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CHAPTER FOUR

Reid

Too late…. I realized I should’ve stayed in New York.

I knew it the second I stepped out of the car and saw Bradley’s mansion lit up like a frigging Xmas tree. It was so bright it hurt my eyes just to look at it longer than necessary. And it all looked too fake, like it was there to divert attention from something else.

But I hadn't come for him, and I sure as hell didn't come for the walking sex toy he tied the knot with.

I wouldn't even be here if I had my way, but Ella begged, and Mom had done her best to make me feel guilty, blah blah blah… And here I was.

Pretending.

That I didn't, Bradley, my dad, that I thought his brand-new wife was great, and that I wasn't bothered by this pretend family get-together.

At least for my mom's and Ella's sake, I would pretend we were one big happy family, but nothing prepared me for her.

Arlyn.

The airport girl.

I recognized her the second she looked at me. The shock in her eyes on recognizing me almost made me burst out laughing.

Her hair was different, blonde now, but I would remember that face anywhere.

It was a face that spelled trouble.

She froze like she’d seen a ghost.

Good.

Serves her right.

I could still feel her nails digging into my jaw and the sharp sting as her teeth sank beneath my skin. Like… Who the hell bites a stranger?

Then she had the nerve to accuse me of stealing her purse… her purse, for chrissake.

Even now, standing in Bradley’s grand entryway with my stepmom beaming proudly beside her, that memory crawled back into my head.

Her eyes darted away from mine, but not before I saw the guilt in them.

Good.

When she coughed and her mother asked, “Everything okay?” I answered before she could spin some excuse.

“No.”

Her head whipped toward me, but I didn’t look at her.

Wasn't necessary.

I didn’t want to see the new hair or the soft sweater or the way her stupid expressive face made her look… innocent.

Innocent people didn’t bite.

I shoved my phone back into my pocket.

“Never seen her before. I assume she’s my new sister.”

Sister.

The word tasted bitter.

Not because of her, but because Bradley kept collecting new family members like trophies.

The way he smiled at them all made me gag.

When Ella hugged him warmly and he hugged her back, I swallowed the familiar burn creeping up my chest.

I didn’t come to play happy family. I came because Ella deserved a real Christmas and because my mother insisted I show “good faith.”

A bell sounded, and everyone went in.

It was dinner time.

*****

Arlyn walked in, eyes seeking mine. She hesitated, probably replaying the purse-stealing scene again. I hoped she was. She needed that humble reminder.

She sat across from me—of course she did, like fate was mocking me. Her shoulders were tense, and her lips pressed tight.

I smiled, loving her discomfort.

I ate silently, scrolling mindlessly through my phone until she finally opened her mouth.

Bradley asked her about her flight. She gave some vague response. Then her mother asked about the mall, and I cut in before Arlyn started spinning sentimental holiday nonsense.

I looked up. “She was busy chasing thieves.”

Her fork froze halfway to her mouth, and her cheeks flushed.

Ella elbowed me under the table, but I didn’t care. I was having too much fun.

When Arlyn finally spoke, her voice was quiet.

“Actually… I wanted to apologize. To Reid.”

I looked up, meeting her eyes fully, and she wasn’t looking for sympathy or to turn the tables.

She was genuinely sorry.

And that threw me off.

I leaned back, trying to understand her game plan. “Why? Because you don't want to look bad?”

She didn’t flinch. Didn’t look away. Just held my gaze.

“No,” she said firmly. “Because I was wrong.”

Her voice was steady.

The room was silent in that heavy, uncomfortable way where everyone waits for someone else to react.

I didn’t.

I wouldn’t give her that.

“Honest mistake,” I said finally, echoing what I’d said earlier but letting my tone stay cold.

I watched something in her expression shift.

Like she’d hoped I’d accept it.

Like she expected forgiveness.

She didn’t know me at all.

The last thing I was going to do was let some girl with big emotional eyes melt my icy heart.

Especially one whose mother was now playing wife to my father of all people.

I learned my lesson about trusting women who strategically place themselves in wealthy men’s lives. They were always smiling and sweet… hidden motives.

Arlyn was no different.

A convenient daughter to match the convenient wife.

I wouldn’t fall for it.

*****

After dinner, Ella dragged Arlyn off to show her the house, leaving me alone with Dad. I walked out onto the balcony for air.

Snow fell in soft waves against the garden, covering everything in clean white, but the sight gnawed at me. It was all too peaceful.

Left too much room for thinking, and right now, all my thoughts were on one person: Arlyn.

I replayed the airport incident in my head and scoffed.

It should’ve been infuriating.

It was.

But the worst part wasn’t the bite.

The worst part was how genuine she had been when she had tried apologizing earlier… like she truly regretted it.

And now here she was, under the same roof for God knows how long.

I rubbed my jaw where she’d bitten me, more annoyed at myself than her.

I didn’t want to think about her.

Didn’t want her taking up space in my head.

I had enough already to worry about and couldn't afford to waste precious time on her.

I was in the middle of reminding myself of that when footsteps approached behind me.

Even before I turned around, I knew she was the one.

It was indeed her.

She stepped onto the balcony hesitantly, arms folded against the cold. Her breath fogged in the air. The snowflakes caught in her new blonde hair made her look annoyingly naive.

What a pain.

“Hey,” she said quietly.

I didn’t answer.

She shifted awkwardly. “I just wanted to… make sure you know I meant the apology.”

I exhaled slowly.

“I heard you the first time.”

“I know,” she said softly. “But I wanted to say it without an audience.”

There it was again: that sincerity that made my skin itch.

It reminded me of someone from years ago. Someone who had also seemed pure until the truth surfaced.

“It’s fine,” I said, looking back at the snow. “Just forget it.”

“I don’t think you believe me.”

I didn’t look at her and then away.

“People lie when it benefits them.”

“Well, I don’t,” she replied with conviction.

I turned my head slightly, studying her from the corner of my eye.

Her cheeks were flushed from the cold. Her eyes were wide and earnest in a way no pretender could fake.

Damn it.

“Whatever you say,” I muttered.

She let out a small exasperated breath. “You really don’t like me, do you?”

I stiffened.

She wasn’t meant to call it out.

“I don’t know you,” I said in my defense.

“But you think you do.” Her voice wasn’t accusing… It was flat now.

And for a second, I felt something uncomfortable twist in my chest.

I hated that.

Before I could say anything, she straightened. “Well… thanks for helping me at the airport. Even if I didn’t realize it.”

She turned to leave.

Against my better judgement, I called her name before I could stop.

“Arlyn.”

She paused, glancing back.

“Next time,” I said, “don’t bite strangers.”

A soft, reluctant smile tugged at her lips.

“Next time,” she replied, “don’t look like the villain in a crime novel.”

She walked away.

I stared after her longer than I should’ve.

Damn.

This Christmas was going to be a torture straight from hell… Hopefully, I will survive it.