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Boat Against the Current
Boat Against the Current
Author: Betty Burns

Chapter 1

Author: Betty Burns
“Mom, Dan, I received an offer from an overseas university. I plan to take it.”

Lucille Shaw’s voice was soft in the silent living room, like a single drop of water rippling across a still pond.

Her mother Victoria jumped up with joy. "Really? Congratulations! When are you planning to go?"

“Ten days from now.”

That was so soon! Victoria was excited but a little lonely at the same time. “Then I’ll help you pack your things. It’s your first time going abroad, so I couldn’t help but worry.

“That’s why I called a friend from a while back. Her son happens to be in London too, so you can call him if you need anything. Don’t worry about bothering him! Why, we joked that you two could get engaged as kids!

“If you can get along with him, that’d be best. If you can’t, you can just be friends.”

Lucille nodded. “Got it, Mom.”

Her mother was surprised. “You’re okay with that, Lucy? Does that mean… you broke up with your previous boyfriend?”

Lucille fell silent.

Her stepfather Dan Dortman immediately understood. He smacked the table, proclaiming, “He never bothered meeting us, so I knew from the start he wasn’t serious about you. Good riddance, I say! You deserve a better boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend? What boyfriend?” A voice cut through the depressive air in the living room.

The three of them turned around and saw River Dortman coming in. He was dressed in a black shirt and black trousers that showed off his tall lanky figure, highlighting his laidback yet elegant demeanor.

Lucille stiffened before standing up to greet her stepbrother. “River.”

“Hmm.” He gave her a long look and then threw his car keys on the table, heading upstairs to his room.

That night, Victoria cooked up a feast and even opened a bottle of red wine. She raised her glass, smiling at her family as she declared the good news. “Come, let’s celebrate! Lucy’s about to…”

Lucille sensed something wrong and hurriedly interrupted her. “Mom, this wine is a bit bitter. Is it expired?”

Expired? Victoria was surprised. The expiry date said otherwise, but Lucille had already dragged her to the kitchen, saying they would replace the wine as an excuse.

“Mom, don’t tell River that I’m going abroad for now.”

Victoria was confused at first, but when she thought about how her stepson had taken care of her daughter all this while, she realized that he would be reluctant to see Lucille go. In the end, she nodded.

After a half-hearted dinner, Lucille returned to her room. She brushed her teeth and lay in bed, slowly falling asleep.

At midnight, however, someone joined her in bed.

His hot breath blew against her neck, his soft lips plastered onto her skin. The slightly cool dampness of his teeth nibbling her woke Lucille up completely.

She froze and then instinctively shoved him away, protesting roughly, “River, stop that!”

“What’s the matter? You won’t let me touch you anymore because your mom is introducing you to someone?” River’s lips curved in the darkness, but his smile did not reach his eyes. His voice was a lazy drawl. “Are you going to abandon your poor stepbrother after all these years?”

Lucille knew he had misunderstood, but she did not explain. River’s expression turned cold in the silence.

He pulled her into his arms. “Lucille Shaw, I told you. You can’t date anyone else. You’re mine and mine alone!”

She felt his body burning against hers, but she was in no mood to argue with him right now, so she lied. “I’m on my period. I’m not feeling well.”

River’s expression softened at her explanation, but he still could not help but frown. “Didn’t your period just end a few days ago? Fine, I won’t bother you tonight. Let’s sleep early.”

With that, he hugged her tight in his arms. His steady breathing in her ear kept Lucille wide awake.

Nobody knew that her boyfriend was none other than her stepbrother, River Dortman!

When she was twelve, her mother remarried, and she became his new stepsister.

When she was fourteen, they acted like the perfect siblings in the public eye.

When she was eighteen, he discovered her crush diary filled with his name. He lay sprawled on her table, reading the diary over and over again. He grabbed her hand when she tried to snatch it back and brushed a kiss against her blushing cheeks.

When she was twenty, they tasted the forbidden fruit. After that, they got addicted to each other’s taste.

During the day, they were a family. At night, they were secret lovers.

Lucille had always been a good girl. Her relationship with River was the only immoral thing she had done in her life.

She just loved him so much. She even thought she would not mind if they had to keep their relationship a secret for all their lives. They could just elope overseas when the time came.

However, all her delusions shattered when she overheard his conversation with his friends half a month ago.

It had been raining heavily that day. She ran to bring him an umbrella, only to hear his friends’ voices through the door of the private room.

“River, what are you going to do with your stepmother’s daughter? Didn’t you say you were just playing with her? Why are you still together?”

“Yeah, didn’t you seduce her as revenge, to get back at her mother for marrying your dad? Don’t tell me you changed your mind?”

Revenge? He got with her not because he liked her, but because he wanted revenge!

All the blood drained from Lucille’s face. Her brain was blank, and her body shook. Even so, she stubbornly stayed at the door, waiting for his reply.

The next second, she heard his cold and cruel voice loud and clear.

“Isn’t it more fun to break her heart once she’s well and properly invested in me? I have to take my time.”

His friends burst out laughing, while her blood froze in her veins.

So he never loved her. He got with her, called her his girlfriend, and made love to her every night as revenge, as punishment to her mother for stealing his mother’s place!

Her mother was happy in this family. Lucille could not let anyone else know about this.

In the end, all she could think of was to run away. From this family, from him. That was why she applied to a university overseas.

Now, there were only ten days left until she could slip away in secret.

Lucille glanced at the countdown on her phone and pulled River’s arm away from her waist. Within minutes, he hugged her again. Every time she pushed him away, he would instinctively hold her back.

Eventually, she finally ran out of patience. She grabbed a pillow and put it between their bodies.

This time, he finally stopped. She finally had her peace.

She knew that their relationship would soon come to an end.

She would no longer belong to him. She would stop being his personal toy.
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  • Boat Against the Current   Chapter 26

    The moment Lucielle ran out of the doors, she saw a black car approaching in the distance.She immediately recognized Elliot’s car and waved frantically to catch his attention.The car screeched to a stop in front of her, and she climbed in without hesitation.“Go! Go!” she urged.Elliot didn’t hesitate and stepped hard on the accelerator.Lucielle anxiously checked the rearview mirror. When she realized no car was chasing them, she finally exhaled in relief.Seeing her relax, Elliot glanced at her and asked, “Who called me? And what were you doing out here?”Before Lucielle could explain, a sharp honk split the air.She snapped back and saw River’s car speeding toward them, with River behind the wheel like a madman.There was no time to explain. She turned to Elliot, her voice tense. “Can you lose that car?”Elliot’s expression darkened as he pressed harder on the accelerator. His tone was grim. “Is that your brother?”Surprised at how quickly he figured it out, she nodded

  • Boat Against the Current   Chapter 25

    Three hours later, River returned.He smiled when he saw Lucielle sitting quietly in the corner. Tossing her a bottle of water and a bag of snacks, he said, “Eat something, Lucy. We’re leaving now.”Lucielle looked down and rummaged through the bag but didn’t move.She waited until River’s patience began to wear thin before she raised her hand, holding the bottle of water.Having not eaten anything all day, she struggled to twist the cap open and had no choice but to ask for his help.River’s mood visibly improved.He smiled as he opened the bottle for her and ruffled her hair affectionately. “Finally come to your senses, Lucy? We’re made for each other. Just stay by my side like this, okay? I’ll explain everything to Mom and Dad.”Lucielle didn’t argue. She even gave a slight nod. “Okay.”At her response, all of River’s frustration and anger from the past month seemed to evaporate.He smiled happily, picked up a bun, and began eating.Lucielle took a few sips of water before

  • Boat Against the Current   Chapter 24

    After forcing her out of the car, River dragged Lucielle into a small, windowless room with no ventilation.Without a word, he took all her belongings and locked the door behind him.“Be a good girl and wait here. I’ll be back with your passport in a few hours, and then we’ll leave.”He didn’t wait for her response before turning and walking away.Lucielle clenched her fists, then pinched herself to calm down and focus.Squatting on the ground, she began piecing together everything she knew, searching for a way out.Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching. The distinct sound of high heels clacking against the floor told her it wasn’t River.Desperate, she pounded on the door with all her strength, hoping to draw the person’s attention.The footsteps stopped just outside, and a familiar voice spoke.“Where is he taking you, Lucielle?”It was Sophia.Lucielle’s fleeting hope vanished.She hadn’t seen Sophia since that day at the graveyard. For her to be here now could only

  • Boat Against the Current   Chapter 23

    Once school started, Lucielle and Elliot were almost inseparable outside of class.It didn’t take long for Lucielle to settle into her new life and move on from the events of the past.Her mother called from time to time to update her on what was happening back home.During one call, her mom mentioned that after returning from Europe, River had abruptly announced that he would no longer be marrying Sophia.Sophia refused to accept this and repeatedly went looking for him at home, but River avoided her at every turn.To make matters worse, River had a heated argument with his father and insisted on leaving Dortman Group.Lucielle listened silently, making no remarks. After all, her mother was her only connection to the Dortmans now.When the call ended, Lucielle checked the time and messaged Elliot, asking when his class would finish.His reply was quick. He told her he would be having lunch with friends and suggested she eat on her own.Understanding, Lucielle packed up her th

  • Boat Against the Current   Chapter 22

    Lucielle woke up to an empty house the next morning.Elliot wasn’t home either. He’d left a note saying he had an errand to run.She paid it no mind and returned to her room after breakfast, switching on her computer to prepare for class.She had just finished reading the first chapter when her phone rang. The screen displayed an international number she didn’t recognize. Hesitant, she debated ignoring it but decided to answer.For a moment, the line was silent. Just as she considered hanging up, River’s voice came through the speaker.“I’m downstairs. Spend my birthday with me, Lucy.”Lucielle froze, unsure why he had come to the villa.Knowing him, he would do whatever it took to make her leave the house, dragging her along if necessary.Not wanting to give him the chance, she refused. “You should spend it with your mom, River. It’s been a while since she saw you. I’m sure she misses you a lot. I won’t be coming down, though. Happy birthday.”Another heavy silence followed.

  • Boat Against the Current   Chapter 21

    Lucielle spent the next two days at home.Elliot’s parents were busy with work, leaving just her and Elliot in the house.Perhaps at his mother’s request—or maybe out of concern that she might get bored—Elliot took her on a tour of the house.From the wine cellar in the basement to the rooftop garden upstairs, and from the private cinema on the third floor to the pool in the backyard, they explored every corner.They made full use of the facilities, chatting casually throughout the day. Before they realized it, the sun had set.That evening, Lillian hosted a barbecue party. As they gathered around, she shared stories about Victoria’s past with Lucielle. Meanwhile, Elliot and his father managed the fire, handed out freshly grilled skewers, and kept everyone’s glasses filled.A warm summer breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers, and the soothing notes of a romantic piano solo played in the background.Lucielle felt her entire body relax. She leaned back, gazing up at the fai

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