Lahat ng Kabanata ng RUIN MY 4.0: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

Aiden's POVThe bus lurched to a stop with a hiss of brakes that matched the exhaustion dragging at my bones.I gripped Lily's hand tighter as we stepped off into the cool night air. My backpack was slung over one shoulder, heavy with the things I'd grabbed in a rush. We'd left Nikolai's estate hours ago. God, just thinking about it twisted my gut. The note I'd left...Those two words felt like they'd been ripped out of my chest, inadequate and final all at once. But what else could I say? "Hey, turns out we're brothers, so peace out"? No. It's better to just vanish, let him hate me for bailing rather than know the truth that would shatter everything anyway.Lily tugged at my hand, her small fingers sticky from the candy I'd given her on the bus to keep her quiet. "Aiden, where are we going?" she asked. "Why did we leave Nikolai's house with all our stuff?"I didn't answer. My throat was tight, clogged with everything I wanted to say.I just kept walking, pulling her along the fa

Nikolai's POVI stared at the manila folder while Mom's eyes bored into me. I let out a scoff, rolling my eyes as I reached for it. Why the hell did she do a background check on Aiden anyway? Whatever. I'll just glance at whatever it is, tell her to fuck off politely, and then crawl back under the covers to nurse my misery in peace.I flipped the folder open, scanning the top sheet. It was a lab report—bla bla bla. I ignored everything I saw until I came across: "Paternity Test Results"I blinked at the words, my brain lagging behind. It was a test on Roman Serrano... and Aiden Cross. DNA markers listed in neat columns, percentages, probabilities.The conclusion at the bottom was: "Probability of Paternity: 99.999%."What the actual fuck?A harsh scoff bubbled up from my chest before I could stop it.I slapped the folder shut and tossed it back toward her, shaking my head. "Mom, this is... this is a joke, right? A really shitty one. If you're trying to keep us apart, this is a horrib

Aiden's POVThe sun's dipping low, casting long shadows across the cracked sidewalk, and my body's aching from my busy day.That meeting with Dr. Halvorsen this morning should've had me floating on cloud nine, but instead, it's like there's a weight pressing down on my chest, making every breath feel heavy. I swing off the bike, kicking the stand down and chaining it to the rickety fence post.My helmet comes off next, and I run a hand through my sweat-damp hair. Suddenly, I spot Lily huddled on the front doorstep of mom's house with her knees drawn up to her chest. She's staring at the ground, picking at a loose thread on her jeans, her mind lost in thought.I sigh, the sound escaping before I can stop it. With the way Lily's been withdrawn since we left Nikolai's house, you'd think he's her brother and not me. I approach her slowly, my boots scuffing against the pavement, not wanting to startle her. "Hey, Lil," I say, keeping my voice light. "What's wrong? You look like you lost

Aiden's POV I toss and turn in my bed, my sheets twisting around my legs like they're trying to strangle me. Sleep's been impossible these past few days—because every time I close my eyes, it's Nikolai's face I see, his smirk, his hands on me, him owning every inch of my body. And then the familiar ache hits, a frustrating, throbbing need that won't let up. I groan into my pillow, flipping onto my back and staring at the ceiling. The room's pitch black except for the faint glow from my phone on the nightstand. I reach for it, squinting at the screen. Midnight. Exactly midnight. Shit, it's officially Lily's birthday. I push myself up, rubbing my eyes. I can't just lie here feeling sorry for myself. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, the cool floorboards creaking under my feet as I pad across the room in my boxers. The house is dead quiet. I slip out into the dark hallway, the dim nightlight from Lily's room guiding me. Her door's cracked open a bit an

Aiden's POV I stand outside Nikolai's penthouse door like an idiot, my arms crossed tight over my chest. It hasn't even been a month since I left but it feels like I've been gone for a really long time. And now I'm back.I close my eyes and sigh, wondering how Lily convinced me to come. [She'd poked my shin with one finger. "Are you acting sad because of Nikolai?"My stomach clenches. "No. I'm... not."I rub a hand over my face. "Lil—""If you offended him," she cuts in, "you can just apologize. That's what you always tell me. Say sorry, and try to fix it."A bitter laugh slips out before I can stop it. "It's not that easy, Lil.""But it is." She frowns, like I'm being deliberately stupid. "You just need to try. You always say trying is what matters."I stare at her. "You don't get it," I mutter."Then explain it."I can't. Lily pokes me again. "You're being dumb.""Probably."She sets the plate with her slice of cake on the floor between us. "He got me the cake, didn't he?"I sw