MasukShe thought she’d escaped him. Until fate forced her back into his world. Keira Dalton never asked for a new family—much less a stepbrother who makes her pulse race and her temper burn. Drake Ashford is everything she despises: arrogant, untouchable, and dangerously magnetic. But when hatred starts to blur into something else, Keira realizes she’s fighting a war she can’t win— because sometimes, the heart craves what it shouldn’t. A forbidden love. A battle of pride. A secret that could ruin them both. Now, Keira must face a truth she can’t escape: The man she’s forbidden to love may be the only one she can’t live without.
Lihat lebih banyakKEIRA’S POV I was floating somewhere between dreams when something tapped my cheek. At first, I tried to ignore it, burying my face deeper into the seat. Then came a voice I’d know even in my nightmares. “Hey, drooling girl! Wake up! We’re already here.” My eyes flew open. Drake’s smug grin was the first thing I saw — and immediately, I wished I was still asleep. “What did you just call me?” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. Then I froze. My fingers brushed something wet on my cheek. Oh no. I turned my head — and horror slammed into me. His black leather jacket… was wet. Because of me. “Don’t tell me—” I gasped, already reaching for tissues that didn’t exist. In pure panic, I wiped his coat… and, out of reflex, even dabbed the corner of his mouth. Drake’s laughter exploded, deep and unrestrai
KEIRA’S POV“Keira! They’re already here, come out now!” Mom’s voice echoed from the living room.I’d been awake for hours—showered, dressed, and ready—but I couldn’t bring myself to step outside. My chest felt heavy, my heart caught somewhere between nostalgia and dread.For the last time, I looked around my room. The pale curtains, the framed photos, the desk where I used to do my homework—everything here held eleven years of my life. Joys. Tears. Memories.And as I dragged my suitcase toward the door, I felt like I was leaving all of them behind.“Yes, Mom. I’m coming out,” I replied, though my voice sounded small. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if my feet were chained to the past.“Come on, they’ve been waiting for us!” she urged impatiently, taking my suitcase from me before handing it to a man in a sharp black suit. For a second, I wondered if we were being escorted by the Presidential Security Group—that’s how formal and intimidating they looked.Black coats. Sunglass
KEIRA’S POVWhen I finally returned to the dining room, my hands still trembled slightly. I tried to act normal, even though my lips still tingled from what had just happened. Drake was already back at the table, seated beside his father as if nothing had occurred.His eyes flicked toward me for a brief second—just one—but it was enough to make my pulse skip. I quickly looked away and sat beside my mom, forcing a polite smile even as my heart refused to calm down.The air between us felt heavy, almost suffocating. I tried to listen as Edward and my mother exchanged a few quiet words, but I couldn’t focus. Every move, every breath, every quiet sound reminded me of what had happened in that hallway. The taste of it still lingered on my lips.Edward cleared his throat softly, pulling my attention back to the table.“Keira, Drake,” he began, his tone carrying weight. “We have something important to tell you both.”I looked up, sensing that this wasn’t just casual conversation. Mom’s hand
KEIRA’S POVI couldn’t concentrate as I gathered my things at the end of class. My mind kept drifting back to yesterday—the way Drake had cornered me in my room, the heat of his touch, the pull I couldn’t ignore. I told myself I hated him. I wanted to believe it. But the way his eyes followed me—like I was already his—made it harder to remember why.My phone buzzed, and I almost jumped. Who could it be now? I answered quickly.“Hello, Mom?”“Where are you? I’m outside your school. I came to pick you up so we can go together.” Her voice was warm, comforting, and I felt a small flicker of relief despite the lingering tension in my chest.“My last class just ended, Mom. Wait for me,” I said, then turned to my friends. “I’m heading out. My mom’s here.”“Alright, take care,” Trisha said, waving. Earl didn’t speak, his eyes still shadowed by what had happened with Drake.I hurried across the campus and slid into my mother’s car. I wanted to focus on something normal, but Drake’s memory clun
KEIRA’S POVTHE NEXT MORNINGThe soft click of the front door signaled my mother’s departure. “Take care, Mom,” I whispered, though she was already gone, leaving the house quieter than usual. I lingered for a moment, staring at the empty hallway, then shook my head and turned to get ready. Today felt… different. I couldn’t shake the lingering tension from last night—or the thought of Drake.After showering and dressing in my simple black knit turtleneck and white skinny jeans, I was just about to leave my room when a knock on the front door made me freeze. My heart skipped a beat. Who could it be so early?I approached cautiously, and when I opened it, my eyes widened. “Drake!” I exclaimed. “What are you doing here? And how did you—”He stepped inside before I could finish, moving past me with an arrogant air that made my skin prickle. “So, this is your place?” he said, surveying the living room with a critical eye. “I think this house is barely as big as my bathroom.”“Drake, you kno
KEIRA’S POVDrake caught me by surprise, grabbing my wrist as I stumbled back. I tripped slightly, landing against the wall, my back aching from the impact. He didn’t seem fazed at all—just that familiar, infuriating smirk playing on his lips.“Keira, you really know how to get yourself into trouble,” he teased, stepping closer. My back protested every small move, and I realized I couldn’t slip away just yet.Before I could react, he gently—but firmly—pulled me closer, holding my hand lightly. “Drake!” I exclaimed, half in frustration, half in disbelief. “Let me go!”He tilted his head, a mischievous glint in his bright blue eyes. “I’m not the kind of guy who hurts women,” he said, slowly releasing one of my hands but keeping the other snug in his.I stared into his eyes, expecting arrogance, maybe even cruelty. But there was something soft, something unexpected. My heart skipped, and I couldn’t tell if it was fear or… something else entirely.Then his fingers brushed my cheek. Just a












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