Craving my sister’s fiancé

Chapter 18

Daphne’s POV

“Daphne, you’re back!” Bella’s face lit up the moment she saw me. She scrambled to her feet and rushed over, but I could only manage a weak, flickering smile. My skin felt like it was crawling; I needed to get out of there.

“Thank you for looking after my sister,” Bella said, turning her warmth toward Adrian. My eyes didn't follow hers. Instead, I stayed locked on Stefan. He shifted on his feet, his gaze dropping to the floor. He knew.

“Daphne, I—”

I didn’t let her finish. I spun around and bolted for my room, the sound of my own pulse thumping in my ears. Once inside, I slammed the door and bit my lip so hard I tasted copper, desperate to keep the sob trapped in my throat. Why am I even crying? He’s my sister’s fiancé. To him, I’m just a secret.

My hands trembled as I pushed my hair back, but the tears spilled over anyway, hot and steady. My chest felt like it was being crushed in a vice. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw them—the way they kissed. The image burned. I can't keep living in the shadows while she plans a wedding. I have to tell her. I have to tell her that her fiancé and I are...

A sharp knock at the door made me jump. I wiped my cheeks raw and smoothed my hair, trying to look human again. I pulled the door open, expecting Bella’s smile, but found my mother’s steady gaze instead.

“Can I come in?” she asked, her voice unusually soft.

“Yes,” I swallowed hard, forcing a polite mask onto my face. I stepped back as she entered, already bracing myself for the lecture. “Mom, before you start, I didn't ignore you. I got a job and—”

“I know. Bella told me,” she interrupted. There was no edge to her tone. “I’m glad you found work. I don't want it interfering with your studies, but I did say a part-time job was the only way to end your grounding.”

I blinked. She sounded... nice. It felt wrong.

“Daphne, listen,” she stepped closer. “I know things haven't been easy between us. I haven't been the perfect mother, but everything I do is for your own good. I know I’ve been harsh.”

“A lot harsh,” I blurted out.

A small, surprised laugh escaped her lips—a half-smile that actually reached her eyes.

“I promise I’ll try harder,” Mom said, her voice cracking. “I hate that we’ve become like this. Your father would have hated it, too.”

A sob broke through her words. “I’m so sorry, my baby.” She stepped forward and pulled me into her arms. Her tears felt hot against my shoulder, soaking into my shirt. “I’m sorry if I ever made you feel neglected. I never meant to.”

The pain in her voice broke my heart. I found myself clinging to her, my own tears blurring my vision. She eventually pulled back, gently wiping my cheeks with her thumbs.

“From now on, I won’t force you into anything. No more pressure about marriage. Just... please don’t hate me,” she whispered. I had never seen her eyes so red and swollen.

“I won’t, Mom. I’ll stop being such a brat,” I said, which earned a small, wet laugh from her.

“I made breakfast. Come and eat,” she said, dabbing at her eyes.

“I’d love to, but I’m already late. I need to show them I’m responsible,” I replied. She nodded understandingly and slipped out of the room. I stood there for a second, a small smile tugging at my lips. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed her hugs.

I fixed my makeup and walked out. Stefan was still lingering in the hall, but I kept my chin up and walked right past him, acting like he was invisible.

“We should go,” I told Adrian. He gave me a quick smile, but I could feel Stefan’s eyes burning into my back as we walked out the door.

When we got to the studio, the atmosphere was tense. The crew was furious about us being late. Adrian, of course, flashed a grin and put all the blame on me. It was technically true, so I didn't fight him on it. Once the shoot finished, I went out to grab him Breakfast —just some sandwiches and coffee.

As I approached his dressing room door, a strange, muffled noise stopped me in my tracks. I leaned closer, pressing my ear to the wood. My blood ran cold at the sound of heavy moaning. Are you kidding me? I threw the door open. My stomach dropped. Adrian was slumped back in a chair while his photographer was on his knees. The photographer’s eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw me. He scrambled to his feet while Adrian calmly zipped up his pants.

“What the hell, Daphne? Why didn't you knock?” Adrian snapped, his voice sharp with annoyance. The photographer didn't say a word; he just ducked his head and bolted out of the room.

“Are you crazy? Do you want to throw your career away?” I hissed, slamming the door shut behind me. “This is a dressing room! You’re getting your d**k sucked in a public building. What if someone else had walked in?”

“I wasn’t thinking, okay? I was horny and needed to get it over with,” Adrian said. He snatched the food from my hands without a hint of shame.

I rolled my eyes. “Is this what your assistants always go through? Walking in on you getting laid?” I asked, though I already dreaded the answer.

“Actually, yes. All the time,” he said, a smirk playing on his lips.

“You’re so unprofessional. Next time, take it somewhere else,” I snapped.

He paused, turning to face me fully. “You seem to care a lot about what I do.”

“I care about my eyes not burning out! This is the second time I’ve walked in on you doing... you know what? Forget it. The hair and makeup team will be here soon.” I walked over to a chair in the corner and sank into it. I pulled out my phone, my thumb hovering over Stefan’s name. I wanted to text him so badly it hurt, but I forced myself to lock the screen.

“You were angry, weren’t you?” Adrian’s voice broke the silence.

I looked up, startled. “Huh?”

“Your sister and Stefan. You saw them kissing, and it ate you up,” he said, his tone full of dark amusement.

“I don’t care,” I said, my voice rising with annoyance.

“I think you do.”

“Mind your own business, Adrian.”

“How long are you going to keep pining after your sister's fiancé?” He leaned forward, his eyes dancing with excitement.

“You’re enjoying this way too much,” I muttered.

“I am,” he admitted instantly. “I remember asking if you thought Stefan felt the same way about you. You didn’t answer then. But what if there was a way to find out for sure?”

I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Get into a relationship with me,” he said.

I couldn't help it; a dry laugh escaped me. “You’re joking, right?”

“I’m not. Think about it. If he gets jealous seeing us together, you have your answer.”

I stayed quiet for a moment. It sounded reckless—maybe even stupid—but the thought of Stefan finally breaking his silence made my heart race. I looked at Adrian’s confident grin and took a deep breath.

“Fine. I’ll be your pretend girlfriend.”