Chapter 6. You’re Spiraling,Lamb.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

Getting told I had cancer, replaced by my sister, and divorced all in the same day wasn't enough?

Now I was standing here, clutching a photo that made my stomach twist, wondering who the actual hell Ryker was.

"What are you doing there?"

Ryker's voice rang out from behind, and I jolted. My heart slammed against my ribs as I spun around, breath catching in my throat.

He stood at the top of the stairs, a puzzled expression on his face, holding a brown file—probably the contract.

He raised a eyebrow, clearly waiting for an explanation.

"This..." I held up the photo. "Who are these people to you, Ryker?"

I kept my eyes on his face, watching his every expression.

My breathing slowed, waiting in dread. If he really was Derek's brother...

Hell, I'm out.

"Oh. That." He started down the stairs in the most casual manner ever, closing the distance between us.

My fingers tightened around the photo. That annoying calmness? I could scream.

"Yeah, 'that' ."

"You really shouldn't be sneaking around, little lamb. It's a dangerous hobby that doesn't suit you." His voice was filled with warning, like I was the problem here.

"Dodge all you want, Ryker. You still haven't answered the damn question." I kept my voice even. I wasn't yelling...not yet. Maybe because I refused to let another Holland make me lose my mind twice in a day.

"Ah, yes. The people in the photo? Most people would label them as 'family' ."

I blinked. "Fam—family?"

It was all clear now. Ryker was a Holland. He was Derek's Brother. Current CEO of the Hollands Group. Another damn Holland Brother.

"Where is this conversation going?" He asked, finally stopping in front of me. His eyes were as clear as day, blinking at me as if I were the crazy one. "You okay?"

"Do I 'look' okay to you?" I let out a scoff. "You know what, don't answer that."

Ryker scanned me slowly, like he was staring at some toddler. "You look...dramatic."

He didn't even blink as I stared at him, whispering the words I'd been swallowing. "You're a Holland."

Ryker's eyes narrowed a fraction. "Last I checked, that wasn't illegal. Should I be worried?"

That annoying-unbearable calm just added to my anger. He was either heartless or a professional liar.

He knew. He had to have known from the beginning.

I slammed the photo on the table and he flinched, barely.

"I'm done here." I turned, grabbing my luggage with the most dramatic flair I could muster. God forbid I stayed a second longer...I might explode.

"Hey..." His hand caught my wrist. "What's going on? Do you have some personal vendetta with..."

"Yes. I do." I snapped.

Why couldn't I just have one normal night?

I still loved Derek. Pathetic, right? My feelings haven't changed overnight and I still want to fix what's shattered.

Instead of seeing to it, I was in his brother's house, thinking Ryker might help.

Ryker looked thrown off and the expression on his face looked like... guilt?

"What do you mean?"

My voice cracked. "...I mean, my ex-husband is the man in that photo. Derek Holland. Your brother."

His face stiffened, a curse slipping out of his mouth.

"Oh shit."

"Yeah, shit is the word." I let out a bitter laugh. "First I got kicked out, now I'm stuck playing accidental mistress to the CEO of unresolved trauma."

He just stared.

I laughed self-mockingly. "Cinderella, but with worse taste in men."

"I'm not Derek. But I'm sure you already know that, right?" He said after a while.

"You are his brother."

"Half-Brother."

"Still his brother." My voice dropped low. "Still a Holland."

He could have been any man. But no, fate handed me the Holland Sequel.

"This ruins everything," I muttered. "Instead of Derek getting jealous, He'll set both of us on fire."

He won't look at me. He would spite me even more and...

I can't risk it. Never.

"I don't think that's an actual problem though." He said calmly, contradicting my feelings.

"Well, it's definitely mine. I want nothing to do with the Hollands. Derek might be the exception, but the rest of you? Hell No."

Derek hated him. I shouldn't be with him.

"And you don't think that makes this more deliciously chaotic?" He stepped closer.

"Did you know?" I asked, sharply.

"Know what?"

"That I was his Wife? Is that why you came after me?" My fingers tightened around the luggage handle, my jaw clenching hard.

He grimaced. "No, I didn't."

"That doesn't sound very convincing."

He chuckled but not in the nicest way. "What do you want, a full confession? Should I go on one knee and recite the whole Villain monologue?"

"You're unbelievable." I turned. "That's it. I'm done."

"Then, I guess this is the part where I get to chase after you, Cindrela?" His voice was low, filled with teasing.

"Don't!" I would rather stay a thousand miles from him. "Try it, and I'll throw my heels right between your eyes. My aims are quite decent when I'm pissed. And it's Cinderella, not Cindrela!"

Ryker smirked. "Firstly, acting like a maniac is illegal. Secondly, did I mention being a maniac is illegal? Thirdly, I'd rather not ruin my jawline. And lastly, calm down, lamb. You're spiraling."

Who the hell does he think he is?

"I'll spiral all the way out of your life. Watch me."

I twisted the doorknob, ready to leave.

"While you're out there" He called after me. "I'll have the guards lock the gates."

I froze. "You won't do that."

"Wouldn't count on it if I were you." His voice dropped low. "Because you don't get to crash into my life and then, run off like I'm some villain in your personal tragedy."

He was smiling again, but it lacked warmth.

He wouldn't do that, right?

He wouldn't lock me in.

I wrapped my arms around myself and stormed out into the night. My bones almost froze in the process.

'You're doing the right thing.' I told myself.

But the truth?

I really had nowhere to go..

I had no one. And Ryker?

Fucking kill me already.

I dragged my luggage along with me, the big lamps in the compound lighting my path towards the gate.

Just then, a vibrating sound came from my bag. Quickly fishing out my phone, my heart raced abnormally.

One glance at the caller's ID and my stomach dropped.

Holy Moly.

Trouble just wouldn't quit chasing me.