Claimed By The Hockey & Bad Boy Twins

~NEW JOURNEY~

I jumped in excitement the moment the email loaded completely on my screen.

‘CONGRATULATIONS, AMAYA GILBERT.’

I had gotten into King’s College on scholarship.

For a second, I just stared at the words, making sure my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me. My chest tightened as excitement rushed through me so fast that I almost screamed. I covered my mouth with both hands, laughing shakily before jumping off my bed.

I did it. I actually did it.

Mother had made it clear months ago that they could only afford one daughter’s tuition in such a prestigious university, and of course that daughter was Maddie, their real child. I was only the adopted girl they brought home from an orphanage fourteen years ago. Everything I owned in this house had always been something I earned myself.

Mother had said if I failed to get a scholarship, then I should forget college entirely. Out of excitement, I rushed out of my room to share the good news, but my steps slowed the moment I heard voices from the living room. I stopped just before the hallway opened fully.

“You must end up with one of the twins,” Mother said firmly. “They’re from a powerful family and heirs to MK Group. When you marry one of them, your father’s company will be connected to theirs, and you’ll become the future heiress of MK.”

“Mom, I have always wanted Alec,” Maddie whined excitedly. “He’s the older twin, and a hockey star. I followed him on Instagram, but he never replies to my messages.”

Her mother laughed softly. “Well, now you’ll be attending the same school as him. That makes things easier. Your father and I will make sure you get married to Alec, and your father is already working toward making them our in-laws.”

I was about to walk in when Maddie suddenly mentioned my name.

“What about Amaya? She applied for a scholarship. What if she gets in?”

Mother scoffed loudly.

“King’s College only accepts three scholarship students every year. You think Amaya stands a chance?” she mocked. “I made sure your father didn’t pay for her enrollment and tuition. You have nothing to worry about. And even if she gets lucky, families like MK would never want an adopted daughter.”

My smile slowly faded.

The words hit harder than they should have, and I felt my chest tighten painfully because deep down, I already knew the truth. It was never about money. They simply could never stand seeing me have anything close to what Maddie had.

Maddie giggled.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat before finally stepping into the living room. The second they saw me, both their expressions changed immediately. Their excitement disappeared, replaced with irritation.

At that moment, Father walked down the stairs.

“Are you here to tell us you didn’t get in?” Mother asked coldly.

“Let the girl speak first,” Father interrupted calmly.

I looked at him briefly before facing them again.

“Father… Mother…” I started quietly.

Mother rolled her eyes impatiently.

“I got the scholarship.”

The words came out louder this time, filled with pride and excitement despite everything.

But instead of happiness, Maddie’s face darkened instantly while Mother looked furious.

“You did?” Father smiled widely. “That’s my smart girl.”

A small smile appeared on my lips.

Father had always been the only person in this house who showed me even the smallest amount of kindness. Unfortunately, he was barely around because of work trips, leaving Mother with endless opportunities to remind me that I didn’t belong here.

“Thank you, Father,” I said softly.

I glanced at Mother, hoping for at least a single word of acknowledgment, but she simply stood up and walked upstairs without another glance. Maddie stopped briefly in front of me, her eyes burning with annoyance before she stormed off after her.

“Ignore them,” Father said gently. “You did well.”

I nodded quietly before returning to my room downstairs. I had never owned a room upstairs before, and honestly, I stopped caring years ago. Staying downstairs at least kept me away from Mother’s constant criticism for a few extra hours.

The moment I stepped into my room, the silence hit differently. I look around slowly. Same faded walls. Same tiny bed. Same old wooden cabinet with chipped edges. Nothing has changed since the day I arrive here from the orphanage at five years old.

Nineteen years old now, and the room still looked like a temporary space someone forgot to renovate. Like a storage room they allowed me to borrow.

Meanwhile, when Maddie got accepted into college months ago, the entire house celebrated. Mother took her shopping for clothes, shoes, jewelry, even for ice cream.

I slowly sat on my bed as tears burned my eyes.

The excitement I felt earlier was already fading into something heavier. Still, I wiped my face quickly and pulled my laptop closer.

If nobody else would celebrate this moment with me, then I would do it myself. I opened videos about King’s College and smiled faintly as the beautiful campus appeared on my screen.

A FEW WEEKS LATER

It was finally my first day as a student of King’s College. I stood in front of the small mirror in my room, adjusting my uniform for what felt like the tenth time. The navy blue blazer fit perfectly over my white shirt, and the gold school badge stitched on the chest made my stomach flutter with excitement.

Around my neck hung my ID card.

‘AMAYA GILBERT’

‘PHILOSOPHY FRESHMAN – KG’

I smiled instantly at the sight of it.

For some reason, the uniform made college feel strangely similar to high school, but I honestly didn’t mind. If anything, it made everything feel more real.

I grabbed my notebook, phone, charger, and a few essentials before stuffing them into my shoulder bag. “Go, girl,” I whispered to myself dramatically. “You got this.”

I laughed softly before leaving my room.

Mother was already seated in the living room with a cup of coffee in her hand. Even this early in the morning, she somehow looked perfectly polished.

I glanced around.

“Where’s Maddie? Aren’t we going together?”

Mother slowly looked up from her phone.

“Maddie already left.”

My brows furrowed slightly. “Oh…”

Then she added coldly, “Wait. Did you actually think I would let you ride with her?”