Chapter 3

Daphne’s POV

The kiss between us deepens, our tongues intertwining—mint and alcohol mixing between us. A soft moan escapes my lips, igniting every nerve in my body.

Then suddenly, he pulls away.

Before I can even speak, Stefan slumps forward and goes unconscious.

I blink, confused, emotions crashing into each other. Did Stefan and I just kiss? A breathless grin slips out of me before I catch myself. I turn to him—still knocked out—and watch his still form for a full minute. Then my eyes widen.

This… this wasn’t right.

The room suddenly feels too small, too warm, like the walls are pressing in on me. I can still taste him on my lips, and that only makes the panic spike even more.

My heart kicks up sharply. I push up from the bed immediately, the urge to leave screaming through me. I slip out of his room and hurry straight to ours.

Bianca and Bella are sprawled across the bed, competing over who could snore louder, but that’s the least of my problems. I sink onto the couch, fingers brushing my lips as the memory hits me again. It feels wrong… and somehow it feels right.

My heartbeat pounds too loudly. Butterflies swirl in my stomach. I lie back on the couch, stare up at the ceiling, and close my eyes. Exhaustion finally drags me under.

***

The ride back home is painfully quiet. I sit in the backseat with Bianca’s head resting on my shoulder, still hungover. Bella sits in front, and Stefan drives.

I glance at the rear-view mirror—our eyes meet. He looks away instantly, stiff and awkward. So he remembers. He knows what happened between us last night.

I drop my gaze, a small smirk tugging at my lips. I’ve crossed a line… and now there’s no going back.

When we reach the house, I say goodbye to Bianca, but Stefan doesn’t give me the chance to say anything to him. He focuses entirely on Bella, and before I can even try, he drives off. A small ache stings my chest, but the butterflies quickly drown it out.

“Give me a hand,” Bella murmurs. I take her hand as she leans her weight on me, still shaky from last night’s drinking.

“Are you both being serious right now?” Mom demands the moment she sees us. “What were you thinking—going out and drinking?”

“Mom, we wanted to—”

“I wasn’t talking to you.” She cuts me off sharply. “And I still haven’t forgotten about your behavior in front of my guests.”

The words sting more than they should. She never worries about anyone judging me—only Bella.

“Are you serious, Mom? We’re really going back to that—”

“That’s enough, Daphne,” Bella snaps, standing on her own. “Don’t talk back to Mom.” She turns to her. “I’m sorry, Mom. We weren’t thinking straight. It won’t happen again.”

I roll my eyes.

“My darling, you’re engaged to Stefan, and you know how prestigious that family is,” Mom says, cupping Bella’s cheeks. “I don’t want them talking down on how I raised you. So please, don’t let this happen again.”

Then her eyes cut to me—a sharp glare. “What are you still standing there for? You should be on your way to school.” Her tone drips with annoyance.

Her voice feels like a slap, but I swallow the hurt like I always do.

“You know… I really miss Dad,” I say quietly. “At least he cared enough to listen to me.”

I feel the familiar burn behind my eyes, the one I always get when she makes me feel small. But today, something in me snaps.

Her eyes widen, but I don’t wait for whatever she plans to say. I turn and walk straight to my room.

My footsteps echo down the hallway, each one heavier than the last. I hate that she can still hurt me this easily.

I shut the door behind me and sit on my bed. I don’t want to be angry or sad. This is how she always is with me—how she always will be. Thinking about it won’t change anything.

My chest feels tight, but I force myself to breathe. I need something good today—anything to remind me that I’m not invisible in this house.

So instead, I focus on the one thing sparking joy in me. I had my first kiss. With my first love.

A smile stretches across my face before I can stop it.

I head into the bathroom and take a quick shower. When I come out, a message from Bianca is already waiting. She wants us to skip college today and hang out at her place. Honestly, that sounds perfect. I get to see Stefan… and maybe today, just maybe, my unrequited love will finally stop being one-sided.

It takes me thirty minutes to get to Bianca’s house. I don’t let the driver take me—I need to feel in control today. I drive myself.

The security guards let me in, and I head upstairs toward Bianca’s room. But when I reach her door, I stop. Stefan’s room is just down the hall.

My heart thunders. If I keep waiting, it’ll only get harder. He kissed me back. He can end the engagement with my sister. He can choose me. Us.

Before I can talk myself out of it, I walk to his door and knock. Nerves swirl in my stomach.

The door swings open. His eyes widen the same way mine do.

“Daphne… you’re… here,” he stutters.

“Can I come in?” I manage.

“Yes, of course.” He steps aside, letting me in.

I smile as I walk in. His room hasn’t changed—still exactly the way it’s always been. Familiar. Safe.

“Do you want something?” he asks, and our eyes meet.

“Actually… I need to tell you something.” I smile, ready—finally ready. “I—”

“Daphne.” His voice cuts gently through mine. “I also need to tell you something.”

My heart leaps. My smile grows. This is it. He feels the same. He’s going to say it.

He exhales softly. “Your sister and I just got engaged. And I might not say it enough, but I want you to know that you’re like a sister to me. I will always protect you.”

The words hit like a blow. My smile dies instantly.

My chest caves in.

And I feel my heart shatter—clean, sharp, into a million pieces.