Chapter 01: Driving Me to Madness

Seraphina

The sharp clink of my fork against porcelain echoed like a warning shot. I didn’t care. My eyes locked on Ian Hardin’s face, smug, flawless, and infuriating. If glares could kill, he’d be dead five times over.

Jerk.

That word had practically become my new last name since the day Mom married his rich, image-obsessed father, Theron Hardin. And now? I was stuck here, trapped at a fancy dinner table in a mansion that reeked of money and lies.

I stabbed a piece of asparagus with unnecessary aggression, ignoring my food completely. My mind wandered back to the life we left behind when it was just Mom and me trying to escape Dad’s fists and fake apologies.

Freedom tasted like fresh air. Until Theron came along.

What did Mom see in him, anyway? The tailored suits? The fake charm? The way he flirted like a teenager when no one was watching? Gross.

But just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse… I walked Ian Hardin.

To Mom, he was respectful. To Theron, he was perfect, a future lawyer, with top grades, and full of charm. But to me? He was a walking ego in designer shoes. The kind of guy who thought his reflection should come with a fan club.

“Dad,” Ian spoke suddenly, dabbing his mouth with a napkin like we were in a courtroom. “About earlier it’s almost nine. I need to head to Chris’s. His dad wants me to look over a case.”

Of course. Mr. Perfect had cases to review. Couldn’t let us forget how important he was, not even for dinner.

Mom swirled her wine and asked, “Why does Chris’s father need your help?”

Theron beamed as if he’d just won the lottery. “He’s mentoring Ian, helping him get experience. It’s a good step toward law school.”

I rolled my eyes. “Is there anything Ian doesn’t brag about?” I muttered loud enough for everyone to hear. I folded my arms and leaned back in my seat. “He could study law for fifty years and still be a jerk.”

“Phina,” Mom warned, shooting daggers my way.

“No, let’s call it what it is. His entire personality is just… ego.”

Ian shoved his chair back with a dramatic scrape. “I’m leaving.”

“Great,” I snapped, rising to my feet. “This fake ‘family dinner’ is done anyway.”

Mom looked horrified. “Phina, we just got to Paris! You don’t even know your way around yet.”

I shrugged. “I’ll figure it out. I vibe with the night.”

Ian laughed, lounging like a prince. “The only thing you vibe with is panic. Don’t pretend you’re not scared of the dark.”

Blood roared in my ears. “Enough!” Mom barked. “Ian, since you’re leaving—take Phina with you.”

“What?!” Ian and I yelled in sync.

“No way,” I said. “I’m not getting in a car with him!”

Ian smirked. “She’d cry the whole ride.”

“Cry? Please.” I sneered. “Once I get my license, I’ll make you cry.”

Ian leaned closer, lips brushing my ear. “Better buckle up, princess. I’ll drive you to death.”

He walked off. And even though my hands trembled, I followed. I couldn’t let him get the last word.

⸻

His car tore down the road like it had a death wish.

My fingers clenched the seat, but I refused to let him see fear. “Are you trying to kill us?!”

Ian’s tone was calm—annoyingly calm. “Relax. You act like it’s your first time in a car.”

“You act like it’s your last!”

He glanced at me with that devilish smirk. “Maybe it will be—for you.”

I opened my mouth to fire back, but then he hit a nerve.

“If you hate being part of this family so much, why’d your mom claw her way into it?”

I turned to him, venom in my voice. “Maybe if your whore of a mother hadn’t left your dad, we wouldn’t be here!”

His jaw clenched and suddenly, the car swerved hard off the road. We skidded into a dusty field and slammed to a stop.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” I screamed.

He leaned back like he didn’t just almost kill us. “I just wanted to learn something from you.”

Before I could curse him out, I heard the music.

Heavy bass. Neon lights. Shadowy bodies grinding, kissing, drinking. It looked like a music video gone wild.

“This your big legal case with Chris’s dad?” I asked, voice dripping sarcasm.

Ian smirked, stepping out. “You’re still a kid. Stay in the car, sulk it off.”

I was out of the car in seconds. “Ian!”

He didn’t turn. He peeled off his shirt and tossed it over his shoulder. It smacked me in the face.

By the time I pulled it off, he was gone arms wrapped around some girl, kissing her like she was oxygen.

Then another girl joined in. He kissed her too. And another. His hands roamed freely, with zero shame.

My jaw hit the floor. I pulled out my phone, anger blinding me. If Theron thought Ian was perfect, I’d prove otherwise. Mom would regret ever dragging me into this circus.

But just as I was about to hit record… a notification popped up.

Dan.

A photo. His lips were on another girl’s.

Another photo. Him holding her.

Another. Her on his lap.

My heart cracked.

He was my boyfriend. My future. I had chosen his college just to be with him.

And now? Cheating. Publicly.

Tears welled up.

“Don’t cry.”

I jumped. A girl stood beside me, brushing a tear I didn’t know had fallen.

“I’m not crying,” I said too fast.

She peeked at my phone and gave me a sympathetic smirk. “Men are trash. Drink, dance, and find someone better.”

“…Or just sleep with a hotter one,” I finished bitterly.

We laughed. She felt… familiar. I wanted to ask her name, but someone called out.

“Annie!”

A guy grabbed her and kissed her so deeply I turned away.

I moved through the crowd, but someone yanked me back.

A tattooed guy with a crooked smile.

“You need to loosen up,” he said, dragging me closer. His hardness pressed against me through our clothes.

“Or are you just a scared little girl?”

He shoved a drink in my hand. “Prove you’re not.”

I glared.

But before I could decide, the cup was slapped from my hand and Ian’s fist connected with the guy’s jaw.

“Are you INSANE?!” I shoved Ian.

He stared at me like I was stupid. “That was Drake. He’s a gangster. That drink? Probably laced with Lucid.”

I froze. Lucid. The date rape drug.

I tried to sound unfazed. “Maybe I wanted to get wasted. Maybe I wanted sex.”

Ian laughed coldly. “Please. You’re still a virgin.”

I bristled. “I have a boyfriend!”

“Sure you do.”

Then, without a second thought, he grabbed a girl and kissed her. Hard. Messy. Right in front of me.

He pulled back and turned to me. “Your move, princess. Prove you’re not all bark.”

I didn’t think.

I grabbed the nearest guy, crashed my lips into his, and kissed him like my life depended on it.

Cheers exploded. The guy pulled me closer.

When I broke the kiss, breathless, Ian just stood there… smirking.

“Not bad, stepsister.”

I met his gaze, fire burning in my veins.

Did he want war?

Fine. Two could play this game.