All Chapters of His to Ruin: Breaking Chelsea : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

SHATTERED GLASS 1~CHELSEA~{Playlist Suggestions: "Stronger Than You Think" by Fireflight}I should have known Tuesday would be a disaster when I woke up to Chase coughing blood into his pillow."It's fine," he wheezed when I found him in the bathroom, pale and shaking. "Just a bad night."But his temperature was 101, and his lips had that bluish tinge that meant his oxygen levels were dropping. I called Dr. Patel's emergency line and got instructions to monitor him closely but not panic yet.Not panic. Right.I was already running late for my morning shift at Crawford Elite when Chase finally fell back asleep. The new boots Kade had given me felt sturdy and reliable as I hurried across campus, but my mind was elsewhere.The display case in the main hallway was supposed to showcase Crawford Elite's academic achievements. Dozens of trophies, awards, and photographs are arranged behind pristine glass panels. It was also one of my least favorite cleaning tasks, every fingerprint showed

ACCUSATIONS~CHELSEA~{Playlist Suggestions: "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten}Principal Hammond's office felt like a courtroom, and I was definitely the defendant.I sat in the uncomfortable chair across from her mahogany desk, my hands folded in my lap to hide their trembling. The morning sun streaming through the tall windows should have been comforting, but it only made everything feel more exposed."Ms. Lynch," Principal Hammond began, her voice carefully neutral. "We need to discuss some serious allegations."My stomach dropped. This wasn't about the broken display case. Something else was happening."What kind of allegations?"She opened a file folder on her desk, and I caught a glimpse of my employee photo clipped to the inside cover. "Items have been reported missing from student lockers over the past two weeks. Personal items of value."The words hit me like a physical blow. "You think I stole something?""I'm saying we need to investigate all possibilities. You have access to

BUILDING BRIDGES~KADE POV~{Playlist suggestion: "Heavy" by Linkin Park ft. Kiiara}I couldn't sleep.Three days had passed since Chelsea told me about her father, and I hadn't slept more than an hour at a time. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face...not that I had ever met him, but I imagined him anyway. A man who worked fifteen years for my family's company. A man who trusted that loyalty meant something.A man my father destroyed without a second thought.I sat at my laptop in the dim light of my apartment, scrolling through articles about the Westlake factory closure. The business journals painted it as a brilliant strategic move. "Kingston Enterprises Consolidates Operations in Record-Breaking Acquisition." "Stock Prices Soar Following Westlake Integration."But buried deeper, in local newspapers from that small Ohio town, I found the real story."Local Factory Closure Leaves 300 Without Work.""Former Employees Struggle to Find New Jobs as Town Economy Collapses.""Su

UNEXPECTED VISITOR~CHELSEA POV~{Playlist suggestion: "Monster" by Skillet}"Stay here," I told Kade, my voice barely steady."What? Chelsea, what's going on?"But I was already walking toward the SUV, my hands shaking with a mixture of fear and anger. Samuel rolled down his window as I approached, that familiar smirk spreading across his unshaven face."Well, well. Look who's been busy.""What are you doing here, Samuel?""Can't a guy check up on his favorite girl?"The word 'favorite' made my skin crawl. I crossed my arms, trying to look braver than I felt. "How long have you been following me?""Following? That's a harsh word." He leaned his elbow out the window, looking completely relaxed. Like this was normal. "I prefer 'keeping tabs.'""Answer the question.""A few weeks now. Had to make sure my investment was paying off.""Your investment?""You, princess. The roof over your head, the food in your belly. Though I gotta say, you've been holding out on me."My stomach dropped. "

~CHELSEA POV~{Playlist Suggestions: "Seamless" by Chris Gray The rest of my shift passed in a blur of drinks and forced smiles. By closing time, my feet were screaming and my shoulder had gone from sharp pain to a dull, persistent ache.I was wiping down tables when I heard familiar laughter from the kitchen.Chase's laughter.I dropped my rag and hurried toward the back, panic flaring. What was my brother doing here at midnight?I pushed through the kitchen doors and stopped short.Chase sat on a stool near the prep station, gesturing animatedly with his hands while someone in chef's whites listened intently. The someone turned when I entered, and I recognized Alex—one of the newer kitchen staff. Quiet, serious, with kind eyes and gentle hands that moved strictly when he cooked."Chelsea!" Chase smiled at me. "Alex was showing me how to make those little pastry things.""Empanadas," Alex corrected with a small smile. "He's got good instincts."I stared between them, confused. "W