might have shrunk under the weight of past ridicule, but she wasn’t that girl anymore. She carried herself with grace, her confidence evident in every step she took in her fitted, short dress that accentuated her curves. Yet, no matter how composed she remained on the outside, she couldn’t completely shake off the occasional glances she stole in Dino’s direction. Sandra hadn’t left his side all evening.
She didn’t wait for a response. As Eloise stepped out of the restroom and into the buzzing energy of the reunion, she took a deep breath. She needed to get through this night without letting Sandra or Dino see the battle raging inside her. Eloise had had enough. The reunion had been a mistake. She should never have come. Every moment in that ballroom had been a reminder of the past... the taunts, the humiliation, the way Sandra still had her claws in Dino. But what hurt the most was seeing Sandra’s hands on him and how he had done nothing to stop her. She could still see it so clearly in her mind. The way Sandra had “accidentally” spilled wine on his trousers, the way she had immediately knelt down, dabbing at the fabric near his thigh with slow, deliberate strokes. Dino had looked uncomfortable, sure, but he hadn’t pulled away fast enough. And then she had walked in on them like that Sandra touching him so intimately, and him just standing there. Eloise had kept her compo
As Matteo stepped out of Eloise’s room, he found Dino still standing in the same spot, his expression unreadable. The tension in the air was thick, almost suffocating. Matteo let out a breath, stretching his arms before casually leaning against the wall. "Hey, man," Matteo started, his tone light but laced with curiosity. "Do you like Eloise by any chance?" Dino’s jaw tensed. "What do you mean?" Matteo smirked slightly, tilting his head. "I mean, do you have feelings for her?" Dino scoffed, but it sounded a little too forced. "You know that’s not possible. We’re siblings… right?" Matteo studied him for a moment, watching the way Dino’s fingers twitched at his sides. He wasn’t buying it. "Well, that’s fair," Matteo said, shrugging. Dino narrowed his eyes. "Why the questions?" Matteo grinned, pushing himself off the wall. "Nothing serious." With that, he turned on his heel and walked toward his room, leaving Dino standing alone in the dimly lit hallway. Dino let out
The room spun as Alex's weight pressed down on her, his breath hot and thick with whiskey. The scent clung to him, suffocating her, making her stomach churn. Ashley squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself anywhere but here. His hands were rough, unrelenting, tearing at the fabric of her dress as if it had personally offended him. The sound of ripping filled the silence a sharp, cruel reminder of how little her resistance meant. "Alex, please," she whispered, but the words barely scraped past her throat. He ignored her. His mouth dragged over her skin, sloppy and possessive. His grip was bruising, fingers digging into her hips, his body pressed so tightly against hers that she could barely breathe. "You’re mine," he muttered against her collarbone, his voice thick with drunken arrogance. "You always will be." A tear slipped down her cheek. Ashley pushed against his chest, her hands trembling, but he barely noticed. Or maybe he did and just didn’t care. "Stop," she tried
The silence stretched between them like an invisible thread, tying them together in a strange, heavy comfort. Dino could feel the weight of the unspoken words hanging in the air, his mind running over everything that had been said—and everything that hadn’t been said. His father’s voice still echoed in his ears, the words sharp and demanding. And yet, here he was, sitting next to Eloise, as if everything was fine.As if he could just forget about the suffocating pressure from his father and the constant expectations that seemed to define his every move.Dino glanced at Eloise again. Her eyes were focused on the TV screen, but there was something in her posture—a subtle tension in the way her body was angled, her lips pressed together—that told him she wasn’t as absorbed in the show as she appeared to be.He couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking. Was she still bothered by the way he had been distant lately? Or was she starting to understand why he had been pulling away?He did
The room spun as Alex's weight pressed down on her, his breath hot and thick with whiskey. The scent clung to him, suffocating her, making her stomach churn. Ashley squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself anywhere but here. His hands were rough, unrelenting, tearing at the fabric of her dress as if it had personally offended him. The sound of ripping filled the silence a sharp, cruel reminder of how little her resistance meant. "Alex, please," she whispered, but the words barely scraped past her throat. He ignored her. His mouth dragged over her skin, sloppy and possessive. His grip was bruising, fingers digging into her hips, his body pressed so tightly against hers that she could barely breathe. "You’re mine," he muttered against her collarbone, his voice thick with drunken arrogance. "You always will be." A tear slipped down her cheek. Ashley pushed against his chest, her hands trembling, but he barely noticed. Or maybe he did and just didn’t care. "Stop," she tried
His words were a slap to the face. Her entire body tensed, grief and anger clashing inside her like a storm. She opened her mouth, trying to find her voice, trying to say something... But before she could, Alex leaned in close, his breath hot against her ear. "Don’t make things more difficult than they already are," he murmured, his tone deceptively soft. Then, just like that, he released her. He straightened his tie, his polished smile slipping back into place as if nothing had happened. And then he left her standing there. Alone. Like always. Ashley pushed open the door to the restroom and stepped inside, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. Her breathing was shallow, her hands trembling as she locked herself inside one of the stalls. The moment she was alone, the dam broke. Silent, gut wrenching sobs wracked her body as she leaned against the cold metal wall, her fingers gripping the fabric of her dress. The pain of everything, the loss of her
The silence stretched between them like an invisible thread, tying them together in a strange, heavy comfort. Dino could feel the weight of the unspoken words hanging in the air, his mind running over everything that had been said—and everything that hadn’t been said. His father’s voice still echoed in his ears, the words sharp and demanding. And yet, here he was, sitting next to Eloise, as if everything was fine.As if he could just forget about the suffocating pressure from his father and the constant expectations that seemed to define his every move.Dino glanced at Eloise again. Her eyes were focused on the TV screen, but there was something in her posture—a subtle tension in the way her body was angled, her lips pressed together—that told him she wasn’t as absorbed in the show as she appeared to be.He couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking. Was she still bothered by the way he had been distant lately? Or was she starting to understand why he had been pulling away?He did
Dino’s phone rang again, and he groaned, already knowing who it was. He glanced at the screen Father and sighed. With a heavy pause, he answered, his voice taking on that familiar cool, distant tone.“Yeah?”His father’s voice came through the line, clear and commanding. “Dino, I need you at the office tomorrow.”Dino rubbed the back of his neck, already feeling the tension in his shoulders rise. “What for? I thought Luca was handling things.”“He is, but I need your input on something specific. These contracts with the foreign investors... this is big. I can’t leave this to anyone else.” His father’s tone was terse, and it didn’t leave much room for argument.Dino’s eyes briefly flickered to Eloise, who had turned her attention to the television, though her posture was rigid, as though she was trying to seem casual but clearly wasn’t. He rubbed his face, fighting the wave of frustration bubbling up inside. “I’m still dealing with things here. I’ve got enough on my plate.”“Enough? It
But as much as she enjoyed this distraction, she knew she couldn’t avoid Dino forever. And she had a feeling that when she got back home, he’d be waiting. Eloise stood at the entrance of the estate, gripping the strap of her bag as she stared at the sight before her. Sandra was draped over Dino like she belonged there, her manicured fingers tracing slow, lazy circles on his chest as she laughed at something he said. Eloise swallowed hard, forcing herself to take a deep breath. You knew this would happen, she told herself. You knew she’d be here. But knowing didn’t make it any easier. Dino hadn’t noticed her yet, too caught up in whatever Sandra was saying. Or maybe... maybe he had noticed and just didn’t care. That thought stung more than she wanted to admit. She stepped further inside, her heels clicking against the floor, finally drawing their attention. Dino’s gaze snapped to her instantly, his body tensing for just a fraction of a second before his expression smoothed into
Eloise groaned, sinking deeper into the couch. “You’re impossible.”Jess grinned, completely unfazed. “And yet, you love me.” She tossed a piece of popcorn into her mouth. “So, tell me how did this even happen? One minute you and Dino are bickering like enemies, and the next, you’re tangled in the sheets?”Eloise exhaled, staring at the ceiling as the memories flooded back. The way he had looked at her. Touched her. Claimed her. She felt the heat creeping up her neck and covered her face with her hands.“Eloise,” Jess nudged her. “Details. I need details.”Eloise peeked at her through her fingers. “Jess, I’m not going to sit here and narrate my sex life to you.”Jess pouted. “But I live for this kind of gossip.” She crossed her arms. “Fine. I’ll respect your privacy—”Eloise sighed in relief.“—but at least tell me who made the first move?”Eloise hesitated before muttering, “Him.”Jess gasped dramatically. “No way! Dino is all broody and possessive, but I never took him for the act f
Eloise: Girl's hangout with Jess Then she tossed the phone to the couch immediately... Jess watched her closely, a smirk tugging at her lips. “That bad, huh?” Eloise crossed her arms and slumped back into the couch. “I don’t want to deal with it right now.” Jess hummed. “So, let me get this straight... you can spend an entire night thinking about him, but the second he reaches out, you shut down?” Eloise shot her a glare. “I am not shutting down.” Jess arched a brow. “Oh, really? Because it looks a lot like you just threw your phone like it personally offended you.” Eloise exhaled, rubbing her temples. “I just—” Before she could finish, her phone buzzed again. Jess lunged for it before Eloise could stop her. “Ooh, let’s see what he said.” “Jess, don’t—” But it was too late. Jess already had the phone in her hands, her eyes scanning the screen. Then she let out a low whistle. “Oh. Oh, girl, he’s pissed.” Eloise snatched her phone back and hesitantly looked at t