Chapter 2

"Say hi to Estrella before you go," Christian said.

I turned at the sound of his voice, and my eyes landed on the person following behind him.

Estrella wore a gentle smile. "Finley, it's been a while."

I forced a stiff smile. "Estrella."

Christian gave me a casual glance.

"She will be Mrs. Foster, " he said.

Estrella's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

I opened my mouth, feeling like sand was scraping my throat.

Estrella walked up to me and hooked her arm through mine, her voice soft as she started telling me about everything she'd been through these years.

But after every story, she'd add, "Not a moment went by that I didn't miss Christian."

I forced a smile and nodded along.

Estrella edged closer, her tone playful. "So, Finley, has your brother dated anyone else all these years?"

Her voice was teasing, and her gaze zeroed in on my neck.

I instinctively covered the not-quite-gone hickey.

Estrella raised an eyebrow, hinting slyly. "I can't say about your brother, but it sure seems like you've got yourself a boyfriend, Finley?"

Christian sat down next to Estrella, chuckling softly. "Finley's already got a fiancé.

"Of course, we'll be there at her wedding," he added with a grin.

They were completely wrapped up in each other, like the rest of us didn't even exist.

I couldn't take it anymore. I stood up abruptly, flustered. "Christian, I'm heading home."

Estrella locked eyes with me, then immediately stood up. "Looks like your bag's pretty heavy. I'll help you out."

Before I could protest, Estrella quickly grabbed my suitcase.

Smiling warmly, she took my hand and led me out the door.

The whole way out, Estrella kept sharing all sorts of cute stories about her and Christian back when they were dating.

She finally came to a stop when we reached the dumpster.

"Christian might seem cold, but deep down, he's actually really warm and gentle.

"But he's so gentle, he couldn't even turn down his adopted sister when she tried to seduce him," Estrella said.

She pointed at the photo in the dumpster, her smile twisting into a sneer.

"Finley, if you had any shame, you wouldn't be trying to hook up with your own brother, right?" she scoffed.

My blood ran cold, panic flooding through me.

But Estrella just chuckled lightly.

The next second, she raised her hand and gave herself a hard slap.

I stared at her in shock, completely at a loss for what to do.

She covered her face, tears streaming down. "Finley. Even if you don't like me, you can't just hit me like that."

Before I could even process what was happening, a sharp slap landed right next to my ear, and a stinging pain flared up instantly.

I stared at Christian in disbelief.

He looked at his own hand, stunned. "Finley, I—"

Before he could finish, Estrella's tears burst forth.

"Christian, maybe I shouldn't have come back. It's all because of me. If Finley doesn't want me around, maybe I should just go," she sobbed.

The moment those words left her mouth, she pushed Christian away, making a show of leaving.

Christian quickly pulled Estrella into his arms, his voice low and soothing. "Estrella, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you two alone."

His voice trembled, thick with lingering fear.

My cheek was still burning, and that's when it finally hit me.

"Christian, I swear, I didn't hit her," I blurted out.

I just wanted to tell him what really happened.

But Christian just looked at me, disappointment written all over his face.

"What, are you saying Estrella hit herself now?

"Say sorry to Estrella.

"As long as you apologize to Estrella, this will always be your home," he said.

I was completely numb, clamped my mouth shut, stubborn as ever. No way I was going to apologize.

Christian locked eyes with me, his stare cold as ice, daring me to defy him.

I stared at the face that used to make my heart race, and now, all I felt was exhaustion.

That dream of staying by his side forever had vanished.

Right now, I just wanted to leave this place.

I looked at Estrella.

"Estrella, I'm sorry," I said quietly.

Christian looked at me, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

Never in my life had I ever swallowed my pride for anyone. This was a first.

Estrella sniffled, clinging to Christian's arm, her voice small and pitiful. "Christian, I really don't want to see her anymore. Can we just go home?"

Christian came back to his senses, grabbed Estrella's hand in a hurry, and turned to leave with her.

I stood there, watching as they returned to the home that used to be mine.

Christian leaned in and kissed Estrella softly.

Estrella wrapped her arms around his waist, her fingers quickly working the buttons of his shirt.

The chemistry between them was off the charts.

Everything they'd been holding back just burst out in that instant.

Then, with a loud bang, the door slammed shut behind them.

I knew all too well what they were up to behind that door.

I'd been in that exact situation with him more times than I could count.

I gripped my suitcase tightly, turned on my heel, and strode away.