Chapter 2

Kiera sat around the white, round dining table, her gaze solely focused on her food. Victoria's rant kept the atmosphere lively.

She had been here for a week now, and she was somewhat familiar with the Coles. Yes, she wasn't a Cole yet. She was still a Hartley, as her adoption papers were yet to be completed because Liam had refused to sign them.

John was the strict father. Even though Victoria insisted there was no need for rules for her, John still stated his rules.

Uphold the family reputation at all times. Before doing anything, remember you are a Cole.

At college, your GPA must be over 4.5.

You go to college during the week and come back home during the weekend.

His rules were of no problem to Kiera.

Victoria, on the other hand, was somewhat lively and fun as a mother.

Kiera was pulled out of her thoughts by Victoria's question.

"Kiera, why are you always quiet? You hardly say anything."

Kiera glanced up at Victoria, her face frozen as if she couldn't comprehend what she had just heard.

Victoria glanced over at John, and John was quick to lecture Kiera.

"She's right. You should speak more."

Kiera couldn't help the frown that emerged on her face. Communication was one of her biggest problems.

She could give simple answers to their questions without a problem. But asking her to start a conversation or hold a long conversation was difficult for her.

A problem she didn't wish to solve.

Victoria seemed to immediately notice her discomfort, so she changed the subject and directed her complaint toward John.

"Who asked you to lecture her? Aren't you the same?"

Kiera noticed John's brow rise, probably wondering why he had suddenly become the center of the discussion.

But his surprise vanished as quickly as it had appeared, either because he was used to her antics, or perhaps he was simply too good at controlling his expressions.

John leaned over and kissed her on the lips.

"It's my fault. I won't do it again in the future."

The scene wasn't surprising to Kiera. Since she arrived, the couple had always been all over each other. Kiera didn't have a problem with it as long as they didn't force her to socialize with people.

She returned to eating her food, ignoring the two lovebirds.

Just as the air returned to normal, resolute footsteps echoed through the hallway. Somehow, Kiera was able to recognize who those footsteps belonged to.

Liam.

The bitter-hearted asshole.

She was already familiar with his footsteps. Only he walked that way, as if the world owed him something.

He walked past the dining table as usual without stopping, just as he did every day.

They kept to their deal. She didn't have to avoid him because he was always avoiding her—or probably the whole family.

Liam was about to disappear from her sight when John called out.

"Come over here, Liam."

According to what Kiera understood about him, he was supposed to walk out, but instead, he stopped in his tracks and turned around.

He sat in the farthest chair from everyone and asked,

"What is it?"

"Eat first," John commanded.

Liam showed no reaction.

"I speak when you eat," John said calmly.

But Liam seemed deaf. He touched nothing, his gaze locked on John. He was definitely not going to comply with that order.

And John didn't seem ready to give in either. He continued eating his food as if nothing had happened.

The air became heavy and silent. Only the sound of cutlery hitting the plates could be heard.

Even the usually chatty Victoria was quiet.

No need to ask. Kiera knew the cause clearly.

Liam.

Mood spoiler, Kiera thought to herself.

As the silence settled, Liam spoke up.

"I am leaving here in a minute."

John remained unresponsive, and the air only grew heavier.

Victoria stepped in.

"Actually, we're planning to hold a recognition party for Kiera tomorrow."

Kiera looked up in shock, a piece of toast hanging from her lips.

A recognition party for her?

Why was she just hearing about that?

"And how is that my business?" Liam asked coldly.

Before Victoria could reply, a maid passed by, spraying a lily-scented air freshener.

A frown appeared on Victoria's face.

"I told you not to spray lily-scented air freshener. Liam doesn't like it."

"I'm sorry, ma'am." The maid bowed in apology and walked away.

"Stop pretending to care about me. It is not appreciated," Liam mocked.

Victoria lowered her head and slowly began to eat. Her eyes filled with tears that she struggled to hold back.

What an ungrateful wretch, Kiera thought to herself.

She hardly hated or liked people because she hardly cared about others. But somehow, Liam had made it onto her hate list.

He was just so cocky and annoying.

"You won't speak to your mom like that while I'm sitting here," John said sternly, his palm slamming against the table in anger.

"Stepmother," Liam corrected nonchalantly.

Then he added, "Tell her to stay out of my business if she doesn't want to get insulted."

Oh.

She was his stepmother.

That explained his attitude toward her.

"Liam," John muttered through gritted teeth, trying hard to contain his anger.

Liam didn't seem to care. He stood up and said,

"And about the orphan's recognition party or whatever, I'm not attending."

Kiera's palm folded into a fist.

He hit at it again.

He began to walk away, but John spoke up.

"Her name is Kiera, not orphan. And you will be attending the party whether you like it or not. Act like a good older brother, or forget about ever seeing Scarlett again."

This was the second time Kiera had heard the name Scarlett. The first was on her first day here, and now, for the second time, it was being used to threaten Liam.

Liam said nothing and simply proceeded to exit the dining room.

John shook his head as he watched Liam disappear.

He turned to Victoria and pulled her into his arms.

"Don't be angry, dear."

Victoria let the tears flow from her eyes. She said nothing, but her resentment was evident.

Slowly, her sobs subsided as John kissed her blonde hair several times.

"Don't mind Liam. He's a stupid, mean kid," John said to Kiera.

Victoria quickly raised her head and hit John on the chest.

"There's no need to call him names."

She turned to Kiera and apologized deeply.

"I'm very sorry on his behalf. It's quite not his fault. It's just that..."

Kiera was caught slightly off guard that they bothered to address her emotions.

No one had ever done that.

They only cared about whatever they believed about her.

She couldn't help but swallow hard.

She nodded and muttered,

"Uhm."

"About the party, I invited some of your future college classmates," Victoria said, changing the subject.

Speaking of the party, Kiera spoke up.

"There is no need for a recognition party."

"No, no, no." Victoria shook her head. "Don't even go there."

"It is a necessity," John added.

The last thing Kiera would ever want was to socialize with people, and that was exactly what a recognition party was about.

But now, Kiera could only take a deep breath.

----

The night after,

Kiera walked down the stairs wearing a long ball gown that reached her thighs, its back completely bare. Victoria had picked it out for her. Her hair was styled in a messy bun, a small ruby necklace rested against her neck, and she wore simple makeup.

A frown remained on her face. She really didn't want to be here, but she was doing this for one reason: her college fees.

The moment she looked down the stairs, her frown deepened.

Liam was standing below.

He wore a crisp black suit with the first few buttons of his white shirt undone, giving him a polished yet careless appearance. His short, curly brown hair complemented his tanned complexion.

This look didn't seem to fit a typical jerk like Liam.

Liam looked up as well. His gaze swept over her before their eyes met.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Liam broke the silence.

"What are you waiting for?"

Kiera descended the remaining stairs, wondering what he was up to.

As she reached the last step, Liam suddenly stepped forward and placed an arm around her waist. His fingers brushing against her naked skin.

Kiera stiffened, startled by the unexpected gesture.

"What the hell is this?" she demanded through gritted teeth, her eyes widening in shock.