My connection to Silas was forbidden—a twisted, "Flowers in the Attic" kind of situation. At least, that’s what I thought. I had no idea that "brother" was just a title, not a blood bond. Until the real daughter showed up at our door with DNA results in hand. I packed my bags to leave. Before I walked out, I made one last call to Silas. "Your real sister is back. Can I finally stop pretending to be your girlfriend and actually be her?" "Maya, give it a rest." Ten years of constant rejection. It finally broke me. Every ounce of self-respect was gone. Brokenhearted, I did something wild. I hit the clubs and ordered up the hottest guys the VIP section had to offer. Plying myself with expensive drinks, I made a fool of myself, loudmouth and reckless. Then, a shadowy figure showed up in the club, dragging me out and throwing me into a private jet that very night. That evening, he pinned me rough against the harsh sheets of the hotel bed. "Feel that, Maya? Tell me, do you still think those club boys compare to me?" 01 I knew my time as the heiress to the sterling fortune was up the moment I walked downstairs and saw my parents, weeping and holding a strange girl in their arms. Deep down, I always knew. Growing up, everyone whispered that I looked nothing like them. It wasn't just physical; our personalities were night and day. The Sterlings were old money, distinguished, reserved, and fiercely adherent to high-society rules. Then there was me: loud, wild, and rebellious. Bungee jumping, skydiving, urban exploring, drag racing—if it gave an adrenaline rush, I was there. Initially, those whispers made me angry. But as they grew louder, doubt crept in. One day, I snuck into my father's study, swiped some hair from his brush, and took it to a private clinic for a DNA test. Just to be sure, I, in a stroke of utter disrespect, did the same with my mother. The results were life-altering, yet entirely expected. I wasn't theirs. My first instinct wasn't to hide it. But the crushing guilt of living a lie, of occupying a spot that didn't belong to me, made it impossible to stay silent. I dropped hints. Subtle ones at first, then more obvious. I begged them to do a family DNA test, framing it as a fun ancestry thing. They always laughed it off, brushing my hair out of my face with parental affection. "Sweetheart, no matter what gossips say, you will always be a Sterling." But how could I be a Sterling when I was in love with my brother? 02 I stood at the top of the stairs, gripping the handle of my packed suitcase. The trio downstairs finally snapped out of their emotional huddle. "Maya? I thought you were at that charity event?" my mother asked, her voice cracking as she quickly stood up, looking flustered. "Cancelled," I said curtly. My gaze involuntarily shifted to the stranger. She wore a plain sleeveless tank and olive cargo pants. She was tall, slim, with a clean-cut bob and healthy, sun-kissed skin. She was the polar opposite of the polished, pampered debutantes of our circle. She stood next to a tattered black duffel bag, looking weathered and exhausted, like an old oak tree that had survived too many storms. She was a warrior. I studied her features in silence, awestruck. So this is the power of bloodlines, I thought. Well, damn. No wonder they always said I didn't belong. Perhaps my stare was too intense. My mother shifted, instinctively stepping in front of the girl, her eyes flashing with possessiveness. A cold chuckle bubbled in my chest. Did she really think I was going to hurt her precious, newfound daughter? "Maya, this is Chloe. She's..." My father frowned, struggling to find the right words to explain the situation to the girl I used to call my sister. Her name was Chloe Sterling now. She got the last name on day one. And me? Twenty-odd years later, I still carried a different name: Maya Thorne. My "mother," Eleanor Sterling, was originally a Thorne. So, I wasn't even using her maiden name. Even in the extended family, there wasn't a single relative named Thorne. Memories rushed back, sharp and painful. “I told you she was some stray the Sterlings picked up! I knew it!” “She’s just a pawn for an alliance marriage. She thinks she’s a real heiress? Just wait till the real one comes back; she’ll be kicked to the curb.” The voices of the high-society hens echoed in my mind, sharp and vicious. My head began to throb. My parents—the ones who raised me—were good people. I knew that even with Chloe back, they wouldn't kick me out. But I couldn't bear to make things difficult for them. As my father was about to say the word "sister," my ears began to ring. Before he could utter it, I dropped to my knees. I bowed my head in a final gesture of respect, then stood up, grabbed my suitcase, and walked out the door without looking back. The winter wind howling outside drowned out my mother's cries for me to stay. I pulled my wool coat tighter, quickening my pace. 03 I slid into the back of a taxi, the blast of the heater instantly enveloping me. I rubbed my frozen hands together and pulled out my phone. I counted to ten in my head before the call connected. "Silas," I said. "Call me 'brother'." Even though he must have received the news about Chloe, Silas was still as stubborn as ever, correcting me. I let out a dry laugh, then blurted out, "I'm not your sister. I want to be your girlfriend." "Maya, stop messing around." Silas sighed after a long pause, sounding weary. I had heard this rejection a hundred times. From the moment I realized I wasn't biologically a Sterling, I also realized I had developed a sickening, borderline obsessive possessiveness over Silas. I stopped calling him "brother" and started using his first name. I acted like a jealous girlfriend, pushing my way into his social circle, monitoring his texts, restricting who he could see. I even crawled into his bed in the middle of the night on multiple occasions, using a fear of thunder as an excuse, then quietly slipping out of my nightgown. When our naked skin touched, Silas bolted upright, looking at me in sheer disbelief under the covers. "Maya Thorne, are you insane!" he had said. "I love you, Silas." "I'm your damn brother!" "Brother, I love you!" I smirked, changing my address seamlessly. He had choked on his words, unsure of how to respond. After a long silence, he took a deep breath, wrapped me tightly in the comforter like a cocoon, and silently carried me back to my own room. After that, Silas started avoiding me. He became a workaholic, practically living at the office. He was traveling five out of seven days a week. Even our mother started complaining about his grueling schedule. "We have enough money. Stop killing yourself." Silas shot me a quick glance and coughed. "I'm not tired." Then he’d head back to the airport before sunrise. My focus returned to the present. Outside the taxi window, the wind was still howling. I had heard the word "no" too many times. I thought I had built a shield against it. I took a sharp breath, forcing a casual tone. "Silas, this is the last time I'm ever going to tell you I love you. Are you sure you want to say no?" "Maya..." His voice was hesitant, as if he was struggling with something. My heart stopped. The thudding in my ears was so loud it was deafening. But the faint spark of hope was extinguished instantly. "I have someone I like." What? My mind went completely blank. I sat frozen, clutching the phone, unable to process his words. He wasn't done with the execution. "I've loved her for years and years." It felt like someone had physically grabbed my heart and squeezed. Tears blurred my vision. My mind began to sift through every woman in Silas's life. Who is it? His secretary? A business partner? Some model? Suddenly, a memory flashed in my mind. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the phone. I heard my own voice, raw and raspy, barely managing to speak. "Is it... the other owner of that ring?" "Yes." Silas’s voice actually carried a trace of a smile, as if he was remembering something beautiful. Silas wore a simple platinum band on his left pinky finger. He had worn it for years. Whenever I asked about it, he always casually dismissed it as just a trinket. Until one time, while he was showering, I sneaked in and stole it to play with. By some stroke of awful luck, the ring fell off the balcony and plunged into the swimming pool two floors below. That was the first time I had ever seen a look of utter terror on Silas's face. His brows were tightly knit, his expression dark and ominous. His eyes, usually cool, were cold and menacing. For a moment, I honestly thought he might kill me right then and there. I stood frozen, waiting for the screaming. But he said nothing. He just silently stripped off his clothes and dove into the icy pool, over and over, until he found it. That was when I knew that "trinket" meant everything to him. I wanted to ask who she was, if she was beautiful. If she loved him as much as I did. A thousand accusatory questions burned on the tip of my tongue, but in the end, I only managed, "Brother, I hope you’re happy." The snow and wind continued to batter the taxi. This winter felt colder than any other. 04 By the time Savannah called, I had been in a hotel room for three days, sleeping the days away. "You got dumped? Perfect! I have just the cure!" When I walked into the VIP section of the club, I stared at the lineup of men, all easily over six feet tall. I pinched Savannah’s arm. "You call this the cure?" Savannah smirked, looking pleased. "Impressive, right? For your broken heart, I went all out." She waved her hand, and instantly two guys slid into the booth on either side of me. I could see their abs defined under their tight t shirts. I couldn't help but look. They were hot. But compared to Silas... they were still lacking. Ugh, why am I thinking about him again? I felt a surge of pure annoyance, picked up the glass in front of me, and downed it. Then I quickly let them refill it. Drink after drink. The bass in the club was deafening. I was completely plastered. I glanced up; Savannah had abandoned me for the dance floor. The guy next to me kept pouring. I grabbed his hand, slurring my words. "Do you like me?" He looked startled, then flushed and nodded. "Then why doesn't he! "I'm a model, I'm smart, I'm hot! Why doesn't he like me!" I downed the rest of my drink, pulling out my phone. "I’m going to show him. I don’t need him." I hit the video call button. It was picked up almost instantly, and a familiar face appeared on the screen before I was even ready. "Maya Thorne! Where are you?" He was roaring through the phone. I flinched, instantly sobering up a little. Am I seriously still scared of him? The realization fueled my drunken frustration. I yelled at the phone, "Why the hell is it your business where I am? You don't control me!" To prove my point, I recklessly pulled the two guys next to me into the frame, planting a messy kiss on one of their cheeks, leaving a vivid red lipstick mark. "See? See! I don’t need you! He's hotter and way more fun!" After that, I don’t remember what Silas said. I only hazily recall hearing something that sounded like, "Don't move." If I remember correctly, he’s currently out of the country, right? Wait? Yeah, right. By the time he gets here, I'll be long gone. 05 I was leaning heavily on Savannah as we stumbled out of the club, when someone suddenly grabbed my arm, yanking me out of her grasp. I stumbled, shaking my head violently to clear my vision. I must be hallucinating. I was seeing Silas. He gripped my arm, his face terrifyingly calm as he instructed Savannah's driver, "Take Miss Reynolds home." I tried to follow her, but Silas swept me up in a fireman’s carry. I thrashed against him. "Let me go!" "So you can go find more boys?" Silas sneered. "It's my business! They’re hot and they actually want me. Unlike you!" I slammed my fists into his shoulder, screaming at him. Silas's face was dark as he quickened his pace. Presidential Suite. He tossed me onto the bed with brutal force. My head was spinning. I suppressed the urge to vomit and slowly opened my eyes, only to see him towering over me. "What are you doing?" I gasped. Silas stared down at me with cold, detached eyes. He spat out two words: "You." He crushed his lips against mine. The alcohol was hitting me hard, and I was dizzy. I subconsciously began to respond. The kiss was brutal, punishing, an absolute claim of ownership. Silas was too good at this. It felt like something he had done a thousand times. I managed to find a burst of strength and shoved him back. "Silas, this is my first kiss." I gasped for air, my eyes red as I stared at him. I desperately wanted him to say it was his too. But he didn't. Silas froze for a split second, then lowered his gaze, refusing to meet my eyes as he silently buried his face in my neck. Tears burned and flowed down my face. I clutched his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin. "It hurts," I whispered. He gentled his movements, but I pulled him closer. "Don't let me go." 06 The sound of running water drifted from the bathroom. I could see the outline of his body through the frosted glass. I looked away, and my gaze fell on the simple band on the nightstand. He had worn it for so long, and I realized there was minor wear on the outside. But what about the inside? Driven by a crazy impulse, I reached out. Under the dim lamp light, I finally saw the inscription. 60 forever. I didn't understand. Perhaps it was a secret code between him and that girl. I offered a self-deprecating smile. The water in the bathroom stopped. I scrambled to put the ring back, then picked up the remote and turned on the TV to cover my tracks. It was the morning news. The anchor's voice, tinged with emotion, filled the room. "There has been a new development in the case of Ambassador Richard Thorne and his wife, the renowned academic Dr. Amelia Thorne, who were victims of a terrorist attack seven years ago in New York. We hope to finally bring our heroes home..." Before I could finish watching, the screen went black. Silas dropped the remote. "Not tired? Still have energy for the news?" I looked up at him and said nothing. His towering figure leaned down, and a gentle kiss covered my lips. Unlike the punishing, desperate mess from earlier, this time he was gentle, almost as if he was trying to soothe me. "Do you do this with the girl you like, too?" I asked suddenly. Silas paused. He was standing with the light behind him, his face hidden in shadow. I couldn't read his expression. But I got the distinct feeling he was staring at me. The room was silent. It felt like an eternity passed, or maybe just a few seconds. "She’s gone," Silas said, not answering the question directly. The answer threw me. Gone? Like, dead? I didn't understand, but I didn't press further. At 8:00 AM, Silas was dressed impeccably in his suit. His assistant, Sarah, had delivered a fresh outfit for me. "The Angel's Cove condo," Silas said. "If you don't want to go home, stay there." The front door clicked shut. I sat frozen on the bed, only realizing what he meant after a long moment. Was he offering to keep me as his mistress? 07 "Maya, are you sure you won't stay with me?" Savannah pleaded over the phone. "I found a place. I'll see you for your birthday next month, okay?" After turning down Savannah's invitation, I took my suitcase and headed to Silas’s private condo in Angel’s Cove. The security guard at the gate smiled as he buzzed me in. "Miss Thorne, are you here to see your brother?" It wasn't my first time here, but it was my first time as... well, whatever I was now. When I entered the condo, everything was exactly as I remembered. A strange, melancholy feeling washed over me. I don’t know if it was because we had crossed that line in the hotel room, but Silas seemed to have stopped pretending. He transformed from a workaholic to a homebody. He stopped going to the main Sterling estate and lived entirely at the Angel's Cove condo with me. When I crawled into his bed at night, he didn't push me away. He pulled me into his arms. His body heat was intense. I leaned into his ear. "Let me help you." Silas looked down at me for a long moment, then brushed his fingers against my lips. "Stop." I turned my head. He let out a low chuckle, planting a soothing kiss on the corner of my mouth. "Just sleep." The whole thing felt like a dream. We were like a normal couple, going on dates, watching movies. When Silas held my hand as we walked along the waterfront, I always felt like he was reliving a path he had walked with someone else. "Silas," I called his name. He stopped, lowering his gaze to look at me. His expression was glazed, as if he was lost in a memory. My heart constricted. I asked the bitter question: "Who are you seeing when you look at me?" Silas smiled. "You." He was lying. I bit my lip, but I didn't expose him. Like a fragile dream, someone had to pretend to be asleep for it to continue. 08 The day of Savannah’s mother's birthday party arrived. I took my gift and headed to the Reynolds estate. "There are so many people here! My face is starting to cramp from smiling," Savannah said, slumping onto the sofa in the corner. Looking at her, I laughed. For families like the Sterlings and the Reynolds, these parties were just a spectacle to introduce the new generation and build business connections. "That's just how it is. Before, I also..." The comforting words caught in my throat. I suddenly realized that in a little over a month, it would be Eleanor Sterling’s birthday. This year, the person standing by her side would be her real daughter. Actually, after finding out I wasn't a Sterling, I had privately looked into Chloe Thorne's background. But every time I got close to finding something, the trail would go dead, as if someone was deliberately blocking me. My thoughts were leading nowhere. I shook my head, clearing the strange suspicion. I was probably just overthinking things. "Look at that! She got kicked out of the family and she still has the nerve to show up at a party like this!" A woman in a dramatic black gown sauntered over. It was the same face that had called me a "stray" years ago—Bianca. "Bianca, Maya is our friend. Show some respect," Savannah snapped, standing up defensively. "Being friends with her? Aren't you afraid she's going to steal your parents from you too?" "You—!" Savannah was shaking with anger. I grabbed her arm. I shook my head at her. Today was Savannah’s mother’s big night. As the host, it would be bad form for Savannah to get into a fight with a guest. Bianca was targeting me. I couldn't hide behind Savannah. I squeezed Savannah’s hand, pulled her behind me, and was about to speak when a gentle voice interrupted. "Bianca, what's going on?" "Amelia!" Bianca beamed and looped her arm intimately through the newcomer's. "I need to introduce you to my 'friends'." Amelia Sterling swept a cool glance over Savannah, then focused on me. Her gaze lingered for a moment. "The real heiress, Amelia Vance. She just got back from studying abroad." Bianca announced arrogantly, emphasizing the last few words. She looked like a proud hen showing off a prize. I ignored Bianca’s ridiculous posturing. My gaze was locked on the girl she introduced as Amelia Sterling. A simple white dress, loose waves, and a perfect, practiced smile. She was the definition of old money. But what caught my attention was the simple band on her left pinky. It looked exactly like Silas's. Recognizing my stare, Bianca smirked and proudly lifted Amelia’s hand. "Isn't this the engagement ring the Sterling family gave you?" "Engagement?" I frowned. "You don't know? He was practically betrothed to Amelia years ago. They had an agreement. "She’s basically your sister-in-law. "Well, actually, since you aren't a Sterling anymore, you don't even have the right to call her that." "Bianca! Stop it!" Amelia frowned, but her tone carried no actual weight. Then she turned to me, her smile still perfect. "My welcome-back party is tomorrow night, Maya. You should come. It’s always good to meet new friends." Her tone was gentle, but I felt a distinct current of hostility. I looked at her, then calmly declined. "Sorry, I don't usually make friends that easily." She seemed genuinely surprised that I had turned her down so flatly. "That’s fine." Bianca wasn't going to let it go. She opened her mouth to start screaming at me. I moved instantly, grabbing her by the jaw. My expression was icy. "You... what do you think you're doing!" We were too close. Her voice was trembling. Just as the crowd thought I was going to slap her, I suddenly let go and took a step back with a look of pure disgust. "You have spinach in your teeth." My voice wasn't particularly loud, but it was just loud enough for everyone close to us to hear. Bianca’s face turned scarlet. Her hand flew up to cover her mouth. The corner of my mouth quirked up. I grabbed the stunned Savannah and walked out. We were ten steps away when Bianca’s furious scream echoed behind us: "I DIDN'T EAT SPINACH TODAY!" "Haha, did you see the look on Bianca’s face? That was brilliant!" Savannah was doubled over laughing before she finally composed herself and apologized. "I'm sorry. I didn't arrange things well. I knew you two hated each other and I still invited her. I’ll make it up to you, I promise!" I knew the invites were handled by her parents for business networking, so it wasn't Savannah’s fault. But I still agreed to her offer, knowing that otherwise she would be consumed by guilt all night.
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