One night with my brother inlaw

(Present day). Liana pov… “Liana.” Before I could fully open my eyes, he was already in the room. No greeting. No explanation. Just… that box. Sitting on the dresser. The one he kept locked, except for nights like this. My stomach twisted. “No,” I whispered, sitting up. Dread pooled fast in my chest. “Please, not tonight.” He turned slowly. That cruel smile never reached his eyes. “You know the rules.” “I’m tired. I’m not in the mood.” “You never are.” He said opening the box. Inside were the clothes. Not clothes, really, scraps of red lace and black leather. Pieces that made me feel like a stranger inside my own skin. “Matteo, please…” I rose slowly, voice shaking. “Can we not do this tonight? Just one night?” He paused, expression hardening. “You refusing me again?” “I just want peace. One night. Where you don’t..” He raised his hand, and I flinched before he even touched me. He didn’t hit me. He didn’t need to hit me. His silence screamed louder than violence

Liana’s POV Seems like you want to take an extra time” a voice came in from behind. I turn towards that direction and it was the stranger. My newest miracle “Ohh no thank you already” I said pretending I was ok “ you don’t seem to mean what you say, anyways I think I would still spend an extra time, you can continue it you want” saying this he gave me a short smile and left. I didn’t know know when a hug smile fall on my face, i was really greatfull for the extra time I was 16 when I came across a quote *Every mile you run is a quiet conversation between your pain and your strength—one where healing slowly learns to speak.” I didn’t understand the meaning not I lost my parents and I was so desperate to heal, then this quote made more sense and ever since then, running has been my life line. I went on the track again and this time I lost consciousness of my surroundings. I think I already ran for an hour or two not even sure, I just had to stop when my legs started to ache so ba

Chapter 4 Liana’s POV ( present day…..) Last night was the longest, I couldn’t find sleep. Matteo word about my father kept ringing in my head. And this morning I knew I had to run. It was my only escape. Today’s gym wasn’t about my new fantasy, it was more about pain. But I was scared he might not come today, maybe I will beg someone else. But just Then I saw movement behind the glass. He was already inside. Not alone. He was with someone, a tall man, laughing at something the stranger said, relaxed in a way I hadn’t seen before. Like he belonged to another world. My breath hitched. I almost turned back. I didn’t belong in that brightness. In that ease. Then the door opened. He was the one holding it. We locked eyes. I didn’t speak. Just stepped inside quickly, my head low. “Thanks,” I mumbled. He didn’t reply. Just nodded. I headed to the treadmill. My body moved like it had no other setting. I ran, harder than I ever had. Every insult from Matteo pour

Maxwell – POVYou’d think growing up under the same roof made us brothers. Shared meals. Shared rooms. Shared ghosts.But the truth? Matteo and I were never cut from the same cloth.His parents took me in when I was just a baby, no name, no bloodline, nothing but a bundle of cries left on a dirty blanket at the edge of an alley. A street rat nobody wanted. Except them.They gave me food. A warm bed. A name that meant something in a world where names were currency.I gave them everything I had.Loyalty. Gratitude. Silence.But loyalty never meant love.Not to Matteo.He insisted to always introduce me as step brother.He always saw me as a shadow trailing behind him. Not a brother. Not a friend. Just a reminder that he had to share what he believed should have been his alone. His parents’ attention. Their pride. Their legacy.He never said it aloud. Matteo wasn’t the type to waste words. But I saw it, in every narrowed glance, every forced smile, every unspoken competition I never aske

Liana – POV“What are you doIng here?” I blurted, voIce sharp, cracking the thick silence of the room. The words left my lips before my braIn could catch up, before I could remInd myself thIs was hIs room now.I cringed inwardly.“I mean, sorry. I dIdn’t know you were already in,” I added quickly, eyes falling to the floor, heat blooming across my cheeks.It was quiet.Too quiet.The kind of silence that feels like it’s pressing against your ribs, darIng you to breathe.I didn’t. Not right away.I could feel his gaze dragging over me. Heavy. Unapologetic. Like a current pulling me under. Slowly, hesitantly, I lifted my head—and froze.He was smiling.A big, disarming, boyish smile that lit up his whole face and somehow made everything worse. It didn’t match the aIr between us. It didn’t match what had happened the night before. And it sure as hell didn’t match the fact that he was standing there half-naked.I blinked hard and looked away, fast. too fast. My breath caught in my throat