Chapter 3

Lisa POV

I slowly turned my head to look at her. Childish? Silly?

She uprooted my entire life and I’m the childish one? I rolled my eyes and faced the window again. You just wait, Mom. You have no idea what I’m capable of.

The car finally slowed down. Tall iron gates opened automatically, revealing a massive estate beyond them.

My breath caught. The mansion had huge white stone walls, large windows, balconies, and fountains in the front yard. It looked like something straight out of a billionaire romance movie.

The car pulled to a stop and the driver stepped out first and opened Mom’s door. “Welcome home, Madam.”

I stepped out of the car slowly, staring up at the mansion. Before we could even reach the front door, two maids hurried down the steps and began collecting our luggage.

“Welcome, Madam,” one of them said politely to my mother.

Madam.

I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat. This was really happening.

And then another sleek black car drove through the gates and rolled to a smooth stop in front of the mansion. The engine purred softly before shutting off.

The driver stepped out first and opened the back door and that’s when I saw him. He was tall, easily over six feet with broad shoulders and a sharp jawline that looked sculpted. His suit fit him perfectly, like it had been tailored just for him. Dark hair, slightly tousled. Calm and confident posture.

My stomach sank because this wasn't what I expected. I had spent days imagining my mother's future husband.

Maybe he was some desperate middle-aged billionaire with a beer belly and a receding hairline.

Not someone who looked like he had stepped straight out of a luxury watch advertisement.

My friends had been right. Mom would never settle for an ugly man.

He adjusted his cufflinks before his eyes landed on my mom and just like that, his serious expression softened.

He walked toward her quickly.

“My love, you’re finally here,” he said warmly, pulling her into his arms.

I stood frozen.

He hugged her tightly, then leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I missed you.”

Romantic. Very romantic. I didn’t expect that because he didn’t look like the emotional type. He looked powerful, the kind of man who makes people nervous just by standing near them.

Yet here he was, looking completely in love with my mother.

“Yes, love,” my mom replied sweetly, smiling up at him. “I missed you too.”

Watching them together made something twist painfully inside me. Then his dark eyes landed on me.

“You must be Lisa,” he said smoothly, stepping toward me and stretching out his hand. “I’m Ramsey.”

Up close, he was even more attractive.

“Nice to meet you,” I replied politely. “I’ve heard a lot about you from my mom.”

I shot my mother a quick glance. She looked stunned, because the truth? I hadn’t heard a single thing about him. Not his job, not his personality, not even his first name.

I only found out he was “Mr. Ramsey” from the driver at the airport.

“Really?” he asked, smiling widely. “That’s nice to know.”

Then his expression shifted slightly, almost like he just remembered something.

“Did she tell you about my son?” he asked casually. “He’s just a few years older than you.”

My heart skipped. Son?

For a second, I was sure I misheard him.

“You… have a son?” I asked before I could stop myself.

He nodded calmly. “Yes. He lives here.”

Which means, not only do I have a stepfather now…I also have a stepbrother.

Great.

Just when I thought my life couldn’t get more complicated. My mind started racing. How old is he? What is he like? Is he spoiled? Arrogant? Rude? Or worse….What if he’s figured out my plan and tries to ruin it?

I folded my arms casually, masking my shock.

“Well,” I said lightly, “this just keeps getting better.”

We stepped inside the mansion and for a moment… I forgot to breathe.

The interior was massive. Marble floors, crystal chandelier. A curved staircase that split into two at the top like something out of a royal palace. The walls were decorated with modern art pieces.

So this is how the other half lives.

“The maid will show you to your room,” Ramsey said to me politely. Then he turned to my mom, his voice softening. “Honey, come with me.”

He took her hand gently, leading her toward the other side of the house like they were already the perfect couple.

I swallowed the irritation bubbling inside me.

“Hello, Miss Lisa,” a woman about my mom’s age said kindly. “Please follow me, I will take you to your room.”

She gestured toward the grand staircase. I nodded and began climbing. Then I saw a boy, leaning casually against the edge of the staircase railing, like he owned the place. I knew immediately, he was Ramsey’s son.

He looked almost exactly like his father, tall, broad shoulders, sharp jawline but there was something darker about him. His forearms were covered in tattoos that disappeared under the sleeves of his black shirt. He had a small silver piercing on his eyebrow and that smirk…

God, that smirk. Arrogant, annoying and Infuriating. He looked like trouble wrapped in designer clothing. I lifted my chin slightly and walked past him without saying a word.

I don’t need stepbrother drama. I’m here for one mission only.

“Hey, stepsis,” he drawled lazily behind me. “Won’t you even say hi?”

I didn’t stop.

Did he seriously just call me that? His dad and my mom aren’t even officially married yet. What the fuck is wrong with him?

I kept walking, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Behind me, I heard a low chuckle. I hated him already.