The Honeymoon Announcement.

(KAIRA'S POV)

I didn't see Slade for the rest of the night. I stayed in my room, staring at the ceiling, replaying every word he'd said in the car.

"Because you're my stepsister."

"Stay away from him."

"Forget I said anything."

I pressed my palms against my eyes. It didn't matter. It couldn't matter. He was my stepbrother. He had made it clear I was beneath him. He had kissed me and called it a mistake.

But then why did he look at me like I was the only thing in the room?

I was still thinking about it when my phone buzzed. I grabbed it, hoping it was Cameron, needing someone normal to talk to.

But it was an unknown number.

The message was short. Only five words.

"Stay away from Cameron Grey."

I stared at the screen, my heart racing. Then the messages started coming faster.

"He's not who he says he is."

"You're making a mistake."

"Trust me."

I typed back: "Who is this?"

The response came instantly.

"Slade."

I sat up in bed, my pulse hammering. Then the final message arrived.

"Ask him about Margo."

I stared at the words. Margo. Slade's mother.

What did Cameron have to do with Slade's mother?

I typed back: "What are you talking about?"

But the response never came. I waited for hours, but Slade's messages had stopped.

I didn't sleep that night.

---

The next morning, I dragged myself downstairs, my eyes heavy and my mind still spinning. I had barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Slade's face. Heard his voice. Felt the ghost of his lips on mine.

I found Mum and Tom already seated at the dining table, their plates half-empty and their smiles wide.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Mum said, her voice warm. "You're up early."

I forced a smile. "Couldn't sleep."

Tom chuckled. "Nerves? Or excitement?"

I blinked. "Excitement?"

"Tom and I have an announcement to make," Mum said, exchanging a glance with him. "We wanted to wait until you were both here, but—"

"Both?" I looked around the table. "Where's Slade?"

"He's coming," Tom said, but his voice was tight. "I sent for him."

As if on cue, Slade appeared in the doorway. He looked exactly like he had last night—dark jeans, black t-shirt, his hair still damp from a shower. His eyes swept the room, pausing on me for the briefest second before looking away.

He sat down across from me. His face was blank. Unreadable.

"Good, you're both here." Tom set down his fork. "Shanice and I have some news."

Mum was practically bouncing in her seat. I had never seen her this excited.

"We've decided to take a honeymoon," she announced, her voice bright. "Tom has been working so hard, and I've been running around with the wedding preparations. We need a break."

I nodded slowly, not sure where this was going. "That sounds nice. Where are you going?"

"We're thinking Greece," Tom said, his eyes locking onto Mum's. "Island hopping. Relaxing. No phones. No business. Just the two of us."

My stomach started to tighten.

"Congratulations," I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. "You deserve it, Mum."

Tom cleared his throat. "There's something else."

He glanced at Mum. She gave him a small nod.

"We're leaving tomorrow," Tom announced.

I stared at him. "Tomorrow?"

"Mum thought it would be better to go sooner rather than later," Tom explained. "We've already made the arrangements. The flights are booked."

Slade's fork clattered against his plate. His jaw was tight.

"And what about us?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. "While you're gone?"

Mum smiled, but there was something nervous in her eyes. "You'll stay here, of course. In the mansion."

"Alone?" The word came out sharper than I intended.

"Not exactly alone," Tom said quickly. "The staff will be here. They'll take care of everything. You won't have to lift a finger."

I was still staring at Mum. "You're leaving us alone. For how long?"

"Three weeks," Mum said. "Maybe four. We haven't decided yet."

"Three weeks." I repeated the words like they were foreign. "You're leaving for three weeks. Just us."

Slade hadn't said a word. He was staring at his plate, his expression unreadable.

"I don't want to leave you, baby." Mum's voice was pleading. "But we need this. Just a little time away. You understand, right?"

I nodded. But I didn't understand. I didn't understand anything. My bully was about to become the only person I'd have for three weeks.

"I'll come by every day to see you both," Tom added. "And you can call us anytime. It won't be so bad."

"It's okay," I said, pushing back from the table. "I'm really happy for you. Please, enjoy yourself. Just... let me know when you're leaving."

I turned and fled the dining room. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. The walls were closing in around me.

Three weeks. Alone with Slade.

Just the thought made my chest ache.

---

I found myself in the garden. The same garden where everything had gone wrong. I sat on the stone steps near the lake house, hugging my knees to my chest.

I couldn't believe it. She was leaving me. She was leaving me with him.

I heard footsteps behind me. I didn't need to look up. I already knew who it was.

"Kaira."

I didn't answer.

Slade sat down beside me. Not too close. But close enough to feel his presence.

"Are you okay?"

I laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Am I okay? My mum is leaving me for a month. I'll be alone with you. In this house. For three weeks." I finally looked at him. "No. I'm not okay."

He was quiet for a long moment. Then he said, "It's just three weeks."

"Just three weeks." I shook my head. "You hate me. You've made that very clear. And now I'm supposed to live with you. Alone. For three weeks."

I expected him to agree. To tell me to get over it. But he didn't.

"I don't hate you."

I blinked. "What?"

"I don't hate you." He said it softly. Like it was a secret he had never told anyone.

I stared at him. For a long moment, neither of us spoke.

Then Slade stood up. "I'll try to stay out of your way. But if you need anything..." He trailed off. "Just ask."

He walked away, leaving me alone in the garden.

I watched him go, my mind reeling.

"I don't hate you."

Three words. They meant nothing. They meant everything.

I didn't know what to believe anymore.