Addicted to The Treacherous

Clara James POV

The deadliest enemy isn’t the one standing in front of you…

It’s the one who sits at your breakfast table and smiles at you.

It didn’t take me long to realize the truth: my father’s marriage didn’t give me a new mother… it gave me an enemy.

I’m Clara James. I moved to this upscale neighborhood just a week ago. The house is huge and luxurious. I live here with my father and his venomous wife. My mother died six years ago in a car accident. My parents divorced when I was ten because of my father’s mistress, who also happened to be his personal secretary.

My life was calm and beautiful before the witch Emilia Cole stepped in and destroyed everything. Mom and I had gone on a trip when our car collided with another, and that’s how I lost her. Since then, I’ve been living with my father.

I have a brother nine years older than me, but he stayed in Sweden because he opposed my father’s marriage. My dad works in real estate and owns several big companies. I was excited for my first day at the new school.

"Clara, darling, come have your breakfast."

My dad called, and I rushed over. I leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.

"Good morning, Dad," I said as I sat beside him.

"How’s my little girl today? Good morning, sweetheart."

"I’m fine, Dad. I’m so excited. Today is my first day at the new school."

Emilia, my stepmother, interrupted sharply. "You better behave and not cause any trouble."

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. I didn’t want to argue with her or ruin my mood.

"This is none of your business, Emilia," I said, staring at her sharply.

"And how is it not my business? Do you want more problems and to lose even more money?"

All that bitch cared about was money. I started eating my pastry.

"The money you lose is your father’s money, not yours." I muttered while chewing.

"And you dare talk back to me?" Emilia glared at me. My father watched silently, too weak to shut up his snake of a wife.

"And who do you think you are, that I shouldn’t talk to you like this? You’re just a street whore my father brought home."

Dad didn’t care about our fight. He just sipped his coffee and read the newspaper in his hands.

Emilia’s eyes bulged in shock, then quickly filled with anger. She stood up and struck me violently.

"What do you mean by that!"

I rolled my eyes again.

"You know exactly what I mean."

She stood and stormed toward me, almost grabbing my hair, but my father’s shout stopped her.

"How many times have I told you not to touch my daughter!"

I froze as he threw the glass in his hand to the floor. Shards scattered everywhere.

Emilia froze in place, trembling. "I… I didn’t mean…"

She muttered fearfully, looking at the ground.

"This is the last warning, Emilia. If you put your hands on my daughter even once, I will break them."

The bitch froze in her place.

"Sit down." He ordered sharply, and she hurriedly obeyed. I quietly finished my pastry. What a wonderful way to start my day.

"I’ll go now. Take care of yourself, Dad."

He nodded. I grabbed my bag and left the house, muttering to myself as I kicked the air.

"Who does that whore think she is, telling me not to cause trouble?"

"If it weren’t for Dad, I’d have messed her up already."

I started walking toward school. It was a little far from home. As I got closer, I saw students running quickly. I looked around in confusion when one of them shoved me and ran.

"Run if you don’t want to get chased!"

The boy holding me shouted. He had blond hair. I realized what he said and started running fast toward the gate.

"Get in quickly before I close it!"

Luckily, I made it in before it closed. A group of students couldn’t get in. I looked at the boy who still held my hand, and I quickly pulled it away.

"Take it easy, little one." The boy said, holding the hand I had freed.

"You almost ripped my hand off."

I rolled my eyes. "Sorry, Mr. Tall."

A playful smile curved his lips. He extended his hand to me.

"I’m Ethan Gray."

He winked at the end.

"Clara James." I took his hand and shook it.

"Thanks for helping me."

"Anytime. Are you new here? I haven’t seen you before."

We walked toward the school entrance. Everyone stared at Ethan in awe, especially the girls. Every time his eyes landed on a girl, he winked at her.

"I moved to this neighborhood just a week ago, and today is my first day at school."

I looked at the girls… they stared at me like I was a criminal. I asked in surprise,

"Why is everyone looking at me like that?"

He smirked confidently. I met his gaze.

"Because you’re standing with the most handsome boy in school."

"Are you famous or something?"

"Of course everyone here knows me. I’m the grandson of the biggest corporate mogul."

I gasped. "Wow! So you’re spoiled by your family."

Ethan smiled playfully. "You could say that."

The bell rang, signaling the start of class. We parted ways; he went to his class, and I was led to the teachers’ lounge. The teacher guided me to my new class.

"Attention, we have a new student today."

He pointed to an empty seat at the back. I went to sit but found Ethan already there. He winked at me and said with a smile,

"I guess fate already wrote our destiny together."

I sat beside him and opened my books. I raised an eyebrow playfully.

"What a coincidence, Mr. Spoiled."

"And you think this is a coincidence?" He replied slyly.

I was about to answer but the teacher’s voice interrupted, starting the lesson.

"x² - y = 0. Do you understand?"

The teacher explained, but Ethan wouldn’t stop talking to me.

"Can you be quiet for a moment?"

"I know you like me."

I gripped my pen tightly, staring at him and whispered,

"Shut up, damn it! You’ve been jabbering like a parrot for an hour. I want to focus on the lesson."

"Clara, darling, don’t be so tense."

He grabbed my shoulders and shook me, pretending to be kind.

I threatened him, and he quickly let go.

"Do you want to die?!"

"You’re really scary." Ethan said, staring at me.

The bell rang, ending the school day. Ethan stuck to me all day, talking nonstop like he swallowed a radio. He took me on a tour around the school and showed me every corner.

I hadn’t made any friends or met anyone new besides Ethan.

Darkness had fallen. My home was half an hour away. I started walking while putting my headphones in, listening to my favorite song.

I entered an old alley that looked a little scary, but I ignored it. I pulled my headphones out.

"Damn… I’ve been walking for an hour and still haven’t arrived. Did I get lost?"

I whispered fearfully. I looked back, then ahead. I was trapped in a narrow old alley, unsure which way to go.