Chapter 1Damien married me at 10 AM, divorced me by 2 PM. For my STEPSISTER.
"Isla, I NEVER loved you."
"You were just my prop to make Celeste smile."
"You suffered—who gives a damn."
I lost it, lunged forward and demand answers—
My THREE brothers stopped me.
Ashton—CEO by day, mafia boss by night—shot me a warning look.
"Only Damien makes Celeste smile. Back off."
Rhys, A-list actor, shoved me down.
"She's had a rough life. What's the big deal giving her one dick?"
Kai, the golden professor, stared at me with disgust.
"Damien was always HERS. Stop embarrassing yourself."
They locked me into the car.
So I wouldn't ruin their precious Celeste's happiness.
Then my phone buzzed.
HIM.
[Marry me. I'll get you out of here.]
I smiled. Sent that dangerous man my address.
Their twisted, forbidden love story?
I was DONE.
...
[Fake your death. I'll take you away.]
I swallowed the excitement.
Finally. I could leave.
Ashton and Kai stayed behind with Celeste.
Rhys got stuck dragging me back to our Morgan estate.
I glanced at him from the passenger seat.
Rhys, my second brother.
He'd been scowling since we got in the car. Pissed off.
Like babysitting me was beneath him.
Then his phone buzzed.
Celeste.
A smile finally broke across his face.
Sensing my gaze, he immediately locked the screen and frowned again.
"What? Still not over it?"
"Still planning to mess things up for Damien and Celeste?"
"She's young, Isla. She's been through hell."
"Why can't you just leave her alone?"
I dug my nails into my palm and smiled bitterly.
The irony was, I was a year younger than Celeste.
Maybe noticing how pale I looked, Rhys suddenly sighed.
"Just apologize to her. Stop being stubborn."
He reached out to ruffle my hair—like he used to.
I dodged.
"Why do I have to apologize? What did I do wrong?"
His hand froze mid-air. Annoyance flashed across his face.
"Isla Morgan. Don't push your luck."
I closed my eyes.
Growing up so many years together had made the feelings real.
Their words were really hurt.
But whatever? I was done.
"After Celeste's competition, you're coming with us to apologize."
I didn't answer.
Just replied that man.
[If I end up in the hospital... you can help me fake my death and leave forever right?"]
[Yeah.]
I exhaled slowly. Scanned the road through the window.
No one else around.
I popped the lock and yanked the door open.
Rhys was mid-lecturing me when he screamed.
"Isla—what are you doing?!"
I didn't answer.
Without a second's hesitation, I jumped.
Cold wind slammed into my face. My stomach dropped.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
No fear. Just relief.
Then someone grabbed me.
An arm locked around my waist, yanking me back. Hard.
We hit the ground together, rolling across gravel and dirt into the bushes on the shoulder.
I heard him grunt in pain.
We tumbled to a stop.
Branches had torn him up—blood everywhere.
I didn't have a scratch.
I looked up and met Rhys's terrified eyes.
"Let go."
He stared at me in disbelief.
Then he exploded.
"Are you insane?!"
"I said a few words and you jump out of a moving car?!"
"We spoiled you rotten!"
"This is just another stunt for attention, isn't it?"
"God, you're pathetic!"
I ignored him. Just pried his hands off me and stood up.
Looked around.
A black sedan was speeding toward us.
Perfect.
"I'm walking into it myself. Remember to pay for the damage."
With that, I sprinted straight toward the oncoming car.
"ISLA!"
Rhys screamed in despair as he struggled to stand.
But he was too late.
I welcomed death with open arms.
I didn't want to spend one more second here.
Tires screeched.
The car somehow stopped just inches from me.
I stumbled backward and fell straight into Rhys's arms.
"You're insane! Isla, you've lost your mind!"
His eyes were red. Hands shaking as he checked my face, my shoulders.
"Are you hurt? Where does it hurt?"
"Say something!"
I failed again.
Disappointment washed over me.
My gaze drifted to his leg.
His pant leg soaked through with blood. Still dripping.
Before, I would've cried, wishing I could take his place.
Now? I just looked away.
"What? I need your permission just to die?"
Chapter 2
Rhys froze.
I laughed—cold and sharp.
Walked past him toward the driver who was still cursing up a storm.
"I'll send you money for the damage later."
Rhys clenched his fists. His eyes were red.
I blinked in surprise, then suddenly understood.
"Oh. I'm not using Morgan money. I'll pay with what I earned myself—"
"Isla!"
He cut me off. Voice cracking.
And then I saw it.
Actual hurt on his face.
"You're the only daughter of the Morgans."
"Even if you wanted the entire Morgan fortune, I wouldn't say a word!"
I almost laughed.
Looked him dead in the eye.
"Really?"
He flinched. Like he just realized.
Right now, the Morgan family's "official" heiress was Celeste.
And me? The real one?
I was just the crazy girl with a bad reputation.
I laughed harder. Tears slipped out before I could stop them.
There was a time when Rhys and I were inseparable.
Even when he was filming, he would always bring me along.
Now? He just glared at me and told me to give Celeste whatever she wanted.
Rhys dragged me back to the car. He wouldn't look at me.
"Once Celeste wins the physics award, we'll announce that you're the real Morgan daughter."
"Everything before that... it was all just a misunderstanding."
The scenery blurred past the window.
Rhys grabbed my wrist tight.
His thumb brushed over the back of my hand—the same way he used to when I couldn't sleep.
I used to crave that.
Used to think I was the happiest girl in the world.
Then I brought Celeste home from the orphanage.
And EVERYTHING changed.
All that warmth? It went to her.
I went from throwing tantrums to begging to breaking down completely.
And all I got in return was:
"Stop making a scene. You're such a drama queen."
The car stopped in front of the Morgan estate.
I yanked my hand free and got out.
Rhys called after me in disbelief, voice desperate.
"Isla. I got hurt because of you—"
I cut him off without any expression.
"Then go see a doctor. What do you expect me to do?"
Chapter 3
I pushed through the front doors.
First thing I saw? Celeste sitting on the couch.
Surrounded by everyone like she was royalty.
My eldest brother Ashton looked pissed. He punched Damien.
"She didn't eat or sleep for three days because of you."
"Is this how you take care of her?"
Celeste rushed to stop him.
"Ashton, Kai—I'm fine. Really."
"It was just a misunderstanding. We talked it out."
Damien pulled her close, looking at her with devotion.
My youngest brother Kai handed her a glass of water, voice soft.
"Don't drink anything cold. Your stomach can't handle it."
What a warm, loving scene.
I stood at the entrance, quietly watching their perfect family moment.
Celeste noticed me first.
Her eyes went red instantly.
"Isla... you're back? I'm so sorry. This is all my fault..."
Kai immediately stepped in front of her.
"This has nothing to do with you. She's the one acting out."
I almost laughed. Almost cried.
Wiped my eyes before anyone could see.
Rhys limped toward me, about to say something—
Then Celeste gasped and ran to him.
"Rhys! Oh my god, what happened to your leg?!"
Her tears came instantly.
She reached for his injury, fingers trembling.
Ashton and Kai's faces darkened. Both turned to look at me.
I'd seen this before.
Every time Celeste cried, I became the villain.
Ashton's voice was ice.
"Isla. What happened to Rhys?"
Rhys opened his mouth—like he might actually explain.
But Celeste beat him to it.
She looked up at me with those tear-filled eyes. Said nothing.
But that one look did more damage than any accusation.
Kai laughed bitterly.
"You did this, didn't you?"
Celeste's voice broke.
"Isla... Rhys used to care about you so much."
"Even if you're upset, you shouldn't—"
I stepped forward.
Slapped her across the face.
The sound echoed through the room.
Everyone froze.
Celeste stared at me, hand pressed to her reddening cheek.
Then Ashton moved.
His hand came down hard. I hit the floor.
My lip split open. Blood filled my mouth.
Ashton pointed at me, shaking with rage.
"We spoiled you. That's the problem."
"Apologize to Celeste. NOW."
Damien pulled Celeste back, staring down at me with undisguised disgust.
Kai crouched in front of me, grabbed my chin and forced me to look up.
"Are you trying to tear this family apart?"
I spit blood onto the marble floor.
"Apologize? For what?"
"I got married and divorced in ONE day!"
"And I can't even slap the homewrecker?"
Ashton's voice rose.
"Homewrecker?!"
"Celeste and Damien were always meant to be together!"
"YOU'RE the one who got in the way!"
"I can't believe I have a sister this shameless!"
I shoved myself up off the floor.
Wiped the blood from my mouth. Laughed.
"Damien was MY fiancé. And now I'M the shameless one?"
Damien's voice was cold. Disgusted.
"That engagement ended a long time ago."
"The Cross family would never accept a woman like you."
Kai yanked me to my feet, fingers digging into my arm.
"Apologize!"
I looked at them. One by one.
Ashton's eyes were empty.
Kai's face twisted with disgust.
Damien looked like he wanted me dead.
Rhys stood off to the side, frowning. His mouth moved like he wanted to say something.
He didn't.
Just like a year ago.
When fans started calling Celeste a stalker for hanging around Rhys all the time.
Rhys couldn't stand seeing her hurt.
So he posted on Twitter that she was the Morgan heiress.
And me? The real heiress?
I had to take the backlash. The hate. The accusations.
"You have bodyguards everywhere you go."
"Celeste has no one!"
I was shocked. Fought back. Cried.
They looked at me the same way then as they did now.
I was so tired. Too tired to argue anymore.
I shoved Kai's hand off me and walked to the coffee table.
Picked up the fruit knife sitting next to a plate of cut apples.
Rhys lunged forward—
Celeste grabbed his arm.
"Rhys! Your leg! Be careful!"
She clung to him, tears streaming down her face.
Then she looked back at me.
"Isla, what are you doing?! Put the knife down!"
"We can talk about this—"
I smiled at her.
"I'm apologizing."
I didn't look at Ashton. Didn't look at Kai or Damien.
Just raised the knife.
And drove it into my chest without hesitation.
