Chapter 1: Cornered

Chapter 1

Leah's P.O.V

He had me trapped between the wall and his body, close enough that I could feel every breath he took.

“Say it again,” he murmured, his voice low, dangerous.

My back pressed into the cold surface behind me, my pulse pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. I clenched my fists, forcing myself not to melt into him — not to forget everything I was supposed to remember.

“You’re my stepbrother,” I said, my voice barely steady. “This shouldn’t be happening.”

A faint smile curved his lips, slow and knowing. “Then why are you still here?”

His hand rested at my waist — the implication was there, heavy and undeniable. My breath hitched despite myself.

“Tell me,” he continued softly. “What do you want, Leah?”

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. My heart betrayed me, racing as though it already knew the answer.

I hated him once.

I swore I did.

Yet standing here, caught between what was wrong and what felt terrifyingly right, the truth slipped out before I could stop it.

“I don’t know how to stop,” I whispered.

For a moment, he didn’t move. Didn’t speak. His gaze searched my face, intense and unreadable.

How did I end up like this — tangled in emotions I shouldn’t even be thinking about?

When did hatred turn into something so dangerously complicated?

It didn’t start this way. It started not up to a year ago. 

Our final year of high school. Back when he was still my worst nightmare.

***

Brrring! 

The school bell rang, signifying break time.

And here I was, heading to my locker, hugging my book to my chest. In the midst of the students walking and chatting here and there, I was like an island unto myself. Maybe that was why I clung tightly to the few people in my life.

My name is Leah Wills, and all my life I had had only one family member — my Mother, Eliana Wills. She raised me to be who I am today.

Getting to my locker, I inserted the key into the keyhole, and just before I could give it a twist, someone held my backpack and pulled me, then another person pushed me. The sudden attack caught me off guard, and I stumbled. I lost my grip on my book, so it fell.

Oh no! I just got this book, and I've been treating it like Cinderella's fragile glass shoe!

I bent down to pick up the book, but another person stepped on my shoulder with force, pushing me forward. 

I gasped, instinctively supporting myself with my hand against the floor.

I was pissed off! Who the hell did these people think they were? They're treading on thin ice right now…

“Ouch!” The sharp pain from trying to get up brought me back to reality—I’d sprained my wrist… again.

Oh, I remember the last time I sprained my wrist. That was yesterday, when the quad had paid me a visit in the cafeteria.

Hold on a second… I haven't seen the quad all day. Could it be… 

I looked at the pairs of feet before my face. At this moment, I could feel and hear the whispers of the wind. My sense of smell heightened like that of a werewolf, and of course, I was all too familiar with that fragrance—it belonged to Sky, Josh, Finn, and Quinn. Even before the fragrance hit my nose, I knew very well who they were. 

“Hello, leech,” Finn said, and they laughed.

I wish I could punch his nose! But I couldn't, so I quietly picked up my book. When I got back on my feet, I fixed my gaze on the floor.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Sky snatched my novel, glanced at the cover, then showed it to his friends.

“Oh, look! It's a romance novel,” Josh snickered, and they laughed heartily.

They've got a lot of nerve!

“Give it back,” I said softly. 

Oh shit! That didn't come out as planned. I was supposed to sound fierce, like a Mafia boss lady. I'm sure what they heard was just a stupid goat bleating.

Sky lifted the book above his head and asked, “What exactly should I give back?”

Since words weren't enough, then I'd have to do it the hard way—the violent taketh it by force!

I jumped, trying to reach my novel, but he was far taller than me. I must look stupid right now.

Sky stretched his hand sideways, and handed the novel to Quinn.

Not him! I rushed to take the book from Quinn, but I was held back by Josh, who grabbed my backpack.

“What’s wrong?” Sky tilted my chin. “I thought you love sharing. Didn't your mommy teach you how to share?” 

I recoiled from his touch, frowning from the bottom of my heart.

“Give it back!” I yelled and tried to get past Sky, but he held my backpack, yanking me back. I struggled and wriggled, hoping to free myself from his grip, but ended up leaving the backpack in Sky's possession. 

Shit! That didn't go as planned.

Sky looked at my backpack and smiled. "I wonder what's hiding in here.” He slowly unzipped it and said, “Guys, would you like to see it?”

Sky poured the contents of my backpack on the floor, and they laughed again.

“Stop!” I yelled and rushed to gather my writing materials.

“Why the rush?” Josh suddenly pulled my hair.

It felt like the strings keeping my brain together were being pulled. I wanted to twist his hand and punch him in the face, but once my hands touched his, I couldn't bring myself to do anything.

“Ah, it hurts!” I whimpered, weakly trying to make him release his grip on my hair.

“I think we should take our leave now. I'm bored,” Sky said as he dusted his hands.

“Thanks for sharing, Leah.” Quinn and Finn smiled, dropping my novel on the floor—torn in two.

God, as much as I love twins, I hate this pair. Twins were supposed to be lovely, but take a look at Quinn and Finn—aside from their good looks, they were far from lovely.

I didn't know if seeing my new novel torn in two hurt more than the pain from my hair being pulled, but tears threatened to spill from my eyes, and I tried my best to hold it back.

“Such a crybaby,” Josh spat and released my hair, then pushed me to the side, before leaving with the boys.

The commotion attracted a good number of students, who also dispersed when the show was over.

That day after school, I stepped out of the building and on my way to the school gate, I saw Sky in the parking lot. His father came to pick him up today. 

I've never seen my own father, and my Mom always avoided the question whenever I asked.

I can't deny the fact that I envied him for having a father who actually cared about him. I watched Sky climb into the black sedan, his father’s hand resting briefly on his shoulder before the door closed.

The car pulled away.

I didn’t know why my chest felt tight.

I didn’t know why I memorized the shape of that car and the sound of the engine.

At the time, I thought it was just envy.

I had no idea that man would soon walk into my life — and change everything