All Chapters of His to Ruin: Breaking Chelsea : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

YOUNG LOVE, MY ASS~KADE POV~{Playlist suggestion: "Don't Blame Me" by Taylor Swift}I shouldn't have come here without calling first.The thought hit me as I pulled into Aunt Margot's driveway, but I was already cutting the engine. Three days of radio silence from Chelsea had me climbing the walls, and my aunt's townhouse was the only place I could think without wanting to punch something.The door opened before I could knock."Well, well," Aunt Margot said, leaning against the doorframe with a knowing smile. "Twice in one week. Either someone died or you're in love.""Just saying hi," I muttered, stepping past her into the familiar warmth of her living room."Bullshit." She closed the door and studied me with those sharp green eyes that missed nothing. "You look like hell. When's the last time you slept?"I shrugged, sinking into the leather chair by her fireplace. "Sleep's overrated.""So is martyrdom." She poured herself a glass of wine and settled across from me. "This is about

SILENCE IS A PRICE~CHELSEA POV~{Playlist Suggestion: "I Know the End" by Phoebe Bridgers}The cabin smells like his mother's perfume. Five years dead, but her ghost stays in every corner. Expensive candles on dusty shelves. Silk curtains that haven't been drawn since her funeral. Photos turned face down because Kade says looking at them hurts too much.I understand that kind of hurt.I'm lying in his bed...her bed, really..staring at water stains on the ceiling while he makes breakfast downstairs. Chase's laughter echoes up through the floorboards. The soft clink of dishes and faint conversation drift through the old wood. Normal sounds. Safe sounds.When did my brother last laugh like that? The sound should make me happy. Instead, something dark stirs in my chest. My mind won't stay in this moment of safety.The memory surfaces without permission. It always does when I feel safe. Like my brain waits for moments of peace to remind me they're illusions.Crawford Elite alumni house

LINES IN THE SAND~KADE POV~{Playlist suggestion: "Devilish" by Chase Atlantic}The locker room stinks of sweat and overpriced cologne. I'm lacing up my cleats when Lucas starts his usual bullshit."Golden boy's been MIA lately," he announces. "Heard he's got himself a little side project."I keep my head down, focusing on double-knotting the laces. My knee feels solid today. Good. I need it to hold up.Denver drops onto the bench beside me. "Ignore him," he mutters. "Guy's got nothing better to do.""You missed Connor's party at Venom," Denver adds. "Where were you?""Busy." The lie comes easily. I was at my mother's cabin with Chelsea and Chase, but that's not something I can explain to anyone here.My phone buzzes. Knox: 'Dinner tonight? Marie is making your favorite.'I delete the text without responding. My older brother's been trying harder since Dad's latest disappointment speech, but I'm not ready for family dinners and fake conversations.Lucas's voice cuts through my though

WHAT SHE FOUND~CHELSEA POV~{Playlist Suggestion: "Bruises" by Lewis Capaldi}The anxiety sits in my chest like broken glass. I don't know what's worse: meeting Kade after school or the fact that the entire Crawford Elite student body thinks the cleaner is sleeping with a Kingston.Work drags like torture. Every hallway I clean comes with stares and whispers. "That's her." "The one whoring around instead of working." "Heard she's desperate for money."The other cleaning staff won't even look at me. Mrs. Rodriguez, who used to smile and share her homemade cookies, now treats me like I'm contaminated.I'm emptying trash behind the science building when Valerie appears out of nowhere, grabbing my arm so hard her nails pierce my skin."Ow!" I cry out, trying to twist away.She shoves me against the brick wall with surprising strength. My back screams on impact, but she keeps her grip on my arm, nails digging deeper."Finish dealing with that trash whore," Brittany calls from the corne

GHOSTS AND ALMOST PROMISES{Playlist Suggestion: "Do You Better" by Rohan}~KADE POV~"Kade?" I turn from the reception desk, and there she is.Chelsea stands by the elevator bank, wearing denim shorts and an oversized sweater that swallows her frame. Her hair is pulled into a messy bun, strands escaping around her face.But it's her eyes that stop me cold. Red-rimmed, swollen. She's been crying for hours.I close the distance between us in three strides, examining every inch of her for injuries. "What are you doing here? Are you hurt?""I'm fine, I just....." She starts to explain, but I pull her into my arms before she can finish.She fights me at first, hands pushing against my chest. But my grip is strong, and after a few seconds, she collapses into me.The dam breaks.Chelsea sobs into my shoulder, her whole body shaking with the force of it. I hold her tighter, one hand stroking her hair, whispering whatever comfort I can think of."I'm here now. You're not alone. It's okay."Pe