From Their Stand-in to Center of His Universe

With a sharp crash, a gust of wind shattered a tiny attic window and rained glass panes near my feet.It was pitch-dark up here in the attic, while the air was damp and bitterly cold. Panic gripped me as I pounded my fists against the iron door."Cole, Finn! I can't stay here any longer, please… Please let me out… I'm going to die in here…"Shivering in the cold, I wore nothing but a thin party dress. The shards of glass scattered all around my feet cut into my skin.As I slammed on the cold iron door, my hands throbbed in pain, but my desperate, fearful pleas did nothing other than fuel waves of mocking laughter."She won't die! Three days won't kill her!""Say… How long will she last? Wanna place your bets?"The sound of footsteps faded away, and they took my last shred of hope with them. Through the only tiny window in the attic, I saw Zoey Hart's birthday party in full swing below. The two men who usually treated me like the apple of their eyes stood by her side. Cole Mitc

Finn's expression was dark, and his voice sounded terrifyingly cold. Fighting back tears, I clenched my fingers tight around the bedsheet. My throat felt strangled, and I could barely get a word out.He frustratedly rubbed his temples and murmured, "I barely even recognize you anymore, Emma."How could he not?I remembered the first time I stepped into one of those grand ballrooms, and how Cole had formally introduced me as his sister to a hall of distinguished guests.The news that Cole, who was the CEO of Mitchell Corporation, suddenly had a mysterious new sister, erupted like a bombshell. Whispers drowned me, and I felt small and completely lost. That was until Finn took the first step forward to clink my glass amidst the hushed debates."Why does Cole get to have such a pretty, adorable little sister? Stick with me, Em. I'm way more fun to hang out with than Mr. Stoneface Cole!"He'd been the first elite to accept me, other than Cole, and the first guy to give me a nickname

Emma's point-of-view.After leaving Vallermoore, I found a front desk job at an inn in Reedybrook. The locals here were friendly, and the owner was kind. He provided free meals and lodging, so I had enough money to live and even saved up a little. That was more than I'd ever hoped for.Through this job, I got to meet people from everywhere and chat with every customer checking into the inn. For the quiet ones, I'd kindly slip them extra toiletries and hand them a guide I made myself.Slowly, I settled into this small, quiet place and soon forgot about the unpleasant memories in Vallermoore. But life never let me stay untouched for long. Every time I thought I was safe and just a step away from happiness, someone always came to break that fragile calm.…At dusk, the door to the inn swung open."Hello, are you looking for a room?" I called out.Then, a sharp wave of alcohol hit me. Wrinkling my nose, I looked up at the person who'd just entered, only to feel a cold, creeping

That answer was obviously Zoey's final straw. Her resentful, vicious eyes scanned through the few people shielding me and locked onto me for a few seconds before she ran out, crying.Cole stayed where he was. "Alright, Emma. I choose you, and I love you. Now, come back with me."I almost laughed at his words. "Who you choose doesn't matter to me anymore, Cole. I'll say it one last time: we have nothing to do with each other. Now leave Reedybrook! You're not welcome here!"Declan pulled me behind him and coldly chimed in, "Didn't you hear what she said, Mr. Mitchell? Bothering a lovely lady isn't very gentlemanly."Cole's eyes flickered between me and Declan. "Are you refusing to come home for him?"I lifted Declan's hand in mine and gave him my silent answer. "The door's right there. Please help yourself out!"After Cole and Finn left, Declan and I were the only ones in the lobby. I was trying to find the right words when he spoke up. "Are you going to say thank you again?"I fi