CHAPTER THREE

LILIAN

“I'll call Michael and make him realise what he lost,” Alex said.

I turned to look at him, wondering what Michael could regret losing. I was ugly, so he never lost anything.

Thankfully, I had never bluffed about being the hockey organisation owner's daughter before Fiona came into the picture.

“Your phone,” Alex said.

I handed it to him.

He glanced at the screen before looking at me. “Do you know how to fake it?”

My heart started skipping.

I had always dreamed that my first kiss would be with Michael. But he never gave me one. He always avoided me whenever I got too close, making it clear that my scars disgusted him and that he found me unattractive.

“I'll teach you,” Alex said.

I removed my headset and set it aside.

Alex called Michael, and within seconds, the noise coming from the other room stopped.

“See? She called,” Michael said, laughing.

Fiona's voice came through with a laugh. “Of course you are the prize.”

“I knew you'd call me begging,” Michael said.

My fingers curled into the sheets.

“If you want me back, perhaps you can start by paying for my flight ticket.”

My stomach dropped.

The flight ticket.

I had promised to book Michael's flight because he wanted to travel solo to Canada.

I had been ready to do it without hesitation, but suddenly it didn't matter anymore.

Alex looked at me. Then his hand settled against my neck.

I held my breath as he leaned closer, startled by how near he was.

His lips brushed my forehead.

A sharp crash came from the other room.

I froze.

Michael had heard us.

Alex's eyes met mine, and the corner of his mouth lifted.

He suddenly stopped teasing me. His fingers traced the scars on my face, and his expression changed.

“What happened?” he asked. “How did you get these scars?”

“I can't remember,” I said.

Alex's eyes stayed on my face.

“I don't remember anything from my childhood.”

“You don't remember?”

I shook my head.

“No matter how hard I try, I just can't remember.”

My voice came out shaky.

Alex watched me for a moment. Then Michael's voice came from the other room again.

“How can Alex disgrace the family like this?”

I looked at Alex.

He chuckled.

“Won't this cause trouble?” I asked.

“Shh,” he said.

He raised his hand.

“Michael will call me in five seconds.”

He looked at his watch.

“Five.”

“Four.”

My heart began pounding.

“Three.”

“Two.”

I stared at him.

“One.”

His other phone rang.

Alex picked it up.

“You're in a hotel with that fattie, Lilian?” Michael asked.

Alex scoffed.

“Jealous already?”

Michael laughed.

“Jealous? Of Lilian, when I have Fiona, the hockey organisation owner's daughter?”

Alex's expression remained calm.

“Then why do you keep bringing her up?” Alex asked.

“Because you're too hot for her?” Michael laughed.

Alex's smile disappeared.

“Quit your obsession. She dumped you.”

He ended the call.

I stared at him.

“I think I should go now.”

I swallowed.

“This environment is toxic for me.”

“I'll drive you,” Alex said.

“Hell no.”

I shook my head.

How could I possibly allow him to drive me? I never wanted anyone to know where I was staying.

Fiona had made it clear that I should never tell anyone I was the adopted daughter of Mr. Williams. He was my father and the owner of the Williams Hockey Club, one of the biggest hockey organisations in the country.

“Never mind,” I said. “And thanks for today.”

I left the hotel, booked a cab, and headed home.

When I arrived, Mom was standing outside.

“What are you coming home so late for?” she asked.

I looked at her.

“Is that a problem?”

Ever since Fiona came into our lives, Mom had made everything an issue.

I was twenty-two, already in my senior year in college, and I wasn't a minor.

“Your father has spoiled you too much,” Mom said. “That is why you keep acting like this.”

She shook her head.

“I'm so glad Fiona is my daughter.”

It was the same line she'd been using for the past month.

“You're ugly, Lilian,” she continued. “You need to start going to the gym, so some guy will take you seriously.”

I smiled.

Suddenly, Fiona stepped out of a car as our driver opened the door for her.

“Mommy!” she called, rushing toward Mrs Williams.

Mom smiled at her.

“You had fun, huh?”

Fiona smiled back, and I walked past them without saying a word.

I ignored them and went upstairs.

Once I settled into my room, I picked up my phone and stared at Michael's contact.

One part of me wanted to beg him.

“Get lost!” I screamed and hit the block button instead.

I switched on the television and tried to focus on the news.

A few minutes later, Fiona walked into my room.

“You spent the night with Alex?” she asked.

I slowly looked at her.

“That doesn't concern you.”

“Hey, this is my house.” She said as she folded her arms.

“You're just an adopted daughter, so mind how you talk to me unless you want me to tell Mom.”

I smiled.

“What do you need information about my life for?”

Fiona's eyes moved over my body before she laughed.

“Your body is rough, your tummy is big, and your face is filled with scars.”

She glanced at me again.

“Alex must be joking.” She said.

“You have Michael now, so why do you keep mentioning him?” I asked.

Fiona stepped closer.

“Do you think I would stoop for Michael?” she asked. “That broke guy who leaches off women—and who leached off you?”

“I need a man who can take me on fancy dates.”

I stared at her.

“Then why did you spend the night with him?”

She simply smiled.

“Because I wanted to prove to you that I can get anything you own.”

Her eyes stayed on mine.

“And right now, I want Alex for myself.”