Chapter 1

Throughout Edrela, Caroline Sawyer was renowned for her exceptional beauty. She was elegant, poised, and utterly immune to every man's attempts to win her over.

However, unbeknownst to everyone, beneath that cool and aloof exterior, she had spent the last four years being secretly in love with Bradley Miller, her stepbrother.

In the public eye, they appear to be the model of a refined sibling relationship.

Yet, in private, their nights were marked by quiet kisses and forbidden entanglements.

That night, as always, someone slipped quietly into her bed.

A moment later, a heated chest pressed against Caroline's back.

The faint scent of tobacco, softened by youthful warmth, lingered in the air and wrapped around her senses. Caroline's body tensed instantly. Before she could turn around, a pair of soft lips captured hers.

Bradley's kiss was light and careful at first, yet his tongue brushed teasingly against the corner of her lips.

"Have you lost your mind, Bradley?" Caroline whispered as she pushed a hand against his chest. "We're at the Sawyer residence. Dad and Chloe are upstairs. Go back to your room!"

He just laughed softly, his breath hot against her ear. "But I missed you. What should I do? Didn't you say earlier I was your good boy? Shouldn't I get a reward then?"

Gone was his usual obedient demeanor. His eyes burned with desire and dominance. He said, "Carol, come on. It's been so long. Won't you take care of me tonight?"

Under his gaze, heat crept up the back of Caroline's neck. His voice wrapped around her like a spell, and whatever refusal Caroline had meant to voice dissolved on her lips.

The usually obedient man was unusually demanding that night.

After what felt like endless entanglement, Bradley finally left the bed, satisfied, and disappeared into the bathroom.

Half-asleep, Caroline was startled awake by the vibration of a phone.

Reaching for it, she saw the message on the screen.

"Damn, Brad. Carol's moans were unreal. She had all of us weak in the knees!"

"You're the man, Brad. You said you would share some fun, and you actually streamed the audio live. Next time, do a video! We want to see what that ice queen's like in bed."

The words hit Caroline like a blow. A chill ran through her entire body.

"A live stream? What live stream?" she thought.

Before she could make sense of it, the phone started buzzing again.

She glanced at the caller ID, hesitated for two seconds, then answered—only to be met with the sound of muffled sobs on the other end.

"Brad, I did what you told me. I got rid of the baby. Can we go back to how we were? Please don't ignore me…"

That familiar voice jolted Caroline fully awake.

She sat up and coldly asked, "Bianca, is the baby you aborted Bradley's?"

The crying abruptly stopped. "Carol? Why are you answering? Why do you have Bradley's phone?"

"Answer me. Was Bradley the bastard who got you pregnant and made you abort the baby?"

Before she could finish her questioning, the line went dead.

Caroline's fingers trembled. As she was about to call back, a new message notification popped up on the screen.

"Brad, your little girlfriend's losing it. She's talking about ending her life if you don't show up. Come get her before she makes a scene."

The sound of running water stopped. Caroline's heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned the phone face down and shut her eyes.

Moments later, Bradley emerged.

He glanced at her sleeping form, careful not to wake her. He picked up the phone, scrolled through his notifications briefly, then tossed it aside and began to get dressed.

When the door closed behind him, Caroline opened her eyes.

She called a cab and followed him to a bar downtown.

From the moment he stepped inside the private room, a woman in a white dress rushed into his arms.

"Brad, you finally came to see me…" Bianca Sawyer whispered, wrapping her arms tightly around Bradley's waist as she sobbed softly.

He didn't hug her back. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he coldly questioned, "Who told you to skip class and come back to Edrela?"

"I called and texted, but you never answered. I missed you so much. It was my fault before. I got rid of the baby. Please don't ignore me anymore."

"Bianca, I've told you before that it's over." His voice was cold, edged with impatience.

"But why? We were fine before. What changed?" she cried, refusing to let go.

He gave a short, mocking laugh. Then, he tilted her chin up between his fingers and forced her to look at him. "I'm your stepbrother. Do you really think you can marry family?"

"But we're not blood-related! I'll talk to Dad—"

Bradley clicked his tongue, cutting off her panicked explanation. "Do you really want me to spell it out for you? I'm tired of you. Is that reason enough? Stop clinging to me. It's pathetic."

His tone was flippant and cold, nothing like the gentle, obedient man Caroline once knew.

She stared at his face, dazed, as if she were waking from a dream. She couldn't tell which version of him was real anymore.

It wasn't until the sharp crack of a slap broke through the noise that Caroline snapped back to reality, just in time to see Bianca run out in tears.

She instinctively took a step to follow, but froze when laughter erupted behind her.

"Brad really is something. He managed to get both his stepsisters in bed. Bianca is losing her mind over him. So, which one's better? Caroline or Bianca?"

"Definitely Caroline. Didn't you hear that voice message in the group chat? That moaning nearly killed me. Brad, when you're done, pass her to me. I wouldn't mind a turn."

"You? Give me a break. You wouldn't even get a chance to pick up the scraps! Look at Caroline's figure; half the guys in our group are jealous, and she blows everyone off. Only Brad could snag a goddess like her.

"They've been at this for years. His phone must be full of videos by now. Brad, when are you going to post them so the rest of us can gawk? Don't tell me you're being sentimental."

As their voices echoed across the room, Caroline felt her entire body go rigid as if the blood in her veins had turned to ice.

"Sentimental? Don't make me laugh. He pursued both sisters solely to get back at his stepfather. You think he would go through all that trouble for love? He's not that stupid."

"Get back? Our entire relationship was about revenge?" Caroline thought.

Her mind went blank. She looked closer and recognized several faces in the room—some of them were the same thugs who had dragged her into that alley years ago.

In her freshman year, she had been attacked by a group of drunk men. Bradley had appeared out of nowhere and took a knife for her.

If the knife had gone just an inch further, it would have taken his life.

She had stayed by his bedside for over a month after that. Her feelings, which started as guilt and gratitude, slowly changed. Even while enduring pain, Bradley stubbornly tried to make her laugh. At times, when he gazed at her in silence, his clear eyes would carry a deep, tender affection.

Later, they naturally ended up together.

During that time, Caroline never doubted the "coincidence" of that night in the alley, nor did she ever see through the calculation hidden behind those clear eyes.

A year later, Bradley moved into the Sawyer residence with his mom, Chloe Russell.

He wore a clean white T-shirt. With his head lowered, he looked unusually obedient.

But all Caroline wanted to do was run.

She began avoiding him. She was too afraid to go home or to be anywhere he might show up.

One day, he cornered her in a dark storage room at school.

He pinned her tightly against the door, and through the thin fabric of his shirt, she could feel the scar on his waist. It was the one she had traced countless times.

"Don't run," he murmured, his breath brushing against her neck. "Before I met you, I didn't know you were Edmund's daughter. But even if you are, I don't care. I just want you, Carol. Please, don't push me away."

Warm tears had fallen against her neck as he kissed her carefully. The taste of salt and desperation lingered between them, and her heart had softened completely.

After that day, they got back together.

During the four years they were supposedly in love, she turned down an arranged marriage for him, and he promised her a future.

Now she realized that their meeting, his affection, and every word he had said had been built on deceit. It was a carefully planned revenge against Edmund Sawyer for taking his father's place.

The thought almost made Caroline laugh. But as soon as she tried, a tear slid down her cheek.

"Brad, why are you so quiet? Don't tell me that you're going soft," one of the men teased.

"Soft?" Bradley lit a cigarette, took a drag, and exhaled slowly. "I'm just thinking about how I can make that old bastard suffer more. Maybe I'll release the videos at his and my mom's anniversary dinner."

"Damn! Both of his precious daughters turned into your playthings. That's wild. I can't wait to see that big shot Edmund get humiliated in front of everyone."

Everyone in the room burst into laughter again.

But Caroline couldn't hear any of it anymore. Her body trembled uncontrollably, and her chest ached so badly that it felt like her heart was breaking apart. Tears streamed down her face faster than she could wipe them away.

She stumbled out of the bar and into the pouring rain.

By the time she made it back to the Sawyer residence, she was drenched from head to toe. The cold cut through her, clearing her head a little.

As she crept upstairs, she saw light spilling from Edmund's study. The door was ajar, and she caught sight of his hunched figure bent over his desk.

Caroline knew that the Sawyer family's business had been struggling for years, but seeing him weary and carrying it all alone hit her in a different way.

A year ago, the Hutchinson family had offered an engagement proposal to help rebuild their fortunes. Edmund had agreed, hoping to stabilize the company.

Back then, she had refused the engagement to keep her promise to Bradley, and Edmund had never forced her to reconsider.

Now that she knew Bradley had approached her with nothing but deceit, their promise no longer meant anything.

Since that was the case, she would delete those videos, end things with Bradley cleanly, and from that day forward, they would have nothing to do with each other.

"Dad," she said softly.

Edmund looked up.

Caroline continued, "Let me marry into the Hutchinson family."

Chapter 2

Edmund froze, then his eyes lit up with surprise and delight. "Didn't you say you already liked someone and would never agree to an arranged marriage?"

Caroline forced a faint smile. "I don't like him anymore."

He slowly got up from his seat, circled the desk, and stopped in front of her. When he touched her rain-soaked clothes, his expression darkened. "Did that brat hurt you?"

A sharp ache stirred in Caroline's chest again when she recalled those filthy conversations, but she couldn't let Edmund worry anymore. She would handle her own mess.

"No. This is my decision. I'm willing to marry David."

After all, it was something she had once dreamed about when she was younger, though that dream had long since expired.

Edmund studied her, his eyes filled with heavy sadness. "Alright. Go take a hot shower and get some rest. We'll talk tomorrow."

Caroline nodded and returned to her room.

As she passed the other bedroom, she heard the faint sound of someone crying. She knocked on the door softly and pushed it open.

"Carol, do you think it's pathetic to fall in love with your stepbrother?" Bianca looked at Caroline through tear-filled eyes. "But I've liked him for a long time. He was the man I loved throughout my entire youth. How did he end up becoming my stepbrother?

"Later, he found my diary and accepted me. I thought my dream had finally come true. But after one mistake, he just threw me away. Carol, please… help me get him back, will you?"

Looking at Bianca's tear-streaked face, Caroline felt a pang of pity. "Bianca, maybe you're not the problem. Maybe he never truly cared for you."

Bianca's voice rose, sharp and trembling. "He never truly cared? What do you know about that? Do you think being calm and perfect all the time means you truly understand love? You don't even know him!"

Caroline smiled bitterly. She did know. After all, she had once made the same reckless, painful mistake.

But Bianca was still in college and had a future ahead of her. She didn't need to be tainted by this filth yet.

"Go back to Breycia and finish your studies. When everything settles, I'll tell you the truth. If you still like him, I won't stop you."

"Really? You'll let me be with Bradley and even help convince Dad?"

Caroline nodded. "As long as you promise to focus on school and not contact him until then."

Bianca's face brightened through her tears. "Okay, Carol. I'll listen to you. I'll fly back tomorrow."

Caroline stayed with Bianca until the latter fell asleep, then returned to her own room to shower.

But the rain and exhaustion caught up to her. By nightfall, she was burning up with fever.

Her whole body burned with heat, and in her hazy state, she could vaguely feel someone gently wiping her forehead with a towel.

When she forced her eyes open, she saw Bradley's face hovering close to hers.

She tried to turn away, but he pulled her into his arms. "Be good. Take your medicine."

He held her steady and pressed the cup and pills to her lips. Warm water slid down her throat. Her voice was hoarse as she said, "I took it. I'll be fine after a good night's sleep. You should go—"

"Hush." He cut her off, wiping the moisture from her lips with his thumb. "You've said that same line for four years. Did I ever once listen?"

He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers. "Sleep. I'm right here."

The fever left her weak. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted into sleep.

The next thing Caroline heard was the door slamming open. Bianca said, "Carol! I've been waiting all morning. Why are you still in bed? I'm about to leave—"

Chapter 3

Bianca froze mid-sentence. The room went dead silent.

Caroline's eyes flew open, and she saw Bianca standing at the door.

"You two…" Bianca's voice trembled as the suitcase in her hand hit the floor with a thud.

She stared at how Bradley was holding Caroline in his arms. Her expression was filled with disbelief.

"Bianca, it's not what you think…" Caroline tried to pull away, but Bradley tightened his grip.

"It's exactly what you think," he said calmly but firmly while pulling Caroline into an embrace. "I'm taking care of my girlfriend. What's wrong with—"

"Bradley, shut up!" Caroline snapped.

Bianca took one shaky step after another, tears spilling down her cheeks. "So that's why you were so desperate to send me overseas, isn't it? You told me that Bradley wasn't right for me, said he was manipulative and that I should focus on school… but it was all for yourself!"

"Bianca, listen to me. It's not that simple…" Caroline tried to get up, but the room spun, and she nearly fell to the ground.

Bianca laughed bitterly. "Not that simple? Yeah, I bet it's so complicated that you had to sleep with your sister's boyfriend!"

Bradley finally spoke, his voice sharp. "Bianca! Watch your mouth."

His defense only pushed Bianca further over the edge. "So that's why you broke up with me, right? Because you fell for Carol?"

He didn't answer. His silence cut through the air like a blade, shattering the last trace of hope in Bianca's eyes.

Caroline shoved him away. "Bianca, please, believe me…"

"You're not my sister! You're a selfish, two-faced bitch! You knew how much I loved him, but you still went after him! When I begged you to help me win him back, were you secretly laughing at me? Does it feel good, sleeping with your younger sister's boyfriend?"

Before Caroline could react, Bianca hurled the suitcase at her.

Caroline didn't dodge in time. The sharp corner of the suitcase struck her forehead, splitting the skin open in an instant.

Blood trickled down her face, staining the pale pink bedsheet.

A cry of pain escaped her lips before she could stop it. The fever and the blow hit her all at once, and her body went limp as her consciousness slipped away.

Bradley's face hardened at the sight of the blood. "Enough, Bianca! You've crossed the line!"

Then, he scooped Caroline into his arms and stormed out.

"Brad! Why are you protecting her like that? What am I to you?" Bianca screamed, blocking his way. "What was our year together even worth?"

"I never said we were officially together," he said coldly.

Bianca's eyes widened, her voice breaking. "Why did you agree to be with me then?"

"Carol asked me to be cruel and make you give up completely. Otherwise, I never would have looked at you twice. Although to be fair, after spending time with you, I did feel something…"

The hatred and despair in her eyes wavered, giving way to a faint, desperate glimmer of hope.

But Bradley's next words crushed it completely. "Still, between you and Carol, I prefer her. If I ever get married, I'd rather choose someone like her."

Bianca trembled all over. "So it was Carol who seduced you, wasn't it? Did she make you treat me like this?"

"And what if she did? Now move."

He brushed past Bianca as he carried Caroline, whose forehead was covered in blood, to the hospital.

When Caroline woke up, she found her head bandaged. She instinctively looked around the hospital room, but it was empty.

The only sound was a phone vibrating on the nightstand.

She picked it up and realized that it was Bradley's.

Remembering the video everyone had mentioned, she attempted to unlock it several times, but her efforts were unsuccessful each time.

Then, a few new messages popped up on the screen.

"Caroline got sent to the hospital after Bianca hit her? Which hospital? I need to see this! Two sisters fighting over a guy? This is gold."

"Brad, you really played this game like a pro."

The chat was buzzing with gossip, but Caroline only felt cold all over.

Caroline and Bianca's mother, Olivia Hudson, had died young, and Edmund was always away working. Caroline had practically raised Bianca herself.

They had always been close. And now, for a man who had manipulated them both, Bianca had actually raised a hand against her.

Bradley knew exactly how to destroy people without lifting a finger.

Still, if this could make Bianca give up, it might have all been worth it.

Once she deleted that video, she would explain everything to Bianca.

Caroline's hands trembled as she put the phone back.

"You're still shivering. Hasn't your fever gone down yet?"

Bradley set the medicine on the bedside table and reached out to check her forehead.

Caroline turned her head away. His hand froze midair, and his eyes darkened.

"Don't you have anything to explain?" Her tone was cold.

He smirked. "Why? Are you jealous because of Bianca?"

Chapter 4

Bradley added lightly, "I did date her. But it was the only way to make her give up.

"I turned her down plenty of times, but she wouldn't stop. Sometimes the only way to kill someone's fantasy is to let them see the truth for themselves. Once that illusion shatters, it's far more effective than a simple rejection, don't you think?"

He leaned closer until his eyes met Caroline's. "But don't worry. I never touched her. My heart is yours, and yours alone."

Caroline froze for a second. She was impressed by how convincing he could sound.

It seemed that he was so sure that Bianca wouldn't dare tell anyone about the abortion, and that was the only reason he could lie so easily.

She studied him quietly, as if she were seeing a stranger for the first time.

However, Bradley had misread her silence. His gaze dropped to her lips, and he leaned in to kiss her.

Caroline turned her head sharply. "You kept something this big from me. I haven't forgiven you."

He chuckled under his breath, brushing his face against her neck. "How do I earn your forgiveness, Carol?"

She lowered her eyes. "Does that mean you'll do anything I ask?"

"Anything," he said without hesitation.

She paused for a moment before she said, "I want your phone's passcode then."

Bradley blinked in surprise, then smiled. "You want to check my phone? Go ahead. I've got nothing to hide."

Then, he recited a string of numbers.

She couldn't help asking, "What do those numbers mean?"

He smiled faintly. "It's my father's death anniversary."

Caroline's heart gave a sudden jolt. "I'm sorry."

He replied casually, "It's fine. I just didn't want to forget. But your birthday is written right here."

He tapped a finger to his chest.

Caroline couldn't even smile. He wasn't keeping that date out of sentiment but as a reminder. She couldn't believe that he had gone to such lengths for revenge against the Sawyer family… Could it be that his father's death wasn't an accident?

A chill crept up her spine.

Caroline pretended to be tired and closed her eyes. When Bradley stepped out to take a call, she immediately grabbed her phone and texted her best friend.

"Help me find a private investigator. I need to know how Bradley's father really died."

The reply came quickly. "Your stepbrother? You sure care about him. Alright. I'll ask around and update you."

The smell of disinfectant made her head spin. She slipped her phone away and stepped into the hallway for some air.

When she turned back, she froze. At the end of the corridor, Bradley was holding a slim young woman in his arms, gently comforting her.

The woman's face was streaked with tears, and he gently wiped them away with his thumb.

Caroline had seen the obedient act he put on for her, and the cold, sharp edge he showed the world. But she had never seen him look at anyone with such gentleness and quiet indulgence.

She realized that this was what he looked like when the mask came off.

She swallowed the sting rising in her chest and quietly returned to her ward.

The moment she lay down, her phone rang.

It was Edmund. His voice was warm with excitement as he said, "Carol, I've finalized the engagement with the Hutchinson family. We'll announce it next week during my and Chloe's wedding anniversary dinner. There'll be two celebrations in one night! If you have any requests, tell me."

"I don't have any," Caroline said softly as she lowered her gaze. "My only request is to keep it private, at least until the announcement is made."

Before she could say more, the door swung open.

Caroline quickly hung up and looked up to see Bradley standing there.

"Keep it private? What are you keeping private?"

He stepped forward, his presence overwhelming. Caroline instinctively leaned back, but he caught her and pulled her into his arms.

"So, you're keeping secrets from me now?"

Chapter 5

Caroline studied Bradley and suddenly realized that no matter how much he pretended, that raw, predatory edge was a part of him. It was etched into his bones.

She lowered her gaze and fumbled for an excuse. "Isn't your birthday coming up? I just wanted to plan a little surprise."

"Carol, you've always known what I want, haven't you?" He tightened his arms around her waist.

"When are you going to make us official and give me a title?"

Every year on his birthday, he would ask the same thing. She had thought that it was because he adored her. Now she suspected that he just wanted to humiliate Edmund by parading her in front of him.

Caroline pushed a hand lightly against his shoulder. "Soon."

She thought, "Soon we won't be anything at all."

On his birthday, Bradley's friends threw him a party at a private club.

As soon as Bradley and Caroline stepped into the club, someone came up and called him away. He turned back and said, "Go ahead to the private room and relax for a bit. I'll just pick someone up and be right back."

She nodded and followed the server down the hall. When she opened the door, the room was dim, and cigarette haze curled in the air. A dozen men with dyed hair sat around a table, gambling.

She frowned and instinctively stepped back.

Just then, a tattooed hand clamped her wrist. The man checked her out and whistled. "Holy crap, she's fresh like the rumors say she is. It's our lucky night, guys!"

"Let go! My boyfriend is right outside! Don't touch me!" Caroline fought to pull free, but someone shoved her onto the couch, and her head slammed into the armrest, causing her to be dizzy.

She felt like a piece of meat thrown to a pack of wolves. Hands groped at her body, making her stomach twist in disgust.

She struggled wildly and shouted Bradley's name, but her cry was silenced by a brutal slap across the face.

Her cheek instantly swelled, and blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.

"Shut up! You were delivered here by Bradley himself. Last time, he cracked Gregory's head open over a woman. We abducted the woman, and he promised us this in return."

At that, the man pinched her waist and laughed lecherously. "For this price, Bradley really went for it, huh?"

"Get off me! Don't touch me!" Caroline slapped his hand away, and the tears she kept fighting back finally streamed down her face.

"You bitch! Why are you acting all high and mighty?" Lucian Vasquez cursed and then punched her in the gut. The pain folded her over, and she gasped for air.

"Alright. Don't wreck her." Gregory Middleton, the man who seemed to be in charge, spoke up. He poured three full shots of liquor and shoved them toward her. "You ruined our mood. Drink these, apologize, and we'll let you go. Deal?"

Caroline stared at the cups. She knew that they were laced with drugs. There was no way she could walk out of that room whole.

What crushed her even more than the danger she was in was realizing that Bradley could actually do this to her.

They had been together for four years. After all that time, anyone would have developed feelings, even if it was just out of habit.

However, it seemed that he didn't have a heart at all.

Her chest tightened. She clenched her fists until they ached, wiped her face, and stood. "Fine. I'll drink. But you have to keep your word."

The men parted to make a path for her.

Caroline stepped forward, and as she passed the doorway, she suddenly yanked it open and tried to run. "Help—"

Her cry was cut short with a muffled sound. Someone had grabbed her by the hair and dragged her back.

"Don't want to play nice? Fine. Have it the hard way!" Lucian sneered, forcing a glass of liquor against her lips and making her choke it down.

The burning liquid made her cough. Tears and liquor smeared her face and soaked her blouse.

In the chaos, someone tore at her clothes. The room erupted with whistles and jeers.

Humiliation flooded through her, and silent tears slid down her cheeks.

Just as despair threatened to drown her, the door was kicked open. Bradley charged in like an avenging demon. He grabbed a bottle and smashed it against the small man pinning Caroline down. The man screamed and fell.

The others grabbed weapons. Bradley vaulted over the main table and pressed a knife to Gregory's throat. "Let her go, or we all die. Gregory, you've seen a lot of women. You're not one to die for pleasure, are you?"