Chapter 1
My sister Sophia always loved getting into deep art talks with every boyfriend I've ever had.
She had this weird group chat called "Mousse and Puppies," and my new boyfriend was in the group too.
I'd argued with her about it more times than I could count.
Yet, every time I started dating someone new, she would stop at nothing to steal him away.
Just as my latest boyfriend was falling for her artistic charms, she batted her big, innocent eyes and feigned ignorance.
"I only ever wanted to discuss art with them. Why does everyone end up falling for me?"
After that, I started secretly dating Skylar, the aloof heir of the powerful Cooper family.
As expected, she set her sights on him, too.
But what she didn't realize was that this time, she was about to get herself into a mess she'd never escape from.
*****
"Chloe, you have to believe me. I really don't have any interest in them.
"I just wanted to talk about art with them. I never thought they'd end up falling for me..."
Her aggrieved voice echoed through the family party.
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, making her look heartbreakingly vulnerable.
I wasn't buying it. Coldly, I stared at the last text from my ex-boyfriend Morris.
[Chloe, let's break up.]
He was just another one Sophia had taken from me.
"If you weren't flaunting yourself, would they have fallen for you?"
I called her out without mercy.
Sophia froze for a second, her eyes immediately turning red as tears started streaming down.
"Chloe, I know you've always had good taste in men, but I was just trying to protect you from getting hurt.
"I don't know why this keeps happening! Every guy who discusses art with me just... can't help themselves..."
"Can't help themselves?" I grabbed that explicit art piece and threw it right at her. "Got any dignity left, Sophia?
"When you're being this obvious, what man could possibly resist?"
"Chloe, that's enough!"
My cousin stepped forward, pulling Sophia behind him in a protective gesture while looking at me like I was some dramatic stranger.
"If not for Sophia looking out for you, you would've been heartbroken by that jerk long ago."
I laughed in disbelief.
At the rate she's stealing my boyfriends, I'd be lucky to even get the chance to get my heart broken.
The rest of the family clearly thought I was overreacting too. Without even hearing my side, they immediately took her defense.
"Just stop caring about her! If she can't live without a man, then she deserves what's coming to her."
"Exactly! You treat her like family, but does she ever return the favor?"
Sophia's sobs grew louder at this, trembling like a fragile lily as she made her showy promise.
"Fine! Next time some guy breaks your heart, don't come crying to me!"
Before I could retort, my phone chimed with a new message.
At the same time, Sophia noticed my new lock screen.
The moment her eyes landed on that handsome, familiar face, her tearful performance vanished completely.
That familiar, predatory gleam returned to her eyes as she snatched my phone.
She quickly tapped on the voice message. A deep, charming male voice filled the room.
"Baby, I'll pick you up tonight."
"Chloe, who is this?" Sophia asked, still holding my phone hostage.
"None of your business," I shot back.
"But you just broke up with Morris. You're already seeing someone new? That's not fair to him, is it?"
I smirked coldly. "We were done the moment you set your sights on him. There's nothing 'unfair' about moving on."
I reached for my phone, but she swiftly pulled it out of my reach.