All Chapters of His to Ruin: Breaking Chelsea : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

001

NIGHT SHIFT ~CHELSEA~The smell of bleach burns my nostrils as I scrub at a stubborn black mark on Crawford Elite's spotless white tile floor. Some rich kid's designer shoe scuff, probably. I press harder, the muscles in my arm aching from three hours of similar work already tonight."Come on," I mutter, watching the mark slowly fade under my attack. Small victories.At 1:13 AM, the huge school hallway stretches empty in both directions. My rubber gloves squeak against the wet tile, the sound echoing off trophy cases filled with golden evidence of Crawford Elite's greatness. National debate champions. Robotics competition winners. Soccer tournament trophies that seem to multiply every season.I sit back on my heels, blowing a strand of chestnut hair from my eyes. My ponytail started falling apart an hour ago, but I can't stop to fix it. The night cleaning crew is already short two people, which means double the work for half the praise.The mark finally disappears. I drop my scrub

Last Updated : 2025-09-23

002

THE RETURN~KADE~The black gates of Crawford Elite Academy swung open as my father's Mercedes pulled up. Home sweet home. Sort of."Remember what we talked about, Kade," my father said, not looking up from his phone. "Dr. Miller was clear. Your knee can't take another season."I stared out the window at the massive stone buildings. "It's fine now.""It's functional. There's a difference." Dad finally put his phone down and turned to face me. "You have one year left. Focus on your classes. The business program. That internship spot is still waiting for you."I bit back what I wanted to say. No point arguing again. We have been over this a hundred times during my three months at the rehab center."Thanks for the ride," I said, opening the car door."Think about what I said," Dad called after me. "Kingston Financial isn't going to run itself someday."I grabbed my bags from the trunk and nodded goodbye. The car pulled away before I could close the trunk.The campus looked the same. Perf

Last Updated : 2025-09-23

003

MIDNIGHT COLLISION~CHELSEA~I stood frozen in the doorway of the old gym, my cleaning cart forgotten in the hallway behind me. This was not part of my routine. The old gym was only on my cleaning schedule for Mondays and Thursdays. But after that call from the hospital, I needed to think, and the steady rhythm of work was not doing it. I thought the empty gym might help clear my head.It was not empty.A guy stood in the middle of the floor, soccer ball at his feet, looking as surprised to see me as I was to see him. Tall, athletic build, with dark hair that probably cost more to cut than I made in a day. A Crawford Elite student."You're not supposed to be in here," I said, finding my voice. My master key suddenly felt heavy in my pocket.He straightened, wincing slightly before covering it with a smile. "Neither are you, from the looks of it."I stepped into the gym, letting the door close behind me. "I work here. What's your excuse?""Just getting some practice in." He nudged th

Last Updated : 2025-09-23

004

HOSPITAL NIGHTS~CHELSEA~The hospital waiting room chair had a permanent dip in the middle, forcing me to sit at an angle that made my already-aching back scream. I shifted for the hundredth time, trying to find a position that hurt less.3:42 AM.The clock on the wall moved so slowly that I wondered if it was broken. Only a few ticks proved it was not.I pulled out my phone and opened the calculator app. The numbers never changed no matter how many times I ran them.Chase's treatment: $800My bank account: $23.47Cash in wallet: $42.75An emergency loan from Zoe: $150Total: $216.22Shortage: $583.78I had begged the hospital to let me make payments. They had agreed to start treatment with what I had, but I needed the rest within a week. The only solution was more work. I calculated again.Extra night shifts at Crawford: 5 × $72 = $360Extra day shifts at Rusty's: 4 × $56 = $224Total: $584It was possible if I didn't sleep for a week. But if I didn't sleep, I would make mistakes.

Last Updated : 2025-09-23

005

THE PROPOSITION~KADE~I could not stop thinking about her. Chelsea. The cleaning girl with fire in her eyes who wasn't afraid to stand up to me.Two days had passed since our encounter in the old gym. Two days of boring classes, fake smiles, and physical therapy sessions that weren't getting me anywhere fast enough."You need to focus, Kade," Mike said, pressing down on my leg as I tried to lift it against the resistance band.We were in the school's medical center, a state-of-the-art facility that most professional teams would envy. Another perk of being at Crawford Elite. Another reminder of how much my father had invested in a future I wasn't sure I wanted."I am focusing," I grunted, sweat beading on my forehead."No, you're not. Your mind's somewhere else." Mike eased up on the pressure. "Where are you right now?"I thought about lying, but Mike had been my physical therapist since the injury. He knew me too well."Just thinking about someone I met."Mike raised an eyebrow. "A g

Last Updated : 2025-09-23

006

DANCE OF AVOIDANCE~CHELSEA~{Playlist Suggestions: “Control” by Halsey}I changed my cleaning schedule three times in two weeks. First, I switched to start at midnight instead of eleven. Then I rearranged my route to clean the old gym last instead of first. Finally, I asked Marcus, the night security guard, to let me know if any students were in the building after hours.None of it worked.Kade Kingston appeared everywhere.In the library at two in the morning, supposedly studying but watching me empty trash cans. In the main hallway when I thought everyone had gone home. Even in the staff break room once, claiming he was looking for a vending machine that didn't exist."You're avoiding me," he said the fourth time our paths crossed, this time in the science wing.I kept mopping, not looking up. "I'm working.""Different schedule than before.""Is that a problem?" I finally met his eyes. "Are you going to report me for doing my job at a different time?"He leaned against the wall,

Last Updated : 2025-09-29

007

SERVING THE ENEMY~CHELSEA~{Playlist Suggestions: "You Should See Me in a Crown" by Billie Eilish}I set the drinks down with practiced exactness, not spilling a drop despite the tremor in my hands. "Are you ready to order, or do you need a few minutes?"Valerie barely glanced at the menu. "What's the least greasy thing you serve here?""The salads are fresh," I said, keeping my voice professional. "The chef salad is popular.""Do you use organic produce?" she asked, examining her perfect manicure."We use whatever Rusty gets from the supplier."She pursed her lips. "I'll have a house salad, dressing on the side. No croutons, no cheese, no tomatoes.""So... lettuce?" I couldn't help myself.Her eyes narrowed. "Yes. Just lettuce. And cucumber if it's not too... common."I wrote it down, biting the inside of my cheek. "And for you?" I turned to Kade.He was watching me with that worrisome intensity. "What do you recommend?"Something about the question felt loaded. Like he wasn't just

Last Updated : 2025-09-29

008

TOXIC HOME~CHELSEA~{Playlist suggestion: “Moral of the Story” by Ashe}The night air bit through my thin jacket as I trudged up the stairs to our apartment. My feet ached from the double shift…cleaning at Crawford, then straight to Rusty's Diner without a break. The envelope with my tips felt pathetically light in my pocket.Not enough. Never enough.Our apartment door stuck like always, requiring a hard shove with my shoulder. The familiar musty smell greeted me, a mix of old carpet, laundry detergent, and the lingering scent of whatever cheap air freshener Mom had last sprayed to cover the cigarette smoke."Chase?" I called out, dropping my keys on the wobbly side table."In here."I found my brother at the kitchen table, textbooks spread around him. His face looked paler than usual, the shadows under his eyes more pronounced. But he smiled when he saw me, and something in my chest loosened just a little."Hey, genius," I said, ruffling his hair as I passed. "Have you eaten?""M

Last Updated : 2025-09-29

009

SANCTUARY~CHELSEA~{Playlist suggestion: "Safe & Sound" by Taylor Swift feat. The Civil War}The cut on my cheek stung as I wiped away dried blood in the employee bathroom. At least it wasn't deep enough for stitches. I dabbed antiseptic on it and winced.Last night had been bad. After Samuel threw the mug, things escalated quickly. I'd managed to get Chase to his room and lock the door, but not before Samuel caught my face with his ring when I tried to block him.Mom had just stood there crying, useless as always.I had waited until they passed out drunk before helping Chase climb out his window. We'd spent the night at Zoe's place—her family never asked questions anymore when we showed up in the middle of the night.Now, three hours before my shift officially started, Crawford Elite Academy stood silent and empty around me. I'd come early needing somewhere safe, somewhere quiet to think.With a sigh, I grabbed my cleaning cart and headed out into the deserted hallways. The expensiv

Last Updated : 2025-09-29

010

INJURED PRIDE~KADE~{Playlist suggestion: "Broken" by Lifehouse}I stared at the wall chart Coach Marshall had taped up in the team meeting room. My name was highlighted in yellow….separate from everyone else. Special. Isolated.‘Kingston, K. - Modified training schedule. NO CONTACT DRILLS.’The same words that had been there for weeks. Nothing had changed."Listen up," Coach barked, pacing in front of the whiteboard. "West Ridge Academy next Friday. They've got a strong defense, but we've got speed."My teammates nodded. Denver caught my eye from across the room and gave me a sympathetic look. I ignored it. I didn't need pity.Coach continued outlining the strategy, pointing at different players, and assigning roles and positions. Not once did he look my way.When the meeting ended, everyone filed out. I stayed seated, staring at that yellow highlight. A brand marking me as damaged. Weak."He's just following doctor's orders, man," Denver said, hovering by the door. "Give it time."

Last Updated : 2025-09-29

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