LOGINChristinaHis lips curved. Slow and dangerous. “You heard me. Kiss me—or I’ll scream. I’ll tell everyone exactly what I walked in on.”My heart slammed so hard it hurt. This wasn’t the Hunter I remembered. Or maybe it was—and I’d just refused to see it.Before I could answer—“Chris?”Mom’s voice cut through the door. A knock followed. She was worried. “Sweetheart, what’s going on? Are you alright?”Hunter turned toward the door, inhaling as if he was about to speak.Panic surged.I grabbed his collar and pulled him down to me. I crushed my mouth against his before he could say a word.The kiss was desperate, reckless.I poured everything into it—fear, anger, denial—stealing his breath, silencing him the only way I could.My lips moved against his with urgency. Like if I stopped for even a second, everything would shatter.For a heartbeat, he froze.Then his hands came up and gripped my face. He pulled me closer as he kissed me back.Harder. Deeper. Like he’d been waiting for it. Lik
Christina"You haven't touched a drop of alcohol since this trip started." Hunter noted. His voice was casual but his eyes were sharp.I should have known—he was tracking my every move. Documenting every change in my behavior like a predator."I’m just not feeling well," I murmured and reached for a slice of cheesecake.I didn't even want it.I just needed to give my hands something to do so they wouldn't shake."Then we’re going to the doctor," Hunter said. His voice dropped an octave. A low vibration that made my skin crawl with discomfort.To everyone else at the table, it sounded like brotherly concern. It wasn't the first time Hunter was taking me to the doctor. Every time I was sick, he dragged me to those appointments. Even since I was eighteen, I took my contraceptive injections with him.He brought pills, medicines, condoms, tampons and everything I needed back. But not now.He would know the secret I was hiding if I went with him."He's right, Chris. You’ve looked so pale l
ChristinaThe last few days of the trip dragged on. Each one felt heavier than the last.I avoided Hunter as much as I could.Different chairs. Different paths. Different excuses.But avoidance didn’t erase him. It only made me more aware of when he was close.Once, he pulled me into a brief hug—too fast for anyone to question it. His hand brushed my stomach by accident.He froze.So did I.His fingers lingered for a fraction of a second longer than they should have. Like he’d felt something. Like his body had registered it before his mind could.My breath hitched. I didn’t stop him.I hated that part the most.The next morning, we gathered on the beach again.The sun was already high. Laughter floated through the air.Alina stayed glued to Hunter’s side, her arms wrapped around his waist, sometimes his arm. Anyone watching them would’ve thought they are still dating..But his eyes never left me.Not when he laughed.Not when she touched him.Not even when our parents were right there
HunterTwo years ago.My hands gripped Chris’s tight. I schemed this move to make her fall harder for me. One step closer to her soul. Closer to break her.But now her hand fit so perfectly in mine that I couldn’t let it go.Not even for a second.“I love you,” Chris said. Her cheeks flushed hot pink. Eyes crinkled with that shy smile that twisted my gut.“Really? Prove it,” I teased.I just wanted to test her. See how deep she was in.“How?” she asked. Her voice was full of fire. So sure of her love. “How can I prove my love for you?”She tilted her head. Her eyes locked on mine like she would fight for this truth.“Kiss me. Right here. Right now.”She glanced around. Blinked fast.“Here?”We had come with my dad’s business partner’s family trip.We were on a quiet beach. Just us and the waves.“Yes.” I stepped closer. My chest brushed hers. “Show me.”No one was nearby. But she hesitated. Scared we’d get caught.“What’s wrong? Don’t you love me enough?”My lips curled into a smirk.
HunterChris plopped beside her and.“How was your date?” Melania asked, almost bouncing with excitement.I’d never despised her the way I did in that moment.I used to love her for trying to fix things between Chris and me. For believing we could be salvaged. Then she’d invited those two—Asher and Alina—like tossing a match into gasoline.“It went well,” Chris said and smiled.The word well scraped against my skin.I lifted my fork and pretended to eat but my jaw was tight. My senses tuned to every shift in her voice. Every breath she took.“And?” Melania leaned closer. “Did you two kiss?”My fork froze halfway to my mouth.The sound of cutlery around us blurred. The sea. The music. Everything dulled to a low hum.Chris’s gaze slid to me.Straight into my darkness.Her expression didn’t change. No blush. No guilt. No defiance. Just calm—deliberate, measured calm—like she knew exactly what that question had done to me.My fingers curled slowly around the fork.Waiting.For her answer.
Hunter“Why don’t you just give up, Hunter?” Alina’s voice slid into my ear. Soft and poisonous. “Look at them. Your family’s already accepted him.”My jaw tightened.Across the sand, Chris was laughing. Dancing. Asher’s hand rested on her bare waist like it belonged there.It didn’t.My blood burned. I’d tried everything to keep him away from her. Every trick. Every boundary crossed. And still—she stood there with him. Bold and glowing. In a way that made my chest ache.“Shut the fuck up,” I muttered.Alina flinched but didn’t move away.Chris turned slightly. The firelight catching her skin. The bikini barely hid what I already knew by heart.She wasn’t shy anymore.Not like before. She was learning how much power she had and she was using it right now.I grabbed the bottle of rum and tipped it back. The burn doing nothing to quiet the storm inside me.Alina caught my wrist. “Hunter, what are you doing?” Her fingers tightened. “I love you. Why won’t you accept my love?”She reached







