Craving my sister’s fiancé

Chapter 14

Stefan’s POV

The light music swirling through the hall did nothing to ease the knot tightening in my stomach. My father was about to introduce me to his "friends"—more accurately, his business partners—and my hands felt clammy. I reached for a glass of wine from the table, gripping the stem as I forced a faint, practiced smile. I watched my father approach, flanked by three men who moved with the confidence of people who owned the room.

“Oh yes, you remember Stefan,” my father said, his face beaming. I offered an awkward smile in return, my muscles feeling stiff.

“Oh yes, we do! He was just a boy the last time we saw him,” the man with thinning grey hair said. I gave him a soft nod. “Sorry we couldn’t make it to your engagement, but we’ll surely be there for the wedding,” he added. They all erupted into laughter while I stood there, shifting my weight, unsure if I should even open my mouth.

“Now that you’re fully grown, I expect you’ll be taking over the family business soon,” another man remarked. More laughter followed.

“He would have started a long time ago, but you know kids these days,” my father quipped, shooting me a look. “They can be lazy.” I kept the smile plastered on my face even as I scanned the room for an exit. I wanted to disappear, but my feet felt glued to the floor.

“Excuse me, everyone,” a familiar voice cut through the air. My eyes widened. Adrian. I had no idea he was on the guest list. “I’m going to steal my friend away so you old folks can have your fun,” he said, flashing a grin that made the group laugh out loud.

“The famous Adrian!” one of them chuckled. Adrian must have been more well-known than I thought for men of their age to recognize him. He took my hand, and after a brief, approving nod from my father, he led me away.

The moment we entered a quiet side room, the air felt lighter. I let out a long breath I didn't know I was holding and yanked at my necktie until it hung loose.

“Thanks, buddy,” I said, collapsing onto a leather couch.

He scoffed, leaning against the door. “I couldn’t just stand there and watch you die of boredom.”

“How are you even here?” I asked, my voice finally losing its tension.

“I’m a brand ambassador, so I had to make an appearance at this drag of a party,” he said, rolling his eyes. “I need a smoke.”

“Smoking is bad for you,” I countered.

“You think I don’t know that?” he replied with a playful smirk. He pulled out a pack and a lighter, offering a cigarette to me. I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the pack. Being sober wasn't going to get me through the rest of this night. I took it.

I inhaled, and the familiar burn hit my throat. It felt exactly like my university days—the only escape I had when the world around me felt like it was starting to choke me.

“Will you really marry Bella?” he asked.

“Of course. Why would you even ask that?” I answered, trying to keep my voice steady.

“I mean, you’re f*****g her sister, so...”

My eyes snapped wide and I choked, a violent cough racking my chest. My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped animal. “Here, take some water,” he said, extending a bottle. I snatched it from him, gulping the water down so fast it spilled down my chin.

“What did you say?” I managed to gasp out, praying I had misheard him.

“I know you’re f*****g Daphne,” he repeated, his tone flat and confident. “You don’t need to look at me like that. I’m not going to tell anyone. We might not be best friends, but I’m no snitch.”

A heavy, suffocating silence filled the room. I could feel the blood rushing to my face, the heat of the tension prickling under my skin.

“I….” I stuttered. The words died in my throat. I had no defense, no lie big enough to cover this.

“You don’t have to deny it. Daphne told me herself,” he said, a small, amused smirk tugging at his mouth. I didn't find it funny. “She was intoxicated, rambling about how much she wanted you. So, tell me—how exactly did you get yourself into this mess?”

I let out a long, shaky sigh and ran my hand through my hair, gripping the strands tight. Maybe if I just let the truth out, the weight on my chest would finally crack.

“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” I started, my voice barely a whisper. “I knew she’d had a thing for me for years, but I thought it was just a crush. You know, the kind of thing girls eventually grow out of. But after five years apart, I saw her again, and that light in her eyes... it hadn't changed. I guess I was just fascinated by how someone could hold onto a feeling for that long.”

I trailed off, realized I was rambling. I looked up to see him leaning in, his full attention locked on me.

“It was stupid. I shouldn’t have touched her. I shouldn’t have ever kissed her,” I said, the regret tasting like bile in my mouth.

“To be fair, she has very kissable lips. I can see why you were tempted,” he remarked.

“I shouldn't have slept with her,” I snapped, the guilt finally boiling over. “And the crazy part is, I did it again.” I pushed my hair back again, my scalp stinging from the pressure. “This is so f*****g messed up.”

“Okay, don’t lose it. Do you love your fiancée?” he asked, his voice dropping an octave.

“God, I f*****g love Bella,” I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “It kills me. I know she’ll never forgive me. If she finds out I slept with her sister... f**k!”

I paced the small space, my breath coming in short, jagged bursts. I was completely losing my mind.

“Okay, listen. Do you want the problem to go away?” he asked.

I stopped pacing and looked at him. “What do you mean?”

“You brought me here because you wanted me to distract Daphne, right?” he asked, and I gave a stiff nod. “So, that’s what we’re going to do. I’ll make her fall in love with me. That way, you don't have to lose your sanity over this anymore.”

He sounded so sure, so casual about it. But for some reason, the idea made my stomach churn even worse than before.

“Yes, that’s exactly why I brought you here,” I said, nodding slowly as the plan took shape in my mind.

“You’re in luck,” Adrian said, leaning back with a smug grin. “My movie has been delayed, so I’ll actually have some time on my hands to make her fall in love with me.”

“How?” I asked.

He scoffed, gesturing to his face and his expensive suit. “Look who you’re talking to. For starters, I’ve already invited her to a shoot I’m having. She’s grounded, and that’s the only way we can meet.”

My eyes widened. I felt a sharp prickle of heat in my chest before I forced myself to compose my expression. “I didn’t know she was grounded,” I said, my jaw tightening. “How did you know that and I didn't?” I couldn't keep the hint of annoyance out of my voice.

“What does it f*****g matter?” Adrian dismissed my question with a wave of his hand. His expression shifted, becoming intensely focused. “I’m interested in Daphne, and I will make sure she stops being a distraction for you—on one condition.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “What condition?”

“You have to make sure your dad agrees to let me become a shareholder,” he said. His voice was no longer playful; it was cold and serious.

“Are you out of your f*****g mind?” I snapped, the annoyance boiling over into anger. I stood up, pacing the small rug. “I can’t f*****g do that.”

Adrian just leaned further into the couch, watching me like a predator. “I know you can, and you will. In exchange, your secret stays buried with me, and I get rid of your Daphne problem for good.” A small, slow smile spread across his face. “Think about it, Stefan. You wouldn't have to be scared of anything anymore.”

I stared at him, my heart heavy. He was offering me a way out of the guilt, a way to save my relationship with Bella. But as I looked at the door, I felt a new kind of weight settling on my shoulders. How was I supposed to convince my father to hand over part of the company to an actor?