Chapter 3 Chapter 0003

•AVELINE•

The drive home felt like forever. My hands shook on the steering wheel the whole way. Tears blurred the streetlights, but I refused to pull over.

If I stopped, everything would crash down harder. The music from the party still rang in my ears, mixed with his voice calling me Bambi.

I parked in the driveway and sat there for a long minute, breathing hard. The house lights were on. Dad’s car was there. Mom’s car was gone. Of course it was.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand and forced myself out. My legs felt weak, like they might give up any second.

Inside, the house smelled the same: coffee, Mom’s lavender candles, the faint wood polish Dad liked. But nothing felt the same.

I went straight to my room without turning on the lights. I dropped my bag, kicked off my shoes, and stood under the shower for what felt like hours.

Hot water stung my skin. I scrubbed hard, trying to wash him away, but it didn’t work.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his dark gaze, felt his hands, and heard my own moans. Shame twisted in my stomach.

By the time I got out, it was almost evening. I had to pack. The academy shuttle left at eight. I pulled out my suitcase and started throwing clothes in: jeans, hoodies, the new uniforms still in plastic bags.

My acceptance letter sat on the desk like a reminder that life was supposed to be good today, but everything shattered.

A soft knock came at the door.

“Ava?” Dad’s voice.

I froze with a sweater in my hands.

“Can I come in?”

I didn’t answer right away. Part of me wanted to scream at him to leave me alone. But another part wanted to hear him out before leaving.

“Yeah,” I said finally.

He stepped inside. His eyes were red, hair messy as if he’d run his hands through it too many times.

“I’m sorry,” he started. “I’m so sorry you had to hear it like that. In public, and on your birthday.”

I crossed my arms. “You should have told me sooner.”

“I know.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I thought… I thought we could fix things. Your mom and I tried. For years. But we were both unhappy, and then the truth came out anyway.”

I looked away. “She said I ruined her life. That I’m… not hers.”

He stepped closer. “I know, but you are the best thing that ever happened to us. To me.”

“But I’m not hers,” I whispered.

He sighed. “Your real mother passed away when you were born. I was young and stupid. I had an affair, and it was wrong. And I hurt Evelyn badly. But you—” His voice cracked. “Having you was never a mistake. Never. You are my daughter. My pride. Nothing changes that.”

Tears burned my eyes again. I hated crying in front of him. “I don’t know who I am anymore,” I answered.

“You’re Aveline. Smart, kind, and strong enough to get into Hargreaves Elite. And you’re still my girl.”

He reached out slowly, as if he were afraid I’d pull away. When I didn’t, he pulled me into a hug.

I let him. For a moment I was small again, safe in his arms. But the hurt didn’t disappear.

“I want to make this right,” he said against my hair. “Before you leave tonight, there’s someone I need you to meet.”

I pulled back. “Who?”

He gave a small, nervous smile. “Someone important to me now. Come downstairs when you’re ready. We’re having a quick lunch. Nothing fancy."

I stared at him. “You’re really doing this today?”

“I don’t want secrets anymore. Not from you.”

I didn’t know what to say. My chest felt tight. But I nodded once.

He left, and I finished packing the basics, changed into clean jeans and a soft sweater, and tied my hair back. My reflection looked pale, eyes puffy, but I didn’t care.

Downstairs, the dining table was already set. Dad sat at one end. Across from him was a woman I’d never seen before. She had short, curly hair and a gentle smile.

“Aveline, this is Felicia,” Dad introduced her.

Felicia smiled. “Hi, sweetheart. It’s so nice to meet you.” Her voice was soft.

“Hi.”

I sat down, and the silence felt heavy.

Dad cleared his throat. “Felicia and I have been together for a while. We’re engaged.”

The word hit like a slap. Engaged. My parents weren’t even officially divorced yet, and he was already engaged.

Felicia touched his arm gently. “We wanted to wait until you knew everything. But life doesn’t always wait.”

I stared at my plate. “Congratulations,” I forced out.

“Thank you,” she answered. “My son will be here soon. He’s excited to meet you too.”

I looked up. “Son?”

“Dominic. He’s 19, like you. He’ll be starting at Hargreaves Elite this year too.”

My stomach dropped. Same college. Great.

I picked at a sandwich, not really eating. Dad tried to talk about the academy, about how proud he was, but the words felt empty.

Headlights flashed through the window. A car door slammed.

“That’s him,” Felicia said, smiling.

Footsteps on the porch. The front door opened, and then he walked in.

Tall. Dark hair, still messy from earlier. Same sharp jaw. Same intense eyes that had looked right through me in that bathroom.

Dominic.

My heart stopped.

He froze when he saw me. For one long second, neither of us moved.

His gaze dropped to my lips, then back up. Recognition hit him the same time it hit me all over again.

The room felt too small. Too hot.

Dad stood. “Dominic, come meet Aveline. Ava, this is Dominic, Felicia’s son. Your stepbrother.”

Dominic’s mouth twitched. Not quite a smile. More like he couldn’t believe it, either.

He stepped forward slowly. “Hey,” he said. His voice was low. The same voice that had whispered Bambi against my skin.

I couldn’t speak. My throat closed up.

Felicia beamed, clueless. “Isn’t this nice? Both of you are going to the same school. You’ll have each other.”

Dad laughed awkwardly. “Yeah. Family sticking together.”

Dominic’s eyes never left mine. Something dark flickered there, surprise, maybe guilt, maybe something hotter.

I felt it too. The pull. The memory of his hands, his mouth, and his body against mine.

He was going to be my stepbrother. And I had just given him my virginity a few hours ago.

I stood up so fast my chair scraped the floor. “I… I need to finish packing,” I mumbled.

“Ava—” Dad started.

“I’m fine. I just… The shuttle leaves soon.”

I turned and almost ran upstairs.

My door slammed shut. I pressed my back against it, breathing hard.

Some mistakes didn’t stay buried. They walked right into your house and called you family.