Forbidden Sins: One Night With My Stepbrother

Chapter 3

Behind The Mask

Nadia

I was sitting at my vanity mirror, desperately pressing a cold damp cloth against my eyes, when the door opened.

Caden walked in, already wearing a tuxedo, his jacket unbuttoned. He stopped when he saw me, his hazel eyes taking me in with a smile.

“Wow, Nadia. You look beautiful.”

My cheeks warmed. “Thanks.”

His smile faded when he got a closer look at me. “Nadia,” he said, stepping closer. His brow furrowed as he tilted his chin up. “Your eyes are completely bloodshot. What happened?”

“Nothing,” I lied smoothly, pulling away to apply a thick layer of concealer. “Just an allergic reaction to a new makeup primer. I’m fine.”

Caden didn’t look convinced, but before he could press further, Arthur’s voice boomed from the hallway, calling for him.

Caden threw a frustrated glance toward the door, then looked back at me. “We’re leaving in five minutes. Don’t look so sad. It’s supposed to be a party.”

If only he knew.

***

The venue was beautiful, with tall columns wrapped and soft lights shining across the entrance. A large sign announced that it was a masquerade ball, and staff stood nearby, handing out trays of glittering masks to the guests.

I picked a simple black lace mask that covered the upper half of my face. When I turned around, Caden was already wearing a heavy silver mask that somehow made him look even more attractive.

“Dance with me,” he murmured, holding out his hand.

I didn’t think. I just placed my hand in his.

As we moved to the slow rhythm of the music, the closeness between us made it difficult to think straight. I could feel the warmth of his body through our clothes. The way his hand rested on my waist and the way he kept me so close didn’t feel like the way a stepbrother should. It felt different, and that difference made my heart race.

For a few minutes, surrounded by strangers in masks, I allowed myself to pretend there was nothing strange about the way being this close to Caden made me feel.

I looked up at him, and my breath caught when our eyes met through our masks.

Suddenly, the moment was cut short.

“There you are, Caden.” Arianna’s sharp voice pierced through the music. She walked over wearing an elaborate gold mask that covered most of her face. If it wasn’t for her voice, I probably wouldn’t have recognized her.

She didn’t even look at me as she slipped her arm around Caden’s and pulled him toward a group of their friends.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and quietly walked over to the edge of the ballroom, slipping into a quiet corner near the VIP lounge just to get away from the crowd.

Nearly an hour passed before I noticed someone approach. My breath hitched when I looked up and saw it was Caden.

He looked completely different from when we arrived. His tie was gone, his shirt was fully unbuttoned, and his skin was covered in sweat. He was swaying slightly, his pupils unusually wide as he blinked like he was struggling to focus.

“Nadia…” he choked out, gripping the back of my chair for support. “I need to get out of here. Everything is spinning.”

“Caden?” Panic rose in my chest. He looked completely disoriented, like he was suddenly very sick. “Come on. Let’s get you upstairs.”

I wrapped his arm around my shoulders and helped him support himself as we made our way through the quieter back corridors until we reached a private room upstairs.

I pushed the door open to the private room and helped him inside. He stumbled to the bed and collapsed onto the edge of the mattress, groaning as he buried his face in his hands.

“Just lie down,” I said, my heart pounding as I reached for the door handle. “I’m going to go find Arianna. She should be here with you.”

Before I could step away, his hand caught my wrist.

“Don’t go,” Caden rasped, his breathing uneven as he looked at me. “Please… help me.”

My breath caught. The vulnerable look in his eyes made my stomach twist. For a brief moment, I thought he wanted me.

Then his lips parted.

“Arianna… ” he said slowly, his voice low and slurred. “I feel bad… stay with me, Arianna.”

The name hurt more than I expected.

Even now, completely out of it and desperate, he was calling for her. Not me.

His face was flushed, and sitting still seemed difficult for him. I knew he had been drinking, but something about his condition unsettled me. I had never seen him like this before, and he seemed much worse than an ordinary drunk person.

“Fine,” I muttered, pulling my wrist from his grip. “I’ll go get her.”

I walked out of the room and closed the door behind me.

I made my way downstairs, scanning the crowded bar and dance floor, but Arianna was nowhere to be found.

As I passed a secluded booth near the VIP entrance, something caught my eye.

A gold mask was resting on the cushion.

Arianna’s mask.

I stopped and stared at it. I remembered how it had covered most of Arianna’s face earlier. If I put it on, no one would be able to tell it was me.

My heart started beating faster as a twisted thought crossed my mind.

Why couldn’t it be me?

I looked around. Nobody was watching.

With trembling fingers, I picked up the mask.

I pulled my hair back into a tight, low twist and carried the mask with me as I made my way back upstairs.

When I reached the door of Caden's room, I took off my black lace mask and slipped the gold one over my face. It covered almost everything, leaving only my eyes visible.

“Arianna…” Caden murmured from the bed when he heard me approach.

I didn’t say a word.

I reached behind me and switched off the light.

The room went completely dark. I slowly made my way toward the bed, my heart pounding as I reached out and wrapped my arms around his broad shoulder.