JulesI pulled my old dusty hatchback up to the lake house, and right away that familiar smell of pine trees and lake water hit me like a big wave I didn't want. It made my chest feel tight with old memories I wished I could forget. I was twenty-six now, and I'd tried so hard to make a new life far away from here. Art school in the busy city, lots of crazy choices, and one really bad breakup that left me feeling broken and sad. But seeing Nico's shiny black SUV already parked in the driveway made my stomach twist up in knots. He was always there first, always so perfect.I got out of the car and slammed the door harder than I needed to. There he was, Nico, my stepbrother, unloading his stuff like he owned the whole place. At twenty-eight, he still looked like the golden boy athlete from high school—tall, strong, with that easy way of moving that made everything look simple for him. He had built a good job and a quiet life, but it only made me feel small and annoyed at the same time. W
Last Updated : 2026-07-04 Read more