Chapter 2

The car engine hummed as the city shrank behind them. Cassy slouched, staring at Detroit fading in the window. Her life was over.

This was the fifth time her mom had gotten married. And now, Cassy was leaving everything she loved for some random town.

“How much longer?” she groaned.

Betty didn’t look up. “How much longer?” she asked the driver.

The driver glanced at the GPS. “About four hours.”

Cassy sighed dramatically. “Great. Four hours to hell.”

“Sweetheart, it’s not that far,” Betty chirped, inspecting her nails. “I don’t know why you’re so grumpy.”

Cassy whipped her head around, staring at her mom in disbelief. “Why am I grumpy? Seriously? You’ve destroyed my life, Mom! My friends, my school, Tim—”

“Oh, Tim.” Betty rolled her eyes. “That boy’s about as interesting as watching paint dry. You’ll forget him in a week.”

“I will not!” Cassy shot back. “I love him!”

“Right,” Betty said with a snort. “You also loved that kid who used to chew on his hoodie strings. What was his name? Kyle?”

Cassy crossed her arms, refusing to dignify that with a response.

“You’ll love it there,” Betty continued, turning in her seat to face Cassy, her voice bright and overly cheerful. “Hugo’s house is huge—gigantic! You wouldn’t believe it, Cassy. There’s a swimming pool, a theater, and—oh, this is the best part—a wine cellar!”

“Wow, a wine cellar. My teenage dreams have come true,” Cassy muttered, rolling her eyes.

“What’s your problem?” Betty’s tone grew sharp. “I’m telling you, this is going to be great for both of us.”

“No, Mom, it’s great for you,” Cassy snapped. “You’re the one who gets to play queen of the mansion. I just want to go back to Detroit.”

Betty’s face hardened. “I worked hard for this. Do you know what I’ve done for you?”

Cassy groaned inwardly. Here it came.

“I had you at twenty-two. Alone. Your father left, and I worked three jobs to survive. Everyone said I should give you up, but I didn’t, because I loved you. And now you think—”

“Okay, okay!” Cassy raised her hands. “You’re a hero. I get it. Can we drop it?”

Betty sniffed dramatically, then nodded. “Apology accepted.” She turned back toward the front, her mood instantly lifting. “Now, as I was saying, the house has a view of the lake. You’ll love it.”

Cassy zoned out, watching the scenery shift from flat farmland to hills and pine trees. The air smelled fresh, and soon, a salty breeze crept in.

After two hours, the road curved, and Betty gasped, clapping her hands. “There it is!”

Cassy leaned forward reluctantly. Hidden Pines stretched out before them—forest, beaches, and a lake. It looked like a Hallmark movie.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Betty asked softly.

Cassy sighed, sinking back. “It’s fine,” she muttered, a small part of her impressed.

It wasn’t home. But maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t be so bad.

The car stopped smoothly in front of a massive gate. The iron bars shone in the sun, with gold patterns spiraling endlessly upward.

Cassy leaned closer to the window. “Holy crap, are we visiting royalty?”

The gates groaned open, and the car rolled onto a gleaming driveway lined with trimmed hedges and bursts of colorful flowers.

When they stopped, Cassy froze.

The mansion was insane—sleek glass walls, marble everywhere, and balconies hanging like magic. “Wow,” she whispered, completely stunned.

“Believe me now?” Betty teased, her tone brimming with excitement.

Before Cassy could answer, a chauffeur and two maids appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.

One maid reached for a box in Cassy’s hands. “Let me help—”

“Whoa, easy!” Cassy clutched it tighter. “This vase? My boyfriend made it. Priceless. You break it, you buy it—except you can’t afford it.”

The maid nodded, wide-eyed, carrying it off like it was a ticking bomb

Cassy shook her head and adjusted her sunglasses before heading toward the front door. She was halfway up the marble steps when the door swung open, and out came Hugo, her mom’s new husband.

The man was all charm—tall, fit, with just enough gray in his hair to make him look distinguished. He spread his arms wide.

“Betty!” Hugo exclaimed.

Betty squealed, yes, squealed, and ran into his arms. Hugo lifted her effortlessly, spinning her around. Then, to Cassy’s eternal horror, they started kissing. Like, full-on, get-a-room kissing.

“Ugh, gross,” Cassy muttered under her breath, loudly clearing her throat. “We get it. You’re happy. You can stop now.”

Hugo released Betty, laughing. “Cassy! I’m so glad you’re here!” He beamed, his tone genuine. “Sorry about that. I was just... overwhelmed to see your mom.” He wrapped an arm around Betty, who was blushing like a schoolgirl.

Cassy plastered on a polite smile. “It’s fine, Hugo.

“Well, I’m glad you’re here. Come on in! There’s plenty to see.”

The inside of the mansion was nothing short of breathtaking.

The foyer was huge, with a sparkling crystal chandelier. To the left was a living room with tall windows showing off an infinity pool. Soft white sofas surrounded a black coffee table, and a fireplace flickered gently, even though it was 70 degrees outside.

Cassy's eyes landed on the massive portrait above the fireplace, and her heart stopped.

There, in an ornate gold frame, was Hugo—standing proudly beside someone she never thought she'd see again.

Bryan.

A wave of emotions crashed over her, making her stomach twist uncomfortably.

Of course, he had to be part of the décor.

She should have known. Should have guessed.

Bryan, who was everything Hugo wasn’t—arrogant, insufferable, and so full of himself it was a miracle he didn’t float away.

Her jaw tightened as she stared at his face in the portrait—those same piercing eyes, that stupidly perfect jawline, the cocky smirk that made her want to throw something.

She had spent months trying to forget him.

Trying to forget what happened.

But now—he was everywhere.

In her new home. In her new life. Watching her from the damn fireplace.

Her fingers curled into fists.

"Yeah," she muttered, voice dripping with irritation. "That tracks."

Betty’s voice startled her from her thoughts. “Come on, Cassy!”

Cassy jumped slightly, turning to find her mom beside her.

“Where are we going?” Cassy asked, hesitating.

Betty grinned, tugging Cassy upstairs. “You’ll see.”

“Mom, if this is a bonding thing, I’m not ready,” Cassy teased.

“Trust me, you’ll love it,” Betty said, beaming.

Cassy followed her mom down the hall, her sneakers squeaking on the polished floors.

Betty walked ahead, narrating the space like a real estate agent. “That’s the master bedroom.” She gestured to a door on the left. “And that’s Bryan’s room, right across the hall.” Her tone shifted as if she expected Cassy to be thrilled by this information.

“Fabulous,” Cassy deadpanned, rolling her eyes.

Betty stopped in front of another door and threw it open with flair. “And this… is your room!”

Cassy stepped in and froze. She hated to admit it, but the room was stunning. The walls were a soft green, calming and classy. A four-poster bed with white linens and a cozy throw took center stage. A glass sliding door with flowing curtains led to a balcony. By the window, a velvet chair and a small gold-trimmed bookshelf completed the space.

“Well?” Betty asked, her eyes twinkling. “Do you love it? I designed it myself, you know.”

Cassy crossed her arms, trying her best to look unimpressed. “It’s okay, I guess,” she said with a shrug.

Betty rolled her eyes and laughed. “Oh, please. You’re not fooling anyone. Have you forgotten I raised you? I know you love it.”

Cassy couldn’t hold back the smile creeping onto her face. “Alright, fine. It’s beautiful.”

“See? I knew it!” Betty clapped her hands, practically bouncing.

Cassy chuckled, shaking her head.

“Well,” Betty said, smoothing her hair like she had a big announcement. “I should go introduce myself to the staff.

“Sure thing,” Cassy replied distractedly, already walking around the room, taking in every detail.

Betty’s voice floated toward the door. “Oh, and Cassy? Try to get along with Bryan. He’s your stepbrother now, and you’re going to have to tolerate him eventually.”

“Yeah, sure,” Cassy muttered under her breath, her fingers trailing along the edge of the bookshelf. “Tolerate that arrogant, pompous jerk? No thanks.”

Betty shot her a knowing look but didn’t argue.

A knock came at the door, and they both turned to see who it was.

Hugo walked in, his smile warm and genuine as ever. “How are my girls doing?”

“Very fine,” Betty said, stepping closer to him with a grin.

Hugo’s gaze shifted to Cassy. “And you? Do you like your room?”

Cassy nodded. “It’s great. Thanks, Hugo.”

“Good. I’m glad you like it.”

Betty tilted her head. “Where’s Bryan? We haven’t seen him.”

“Oh, he’s out with friends,” Hugo replied casually. “He’s staying with them for the rest of the week.”

Cassy let out an audible sigh of relief. “Thank God,” she muttered, just loud enough for her mom to hear.

Hugo cleared his throat. “Anyway, Cassy, I’ve already taken care of your school enrollment. You can start whenever you’re ready.”

“Yay, hurray,” Cassy said flatly, though her sarcasm was clear.

“How about tomorrow?” Hugo suggested. “Or next week? Maybe Bryan can go with you—”

“No, no, no. Tomorrow’s perfect,” Cassy cut in quickly. “No need to wait.”

Hugo chuckled. “Alright then, tomorrow it is. Your uniform’s already in the wardrobe.”

He turned to leave, Betty linking her arm with his. “Dinner will be ready soon,” Hugo added. “You’ll join us when you’re done settling in, right?”

“Of course. Thanks,” Cassy said politely.

As they left, she could hear her mom’s voice trailing down the hallway. “Honey, did you tell the chef about my allergies?”

Finally alone, Cassy let out a long sigh. She flopped onto the bed, sinking into the cloud-like mattress. “Well, at least Hugo’s decent,” she muttered. “If only his son was half the man he is.”

She closed her eyes, letting the stillness of the room relax her. But then—thud.

Her eyes shot open. A cold breeze rushed in, and the curtains billowed like ghostly figures. She sat up, her pulse quickening.

Cassy’s gaze darted to the balcony. For a moment, she thought she saw a shadow. She stood slowly, walking toward the sliding glass door. Her breath hitched as she opened it, stepping outside.

The balcony was empty.

She leaned over the railing, looking down at the grounds. Nothing.

“Great. I’m officially paranoid,” she muttered, shaking her head.

But just as she turned to head back inside, someone grabbed her.

She was slammed against the wall, a hand covering her mouth before she could scream.

“Still feisty, I see.”

Her wide eyes locked onto a familiar face, one that was way too close to hers. Bryan.

His smirk was infuriating, his dark eyes dancing with mischief.

“Welcome home, sis.”