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CHAPTER THREE

JULIA

My heart is a talking drum, but I find my sense.

“Get your filthy hands off me, now!” I scream, annoyed.

“Oh, she has wings,” His brother taunts, and I glance at him.

He’s the exact opposite, with big brown eyes and jet black hair, which seems to look blue in some lights.

“Why the hell were you peeking? Did your mom not teach you manners?” The girl with them sneers and reaches for me with her long nails.

“I needed help with my library, and … get your fucking fingers away from me!” I growl, thrashing, trying to escape his hold, but he’s so firm.

“Stop thrashing.” He seethes and wraps his other hand around my throat.

I stop breathing. He’s touching me. His hand spreads and presses down. My vision swims as he steps closer, flooding my nostrils with his scent. I can’t speak. He seems to have stolen away that ability. My body is flooded with goosebumps. My heart pounds faster, and I can’t think.

What … what the fuck?

“You need to learn your place, you foreign bitch. You'd better stop snooping around, or you’ll lose your fucking eyes. No one wants you here. No one needs you. Read the room. Take your tramp of a mother and run if you know what is good for you.” She sneers at me, waving her long fingers.

Suddenly, Steve’s voice cuts through the chaos.

“What is going on here!”

Everyone flinches, including me. The twin lets me go immediately, and something flashes in his eyes.

Mom gasps in shock, “Julia!”

She rushes to me, pushing away the girl.

“What happened? What happened, Julia?” She demands angrily at the twins, “Did you touch my daughter?”

“Calm down, Diana.” Steve says softly, then turns to the girl, then to his son, “I’ve told you time and time again, Sebastian. I don’t want her here. You’re free to ruin your lives in school, but I never want to see Alicia here, but you don’t fucking listen. You never listen.”

“Go home, Alicia. NOW. If I see you on my property again, I will call the police and make sure you spend the night there.” He glares at her.

She whimpers and walks away, feigning tears. I watch as she walks away, as she meets my gaze and drags her finger over her throat, and I wonder what I have done. Oh God. What have I done?

“Silas, care to explain why you had your stepsister pinned to the wall?” Steve demands, and I tremble. He’s so angry.

“She was snooping by my door, and he caught her, Sebastian responds.

“I wasn’t speaking to you, Sebastian. Now, listen, this is Julia, your stepsister, and she’s here to stay. She will stay. She belongs here. This is Diana, and we are getting married soon. They are family, and you will stop being stupid. I am tired of your constant chaos. Do not make me punish you.” He threatens.

“Now, apologise to her!” He commands.

My eyes widen as the twins turn to me, destruction in their eyes.

I shake my head immediately, “Oh, no, no, they don’t have to apologise for anything. I just needed help with my library.”

“We are sorry,” Sebastian says.

Silas nods, “Why don’t we help you with the library?”

“No, I’m good.” I say, not buying that bullshit act for one second.

“We just want to help you, sister,” Sebastian whispers.

Oh, God.

“Let them help you, Julia. They will be on their best behaviour. They know better than to mess with me, again.” Steve assures me, and I nod, even though I don’t believe him at all. I want zero contact with his twins, but this is important to my mom, so I will play a part.

“Come on, sister.” Silas smiles and grabs my arm as gently as he can, while digging his nails into it.

Sebastian walks on the other side, and I lead them to my bedroom. Silas locks the door, then turns his blue eyes to me. He narrows it at me, but says nothing. I brace myself for whatever attack they have planned, but nothing comes. To my surprise, they bend and get to work.

I watch as they fix my library, doing it so effortlessly. They’re done in a matter of seconds, and, they even help me arrange the books.

“Of course you read shitty books,” Sebastian mutters, and I roll my eyes.

“Thank you. Now, get out of my room.” I snap, my arms folded.

They get up and look at me. They share a look, smirk, and Silas speaks, “You’re supposed to thank us, sister. Try to be less of a bitch. You might have our Dad wrapped around your finger but you can’t fool us. We know the whole perpy innocent girl thing is an act, so stay out of our way, and we’ll stay out of yours.”

I clench my jaw, “What if I just want to make friends? I’m new here and I’ll start school in a few days. Why can’t we just be friends? We don’t have to be family.”

“We are not your friends. We don’t even want you here. We want nothing to do with you, so go back to the hole you crawled out from, you fucking bitch!” Sebastian sneers, getting in my face.

I sigh, ignoring the ache in my heart, “At least, don’t pretend to be nice to me. Don’t even look at me. You don’t know me, and you hate me already. Does that make any sense?”

“You’re right. Let’s not pretend to be friends.” Silas nods and kicks my library, letting everything fall to the ground, sending the book flying.

I clench my jaw hard, but I don’t react. I don’t say anything. I don’t even need them for anything.

“Thank you, now, get out, before I call your dad, who you’re obviously afraid of. Let me guess, Daddy doesn’t love you?” I mock.

Sebastian’s face heat up and he lunges at me.