Chapter 2

The smell of garlic rice filled my nostrils as I sat down at the long dining table. My mother, Lianne, was already cheerfully chatting away with her husband. They looked so happy, as if they were the perfect married couple straight out of a movie.

I didn’t bother glancing at the man who took the seat across from me; just his signature perfume was already enough for me to recognize him.

Kayden.

I knew from the first time we met that we wouldn’t get along. He despised me just as much as I despised him.

We argued over everything, couldn’t stand being in the same room, and never had anything nice to say. But when we were doing it, none of that mattered. The hate disappeared the second our lips were pressed against each other. It was like our bodies forgot what our mouths always argued about.

We didn’t want this setup, so this little secret of ours was probably our way of getting even with our parents.

Our little dirty secret started during my second month of staying here. I found myself completely consumed by lust under him in his bed, naked. After that night, we found ourselves addicted, craving it over and over again.

We go back to hating each other the moment it’s over, but we never stop coming back.

We made it clear to each other that everything between us was just casual. We don’t consider each other stepbrothers, so I guess this is fine.

“Good morning, Noah,” Mom greeted.

“Morning.” I forced a smile.

“Kayden, try this one,” Mr. Salvador offered, pushing the plate closer to his son. “Your mom cooked that.”

Kayden’s brows furrowed at what he heard. “That girl is not my mother.”

“We’re married, so basically, you should call her your mom or aunt, whichever you prefer.”

“I told you not to marry her, but you didn’t listen. You don’t get to tell me what to do when you can’t even respect my decision.”

“Watch your words, Kayden. You’re still living under my roof. At least show some respect to my wife!” his father’s voice thundered through the room.

“Hon, it’s okay. I don’t mind,” said Mom, trying to defuse the tension. “Let’s not force them. They’re old enough to make their own decisions. It’s not like we can still control their minds.”

And that is how breakfast usually went in this house for the past year of living here.

I knew Kayden disliked my mom, and to be fair, I feel the same way about his dad. Neither of us accepts our parents’ relationship, and I was sure they were well aware of it.

However, unlike Kayden, who seems to be more vocal about everything, I stay quiet. He tends to openly disrespect anything and anyone he hates, including my mother, and that’s exactly where he crosses the line.

Our parents started talking casually about some random things. I barely heard a word until the same foot that kicked my ankle under the table now slowly moved higher along my shin. My fork paused mid-air. I glared up. He wasn’t even looking at me and was just busy eating scrambled eggs as if he wasn’t being a fucking menace.

I kicked him back hard. His lips twitched. Still, his eyes didn’t leave his plate.

“Noah, are you okay?” Mom asked, noticing my silence.

I blinked and nodded. “Yeah. Just… didn’t sleep much.”

I didn’t miss how Kayden’s hand suddenly paused, his grip on the glass tightening.

“Actually,” Mom began, placing her spoon down gently, “Clyden and I want to ask the two of you for a favor.”

Kayden didn’t even bother acknowledging what she said.

“What is it?” I asked.

“We’re planning a family trip. Five days. Sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it? A chance for the four of us to bond?”

“A trip?” I asked.

They have been married for a year now, but peaceful moments between us are still rare, especially when Kayden and I share the same space. It always ends in arguments, sometimes even in physical fights.

“Yeah. It’ll be next week,” Mr. Salvador answered.

I glanced at Kayden. He hadn’t said a word, but his jaw was already clenched.

Mom noticed the silence. “You boys barely spend time together. This would be good for us,” she said, smiling.

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Kayden finally spoke.

Mom blinked. “Why not?”

“I have somewhere else to go.”

“You said you’d be free. We already talked about this, didn’t we?” Mr. Salvador cut in.

“I said I might be free,” Kayden corrected. “And even if I am, I don’t think going on a trip together will magically turn us into a happy family. I never even approved of your relationship with that bitch.”

My teeth ground together, a muscle ticking in my jaw as I stared at him.

“Shut your fucking mouth, you asshole!”

He raised an eyebrow. “I said what I said.”

“Fuck you! Then don’t come if you don’t want to. It’s not like anyone’s forcing you,” I fumed.

If only they weren’t around, I would’ve already thrown a punch.

“Noah, that’s enough…” my mom said softly.

“Kayden, apologize to Lianne. I didn’t raise you to treat people like that,” Mr. Salvador said in a calm but firm tone.

Kayden scoffed at his father’s words. “How would you know how to raise someone? You didn’t even act like a father to me,” he said coldly. “And will you please stop acting like a saint when we both know you’re far from one?”

He stood up and adjusted his necktie.

“I’m done eating. My decision is final. I’m not going.”

He didn’t wait for any of us to say a thing and stormed out of the dining area.