(Sierra'S POV)
I sat on my bed hugging a pillow, fighting tears. Why did his words hurt more than they should? Sebastian knocked and entered gently. "Hey… Sunshine," My lips trembled. He sat beside me, his hands rubbing slow circles on my back.
"I'm sorry he hurt you," Sebastian whispered softly. "You didn't deserve any of that."
"I didn't even do anything," I whispered. "Why does he hate me so much?" Sebastian hesitated… then said,
"He doesn't hate you. Not really." I looked up. "What do you mean?" He smiled sadly. "Some people get angrier at the people they feel something about. My chest tightened.
He didn't mean love. He didn't even mean attraction. Just… something. Yet, it was still too much.
"Try to sleep," said Sebastian. "I'm here. Always."
He placed a gentle kiss upon my forehead. Warm. Comforting. Brotherly. And I quietly realized something:
Sebastian was fast becoming the first real friend I ever had. He was gentle, caring, humble and the first person who accepted me in this mansion without any question. I felt softened. I always crave for such affection and care. But still it felt incomplete as if I wanted it from someone else…. And I know from whom I want this…
(Stefano'S POV )
I walked by Sierra's door. Light peeked from under it. I hated that I cared. Hated that I stopped walking. Hated that I heard her soft sniffle. And for being the reason why she cried, I hated myself the most. I leaned against the wall.
Why did I go this far?
Why did she get me to lose control?
Why did I feel like something in me was unraveling every time she looked hurt?
Why did I get jealous when I saw her with James?
Why did I want to be the only one who can touch her?
Why did I want to be the one who can feel her?
Why??????????????
My every question left unanswered with why? Why Aveline's daughter is getting on my skin. I sighed, closing my eyes. This was going to get messier. For both of us…..
(Sierra's POV)
Sleep didn't come easy that night. I tossed and turned, haunted by a memory that I thought I had buried long ago. The house was silent, the shadows of my bedroom stretched long across the floor. But my mind. it was loud. Too loud. I was eight years old. Father had been there: loving, warm, protective. "Daddy…" I whispered in my dream, reaching for him. He smiled at me - the same soft, reassuring smile which made everything else seem less daunting. "You have to be strong, Bella," he said. "I'll always love you, but I can't stay."
"No! Don't leave me!" I screamed, tears blurring my vision. And then… he was gone.
The house felt empty. Cold. Wrong.
I awoke in a cold sweat, shivering. My heart was racing violently, as if trying to escape my chest. Why did he leave us?
He loved me. I loved him. I still do… more than anything. Ten times more. And yet… he disappeared. I curl up in my bed, clutching my knees, whispering to the empty room, "I still love you, Daddy. I still… love you." I don't understand it. I never will.
Why dad left us? Left me?
My morning had started with a heaviness that wouldn't leave me.
Stefano's words from last night replayed in my ears—sharp, dismissive, cruel in a way that felt… intentional. As if he wanted to break something inside me.
Sebastian and me was entering the college together then when we met James. He insist to walk with us.
As we crossed the courtyard, I could already feel the stares. Some subtle, some not. Some people weren't even subtle anymore—guys openly turned to look at me, whispering, nudging each other.
"She's new?"
"Dawg, she's insane-look at her eyes."
"Who is she?"
"I swear, she is hotter than half the influencers out here."
It should've felt flattering. Instead, I felt as if I were walking on glass. Because I knew whose eyes mattered, and those eyes barely looked at me without hatred.
(Stefano'S POV)
I saw her from across the lawn on campus. Walking with James. Smiling softly. Her hair shone in the sunlight, something from a dream I wished I wasn't having. And every guy within twenty feet was staring. Ethan whistled low. "Dude… does she glow or something?" Marko elbowed him. "Look at Stefano. He's pretending he's not seeing anything."
I wasn't play-acting. I was forcing myself.
Because the moment my eyes landed on her, something tightened in my chest so sharply I had to look away.
"She's my step-sister," I muttered. "The whole campus staring at her like that is annoying. That's all." Marko snorted. "Yeah, totally. Completely normal. You're annoyed because other guys think she's hot."
Ethan leaned on my shoulder. "Tell us again how you don't care." I didn't respond. Because at that exact moment, James walked toward her-smiling, confident, standing too damn close. I looked away sharply. I hated that it made my jaw clench. I hated that I cared. I hated not knowing why that was.
I cornered her at the middle of her class break. " Stefano, what're u doing?" she looked surprised. I wanted to tell her what's she's doing with me, with my heart, my body, my mind and most specially my heart. I wanted to pinned her that moment kissed her hard, wanted to see how she moans after my touch, wanted to know if she is wet for me.
"Stay away from James, It's for ur own good" I replied her with only this line. We are very close standing in a empty classroom. She frowned closed the distant and came near me
" And why should I listen to u? Why do u care? Why should I liten the person who always insults me." She said,
my breath hitched.
Holy Shit! I was already so hard for her, and there she was tempting me more. How I explain this girl all the thing why I feel?. " Cz u are staying at our house and I don't want any mess little trouble." That's that the only thing I could said.
"Really, Stefano! U didn't find any proper excuse to tell me."
I frowned and pull her near me grabbing her wrist, that's when I smell her, Christ the way she smels, her scent drives me crazy. My eyes fell to her lips that cherry lips, and then her neck smooth like butter , smells like a mixture of wild flower and strawberry. " Just do what I say."
"What if I didn't"
"You're not understanding."
"Then make me understand, explain me."
and our eyes locked, I lost my sense I stare into her lips, fuck with the fact that she is Aveline's daughter I want to kiss her right now! I went closser to her lips, only a few inches distant among us , our lips about to met … that's when a idiot knock the door and broke the moment.
Sierra hitched away, and run away from there. My body still heated from that moment.
( To be continued…..)