Delilah’s POVTHE NEXT DAY…The smell hit me before I even reached the kitchen. My stomach growled. Gosh, the rich, buttery garlic, grilled chicken, that exact way I loved it. My chest tightened with a flicker of joy. Last nights event pissed me off— that ungrateful scum told me to fuck off, literally— but at least aunt is making my favorite.I hurried in, hair messy, still tugging down the oversized shirt I’d slept in. And then I froze.This..Can't..Be...Real….“Morning, sweetheart,” Caleb said without even looking up. His arm was strapped up in a sling, but that didn’t stop him from stirring at the stove like it was his damn home.Oh no, no, no… how did he… what's he doing here ?My heart stopped, then started racing so violently I thought it would break out of my chest. “What the fuck—Caleb?” My voice cracked. “What are you doing here?!”He glanced over his shoulder, his lips curving into a soft smile . “Cooking for you. Thought you might like to wake up to your favorite meal.
Thorne’s POVThe hammer connected with a sickening crack.“Fuck!" Caleb’s scream tore through the sterile room, his body arching off the hospital bed. He clutched his arm like it might fall off, blood rushing to his pale face as sweat dripped down his temples.I smirked, rolling the hammer in my palm. “You think it’s funny, huh? Playing pretend? Making my Delilah worry for you with all your fake groans?” I leaned close, my voice dropping to a whisper against his ear. “Guess it doesn’t feel so funny now, does it?” “You bastard… you’ll pay for this.” He spat.Empty threats. He hasn’t got a single tough bone in his damn body. Pathetic I chuckled, straightening. “Oh, you’re still stubborn? Even with a bone snapping like twigs under this hammer?” I tilted my head, studying him like an insect I’d pinned to glass. “That’s impressive. Stupid, but impressive.”Caleb’s lips curled, a twisted smile pushing through his grimace. “Delilah… she’ll never love you. You think hurting me makes you the
Caleb’s POV I couldn't stop smiling inwardly. Staging an accident is fun as hell. The pain was nothing. The only thing I'm gonna regret is the huge gash on my forehead that'll leave a scar. Throwing myself into her car at the right angle was nothing I couldn’t handle. I also faked my broken arm, to show the severity of the collision. It's easy when your friend is a doctor. Sweet lord! The way she gasped my name, the way her hands trembled as they touched me like I was about to shatter… That was priceless. Her sweet scent is driving me insane. I groaned again, louder this time, clutching my arm as if were broken. Her eyes widened, her face pale with fear, and I nearly laughed. She still cared. For all her anger, her cold words, her running off to China—her first instinct was to save me. And I loved it. She looked scared as she cupped my face. “Jesus, Caleb, you’re bleeding. Don’t close your eyes. Hey, stay awake. You'll be fine—” “You think… I’ll make it?” I rasped, pretending
Delilah's POV I woke up feeling like death. My stomach wouldn’t stop twisting, and the dull ache behind my eyes made me want to stay buried under the sheets forever. It's been three days since I received that message from Thorne— he always find ways to reach me. He gave me a three-day ultimatum to stop whatever bullshit I'm doing. And maybe I want to — but I won't. I deserve an explanation.The new phone I got a day ago was buzzing on the nightstand. I frowned, dragging it closer, checking the caller.It was Naomi. For a second, I thought it was a mistake. She hadn’t spoken to me properly in days. She wouldn't even pick my calls. When she wasn’t ignoring me, she was throwing daggers with her eyes, as if I’d wronged her in some unspeakable way. My thumb hovered before I finally swiped.“Naomi?” My voice came out groggy.I heard a deep exhale “Oh Dee, I'm so sorry!”I got up slowly, interested now. “I’ve been so mean to you,” she whispered. “And you didn’t deserve it. I know that.”I
Cheryse’s POVThe walk back home was a nightmare of silence. We didn't talk after his call with whoever. I trudged on stiffly, arms crossed, rain mixing with my tears.Caleb had this little smirk tugging at his lips the whole time after the strange call. He was smiling. After almost killing me. After nearly driving us into the abyss just for fun.I wanted to claw that smile off his face.When we finally reached, the house glowed warm against the storm. Daphne was waiting in the foyer, arms folded, her polished features tightening as soon as she saw us. “Finally,” she said sharply. “Do you two know what time it is? I’ve been worried sick!”Caleb breezed past her like she was a piece of furniture. He didn’t even glance at her. “Not your problem,” he muttered, heading straight for the stairs.“Excuse me?” Mom’s voice was full of disbelief. Caleb turned coolly, his eyes glinting with that arrogant coldness I’d come to loathe. “I said—not your problem. I didn’t ask for an audience, Daph
Caleb's POV:The silence in the car was unbearable. Days had passed with nothing but shallow breaths and the occasional slam of a door between us. Cheryse sat stiffly in the passenger seat, arms crossed like a sulking child, and I could feel her eyes burning holes into the side of my face. But she wasn't saying anything, neither was I.I kept my hands steady on the wheel,refusing to give her what she wanted. “It’s been days, you bastard!” she spat finally, irritated. “You don’t say a damn word to me, Caleb. You only talk to Maxwell. You only care about him!”I didn’t answer. It's high time she regrets touching my money! That was my secret account! How dare she do that for some shitty insurance?“Answer me!” she yelled. “Or are you just going to keep acting like some brooding little boy sulking in his daddy’s shoes?”My grip on the steering wheel tightened, the leather biting into my palms. The road blurred ahead of me as rage filled me to the brim. Cheryse laughed. “Your mother… Est