All Chapters of On Thin Ice: A Forbidden Step Siblings Affair: Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

Raelynn'Breathe in. Breath out. In. Out.'The East River is dark and cold, the water reflecting the city lights like scattered diamonds.I'm sitting in my car, staring at my phone, my finger hovering over the call button.I've already called her three times. She hasn't answered.On the fourth try, she picks up."Pumpkin?" Bridget's voice comes through, cautious. Hopeful. "Are you here?""Yes." My voice is flat. Emotionless. "Where are you?""Did you come alone?" She doesn't answer my question. "Raelynn, this is important. Did anyone follow you? Did you tell anyone where you were going?"I exhale slowly, trying to control the rage building in my chest. "Where are you?""Answer me first!""Fine." I get out of the car, slamming the door harder than necessary. "Yes, I came alone. Happy?"I walk toward the water's edge, my boots crunching on gravel and broken glass. The river stretches out before me, vast and uncaring."I'm here," I call out. "I came alone like you asked. Now stop hiding

GraysonOne Year LaterThe venue is packed—standing room only. Hundreds of people have shown up for the launch, and there are even more watching the live stream online.I stand at the podium, looking out at the sea of faces. Survivors. Advocates. People who understand what it means to live in fear of someone who's supposed to love you."Thank you all for being here," I begin, gripping the edges of the podium to steady myself. "A year ago, I stood in a courtroom and watched my father get sentenced to life in prison for murder. For years of abuse. For destroying lives without remorse."The room is silent, attentive."Today, I'm launching the Phoenix Foundation—an organization dedicated to helping victims of abuse. Children, wives, husbands, anyone who has fallen victim to someone more powerful than them." I pause, letting that sink in. "This is a place you can come to when you feel scared and alone. When you think no one will believe you. When your abuser has convinced you that you're t

Valentina"It's over."Tristan doesn't even bother covering himself. Doesn't bother looking ashamed or guilty or anything a normal person caught cheating should look.He's naked. So are the two women in bed with him.My best friend and cousin.Both of them look away from me, but he stares right at me with those cold eyes I used to think were beautiful."What?" The word comes out strangled."You heard me," he says, completely unbothered.My hands clench into fists at my sides. "Repeat it again."He scowls, finally showing some emotion. Annoyance. "It's over, Val. We're done."I gasp, the sound bitter and sharp in the quiet hotel room. "It's a week until our wedding.""So what?" He shrugs like we're discussing the weather. "I'm sick and tired of you. Tired of pretending. Tired of waiting.""Why didn't you tell me this before?" My voice rises despite my attempt to stay calm. "Before I wasted ten years on you? Ten years, Tristan! I spent most of my life with you!"We were childhood sweeth

ValentinaI wake up to sunlight stabbing through cheap hotel curtains and a body that feels like it's been hit by a truck.A very satisfying truck.I groan and roll over, my hand reaching across the bed automatically. Empty. Cold.He's gone.Of course he's gone. That was the whole point, wasn't it? Anonymous. No names. No numbers. No awkward morning-after conversations.So why does my chest feel tight with disappointment?I push myself up on my elbows, wincing at the soreness between my legs. Everything aches—my thighs, my hips, muscles I didn't even know I had. There are marks on my skin, faint bruises blooming on my hips where his fingers dug in.Evidence.Proof that last night actually happened and wasn't just some fever dream brought on by heartbreak and expensive whiskey.I glance around and my eyes widen, my hand flying to cover my mouth.There's a stack of cash on the nightstand. Crisp hundred-dollar bills, neatly arranged.I stare at it for a long moment, my brain struggling t

Valentina"And about what happened between us last night—forget it. Erase it from your memory. It never happened..."I bite back a scoff as I take my seat at the conference table.Like he had to tell me. I already forgot about it. In fact, I forgot the moment I woke up this morning.Total lie. Complete bullshit. But he doesn't need to know that.The door opens and Jace Norman—because of course his name is Jace fucking Norman—walks into the conference room like he owns the place.Which, technically, he does.I can't believe I didn't recognize him last night. The Jace Norman. Owner Norman Industries. The man who's been all over the business magazines for the past year, with the whole drama of him breaking his father’s shackles and building his own empire.The employer of my employer who is now my employer.God, my life is a mess.I heard through the office grapevine that he came here to personally oversee this branch because our revenue has been the poorest among all Norman Industries