Craving my sister’s fiancé

Chapter 20

Daphne’s POV

My heart hammered against my ribs. Of all the people in the world, Bianca was the last person I wanted catching Stefan and me together.

“It isn't what it looks like,” Stefan blurted out. His voice jumped an octave, and he stepped back quickly. Bianca stared at him, her brow furrowed, before her eyes snapped to mine. Suddenly, she doubled over, a loud laugh echoing through the hall.

“Duh! Why do you guys look like you’ve seen a ghost?” she asked, wiping a tear from her eye. “I’m just messing with you. I mean, as if you two would ever actually kiss.” She giggled again, and Stefan forced a dry, hollow laugh. “Daphne is basically your sister. That would just be gross.”

“I... I should get going,” Stefan mumbled. He didn't look back as he hurried away.

Bianca’s laughter died instantly. She stepped into my personal space, her face turning pale.

“I have something to tell you, Daphne, and it’s serious. Like, life-ruining serious,” she whispered. My stomach dropped. She grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward her room, slamming the door and clicking the lock. She started pacing, her fingernails digging into her palms.

“Are you going to say something, or am I just supposed to watch you wear a hole in the carpet?” I asked, my hands trembling slightly.

She stopped mid-stride. “I messed up. My period is late... I think I’m pregnant.”

The air left my lungs. “What?” I choked out. “How did this even happen?”

“I don’t know! We used a condom—mostly,” she cried, her voice shaking as she gripped her hair.

“Take a breath,” I said, reaching out to steady her. “Just tell me who it was. We’ll figure out what to do.”

She looked at the floor, chewing her lip. “You remember David?”

“What David?”

“David from psychology class.”

My jaw dropped. “You got knocked up by Frat Boy David?” I let out a sharp breath, the disappointment stinging. She nodded miserably. “How? You’ve never even spoken to him. How am I just finding out you two were even together?”

“It was months ago,” she said, her words coming out in a rush. “I sneaked out one night. I just wanted to party, and I ended up at one of his frat houses. He gave me some pills and... I don’t know. We ended up in a bedroom. No protection.” She pushed her hair back, her forehead beaded with sweat. “I can’t keep it, Daphne. I just can’t.”

“Obviously you can’t,” I agreed, my mind racing. “We’ll find a way to take care of it.”

“My mom can never find out,” she groaned, pulling at her hair again as if she wanted to rip it out. “She’ll actually kill me. I’m dead if she sees a test.”

“Alright, this is what we’re going to do,” I said, keeping my voice level to anchor her. “We go back to dinner so the parents don't get suspicious. Tomorrow, we go to the clinic.” I stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. She was as stiff as a board, her muscles tight with tension. “We’ll get through this, okay?”

Dinner was a blur of forced smiles and clinking silverware. Every time I looked up, I felt Stefan’s eyes boring into me. The heat from our near-kiss still lingered on my skin, making my collar feel too tight. As soon as Mom drove us home—the driver having the night off—I bolted for my room.

I scrubbed myself clean in a hot shower and collapsed onto my bed. My thumbs hovered over the search bar: Pregnancy termination procedures. The articles said it wasn't supposed to be that painful. I held onto that hope until a notification lit up my screen.

Adrian: Quick one—what hairstyle should I get?

I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt.

Daphne: I don’t care what you do with your hair.

Adrian: You’re my girlfriend. You’re supposed to care.

Daphne: Fake girlfriend.

Adrian: Same thing.

He was practically begging me to snap.

Daphne: Shave it all off, then.

I tossed the phone face down. Staring at the ceiling, I tried to focus on Bianca, but my mind kept drifting back to Stefan. He had been so desperate to know why I was ignoring him. The memory sent a flutter through my stomach that I couldn't suppress. I bit my lip, realizing I was grinning like a lunatic at the shadows on the ceiling. Finally, the exhaustion dragged me under.

The next day, the clinic smelled of antiseptic and old magazines. Bianca gripped my hand so hard her knuckles turned white. When we got into the office, the doctor moved the cold transducer over her stomach. On the grainy gray screen, I saw a tiny, flickering shape move. My breath hitched.

The doctor didn't waste time. He told us the procedure needed to happen immediately. Since we didn't want to involve a legal guardian, he tacked on a "discretion fee"—a bribe, basically. We emptied our accounts to pay it.

Hours later, I helped a pale, trembling Bianca to the car.

“How do you feel?” I asked, keeping my voice soft.

“Like a monster,” she whispered, her eyes red-rimmed. “Disgusting. Everything hurts. But... it would hurt worse to keep it. I’m never making this mistake again.” She leaned her head against the window. “Please, just take me home.”

Luckily, the house was empty; her mom was away on a business trip. I spent the day tucked at her bedside, making sure she ate and stayed warm.

***

Five days passed. The secret felt like a heavy stone we both carried, but we’d sworn to keep it buried forever. Bianca was finally regaining her color, which was a relief because I had to get back to reality. Chloe had officially moved on, leaving me to step up as the lead assistant.

“Off to your glamorous part-time gig?” Bella asked, leaning against the doorframe with a knowing smirk.

“Yes, I am,” I replied, tugging my blazer straight.

She gave me a sheepish, playful grin that made my blood boil slightly. “I know exactly why you’re smiling like that, Bella,” I snapped, my tone sharp with annoyance.

“Why? I mean, you get to spend all day being your boyfriend’s personal assistant,” Bella squealed, her voice hitting a pitch that made my ears ring. I bit my tongue, immediately regretting that I’d ever let her in on the secret.

“I hope you haven’t opened your mouth to anyone else about this,” I said, narrowing my eyes at her.

“No! Oh—well, except Stefan,” she chirped. My heart did a sudden, violent somersault against my ribs, but I forced my face to stay blank.

“You told him?” I asked, my voice tight. “What did he... how did he look when you told him?”

“He seemed really happy for you! Honestly, he looked just as excited as I am,” she said. A sharp, cold sting pricked at my chest. Happy? He shouldn't be happy. He should be jealous.

“Right. I have to go,” I blurted out, turning on my heel before she could notice the shift in my expression.

The drive to the studio felt longer than usual. A heavy cloud settled over me. I knew this fake dating charade was a mistake. If Stefan was "happy" for me to be with Adrian, then he definitely didn't see me the way I saw him. My stomach twisted at the thought; the plan was backfiring.

“You’re late.”

Adrian’s sharp voice snapped me out of my head. I looked up, ready to give him an excuse, but the words died in my throat. My jaw dropped as I took him in.

“You... you actually shaved your hair!”