Chapter 3

Miles POV

My blood turned cold. For a second, I genuinely thought I was imagining things. Maybe I was tired from the drive. Maybe my brain was playing some kind of cruel joke on me.

Because there was absolutely no way the person standing in the doorway could be Ryan Blackwood s.

There was no way, out of all the people in the city. It couldn’t be him, yet there he was. Standing in the doorway of what was apparently now my home.

My stomach dropped. Ryan looked just as shocked. The confidence that was normally written all over his face had completely disappeared.

He looked frozen and speechless. His eyes were locked on mine and neither of us moved or spoke.

For one horrible moment, the entire room seemed suspended in silence. Then my mother smiled brightly. “Oh, Ryan, sweetie, you’re back.” She called.

Ryan’s gaze slowly shifted toward my mother. He still looked stunned. My mother gestured toward me. “Perfect timing.” She looked genuinely excited.

Completely unaware that the two boys sitting in front of her hated each other’s existence. “Ryan, this is Miles.” Her hand landed on my shoulder. “My son.” I wanted the floor to open and swallow me My mother then turned toward me. “Miles, this is Ryan.” She smiled. “Your new stepbrother.”

I felt like I was about to faint. My ears started ringing. The room suddenly felt too warm. My new step brother? Ryan? What sort of joke is this,

Ryan stared at me and I stared at him. Then Ryan finally spoke. “What the fuck?” he cursed. 

Jack’s expression immediately hardened. “Ryan.” he called in a warning voice.

“What?” Ryan looked at his father.

“Watch your language.” he warned.

Ryan gave a short, disbelieving laugh. Then he pointed at me. “Him?” My heart sank even further.

“Ryan.” Jack frowned.

“What is he doing here?” Ryan asked.

“What do you mean?” My mother blinked and my heart skipped a beat. I panicked, I didn't want my mother to know what I had been through. If she knew I had been bullied in school all this time, she would be hurt and angry. She might divorce Jack right there if she knew that his son had been making my life a living hell. I bit on my lower lip, knowing how protective mom was towards me. She was finally happy after all this time, the last thing I wanted was to ruin this happy thing she had going on.

Ryan immediately looked away.For a second I thought he might actually tell them everything. Instead he clenched his jaw. “Nothing.” he gritted.

Jack gave him a warning look. “Then sit down.” he said.

Finally Ryan pulled out a chair. The scraping sound seemed unusually loud. He sat down directly across from me. I wanted to disappear. The moment he sat down, his eyes found mine again. It was cold, filled with anger and hatred. I immediately looked away.

The dinner began, orr at least everyone else seemed capable of eating. I wasn’t. I could barely hold my fork. My appetite had completely vanished.

Meanwhile, my mother and Jack seemed oblivious to the tension filling the room. They chatted easily while Ryan and I sat in silence.

They kept talking about honeymoon while I stayed there, terrified with the thoughts of living under the same roof as Ryan. I should have been happy for them. Instead, I felt sick.

Every few seconds I could feel Ryan staring at me. I kept my eyes on my plate. The problem was that my brain wouldn’t stop racing.

My hand started shaking. I quickly lowered it beneath the table.

“Miles?”

I froze. My mother’s voice immediately drew everyone’s attention toward me. I looked up. She was staring at me with concern.

“Hm?”

“Are you okay?” she asked.

I swallowed. My throat felt dry. “Yeah.” I forced out a reply.

“You look pale.” she noted.

“I’m fine.” I shook my head.

Across the table, Ryan looked away. But not before I caught the irritation in his expression. As if my existence alone was annoying him. The rest of dinner passed painfully slowly. Jack and my mother continued discussing honeymoon plans. Ryan barely touched his food. And I spent most of the meal trying not to panic.

Eventually dinner ended. I had never been so relieved in my life. Jack stood from his chair. “Alright.” He smiled. “Now that everyone’s settled.” Jack looked toward Ryan. “Why don’t you show Miles around the house?”

Ryan’s expression darkened. “No.” The answer came so quickly that even Jack looked surprised.

“Don't be rude, show him around.” he said.

“He’s not five.” Ryan laughed.

“Ryan.” His father called again in another warning to. Ryan clenched his jaw. For a second I thought he might refuse again. Then he abruptly stood. “Fine.” he scoffed.

“Good.” Jack smiled. My mother looked relieved. “That’s nice.” she said. Neither Ryan nor I agreed.

A minute later we were walking through the hallways together alone. The moment we turned a corner and disappeared from sight, the atmosphere changed completely. The fake politeness vanished. I kept several feet between us. Ryan walked ahead without speaking. His shoulders looked tense.

We reached an empty hallway, then suddenly he stopped. Before I could react, he turned around. “What are you doing here?” he snarled at me and I gasped. The question came out harsh.

“I—”

“Answer me.” he cut me off.

“I didn’t know.” I blabbered

Ryan laughed bitterly. “Bullshit.” he cursed.

“I really didn’t know your dad was Jack. Please don't hurt me” I whispered the last part miserably.

“And I was supposed to believe that?” He stared at me. I hated how intimidating he was. How easily he made me nervous.

“its true, I swear.” I pleaded 

Ryan looked furious. Then suddenly his hand shot out. My heart jumped. He grabbed the front of my shirt. The collar tightened around my throat.

“Ryan.” I gasped.

He yanked me closer. “What game are you playing?” he snarled.

“I’m not playing anything.” I replied desperately.

“Then why are you here?” he snapped at me.

“My mom married your dad.” I mumbled.

“Don’t act stupid.” he sounded irritated.

“I’m not.” my voice shook embarrassingly.

For a second I thought he might actually hit me. Instead he leaned closer. "Bastard" he growled. He released my shirt abruptly and I stumbled backward. Ryan ran a hand through his hair, then cursed.

“Fuck.” he yelled. He looked genuinely stressed. “You have no idea what you’ve done, my life was already complicated enough and you want to ruin it.” he accused me.

“I didn’t do anythin-.”

“Shut the fuck up!.” he interrupted. Ryan exhaled sharply. Then his expression became cold again.

“Listen carefully.” he suddenly said and I nodded automatically. “Nobody at school must know about this, not a single soul. I am not your step brother, we don't live together. We are not related and I don't know someone as lame as you. If you as much as breathe this to anyone, I will ruin you I promise.”