Chapter 3

3

I stood there in a tense silence, refusing to open my mouth. Xander's face darkened, his eyes boring into mine. "Where are your manners? I told you to greet her."

It felt like he wasn't just asking for a greeting. He was forcing me to acknowledge the boundary between us, reminding me exactly who I was to him.

The air felt thick. Finally, my voice came out raw and forced. "Hello, Sienna."

I couldn't bring myself to say the word "Aunt."

Sienna nodded, a knowing, mocking smile playing on her lips. Thankfully, Xander didn't push me further.

A moment later, he was called away to the inner hall, leaving me alone with her.

I didn't want to be near her. I turned to walk away, but she grabbed my wrist. I looked up, confused, only to hear her let out a sharp laugh. "Little girl, didn't your parents teach you not to fall for your elders?"

My heart stopped. She knew. She saw right through my feelings for Xander.

I was too shocked to even deny it. "How… how did you know?"

"Please. The love is practically leaking out of your eyes. You really think you can hide it?" Sienna let go of my wrist and crossed her arms, looking at me with pure disdain. "If I can see it, Xander definitely noticed a long time ago. He just hasn't said anything because he doesn't want to embarrass you. To him, you're just a stray kid he took in. Nothing more."

"I suggest you drop those feelings. He has a fiancée now. You wouldn't want to be the pathetic third wheel trying to wreck a home, would you?"

Her words hit me like physical blows. My ears started ringing, and for a second, the world went quiet.

She stared at me like I was a joke. I felt the blood drain from my face. It took everything I had to blink back the tears.

"I never tried to ruin anything," I whispered.

"Then stop looking at him like he's your entire world." She paused, her eyes scanning me up and down before she smirked. "Besides, looking at you… you're not even in my league. You couldn't be a threat even if you tried."

Sienna patted my shoulder condescendingly and walked away, her hips swaying.

I stood there, feeling like a clown exposed on a stage.

Hattie noticed my mood and insisted on taking me out to clear my head.

Before I knew it, I was at a bar. Xander always kept me on a tight leash, so I never went to places like this. Now, all I wanted was to lose myself.

I drank until my vision blurred. Through the haze, I thought I saw Xander walking toward me. I felt someone lift me up. I tried to open my eyes, but they were too heavy.

When I finally regained consciousness, I was back at the house. Xander was sitting on the sofa across from me. His gaze was heavy, pinning me down.

"Linley Sterling!!! Have you lost your mind? If I hadn't gotten there in time, you could have been assaulted. Do you have any self-respect left?" He practically growled my name.

I looked into his dark, angry eyes. Sienna's words from earlier kept echoing in my head. A wave of resentment washed over me. "It wouldn't have been your business if I was!"

"You can go out with women and fall in love, but I can't even have a drink? Why?"

It was the first time I'd ever talked back to him. Xander looked stunned for a second before his rage flared. "Do you even hear yourself? Your parents left you to me. I'm your guardian. I'm responsible for your life!"

"No, you're not my uncle!"

"Xander, I know you know. I've never seen you as an uncle!"

"I… I love you!" I screamed, finally breaking down.