–Livana–
"Alyssa? I bet she’s beautiful—with that jet-black hair and that imperious expression she always wore. I’ve forgotten the details of her face, but I still rember the attitude. Typical Blackwell girl—spoiled. Then again, I heard she’s been bullied and can’t even bring herself to tell her parents. She’s still just a teenager."
"So, I was in school, minding my own business," Alyssa began, her voice light, "and I overheard soone say that Tyrona’s costic brand is almost bankrupt."
"What’s the na of the brand?" I asked.
"Cosmic Skin," she replied. "But honestly, it doesn’t matter. Everything started going downhill when you and Damon announced your marriage. She’s been trolling you non-stop online."
"Well," I said dryly, "good thing I’m blind—and couldn’t give less of a damn."
Alyssa burst into a loud, unladylike laugh.
"I love you!" she giggled. "Her cousin still tries to promote it at school. She even comnts about my brother as a cheater—but now they’re trolling her when your marriage with Damon ca out."
I tilted my head. "Why were you bullied?"
She fell silent.
"I was bullied, too," I said, not unkindly. "Tyrona and her friends didn’t like . I fought back, for a while. But I stopped... because your brother didn’t like seeing get hurt. He’d rather handle it himself. He liked it when he is the only one that pisses off. He’d provoke now and then—I’d hit back—but eventually I stopped. He seed to... enjoy it too much."
"Oh," she said, voice small, probably gaping. "My brother teases you? That’s his version of bullying?"
"I still think of it as such."
"He’s... touchy with you?"
"Yes."
"Ew," Alyssa cringed. "That’s why he’s so obsessed with you."
I sighed softly. "What I’m saying is—you’re a Blackwell. Who would dare bully you?"
She hesitated. "Don’t tell Mom or Dad... or anyone," she mumbled.
"I won’t," I said gently.
"But... How did you fight your bully?"
"I know self-defense. Tyrona got shoved more than once. But there’s one thing she did that crossed the line." I paused. "She pushed into the deep end of the pool—a twelve-foot drop. She used a pool skimr to poke off balance... and I had a dumbbell chained to my ankle."
"What?" Alyssa gasped. "How did they even—how did they get the chain on you?"
"They caught off guard. I didn’t see it coming. Obviously," I added with a grim smile. "They wrapped the chain quickly. Then they tossed in."
Silence.
"That’s not bullying," she said at last. "That’s attempted murder."
"You’re right. But Tyrona got away with it. Still, I’ve made sure her life is hell—just like the lives of her little friends."
Alyssa’s voice lowered. "That’s why Damon ca ho soaking wet and ready to kill. Tyrona was at the family dinner, and he nearly went for her if our parents hadn’t intervened."
"I wish I’d seen that part," I murmured. "But I was probably still in the hospital."
A mont passed.
"So... why didn’t you like my brother? He protects you."
"It’s not that I don’t like him," I replied coolly, arms folded. "I despise him."
She gawked. "But—he’s crazy about you!"
"That’s precisely why I let him stay. He’s easy to control when he’s like that. He gets what he wants. I get what I want."
"Oh," she said, slowly. "So..."
"It’s no secret between us," I said. "Listen to , Alyssa. You need to find a man who would do everything for you—even when you’re wrong. Soone who would burn the world for you, not play hero in it."
She went quiet.
"That’s... heavy. How would I even find soone like that?"
"Like your brother?"
"Ugh! Like my brother?" she asked, horrified.
I smirked. "He’s your brother, yes—but is he really as self-centered as you say? Ever ask him for help when you were bullied? Ask him to pick you up from school?"
"I never did," she admitted. "He was always busy. Mom and Dad focused on him and Tyrona... The girls in this family don’t get attention."
"That’s awful," I said, reaching out. "But that’s why you need to stand for yourself. Be a rebel. Because in the end, the only person you can count on is you."
I felt her fingers wrap around mine, soft and trembling.
"Will you co to school with tomorrow?" she asked quietly.
"Of course," I smiled. "Wake early so I can prepare."
"Livy," ca a knock at the door—my annoying husband’s voice right behind it. "Are you done talking?"
I sighed.
"I’ll give you sothing to carry tomorrow," I whispered to Alyssa. "But right now, I have to deal with your brother."
"Oh—okay." She helped to the door. I heard it creak open, and then Damon’s presence enveloped —his familiar scent, his warmth, the possessive tug on my waist.
"Ugh, gross! That’s disgusting, brother!" Alyssa groaned.
Damon just laughed as I smacked his chest lightly.
"She’s mine," he said as he lifted effortlessly. I felt the bounce of the bed under us, and heard his breath close to mine.
"I’ve had all your lingerie washed," he murmured. "They’ll be here soon."
"Perfect," I said, reaching out. He caught my hand, pressing it to his cheek.
"It must be exhausting for you," I whispered. "Being my husband."
He chuckled. "You’ve been helping each night, rember?"
I did. My hands had offered comfort, release. But for him, it was never the sa as truly making love.
"What did you and Alyssa talk about?" he asked.
"Just girl things."
I pulled him toward and kissed him. He moaned, bracing himself above . I wrapped my legs around his waist. I could feel it—his hunger, his ache for more.
We made love quickly, fervently.
But I wasn’t finished.
And neither was he.
Still... There was a family dinner tonight. I had to look stunning. Damon had already chosen a peach-colored dress—he said it complinted my skin perfectly. He even helped with my hair, gently fixing the jeweled hairpin he’d set aside just for .
"You’re breathtaking, my love," he said, brushing a kiss to my cheek. "Brandon and Damien are here. I’m sure they’ll look at you like predators. Maybe I should gouge out their eyes. What do you think?"
I laughed and took his hand from my waist.
"Maybe not at dinner?" I teased. "Let’s not start a war... just yet."
"Alright," he murmured, pressing his lips to my cheek again.
–Laura–
I ca to dinner almost late—thanks to work, as usual. But hey, I brought all my work with , including the reason why I was running late in the first place: my man.
Not that he wanted to be involved. His torntors were here, after all.
As soon as I stepped in, I spotted Alyssa, practically glued to my sister, chatting away like they were besties. I felt a little pang of jealousy, but I didn’t really mind. What I did mind, though, was Damien’s half-brother gawking at across the room—like I was so rare insect.
Probably thinking I’m pathetic for falling for a "bastard." But honestly, those so-called legitimate sons? More bastardly than the actual one.
"Damien!" Alyssa squealed. "You’re here!"
"Hello, Princess!" Damien greeted her with a warm hug.
"So... did you buy sothing for from Korea?"
"I sure did!" He held out the shopping bag. She squird with excitent, and I had to admit—it must be nice to have a little sister like her.
"Thank you!"
"I guess he can afford that now that he’s got a sugar mommy," Ion Blackwell blurted out with a smug laugh. Second son of Yohan Blackwell. Half-brother. Full jackass.
"Why?" I said in a flat, unimpressed tone, eyeing him like a BUG. "Can’t you afford sothing for your cousin without grinding your hips on older won?"
Ion glared at , which only made it more satisfying.
"That’s actually from Damon’s credit card," Damien added, cool and casual. "And for the record, I don’t have a sugar mommy."
"Isn’t Laura your sugar mommy?" Jardin, the firstborn, piped up.
Cue the bastard chorus of laughter.
Before I could even roll my eyes, Livana stepped in—calm, clear, and lethal.
"What’s wrong with Laura being Damien’s sugar mommy?" she said evenly. "At least she’s not old. She’s intelligent, stunning, and lovable."
I glanced at Alyssa. The way her expression shifted into a knowing smirk, aid squarely at her cousins, made want to high-five her right then and there.
"Is she saying sothing?" Ion chuckled, still pretending not to understand Livana’s quiet power.
"I think your sons need to go back to elentary school, Yohan," Livana said, voice sharp as glass. "They haven’t learned a damn thing. No brains in their heads—but it looks like sothing’s definitely growing below the belt."
Damon snorted. Then burst out laughing. However, Uncle Yohan, Damien’s father only shrugged nonchalantly.
"Livana," Aliee chided gently.
"I’m so sorry, Mom. And Dad," Livana said, hands raised in mock guilt. "My mouth just slips when I hear soone getting bullied."
"That’s understandable," Uncle Hardin said firmly, stepping in. "Let’s stop the insults, boys. You need to learn how to respect your elders."
The room fell into an awkward silence.
I, of course, smirked.
"By the way," I said smoothly, changing the topic. "I brought cheesecakes. All different flavors."
Right on cue, Jane and Kai ca in carrying the boxes.
"Kai!" Alyssa squealed again, practically launching herself at him. "You’re here!"
What a cheerful little thing.
I walked over to my sister and set the Hermès bag down beside her.
"Here’s the bag you asked for."
"Thank you."
Now I was curious. Why was she even bringing that bag out tonight?
"I rember Ines used to have a whole collection of those," I remarked.
"We divided her collection," I continued as I took the seat beside my sister. "It’s still being cared for—safe, pristine. We didn’t give everything away. Most of it still reminds us of her. And in her will, she said those were ant for Livana and anyway. So were never even used."
Aliee pressed her lips together with that bittersweet smile. She must have been really close to Mom.
"Alyssa, I have sothing for you," Livana said, voice calm and certain.
I blinked and stared. Alyssa walked toward us eagerly.
Was Livana serious?
Was she about to give a million-peso bag to Alyssa?
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