All Chapters of Pretend To Be Mine; Bound To My Brother's Bestfriend : Chapter 1 - Chapter 6

CHAPTER 1Zendaya's POV I 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 wor

Chapter 3Zendaya’s povThe rest of what happened was a blur. All I could remember was Adrian’s cold voice warning them to stay off me. With their curious eyes still watching us and their mouths to the floor, Adrian carried me in his arms to his car. An hour later, I 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

CHAPTER 5Zendaya’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 meetin