EVERY KISS IS A SIN: Dangerously Yours

Chapter 1

Clarissa.

“Congratulations. You have been accepted into the Elites Institution of Atlanta.”

I blinked at the message again on my phone screen, barely breathing. I always told myself I’d rewrite my own story someday by working hard and not by having my test scores stolen and resold like cheap candy.

My heart flickered in disbelief as the words glowed back at me like a second chance I didn’t think I deserved. Yes, I didn’t! Hard work paid off.

I've read it a third time ever since it was sent.

After all the rejections, the false hopes, the weeks of praying and scraping by, I’d finally been accepted. I had fought tooth and nail to get into a university in this city, one that was built for the children of senators, CEOs, and oil magnates. It was very difficult and an unexpected grace for me.

It wasn’t made for girls like me, low-class, ambitious, and barely recognized. My results had been “lost” twice, tampered with, and sold off to some rich politician’s daughter before I even got a fair shot. I knew how things worked around here. But what could I do?

But not this time.

This email was real. It had my name, my admission number, and everything I had dreamed about. And the best part?

I was going to attend it with the love of my life—Clinton.

Clinton and I had been betrothed to each other since childhood. Our parents were best friends and business partners. They always said we were meant for each other. I used to roll my eyes when we were younger, but somehow, we grew into it. It just worked. We shared secrets, dreams, and a future. Everything, I could vividly recall the day he asked me to be his girlfriend.

Today is our one-year anniversary. Our first anniversary as an official couple. I had gone to the mall after getting the admission email to buy him a gift, something small but thoughtful, and I knew he would love it.

I picked out a silver wristwatch with a little engraving at the back: “To forever, C & C.” I also got him flowers, even though I knew he’d laugh and say that was his job and flowers are for girls. I wanted to surprise him.

I held the watch box in one hand and the flowers in the other, smiling as I stepped into a taxi. We had an apartment together, one we managed to rent for school. I was so proud of that place. We cleaned it together, picking out every curtain, every mug, and every frame on the wall. I couldn’t wait to see his face when I surprised him.

But when I got to the building, something felt… wrong. I don’t know what it was, but I felt so odd.

The door was open.

Clinton never left the door open; it was unlike him. He was always paranoid about safety. Always locking everything and often nagging me if I forgot to bolt it behind me. Why will he leave it open? Is he not at home?

I stepped inside cautiously. The sitting room was quiet, and the silence was eerie.

“Clinton?” I called out, but I got no response.

I climbed the stairs slowly. The closer I got to our apartment, the louder the noise became. It was a voice, a woman’s voice, and I could hear loud moaning and screaming coming from our bedroom.

My gut twisted. No. No, no. Don’t think like that.

I gripped the gift bag tighter, my heart racing as I pushed the bedroom door open. “Surprise!”

But it was me who stood frozen and got the worst surprise of my life instead.

There they were. My boyfriend. My Clinton. Lying on our bed with a girl I had never seen before. A total stranger.

Her legs draped over him like they belonged there. His shirt was off. They were kissing passionately with the bedsheets tangled halfway beneath them.

The bag dropped from my hand. The flowers scattered. The wristwatch box hit the ground with a soft thud. Hot tears rolled down my cheeks.

Clinton sat up like he’d just remembered I existed. The girl beside him didn’t even flinch, she just turned her head away with a bored expression.

“Clinton… What the hell is going on?” I choked out, covering my mouth with my trembling fingers.

He sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Clarissa, what do you think is going on? I’ve been meaning to tell you. I don’t want this anymore. I want to break up.”

I stared at him, blinking away tears that stung the back of my eyes. “W-What? Break up? Clinton… It’s our anniversary. I was thinking that the reason why you didn’t talk or wish me about it is because you have a surprise too, but….”

His eyes didn’t soften. Not even a flicker. “Yeah. About that… I didn’t say it because I have her. And I can’t keep pretending with you. I’ve moved on.”

I couldn’t believe that the man I loved for so many years betrayed me; my heart was heavy, and I couldn’t force back tears.

The girl finally turned to look at me, smirking. “You bought him a gift?” she asked, nodding to the broken bag on the floor. “How sweet. Poor thing, it’s a shame; he’s mine now.”

My lips parted, but no sound came. My brain couldn’t catch up with my body. “Who are you?” I asked hoarsely.

She laughed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Gladys. The campus superstar, I guess. Maybe that’s why he chose me. You seem… bland.”

Her words sliced through me. I turned back to Clinton, trying to make him see me. “You can’t just do this. We’ve been through everything together. Our parents…”

“I know,” he snapped. “But I don’t care anymore. I want something else. Someone else.”

Then, as if to make it worse, he bent down and picked up the gift box.

“Thanks for the flowers and the watch, though,” he said with a fake smile. “Really thoughtful. But you’re not needed anymore, Clarissa. I only used your intelligence to get into this school. I’ve been seeing Gladys for months. Get out.”

I stood there, shaking. My chest burning in rage “I should have known you used me and after everything….left me for her! This is our apartment. How can you say that I should leave?”

He laughed coldly. “No, darling, you missed your words. It’s my apartment, remove the “our.” I paid for everything. You’re just a guest who overstayed her welcome.”

That was the final blow.

I lunged forward, snatched the gift box from his hand, and hurled it at the floor. The wristwatch shattered. Then I grabbed the flowers and crushed them under my heel.

“If I’m going out, then I’m taking back everything I brought in,” I hissed. “Go to hell, Clinton! I promise you’re going to regret this decision.”

I turned and walked out before he could even talk, head high, heart in pieces. The moment I stepped outside, I broke into the tears I was holding.

I collapsed under a tree beside the building, hugging my knees to my chest, sobbing so hard I couldn’t breathe. Clinton might have destroyed my heart, but I wouldn’t let him ruin my life.

I didn’t know where to go. I had no friends here. I was completely, painfully alone.

Then I remembered Alicia. My sister. She’s been living here for two months now, but I don’t know exactly where.

I fumbled for my phone with shaking fingers and called her.

“Hello?” she answered, her voice faint with static.

“Alicia…” I broke down. “Clinton… he cheated. He threw me out.”

“Oh my God. Clarissa.” Her voice softened. “I told you about him. His social media posts? Always flirting, always shady. You wouldn’t listen.”

“I didn’t have anyone else,” I whispered. “Please… can I come stay with you?”

“Oh no! I’m not in town. I traveled for work. But you can stay at my place. I’ll send you the address.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

Before I could hear what else she was saying, the line cut off. The network was gone.

But I didn’t care. I had a place to go.

I grabbed my bag, the only thing I managed to leave with, and followed her location pin. This is for the best, I told myself.

When I got there, the door was unlocked.

Weird. She said she was out of town. But maybe she forgot to lock it?

I stepped in, too exhausted to care. The apartment smelled like fresh wood and mint… and something else. A cologne. It wasn’t floral or feminine. It was strong. Spicy.

Definitely a man’s scent.

I didn’t question it. I just needed to clean up.

I stripped out of my sweat-soaked clothes and saw a shirt folded neatly on the couch. I sniffed it, and it smelled like the cologne. Without thinking, I slipped it over my head. It hung loosely, brushing my thighs.

I turned toward the stairs, only to crash into someone.

Strong. Shirtless, and his body was warm.

I gasped.

My hands landed on his bare chest, steadying myself.

And then I looked up.

God.

He is tall, muscular, and has a cross tattoo on his chest. Smoldering blue eyes that locked straight into mine as the sunrays flashed on his eyes. Damn cute.

I froze. My breath hitched when I realized who it was.

Damien.

My step-cousin. My childhood crush. The one who left for the States years ago and never came back. Until now.

Did he see me half naked? What is he doing here?

His lips twitched into a half-smile as his eyes raked over me slowly.

“Hello, Clarissa,” he said, his voice low and deep. “Nice to see you again. Why are you wearing my shirt… and smelling like my cologne?”

His tone was calm. Almost possessive.

I swallowed hard.

Fuck! I’m cooked.