All Chapters of PRETEND TO BE MINE; Bound To My Brother’s Bestfriend: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

ZENDAYA'S POVI sat in Adrian's living room, my wheelchair positioned near the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city. My brother handed me a cup of tea, his expression tight with concern as he settled onto the couch across from me."Tell me everything," he said quietly.And I did. The words came pouring out between sobs I couldn't control—how I'd gone to Derek's house excited to see him, how I'd overheard him with Vanessa, every cruel word they'd said about me. About how I was a burden, an embarrassment, a cripple not worth loving."He only stayed because Vanessa told him I was going to inherit Dad's company," I choked out, wiping at my tears with the back of my hand. "He thought I'd make him rich. And when he found out you got the position instead, he was planning to leave me. He called me worthless, Adrian. Worthless."My brother's jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists on his knees. I'd seen Adrian angry before, but never like this. Never with this cold, controlled

ZENDAYA'S POVThe next two days were torture.I tried to avoid Malachi, I really did. But living under the same roof made it impossible. Every turn I made, every room I wheeled into, he was there. In the kitchen making coffee in the morning. In the hallway carrying files to Adrian's study. In the living room reading through contracts with that intense focus that made my stomach flip.And every time our eyes met, the air between us crackled with tension."Good morning," he'd say, his voice carefully neutral."Morning," I'd reply, wheeling past him as quickly as I could.But I could feel his eyes on me. Could feel the weight of everything unsaid hanging between us like a storm cloud ready to burst.The worst part was during meals. Adrian insisted we all eat together—breakfast and dinner at least. He was so happy to have both of us there, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension that made every bite of food stick in my throat."So Zendaya, I've scheduled your first board meeting for next

ZENDAYA'S POVVictor's face had gone from red to purple, his carefully controlled mask slipping."This is absurd!" Victor's voice cut through the silent chaos. "Convenient doesn't even begin to describe this. An engagement announced at the exact moment she's about to lose her position? You expect us to believe that?""I expect you to believe the truth," Malachi replied calmly, his hand still resting on my shoulder. The weight of it felt both grounding and terrifying."Then prove it," Victor challenged, crossing his arms. "When did this engagement happen? Why keep it secret? Why announce it now?"Malachi didn't miss a beat. "We've been in a relationship since college. Long-distance for the past four years while I was in Europe completing my education and working for my father's company. We kept it private because of the distance and because Zendaya was focused on her recovery from the accident."I sat frozen in my wheelchair, my mind racing. What was he doing? Why was he lying for me? A

ZENDAYA'S POVAdrian left the office to make some calls, leaving Malachi and me alone.The silence felt suffocating.I gripped the armrests of my wheelchair, my knuckles turning white. The anger I'd been holding back while Adrian was in the room came flooding out all at once."How dare you," I said, my voice shaking. "How dare you make such a huge decision without consulting me first?"Malachi leaned against Adrian's desk, his expression infuriatingly calm. "We've already been through this, Zendaya.""No, we haven't," I snapped. "You stood there and told Adrian it was for him, that you did it to help your friend. But what about me? What about what I want? You just trapped me into a marriage, Malachi. A fake marriage that I never agreed to.""Trapped you?" Malachi's eyebrow rose, and a smirk played at the corner of his mouth. "That's what you think this is? A trap?""What else would you call it?""I'd call it a solution to a problem," Malachi replied, pushing off the desk. "But if you

ZENDAYA'S POVWe sat in Adrian's living room, the silence so thick I could barely breathe.Adrian paced back and forth in front of the fireplace, his hands running through his hair repeatedly. Malachi sat on the couch across from me, his expression unreadable. And I sat in my wheelchair, my mind still reeling from what had just happened.Five days. Five days until I was supposed to marry Malachi Hayes."Okay," Adrian finally said, stopping his pacing. "I know that was... unexpected. But I had to think fast. That reporter was about to destroy everything.""Five days, Adrian?" I asked, my voice shaking. "You told them we're getting married in five days?""I panicked," Adrian admitted. "If I'd said three months like the board wanted, it would have given people time to investigate, to dig into your relationship history, to find proof that you're lying. But five days? There's no time for that. You get married quickly, prove the engagement is real, and move on.""I don't have a problem with