[1]

Was this the right thing to do?“Why did you stop?”The woman in front of me smiled so sweetly. She slipped her arm through mine, took the worn bag from my hand, and said, “Come on, Leah, darling. Don’t feel burdened. Your aunt is truly grateful to have met you again. This is the least I can do for you right now.”I looked at her closely. “Aunt Margaret… are you sure no one minds your decision?”She laughed. “Of course not. Even Adrian agreed without much protest.”I hadn’t been able to refuse when we met—purely by chance. It happened at the small convenience store where I worked part-time on weekends. I’d been pushing myself harder than I should have, not only to cover my living expenses but also to pay off the hospital debt left after my parents’ accident.My efforts, however, weren’t enough to save them. They died two years ago from their injuries, leaving behind a hollow ache in my chest—and a tangle of unfinished responsibilities I’ve had to face on my own, one by one. Including

Last Updated : 2025-11-10

[2]

“I don’t even know what to say, Aunt Margaret,” I murmured, lowering my gaze.“Oh, heavens,” Margaret chuckled softly. “You’ve been thanking me all evening, dear. But you should know—what I’m doing for you now is nothing compared to what your mother once did for me. So relax. Don’t feel indebted.”I didn’t know how to respond to that.“Well, here we are.” Margaret led me up to the second floor, occasionally pointing out rooms as we passed. The house was enormous—just as she’d said. There were so many rooms, each one grander than the last. Everything about it spoke of a world far above mine.I’d grown up surrounded by love, even if our lives had been modest. My mother was a kindergarten teacher; my father worked for the local government. We were never wealthy, but we were happy. Still… I couldn’t help but stand in awe of this place.“This will be your room, Leah.”The door opened—and I froze.It was breathtaking.The walls were painted a soft white, perfectly paired with ivory curtains

Last Updated : 2025-11-10

[3]

“Hey, Bookworm!”I closed my eyes for a second, biting back a groan. That voice—of course was hers. Daniella Johansen. The campus queen with a smile sweet enough for professors but sharp as glass for anyone she deemed beneath her.I quickened my pace, head down, clutching my bag tighter. Every few steps, I pushed my glasses back up my nose, praying they wouldn’t fall. But the clicking of her heels grew louder, joined by the giggles of her two ever-present shadows.“Don’t pretend you can’t hear me, Leah Bennett,” she drawled, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. “I just wanted to check in on the most diligent girl in the department. Still busy writing down every word the professors say?”I didn’t look back. “Please, Daniella. I don’t want any trouble.”“Oh?” She laughed softly, then gave my shoulder a little tap. “Trouble finds you even when you don’t ask for it, sweetheart.”I sighed, exasperated. “What do you want?”“Just a little help from you, Bookworm. What else?”Her friends s

Last Updated : 2025-11-10

[4]

Soft neon lights shimmered across the club’s ceiling, their glow reflecting off the slick glass floor. Music pulsed through the air—heavy bass, laughter, and the clinking of glasses blending into one restless rhythm. For everyone else, it was energy and chaos. For me, it was just background noise—something distant, muffled beneath the sound of orders I had to take and drinks I had to deliver.It was almost midnight. I’d meant to leave earlier, but my shift replacement still hadn’t shown up. I couldn’t just walk out and leave a full table waiting. Besides… I needed the extra money.Though, honestly, one thought wouldn’t stop gnawing at me—How am I supposed to get home this late? It kept slipping into my head, distracting me until I nearly collided with a few customers or mixed up their orders entirely.It wasn’t that I couldn’t afford a cab. That wasn’t the problem. The real issue was… I was staying at Aunt Margaret’s house now. I couldn’t exactly go back to my old apartment—my things

Last Updated : 2025-11-10

[5]

“Unbelievable,” I muttered, glaring at the stack of assignments Ethan had dumped on me. Meanwhile, he was probably already out the door, laughing with his friends, enjoying his day without caring in the world.And me? I was expected—no, forced—to do his college work.“So annoying…”There was nothing I could do except start working on it. What choice did I have when Ethan said, “Think of it as payment for living here’?I hated that he had a point. I hated even more that I couldn’t refuse.Without realizing it, the day grew hotter and the sun climbed higher. The heat this month was unbearable, pressing down on everything. Which was why, once I finally finished a good portion of Ethan’s work, I decided to take a small break by the backyard pool.The water shimmered that afternoon—clear and cool, sparkling under sunlight that filtered through the trees. It looked like it was calling to me, inviting me in, especially in weather like this.I’d checked everything beforehand: Adrian had said

Last Updated : 2025-11-14

All Chapters of The Taste of Two: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]