CHAPTER 1: THE STOLEN PAGE

My mom still loves Andrel Black. I know because I stole the page where she confessed it.

The first time Andrel Black walked into our house, I thought he was just handsome. That was it. Just a handsome man who happened to be my father's best friend. I didn't think much of it.

But then he started coming over more often. Business deals with Dad. Dinners. Meetings in Dad's study. And every time, I found myself peeping from the hallway.

He was too handsome. Too muscular. He looked nothing like my father — he looked younger, more dangerous, more... alive.

And then I noticed it.

The way he and my mom looked at each other. It wasn't normal. It wasn't how a wife should look at her husband's best friend. It was heavy. Painful. Like they were both remembering something they shouldn't.

Until one afternoon Dad wasn't home, and I saw them arguing in the living room. I couldn't hear what they were saying. Her eyes were red. His jaw was clenched. Before I could listen, I ran.

I ran straight to Mom's room. My heart was beating so fast.i don't just know why but I ran to her room

That's when I saw her small safe in the closet. I don't know why I tried to open it. My hands were shaking. I tried my birthday. It didn't open. I tried Dad's birthday. It didn't open.

Then, I typed Andrel's birthday.

click,

It opened,

I was dumbfounded.

Inside, there was an old, worn diary. I flipped through it, curious, angry, confused until my eyes stopped on one page.

"I love Andrel Black and I still love him. No one can replace him. Not even my husband."

My chest shattered. Sadness and anger mixed together. How could she? How could my own mother do something so despicable? If she loved him so much, why didn't she marry him? Why marry my dad?

Out of anger, out of hurt, I tore that page out. I folded it and hid it.

Then I heard my name. "Mila! Mila! What is the matter? What are you thinking of?"

I snapped back to reality. "Nothing," I replied quickly.

Then my dad raised his glass, his voice loud and proud. "Happy birthday to my beautiful daughter! I still want to thank some loved ones. First, my brother Andrel, he has been good since day one. And my beautiful wife, who gave birth to such a lovely daughter. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me."

I turned and looked at Mom.

She couldn't even look at Dad. Maybe guilty. But her eyes... her eyes were fixed on Andrel.

Out of frustration, I grabbed a drink and started walking alone down to the alley. I needed air. I needed to be alone.

Then I heard a voice behind me.Little Mila."

I recognized that voice instantly. So deep and calm. My whole body got stiff.

I turned slowly to look at him. It was dark in the alley, but I could see his smile. his eyes looked hungry, like I was some type of food he had been starving for.

He walked slowly and steadily, like a man who already knew how this would end. Like someone reading every single reaction on my face.

My heart was pounding so loud I was sure he could hear it.

With every step he took closer, the air got thicker.

Then he was so close to me I could smell his cologne. And my God, he smelled so delicious. Warm, expensive, masculine — the kind of scent that stays on your clothes long after. He bent his face close to mine, not touching, just close enough that I had to tilt my head up to look at him.

"Mila, you don't look happy today as usual," he said. His voice was so deep and calm, but his eyes... his eyes were not calm at all.

In my mind I was screaming. Does he know? Does he know when I'm sad or angry?

I snapped back. "I'm fine," I whispered. "Just needed fresh air."

He chuckled. That low chuckle made my knees weak.

Then he leaned in even closer. I thought he was going to kiss me right there.

"Mila," he whispered close to my ear, his breath warm against my skin. "You are the fresh air. You smell so good. You've always smelled so good."

My whole body froze.