ログインAdrian’s POV“That’s a wrap!” the director’s voice boomed through the studio.I pushed myself up from the sofa. Before I could even take a step, the hair and makeup team swarmed me, dabbling at my face with sponges and brushes. My eyes instinctively sought out Daphne. She stepped forward, offering a chilled bottle of water. I took it, our fingers barely brushing, and forced myself to look away. Every nerve in my body wanted to linger on her, but the sting of her rejection was still too fresh—a dull ache in my chest that wouldn't go away.Once the team finished and filed out, the room went quiet. A soft knock echoed against the door. I stayed silent, watching the handle turn. For a split second, my heart jumped, hoping to see Daphne’s face, but Stella sauntered in instead.“What do you want?” I snapped, the bitterness in my voice hard to hide.“I’m here to invite you to a party tonight,” Stella said, a smirk playing on her lips. “Just a little get-together with the cast. I know how muc
Daphne’s POVThe air finally reached my lungs as Adrian pulled away. The frantic drumming in my chest slowed, the walls of the elevator no longer feeling like they were crushing me.“Do you feel better?” Adrian whispered. He searched my face, his eyebrows pinched with worry. I managed a small, shaky nod.“You can get out now.”The cold voice shattered the moment. I spun around, my heart dropping into my stomach. Stefan stood there, his jaw tight and his eyes darker than I’d ever seen them. My mouth hung open, a plea dying on my tongue as he turned on his heel and walked away.“Stefan!” I called out.I moved to follow him, but Adrian’s fingers clamped around my wrist. “Daphne, don’t. You don’t have to go after him,” he said, his voice cracking slightly.“Let go!” I snapped, wrenching my arm out of his grip. I didn't look back at him. I sprinted down the hallway, my heels clicking loudly against the tile. “Stefan! Wait!”He finally halted, his shoulders stiffening before he slowly turne
Stefan’s POV“Wait—what?” The words tripped over my tongue. My chest tightened, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird, but Bella didn’t even blink.“I know you’re sleeping with Daphne,” she said.My eyes stretched wide. A cold prickle of sweat broke out along my hairline. How? Did Daphne tell her?“Come on, Stefan. She’s my sister.” Bella stepped past me, her silk dress rustling as she claimed a spot on the edge of the bed. “I’ve seen the way she looks at you. She’s been in love with you since we were kids.”I forced my voice to stay level, though my hands were trembling. “How do you know we slept with each other?”She turned to face me, a soft, unsettling smile playing on her lips. “I stopped by that day. I think you were both too... occupied... to notice the door opening. I closed it and gave you your privacy.” She shrugged, her tone as casual as if she were discussing the weather.“And you’re not angry?”Bella let out a dry, half-hearted laugh. “Why should I be? Le
Bella’s POV“Bella.”Daphne’s voice made my stomach drop. I forced my head up, meeting the exact gaze I’d been dreading—eyes like cold glass. “How are you even here?” she added, her arms crossed tight over her chest.“Is that what you say to your sister the moment she gets back?” My mom’s voice rose, her face reddening with a look of pure frustration.“Oh, so this crowd is for her big welcome? Why?” Daphne’s lip curled. “No one asked her to leave.” She stepped closer, her eyes scanning my messy hair and wrinkled clothes. “Why are you back here, Bella? I thought you said in your letter that you were done with this family.”I stared at the floor, my throat feeling like it was full of sand. I didn't know what to say to her.“That’s enough, Daphne! I thought you would be happy. They finally found her,” my mom snapped, her chest heaving.“No, they didn’t find her.” Daphne let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “She probably spent every cent she took and crawled back so she wouldn’t have to sleep o
Daphne’s POV“Stefan... you’re here.” The words tripped over my tongue as I took in the deep lines of his frown. My heart hammered against my ribs; he wasn't supposed to be here. I just hoped he didn't see the way Adrian and I were standing and get the wrong idea.“Why are you here?” Adrian’s voice was like ice. He stepped forward, shielding me slightly. “I specifically asked for privacy. How did you even get past the door?”Stefan’s jaw tightened. “Don’t forget this place belongs to the company, Adrian.” He flicked his gaze toward me, and the disappointment I saw there made me flinch. Adrian just rolled his eyes and folded his arms over his chest.“Hello? Is anyone going to acknowledge I'm standing here?” Bianca snapped, her face twisting. She forced a bright, plastic smile that didn't reach her eyes. “Why didn’t you mention you’d be here, Daphne? Or did you keep it a secret so you could have a ‘private moment’ with your boss?”“I—”“I wanted to learn how to bowl,” Adrian cut in, his
Adrian’s POVDaphne’s eyes traced the polished, vacant lanes of the bowling alley, the neon lights reflecting in her pupils. "It’s empty," she said, her gaze finally drifting back to mine.I let out a short, dry laugh. "You really didn’t expect to find a crowd here, did you?" I kept my tone light, half-amused by her surprise."Right. I forgot. You’re famous," she replied. She said it with such a casual shrug that a genuine smile tugged at my lips."Here, take this." I hefted a marbled ball toward her.She hesitated, her fingers lingering on the cool surface. "Hmmm, Adrian? I’m really not good at this.""I don't buy that for a second," I countered immediately, leaning against the ball return. "You’re just being modest. I bet you're a secret pro.""Fine, have it your way," she sighed, taking the weight from my hands. I stepped back to watch. Her stance was shaky, her shoulders too tense. She wound up and released, but the ball lumbered down the lane with a heavy thud, eventually trickli
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 bro
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, b
Daphne’s POVI thrashed against the sheets for the thirtieth time, the fabric tangling around my legs like a trap. Every time I squeezed my eyes shut, my brain surged with a restless energy that made my skin itch. I just wanted to blink and find myself back home, far away from this place. But sleep
Stefan’s POVMy mom’s voice had become a steady hum in the background, like a radio I’d forgotten to turn off. For two hours, she’d been debating flower arrangements and seating charts, but my mind was miles away. I kept picturing Bella—just the two of us, somewhere quiet. I needed a plan to steal







