Chapter 03: Lines Crossed, Hearts Caught

Seraphina

I woke up with a pounding in my head, like my brain was punishing me for every reckless choice I’d made the night before. Sunlight streamed through the window, too bright, too real. My phone sat on the nightstand, face down, as if even it couldn’t bear to face what I had done.

I had sent the pictures to Dan.

Every one of them—of Ian’s lips on mine, his hands in my hair, my body leaning into him like I wanted it. Like I needed it.

And then, like the coward I told myself I wasn’t, I ended things.

“We’re done. Don’t call me.”

Just six words to cut a cord that had once tethered my entire future. I blocked his number before the flood of calls and rage-texts could begin. Then I messaged Mom.

“Dan’s out. He’s toxic. Controlling. I can’t do this anymore. Please don’t try to fix it.”

She read it.

No reply. No questions. Just silence that echoed louder than any words.

I dragged myself to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face, scrubbing at my skin like I could erase the memories. But Ian’s voice haunted me.

“If I kiss you, will you stop this?”

I touched my lips. His lips had been…warm. Unexpected. Dangerous.

God. Why couldn’t I forget?

He’s a jerk. A playboy. My stepbrother.

This shouldn’t have happened.

But no matter how many times I repeated it in my head, the heat under my skin refused to fade. I stepped into the shower, hoping to rinse it all away.

It didn’t work.

By the time I dressed, pulling my sandals on, a knock at the door sent my heart into my throat.

Mom.

I was sure of it. Ready to be scolded. Judged.

But when I opened the door, it wasn’t her.

It was Dan.

My stomach turned as he stood there, arms crossed, eyes sharp.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I snapped, my voice harsher than I expected. “And how did you even get here?”

Dan smirked, like he owned the world. “Your mom called me. Said you were crying and needed comfort.”

My blood ran cold. “No, she didn’t.”

He tilted his head, fake sympathy painted across his face. “Oh, but she did. And guess what? Everyone’s out. Hockey game or something. Just you and me now, baby.”

I stepped back instinctively, gripping the doorknob. “Leave. Now.”

Dan’s smirk vanished. His face darkened.

“You think you can dump me with a text and disappear?” he growled. “We’re not done, Phina. Not until I say so.”

He shoved his way inside and slammed the door behind him.

Then his hands were on me—shoving me back against the wall, breath hot in my ear.

“You’re mine,” he hissed. “You don’t walk away from me. Not until I’m done with you.”

His hands started to roam. I shoved at him, screamed, slapped, kicked—but he wouldn’t stop.

My palm cracked across his face. “Get out!”

His eyes burned with rage, and the next second, he threw me onto the bed.

I screamed, kicking and pushing, but he climbed on top of me, pinning my wrists above my head.

“Get off me, Dan!” I sobbed, panic gripping my throat.

Then—

He was gone.

Ripped off me so fast I didn’t even register what happened until I saw Ian.

He had Dan by the shirt, throwing him hard against the wall.

“If you ever touch her again, I’ll kill you,” Ian said, voice low and terrifying.

I scrambled off the bed, tears pouring as I ran to Ian, grabbing his arm, shaking.

He held me close, protectively, but never looked away from Dan.

Dan wiped the blood from his lip, sneering. “Of course it’s you. You’re the guy from the pictures.”

Ian stiffened.

The door burst open.

Theron and Mom.

“What’s going on here?” Theron’s voice was sharp, his eyes darting from me to Ian to Dan.

Dan laughed darkly. “What’s going on? Your perfect son is screwing your precious stepdaughter. Behind your back. While pretending to hate each other.”

Mom’s face paled. “Seraphina…?”

“No!” I shook my head violently. “It’s not like that!”

“You’re lying,” Theron barked at Dan.

Dan lifted his phone. “See for yourself.”

The screen lit up with the pictures. The kiss. The passion. The moment that ruined everything.

Ian’s arm dropped from around me. The look in his eyes made my heart break.

Theron exploded. He grabbed Ian, shouting in disbelief. Dan stormed out, leaving destruction in his wake.

And Mom? She stared at me like I was a stranger.

I couldn’t breathe. I stood frozen. Tears stung my eyes as everything unraveled.

“Where did you learn such trash behavior?” Theron shouted. “To kiss your sister?! You disgust me.”

I wanted to speak. To defend Ian. To confess I was the one who ruined everything.

But my voice died.

“You’re grounded,” Theron barked. “No phone. No keys. Your college process will begin while I’m gone. You leave next week.”

“And you,” he turned to Ian, “Your license is revoked. Your bank accounts are frozen. You’ll be staying with Chris until I say otherwise.”

Ian didn’t flinch. But his eyes told another story—of pain. Of betrayal.

Mom nodded in agreement. “I’m disappointed in you, Phina.”

My heart shattered.

Ian said nothing. Just walked away. And with every step, I felt my soul bleed.

He was gone.

I collapsed to the floor, sobbing. I had destroyed everything. For what? Revenge? A kiss?

I had dragged Ian into my mess. I had ruined him. And the worst part?

I still wanted him.

⸻

One week later.

The house was too quiet.

Theron and Mom had gone on their business trip. Ian was still at Chris’s. I hadn’t seen him—not once. But I thought of him every day.

Every second.

I could still feel his lips. The way he looked at me like I was his entire world.

I couldn’t breathe without remembering.

Then…

Creeaak.

The front door opened.

My pulse spiked. Was someone breaking in?

I grabbed a flower vase, gripping it like a weapon, heart hammering in my chest.

I tiptoed down the stairs, bracing myself for a fight.

But then I saw him.

Ian.

“Ian?” I whispered, blinking.

He turned slowly. “Just came to get my favorite cup.”

His voice was cold. Distant.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

He nodded. “It’s fine.”

But it wasn’t.

He turned to leave.

“Wait,” I said quickly, voice cracking. “Please.”

He paused.

“I’m sorry,” I said again, guilt pouring out.

He nodded again. “It’s fine.”

He turned—

And I slipped.

My foot caught on the step, and I tumbled backward—but Ian caught me.

Strong arms. Fast reflexes.

He steadied me. “Still a crybaby,” he muttered, a hint of a smirk on his lips. “You need to be more careful, Freckles.”

I laughed—barely—and looked up at him.

“I missed you.”

Ian stared at me for a moment. Then whispered, “I’ve been with girls before. But none stuck in my head like you. Not after just one kiss.”

His arms tightened. Then his lips were on mine again.

Desperate. Real.

My heart exploded.

“You’re going to get us killed if your dad finds out,” I breathed.

“He won’t,” Ian whispered.

“What if they find out later?”

He didn’t answer.

He kissed me again instead.

And I didn’t resist.

We moved up the stairs, lips locked, hearts racing, clothes clinging.

But then—

BANG.

The front door slammed open.

We froze.

Someone was home.