LOGINThe door creaked open and Mom stood there in her robe, her eyes wide with worry. She had clearly heard the raised voices from down the hall.“Why are you two fighting?” she asked, stepping into the room. Her gaze moved from Derek’s tense posture to my tear-streaked face. “I could hear you from the hallway. What’s going on?”Derek recovered first, as always. He stepped away from me, forcing a calm expression onto his face even though his hands were still clenched at his sides.“It’s nothing serious, Margaret,” he said smoothly, though his voice was strained. “Cassandra and I were just having a disagreement about her new relationship with Ryan. Things got a bit heated, but we’re working through it. Just a little misunderstanding between us.”Mom looked between us, her brow furrowed with concern. “A misunderstanding? It sounded quite serious. I heard raised voices.”I quickly wiped my tears and nodded, my heart pounding. “Yes, Mom. It’s fine now. Derek was just being protective, as u
The drive back from Sophie’s house on Sunday evening felt like walking toward my own execution.Every turn brought me closer to the house I both loved and feared. Sophie was still buzzing with excitement beside me, talking nonstop about how perfect Ryan and I looked together, how happy she was for me, and how this was “the best possible thing” after all the stress I’d been under.I smiled and nodded at the right moments, but inside, I was crumbling.I was now officially Ryan’s girlfriend.The silver necklace he had given me rested against my collarbone like a brand. Every time it moved, I felt its weight, a constant reminder of the choice I had made in a moment of panic and desperation. When Sophie finally pulled up in front of the house, my stomach twisted into knots. Mom’s car was parked in the driveway. Aunt Clara’s too. The lights were on inside. “Thanks for the weekend, Soph,” I said, hugging her tightly. “I really needed it.”“Anytime, babe. And text Ryan! He’s probably dying
The drive to Sophie’s house with her was filled with laughter and old memories, but my mind was miles away. Every kilometer we drove from the house felt like both relief and punishment. I kept glancing at my phone, half hoping Derek would text me, half terrified that he would.“You’ve been so quiet,” Sophie said, turning down the music as we neared her house. “Is it the older guy again? You look like someone broke your heart.”I forced a smile and looked out the window. “It’s complicated, Soph. Really complicated. I think I need this weekend to clear my head.”She reached over and squeezed my hand. “Well, that’s what best friends are for. No boys talk unless you want to. We’ll eat junk food, watch terrible movies, and talk about anything except guys.”I nodded, grateful for her. But the truth was, I couldn’t escape Derek even here. His words from last night kept echoing in my head: *I love you, Cassandra. I’m in love with you.*I wasn’t supposed to love him back.But I did.Sophie
The feeling felt very overwhelming. The feeling that I was now in love with Derek was hurting. I wasn't supposed to love him or feel anything. He was my stepdad and nothing else.*****I stayed quiet during breakfast, pushing my food around my plate. Derek sat across from me, his presence impossible to ignore. He hadn’t touched me since the night of my birthday. Not once.Mom noticed my silence. “Are you okay, sweetheart? You’ve been so quiet since I got back.”“I’m fine, Mom,” I lied, forcing a small smile. “Just tired from school resuming. Lots of assignments already.”Aunt Clara nodded sympathetically. “That’s normal, dear. You need to focus on your studies now.”Derek didn’t say anything. He simply watched me.The avoidance continued throughout the week.In the mornings, I left for campus early, telling Mom I was meeting Sophie for group study. In the evenings, I stayed late at the library or at Sophie’s house, making excuses about projects and upcoming tests. At home, I spent
The weekend came soon enough.Itwas my 20th birthday.The house was neatly decorated with soft fairy lights hung across the living room and backyard. Balloons in pastel pink and gold floated lazily near the ceiling. A long table groaned under the weight of food … small chops, fried rice, fried chicken, salads, and a beautiful three-tiered cake with my name written in elegant cursive. Derek had spared no expense.I had invited only a small group: Sophie, Ryan, two other close friends from campus, and a few neighbors.Derek looked devastating in a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, exposing his strong forearmsSophie pulled me into a tight hug near the snack table. “Happy birthday, babe! This setup is insane. Derek really went all out for you.”“Yeah,” I said, forcing a bright smile. “He did.”Ryan approached a few minutes later, holding a neatly wrapped gift. “Happy birthday, Cass.” He pulled me into a warm hug, his hand lingering a second on my lower back. “You look
The morning light filtered through my curtains as I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my blouse for the third time. My hands were trembling slightly. Ryan’s message from yesterday still burned in my mind.I replied yes.Derek had been furious when he saw the message, but after a long, tense conversation where I begged him to trust me, he had reluctantly agreed on the condition that I text him every hour.Downstairs, breakfast was already on the table.“Good morning, dear,” Aunt Clara said warmly when I entered. “You look beautiful today. Special occasion?”I forced a smile. “Just a normal school day, Aunt Clara. Thank you for breakfast.”Derek was already seated, looking sharp in a dark blue shirt. His eyes locked onto me After breakfast, Derek drove me to campus again. The car ride was silent at first. Then his hand found my thigh.“You’re really going to meet him?” he asked, voice low and tight.“I have to,” I whispered. “I can't say no?”Derek’s grip tightened. “If he to







