POUNDING LOUDLY

RACHEL

She sighed dramatically. “Rachel.” Her folded arms dropped to her side and then she rested them lightly on my shoulders. “I know you have tons of questions you want to ask me, but…”

She exhaled again, and I wondered why she was getting so worked up.

“Honestly, I wish I could answer them all, but can you just let it rest? I know you got that inquisitive gene from me…”

I didn’t even realize when I snickered.

“What?” She laughed a little.

“You know you’re wrong there, Mum.”

Yeah. I got it from Dad. Mom is more of a deep thinker.

She tried not to laugh, but she already was. “No, I’m not.” She shook her head. “Alright, maybe you got a little from your dad, but you can’t just scratch me out completely.”

I held my stomach, trying to stop another laugh. But her laugh was so tempting, it became so hard to stop myself. For a minute I forgot we were arguing on something. I still wanted answers, but this… whatever was flipping inside me… it felt like it shouldn’t end.

After the laughter faded, her fingers moved slowly to my hair. She pushed a strand behind my ear, her eyes staying locked on mine.

For the first time in a long time, she felt like my mum. For real.

“I don’t like fighting with you, honey,” she said quietly.

My head dropped for a second before I looked back at her.

“Me too.”

She leaned closer and kissed my forehead. “Good night, princess.”

“You too.” I smiled.

Seeing her smile like that, without tension between us, it made my heart feel lighter.

She walked toward the door, then stopped abruptly.

“Oh! I almost forgot.”

I scrunched my face. “About what?”

“There’s a gala tomorrow. Simon’s hosting it for the merger, which means you need a dress. Wanna tag along so you can shop for yours too?”

I groaned dramatically. “No, Mum. Just go with Simon. Don’t want to interrupt your couple moment. Tiara can go with me… unless I’m still on house arrest.”

She gave me that suspicious laugh, the kind that said don’t think I didn’t catch that. Then I laughed too.

“Mum. It’s just Tiara. C'mon. Or forget about me coming to the gala.”

“Alright. You win.” She laughed. “Night.”

“Yeah.”

The second the door clicked shut, I fell back onto the bed. I grabbed my phone and stared at the screen. Then my fingers started typing before I could think.

I found his name. Stepbrother.

Me: “Hey, Adams. Getting a dress tomorrow 4 the gala. Don’t be late. Sweet dreams.”

I hit send.

Then my brain rebooted. God I actually just typed sweet dreams.

Am you crazy, Rachel?

I rolled onto my stomach and buried my face in the pillow, screaming inside it.

I prayed he didn’t read that message but I was damn wrong.

My phone chimed beside me. I quickly scrambled for it. The screen lit up with Thane’s message.

After releasing a long breath, I click on it.

Stepbrother: “Aiight. You too.”

I read it twice and just like that my cheeks flushed red.

***

RACHEL

I’ve never felt this light in the morning. And this rebellious part of me says it probably has something to do with that message from Thane.

I know I can’t think of him that way. But I’m not killing these butterflies just yet. It probably won’t last anyway. That guy is gonna find a way to annoy me, and then I’ll be back to hating him.

I swung my bag over my left shoulder and headed down the stairs, almost bumping into Simon.

“Oh! Sorry.” I said quickly. “Didn’t know someone was coming.”

I adjusted my bag and avoided his eyes, suddenly remembering what happened yesterday.

He smiled. “That’s fine.” His gaze lingering on me. “Someone looks happy this morning.”

I smirked. “Is there a law against being happy in the morning?” I started heading toward the dining room.

He laughed lightly. “No, of course not. Just curious… especially since yesterday didn’t end so well.”

I pressed my lips together and stopped, turning to face him now.

“Um. About yesterday. I think I should apologize.”

His expression shifted slightly.

“I mean—for making you leave work and come to the hospital. Everything. I’m really, really sorry about that, Simon.”

He didn't answer immediately. Just let out a quiet breath that almost sounded like a real laugh.

I think I'm really starting to believe it. Simon is a man of few words. And it's that kind of quiet that can make your heart freeze if you’re not careful.

He slipped a hand into his back pocket and pulled out a phone.

A brand-new one.

“Here.” His voice lowered. “That should prove I’ve already accepted your apology.”

My face tightened a little. “Can I really have that? I mean… people don’t just hand out gifts like this.”

“People?” he cut in, surprised.

“Yeah. Like…”

He smiled again. “You don’t have to explain. I get it. But you need to know I’m not… ‘people.’ I’m your stepfather, Rachel. I want you to start seeing me as one.” He paused. “I’m not asking too much, am I?”

I shook my head. “No. I’ll try.” I took the phone from him. “Thanks for this.”

“You’re welcome.”

When I stepped outside, my breath caught in my throat as I stared at the familiar car.

God. No. That’s Thane’s car.

I thought he wasn’t coming this morning.

I walked down the steps, and before I reached the car, the front window slid down.

Thane leaned slightly from the driver’s seat. “Get in.” He tilted his head toward the passenger side.

My throat tightened as I reached for the handle.

The first thing I noticed when I got in was the dried, bloodstained bruise on his left hand.

Did he hurt himself again?

I pretended I didn’t see it.

Without a word, he started the engine and drove off.

The ride to school felt suffocating. My fingers didn’t dare move an inch. Being in the same space as him felt like the air was slowly draining from my lungs bit by bit.

Rachel, just say something. Start a conversation. Anything.

I turned slightly to sneak a glance at him. His eyes caught mine instantly.

The blood drained from my face as I turned away in shock.

“You have something to say to me?”

His eyes never left the road.

I cleared my throat. “Where did you sleep yesterday?”

“You don’t think I have my own place?”

Oh. Right. That makes sense. Even if you want to ask him where that is… don’t.

My eyes drifted to his hand. “Where did you get that?”

“What?”

“Your hand.”

He glanced at it, then briefly at me. “It’s nothing. Just a scratch.”

“It doesn’t look like it, Thane. Does it have something to do with whatever happened…”

“Alright. That’s enough questions, shorty.” He glanced at me again. “I’m trying to be nice to you. Don’t push your luck.”

I scoffed. “Still worth trying.”

“Well. Don’t.”

He pulled up at the school gate and killed the engine. I didn’t realize what else I should be worried about until…

“Seems like your boyfriend’s waiting for you.”

My head snapped toward the side road.

Right. 

Raymond stood there holding a bouquet.

Seriously?

I honestly don't wanna deal with Raymond today. Especially when Thane is here.

Raymond never knows when to stop. And since he’s decided to embarrass himself, obviously not me—I’ll help him.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and stepped out of the car, slamming the door behind me.

Before I even reached the gate, he spotted me and jogged over.

“Morning, babe.”

He pushed the bouquet toward my face.

“Your favorite.”

My tongue pressed against the back of my teeth before I answered. “I hate flowers, Raymond. I only liked them because you always bought them for me. That was before. So… If there’s really nothing else to—”

“I’m sorry,” he cut in sharply. “I fucked up. Big time. And I don’t have an excuse. Just give me—”

“Raymond.” I sighed. “I already accepted your apology. Seriously.”

A smile spread across his face. “Thank you, babe. I just knew—”

“Are you kidding me? Were you really expecting us to get back together that easily? I have a new boyfriend now, Ray. Get that straight and stop bothering me.”

Just like that, he threw the bouquet to the ground. 

“What the hell do you want me to do, Rachel? I’ve already fucking begged you. Now you’re making this a damn big deal all because I fucking love you.”

I scoffed. “Love? You’ve lost it, Ray. Just get off me. Got it?”

I turned to walk away, then his hand grabbed my waist, spinning me back toward him.

I didn’t scream. I just twisted enough to free myself and drove my knee upward to his groin.

A sharp scream tore out of him. And then, out of nowhere, a hand yanked him back and a fist slammed into his face.

“Thane!” I shouted.

He didn’t stop. He kep landing punch after punch. Blood spilled from Raymond’s nose, his mouth…

“Get off him, Thane!”

I grabbed his arm and pulled. But… When our eyes locked… No.. That wasn’t Thane.

It was something else. Something terrifying.

He shrugged me off and landed two more punches before dragging Raymond by his shirt toward his car.

“No. No, please…” I grabbed Thane’s wrist. “Where are you taking him?”

“I’m killing him,” he growled.

“What? No. You’re not doing that, Thane. Please let him go.”

Before I could react, he slammed Raymond against the car. His hand gripped his throat so tight I could barely breathe watching it.

I needed to call someone.

I reached for my phone, but my hands were shaking so badly. The second Thane landed another punch, I dropped it and ran back to him.

“If you don’t stop now, Thane, I’m going inside and getting help!”

He didn’t react. His eyes were locked on Raymond like nothing else existed apart from him. He didn’t even look like he heard me.

Using all my strength, I pulled him back and forced myself between them. Raymond collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.

“He killed her! He did!” His voice shook, grabbing his head like it hurt.

His hands were trembling now. I didn’t know what else to do. I just remained glued where I stood. “Please… Just let him go!” A tear slid down my cheek.

“Rachel!”

I turned sharply.

“You okay?” Tiara rushed over and pulled me into a hug. I didn’t let it last long before pulling away quickly.

“I don’t know…” My chest was pounding so hard. “Thane…”

Tiara cupped my face. “It’s okay.” She spoke quickly but calmly, pressing a kiss on my forehead. “Here’s what’s going to happen, alright?”

I nodded.

“Take Thane with you. I’ll handle Raymond. Don’t call anyone. Just take Thane straight to my place. Use the keys.”

I nodded again. Without a word, I grabbed Thane by the wrist, shoved him into the car, and drove off, my chest still pounding loudly.