CHAPTER 1

ZENDAYA'S POVI wheeled myself up the driveway of Derek's house, my heart pounding with an excitement I hadn't felt in three years. My fingers gripped the wheels of my chair tightly as I maneuvered toward the front door, imagining the look on his face when I told him the news. When I showed him that I could finally walk again.Dr. Patterson's words still echoed in my mind. "You can walk, Zendaya. Your legs are strong enough now."I'd stood in that hospital room, trembling but standing, and the first person I'd wanted to share this miracle with was Derek. My fiancé. The man who'd been by my side through these difficult years, who'd promised to love me no matter what.Well, that's what I'd believed anyway.The front door was unlocked, which wasn't unusual. Derek often left it open when he was home. I pushed it open and wheeled myself inside, calling out, "Derek? Baby, are you home?"No response.I frowned, moving further into the house. Maybe he was in his study. He often worked from ho

Last Updated : 2026-01-31

CHAPTER 2

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

Last Updated : 2026-01-31

CHAPTER 3

ZENDAYA'S POVMalachi stood in the doorway, and I couldn't breathe.Four years. It had been four years since I'd last seen him, since that night in college that I'd tried so hard to forget. But looking at him now, I realized I hadn't forgotten a single detail.He'd changed. His shoulders were broader, his jaw sharper, his dark hair styled differently—more mature, more sophisticated. The boy I'd known had become a man. But his eyes were the same. Those intense, dark eyes that had always seen too much, understood too much.And right now, they were fixed on me with an expression that made my heart race."Zendaya," he said, and I hated how my name sounded on his lips. Hated how it made me feel things I had no business feeling, not now, not after everything with Derek."Malachi," I managed to respond, my voice barely above a whisper.Adrian looked between us, a slight frown creasing his forehead. "Oh, I forgot to mention—Mal's back from Europe. He finished his business degree at Cambridge

Last Updated : 2026-01-31

CHAPTER 4

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

Last Updated : 2026-01-31

CHAPTER 5

ZENDAYA'S POVI spent the rest of that week avoiding Malachi like my life depended on it. And Adrian noticed the tension, of course. How could he not?"Did something happen between you two?" he asked me one morning over breakfast.My heart nearly stopped. "What? No. Why would you think that?""You're avoiding him even more than usual," Adrian observed. "And Mal seems... I don't know. Off.""We just don't get along," I said quickly. "You know that. Oil and water, remember?"Adrian didn't look convinced, but he let it drop. Thank God.Now, sitting in the boardroom of Morrison Industries, I wished Malachi was the only thing I had to worry about.The room was exactly as I remembered from the few times I'd sat in on meetings with my father—massive mahogany table, leather chairs, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Fifteen board members sat around the table, their expressions ranging from curious to skeptical to outright hostile.And at the far end, looking far too smug, sat Vict

Last Updated : 2026-01-31

All Chapters of PRETEND TO BE MINE; Bound To My Brother’s Bestfriend: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5