The Recall Trials Chapter 2: Why Is My Stepmom Dressed Like That Again?

Vincents’s POV

I stepped out of the giant tal gate, tugging my black hoodie over my head to block out the sun.

Still felt like knives stabbing into my skull from last night.

As I crossed the driveway,I looked up.

Lena.

She was leaning over the balcony railing, wearing the short silk dress and a robe that barely stayed tied, smiling at in that sa gross,kinda seductive way.

Eyes trailing down my body like I was so piece of at she couldn’t wait to eat.

I scoffed under my breath and looked away.

Pathetic.

I shoved my hands into my pockets and headed toward the street.

And that’s when I heard it.

"Oh my god, Vincent!"

I turned —

Cassie.

She sprinted toward in heels, her blonde hair whipping behind her.

"I’m freaking out! What the hell!" she gasped, stopping right in front of .

"I’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday morning! I sent like fifty ssages you basically ghosted !" she half-laughed, half-pouted, smacking my arm lightly.

I sighed.

"My phone got stolen," I said, shoving my hands deeper into my hoodie pockets.

"And my car too."

Her eyes widened like I’d just told her soone died.

"Oh shit, not your baby!" she gasped.

"Wait ...your Ferrari?! How?!"

"I was drunk. It’s gone. Whatever," I muttered.

"Are you okay?" she asked quickly, her hand flying up to touch my chest, then my arm, like checking I was still real.

I stepped back a little.

"Calm down, Cassie. You don’t have to panic."

She let out a big dramatic sigh.

"Still... losing your Ferrari? That’s, like, serious trauma."

"I’m getting a new one today," I said. "Not a big deal."

Cassie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled.

"Well... are you still coming to my party tonight? Please don’t bail on !"

She grabbed my hand for a second before letting go.

"Everyone’s coming and Ken’s worried too. No one could reach you all day."

I scratched the back of my neck.

"I don’t know. I’ve got a lot to do today. I’ll try."

Her face fell for a second then she forced a bright smile again.

"Okay! No pressure... but if you co, you’ll make my night," she said, squeezing my arm again.

I shifted awkwardly.

"Hey... could you give a ride?" I asked.

"Of course!" she smiled.

"Let’s go!"

She grabbed my hand again dragging toward her bright pink rcedes like she already owned .

We drove in silence for a while. The city stretched out around us ,glass towers, busy streets, flashing billboards.

All this noise. All this life.

But inside , it just felt... empty.

"Where are we heading first?" Cassie asked, glancing at like she was scared to interrupt my thoughts.

"Phone store. Then the dealership," I muttered, resting my head back against the seat. "I can’t live like a caveman without a phone and a car."

She laughed ..

"God forbid. Vincent Aston, walking on foot like a poor man? I’d pay to see that."

I smirked faintly.

"You couldn’t afford it," I said without thinking.

She burst out laughing. "Still an arrogant asshole, even when you’re phoneless and Ferrariless. Good to know."

I chuckled a little. Not because it was funny.

Just because it was easier than explaining how wrecked I actually felt.

We drove in silence after that.

I watched the buildings and people pass by.

Everything about this life was fake.

A prison made of gold.

After a few minutes, she asked, in a much softer voice,

"Are you... okay, though? Like, really?"

I turned my head to look at her.

Her blonde hair was tied ssily back, like she rushed to get ready just to see .

Her makeup was slightly smudged. Her hands gripped the steering wheel too tightly.

I sighed and forced a small smile.

"I’m fine, Cassie. Seriously," I said. "Just need to fix my shit today. Then everything goes back to normal."

Normal.

Whatever the hell that even ant anymore.

She didn’t believe . I could see it all over her face.

But she smiled anyway. Like she always did.

When we got to the phone store, she parked quickly and hopped out like we were on so date.

"I’ll co in with you," she said, way too eager.

I didn’t argue. I didn’t have the energy to fight her.

Inside, the place was cold, reeking of plastic and fake smiles.

Sleek phones lined the walls.

I just pointed at the first one that looked expensive and told the guy behind the counter to get it ready.

Money was never the issue. It never had been.

While we waited, Cassie kept talking about her stupid party. The food. The drinks. The people coming.

I wasn’t listening.

Not really.

Her voice just beca background noise while my head spun with other things.

Once I got the phone, we drove straight to the dealership.

I didn’t waste ti. I bought the shiniest, most expensive car they had, a 2014 Lamborghini Veneno Roadster, faster and aner looking than my last one.

When I tapped my card to pay, the machine blinked twice before going through.

I frowned.

My balance was low.

Really low.

I hid my shock, but deep down, sothing twisted in my gut.

My old man never let my cards expire, no matter how mad he was.

If he was cutting off now...

It ant sothing bigger was coming.

Sothing I wasn’t ready for.

"Vincent? Are you even listening?" cassie asked, almost laughing but also a little hurt.

I dragged my eyes back to hers and sighed.

"Cassie... I appreciate you, really. But I’m a bit off today," I said, running a hand through my hair. "There’s a lot going on and... I just want to be alone."

She blinked, trying to hide the hurt in her face.

The sun was already setting outside.

I shoved my hands into my pockets.

"I don’t think I’ll be able to make it to your party tonight," I said quietly. "I’m sorry."

She forced a smile.

"Aww. It’s alright," she said. "I just hope... whatever you’re going through, you know you can talk to , right? I’m always here."

She leaned forward and hugged tightly.

I froze for a second before lightly tapping her back.

"Tell Ken I said hi," I mumbled as I pulled away.

She nodded, still smiling.

I turned without looking back and got into my new car.

As I pulled onto the street, the sky was already dark.

The city looked beautiful.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling.

Sothing bad was coming.