Craving my sister’s fiancé

Chapter 10

Stefan’s POV

I scoffed, raking my fingers through my hair. “You want me to call off the wedding? You’re crazy if you think I’d do that.” I tried to sound firm, but my voice had a sharp, jagged edge to it.

She didn't look bothered. Instead, a slow smirk pulled at her lips. She stepped toward me, closing the gap. I retreated until the cold, hard surface of the wall pressed against my back. She tilted her head, studying me like a prize.

“You’ll have to, Stefan. I mean, you can’t constantly cheat on your fiancé and think—”

“This was a one-time thing!” I snapped, my chest heaving. “It’s never happening again.”

“We’ll see about that.” She leaned in, her breath warm against my skin. I stood like a statue, my feet glued to the floor, as she pressed her lips against mine. I didn't even try to pull away.

“Goodnight,” she whispered with a wink.

The door clicked shut behind her. I stayed frozen, staring at the empty space where she had been until the weight of it finally crashed down on me. I gripped my hair, pulling at the roots.

“I am totally f****d. Why? Why did I do this?” Each word was followed by a stinging slap to my own cheek. Snap out of it. Bella would never forgive me. I couldn't even look at my own reflection. I paced the floor, my heart drumming a frantic rhythm against my ribs.

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand, my thumbs trembling as I typed a message to Adrian. I needed him—now. I tossed the phone onto the mattress and collapsed beside it. The worst part wasn't the lie; it was the memory of how it felt to be with her. I buried my face in the pillow and let out a muffled scream. I had to fix this. I had to make Daphne disappear from my life for good.

The next morning, I dragged myself down to breakfast. My eyes scanned the room, and a small wave of relief hit me when I realized Daphne wasn't there.

“Why are you so late?” My father’s voice was low, his brow furrowed with concern.

“You know, I just—”

“Give him a break, Brad,” my mom interrupted, sliding a plate of toast and sausage toward me. “Yesterday was his engagement ceremony. You have to let him sleep in a little.”

I forced a weak smile her way.

“I’ll give you a minute to get to the office,” my dad said, standing up. He straightened his suit jacket, his expression hardening. “I’m leaving now.”

He didn't have to say it—I could feel the expectation radiating off him. He wanted perfection. As his only son, I was supposed to be the disciplined heir, the man who never tripped. That was why Bella was non-negotiable.

I had approached her because he asked me to. He had loved Bella’s father, and a deathbed promise had tied our families together. I was the bridge for that promise. The irony was that I actually did fall for her. I loved Bella. But now, with the taste of another woman still lingering in my mind, I had ruined everything.

“Are you okay?” My mom’s voice cut through the fog in my head. “You seem to have zoned out.”

“Yeah... of course. I’m good,” I stammered, forcing an awkward smile. I stabbed a piece of sausage with my fork. “Bianca didn’t make it to breakfast?”

“She left early with Daphne.” My mom leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “You should cover that up.”

I froze, my fork halfway to my mouth. “Cover what up?”

She reached out and tapped the side of her own neck. My heart plummeted. I dropped my hand to my throat, my fingers grazing a sensitive patch of skin. A hickey. I yanked my collar up, but the fabric wouldn't stay.

“I know you’re both excited,” she said with a playful, teasing smile, “but keep it lowkey until the wedding, okay?”

I managed a tight nod and a fake smile, though my stomach was churning. As soon as I cleared my plate, I bolted to my room. I scrubbed my skin in a steaming hot shower, trying to wash away the guilt, then threw on a high-collared shirt for work.

Sitting in my office was suffocating. I stared at the stacks of paper on my desk, but the words blurred together. My phone buzzed against the mahogany wood—a text message.I checked the screen: Adrian. He was already downstairs. A moment later, the office line chirped.

“Send him up,” I told my secretary, my voice coming out more jagged and tired than I intended.

A sharp, rhythmic knock followed. “Come in.”

The door swung open, and a figure stepped in that looked more like a heist suspect than a celebrity. Adrian was swallowed by an oversized hoodie, a black face mask, and dark shades that hid everything but his smug smirk. Being the country’s most wanted bachelor and actor meant he couldn't walk two feet without a disguise.

“Nice look,” I muttered, leaning back. “Very 'undercover criminal.'”

Adrian pulled down the mask, his signature lopsided grin appearing. “And yet, I still look better than you. You look like you haven't slept since the last century, Stef.” He dropped into the leather chair opposite me, crossing his dusty boots right on top of my mahogany desk. “So, what was so life-or-death that I had to dodge paparazzi at 9:00 AM?”

I leaned forward, my jaw tight enough to ache. “Why haven’t you done what I asked? You were supposed to—I don’t know—make Daphne yours. Date her. Keep her occupied.” My voice rose, the annoyance bleeding through.

Adrian let out a dry, melodic laugh. He leaned back, lacing his fingers behind his head. “Ah, the ice queen. Turns out, she’s a hard one to crack. Usually, everyone falls for the ‘charming actor’ routine. I gave her my best material, leaned in for a kiss, and—” he mimicked an explosion with his hands “—she clocked me. Punched me right in the jaw and walked away after you left the scene.”

A traitorous smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. I could almost see it—Daphne’s fiery eyes and Adrian’s stunned face. I quickly cleared my throat, smoothing my features back into a mask of cold professionalism.

“Focus, Adrian. I need her to like you. Not punch you.”

Adrian’s eyes narrowed behind his shades, his playful tone suddenly turning razor-sharp. “I’ll make her fall, don’t worry. But tell me something... why are we working so hard to make ‘us’ work? I mean, it’s not like we’ll date for long. Is the little sister making you feel a bit... confused?”

My heart skipped a beat, a dull thud against my ribs. I shifted in my chair, the leather creaking loudly in the quiet room. “Don’t be ridiculous. I just don’t want her to feel left out once Bella and I are married. It’s family business.”

Adrian didn’t move. He just stared at me, his expression unreadable, radiating a silence that felt like a lie detector test. He wasn't buying a single word I sold.

“Whatever you say, Romeo,” he finally said, his voice dripping with heavy sarcasm.

“f**k off, Adrian,” I snapped.

He just laughed, a low, mysterious sound that echoed off the walls. Before I could kick him out, my phone chimed. A text from Bella: 'I’m outside your office! Lunch?'

A genuine smile finally broke through my tension. Bella was the anchor I needed to stay grounded. “She’s here,” I told Adrian, waving him toward the door. “Do your job and get out. I have a date.”

A light, hesitant knock followed. “Come in, Bella!” I called out, standing up to greet her, my chest feeling lighter.

The door pushed open. My smile was wide and ready—until the air left my lungs. Bella stepped in, but my heart stopped when I saw Daphne standing right beside her and my smile dropped.