Se connecterStefan’s POV“My dear friend, kissing my girlfriend—who also happens to be his sister’s fiancé.” Adrian’s voice dripped with a sickly sweet satisfaction. a smug twist to his lips that made my blood run cold.“Adrian, this isn’t—”“What? ‘Not what it looks like’?” He cut me off, the playfulness vanishing into a sharp, jagged edge of annoyance. “Cut the crap, Stefan.”He lunged forward, his fingers clamping around Daphne’s wrist. He yanked her toward him, marking his territory. “Daphne is mine. I’m not going to stand here and watch you help yourself with her just because you felt like it.” His eyes darkened, a predatory heat flickering in them that felt far too defensive for the situation.“There you guys are!”The sound of Bella’s voice sent a jolt through my chest, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. She hurried toward us, gesturing to the colorful cups in her hands. “The ice cream is already soup.” She stopped short, her gaze flickering between our rigid posture
Stefan’s POV“They look so good together!” Bella’s voice surged with a high-pitched energy that made my skin crawl. I forced my lips into a smile, though it felt brittle and stopped well short of my eyes.Across the way, Daphne and Adrian were locked in a kiss. The sight was a physical blow; my stomach churned, and my fingers curled into a tight, white-knuckled fist at my side.“I should take a quick picture,” Bella chirped. The shutter clicked, and as if on cue, they broke apart. Thank God. Bella turned to me, her smile faltering as she caught the raw bitterness I hadn't managed to mask in time. She didn't comment on it, instead heading toward the couple. I followed a few paces behind, my feet feeling like lead.“Daphne! What are you doing, kissing this old man right where everyone can see?” Bella teased, her tone thick with amusement.Adrian gave a low, rumbling laugh. “I told you my disguise was perfect.”“How did you know I was going to be here?” Daphne asked. Her eyes flickered t
Daphne’s POVMy knuckles were white as I stood before Adrian’s door. I took a breath, but it felt thin, barely reaching my lungs. My fingers trembled as I punched in the code. I didn’t have to wait for the click; the door swung inward, and there he was.Adrian stood in the entryway, arms crossed, his brow pulled into a tight knot. He didn't say a word. I brushed past him, keeping my eyes locked on the floor, and sank into the cushions of his couch. A moment later, the weight of the cushions shifted as he took the chair opposite me. The silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating, until he finally cut through it.“Are you okay?” The softness in his voice made me want to flinch.I didn't look up. I focused on a stray thread on my jeans.“Do you really want to do this, Daphne?” he asked, his voice dropping an octave. “Do you really want to have sex with me?”My chin lifted slowly. I forced myself to meet his eyes, though my chest felt like it was collapsing. “Yes. I want to. Just
“I love you!” I spat the words out, my face twisting as if I’d just sucked on a lemon.Adrian doubled over, his laughter echoing through the room. I tossed the script onto the coffee table. “I can’t do this. Find someone else to help you rehearse.”“I don’t want someone else,” Adrian said, pushing his bottom lip out in a pout. “I want my girlfriend to help me.”I groaned, leaning back into the sofa. “I’m not your girlfriend once the cameras are off, remember? This dialogue is so cheesy. It’s… ew.”“That’s because you’re reading it like a grocery list,” he countered, tugging at my sleeve. “Give me some real emotion so I can actually get into character.”I checked my watch. “Fine. If I do this properly, can I finally go home? It’s late.”“Deal. Get up.” He grabbed my wrist and pulled me to my feet. I let out a long, dramatic whine but stood my ground, facing him.“Starting in three, two… cue!” Adrian whispered.I took a deep breath, trying to scrub the sarcasm from my voice. “I love you
Adrian’s POV I flashed a wide, toothy grin, my eyes crinkling into narrow slits as I studied her expression. It was the exact mixture of horror and disbelief I’d been aiming for. "Do you like it?" I asked, my voice humming with a bit of mischief. "Adrian, you are crazy," she breathed, her brow furrowing as her hand hovered near my scalp but didn't quite touch. "Why would you do something like this?" "You told me to shave it," I said, jutting my bottom lip out in a mock pout. "So, I did." "I was joking! And besides," she gestured vaguely toward the chaos of the set, "what are the producers going to say about... this?" "Actually, they’re obsessed." I jerked a thumb toward the monitors. The producers were huddled together, nodding and waving with frantic, eager smiles. "They think it’s the next 'it' look. Apparently, I’m starting a buzz-cut revolution. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be next." She rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. I suppressed a smirk—I secret
Daphne’s POVMy heart hammered against my ribs. Of all the people in the world, Bianca was the last person I wanted catching Stefan and me together.“It isn't what it looks like,” Stefan blurted out. His voice jumped an octave, and he stepped back quickly. Bianca stared at him, her brow furrowed, before her eyes snapped to mine. Suddenly, she doubled over, a loud laugh echoing through the hall.“Duh! Why do you guys look like you’ve seen a ghost?” she asked, wiping a tear from her eye. “I’m just messing with you. I mean, as if you two would ever actually kiss.” She giggled again, and Stefan forced a dry, hollow laugh. “Daphne is basically your sister. That would just be gross.”“I... I should get going,” Stefan mumbled. He didn't look back as he hurried away.Bianca’s laughter died instantly. She stepped into my personal space, her face turning pale.“I have something to tell you, Daphne, and it’s serious. Like, life-ruining serious,” she whispered. My stomach dropped. She grabbed my







