Retired rock star Jesse Cassidy looked on with obvious disgust as he watched his new stepdaughter Lilah Kelly (17) attack his son, Asher Cassidy (17) just minutes after he married Lilah's mother.

Asher Cassidy, who reunited with his father little more than four years ago, was clearly upset by the nuptials that had taken place, as evidenced by his walking out straight after the ceremony.

From the argument that could be overheard, Asher accused Lilah and her mother of using Jesse for his money and fame.

Lilah dated Asher's brother, Ethan Cassidy (17) for eighteen months before their parents married, and a source close to the Cassidy family says that Asher and Lilah have never been friendly.

"Asher never liked Lilah and was against their relationship from the very start," the source said.

It's understandable that Asher – formerly Asher MacLauchlan – is protective of his family and his inheritance. The neglected child of a drug addict, it was a Cinderella story for Asher who went from abject poverty to riches beyond his wildest dreams when his father's private detective uncovered his existence.

Speculations are rife that Lilah Kelly is also looking for a Cinderella ending. Lilah, along with the Cassidy brothers, attends the prestigious music school, Rockstar Bay Academy. Caitlin Kelly – now Mrs Cassidy – worked multiple jobs, including working as a cleaner for the Cassidys just to afford her daughter's tuition.

Both Kelly ladies must be jumping for joy now that they've married into one of the wealthiest families in Sydney. With the connections and money Jesse brings to the table, it will significantly ease life for the two ladies.

"Lilah is not a very talented musician, so she'll do anything to get ahead," Miss Ainsley Page, Ethan's current girlfriend said. "Sleeping with one Cassidy didn't work, and if Asher didn't dislike her so much, she would probably try sleeping with him to further her career. Now that she's part of the family, however, she'll make the most of the opportunities that come with her new position. She won't get far without them."

Whether Lilah gets a handout from her new family, one thing is certain: there's no chance of the Cassidys being one big happy family.

____________________________

I shove Kennedy's phone back into her hands. "I have to kill Ainsley."

Ethan's girlfriend is lucky she isn't anywhere close to the Cassidy mansion right now. If she was, I would already be tearing her apart.

"Don't. That's exactly what she wants. You let her know just how much she's gotten to you and she'll think she's won."

I start marching down the stairs. "Not if she's dead."

Kennedy falls into step beside me. "Lilah, you can't let her win."

"Lilah is not a very talented musician, so she'll do anything to get ahead in the industry."

The insinuation I would sleep with Asher to further my career if he didn't dislike me so much means Ethan's girlfriend has a death wish. I have no idea what to do with the amount of anger rolling around inside of me, threatening to tear me apart. Has Mum seen the article? Has Jesse? God, has Ethan? I'm so embarrassed. Why didn't Ethan warn me? Ainsley might be his girlfriend, but I'm his friend. He's the one who followed me around after our breakup, reinserting himself in my life and insisting that even if Ainsley is his girlfriend, I still mean something to him – that I'm still one of his best friends.

So as one of my best friends he should have said something.

Mum takes one look at my face as I storm into the kitchen and turns to Kennedy. "I take it she saw the articles?"

"Yup," Kennedy confirms, then frowns. "Well, one of them. She currently wants to kick someone's arse."

"They painted me as...as..." I stutter.

I'm so angry that I can't find the words.

Mum wraps me in a hug. "I know, sweetie."

"Ainsley said..." I start, my words muffled by my mum's t-shirt.

"I know," she whispers soothingly.

"And they said I attacked him," I say to Mum as she pulls back to look at me.

"You knew we'd be watched at the wedding," she reminds me gently.

Yes, but for some reason, I imagined I would still have some control over their perception of me.

"It could have been worse, Lilah," Mum says.

"I can't see how."

Mum sighs. "You need to be on guard whenever you're dealing with the press. This won't be the last article they write about you, you need to accept that."

I want the media to see me as a genuine artist, not as Cinderella – or worse, Cindy's wicked stepsister. The way things have been spun, I look like a scheming, manipulative, second-rate musician. Meanwhile, Asher comes across as a fairy tale protagonist. It's...disturbing.

The article is everything Asher probably hoped for.

And likely, everything Ainsley hoped for, too.

"Dinner is ready," Mum says quietly. "I know this is difficult, and it's going to take some getting used to, but it's important to Jesse and me that you kids try getting along."

The last thing I want to do is sit down at a table with Ethan and Asher right this minute.

However, I don't have much choice.

"Can Kennedy stay for dinner?" I ask.

Having my best friend by my side will make the meal slightly more bearable.

"Jesse and I already spoke about it. You're welcome to stay if you would like to, Kennedy. There's more than enough food."

Kennedy thanks my mum and I continue to fume about the article in silence as I follow Mum and Kennedy outside onto the Cassidy's large back patio.

The outside of the Cassidy mansion is perfect for entertaining. The patio has a built-in bar, complete with a kitchen and barbecue. There are large waterproof couches and chairs, with lights strung up above them. And above the main dining area outside, several ceiling fans provide a breeze, combating the sticky, oppressive heat.

A large spa and pool are set to one side, and a lush garden complete with all kinds of flower gardens, tennis courts and a basketball court extend beyond the patio on the other side. But the best part of the yard? If you walk out the back gate, you're practically on the beach.

I don't look at Asher or at Ethan as I sit on a chair between Mum and Kennedy. My appetite is nearly nonexistent as I thank Jesse for the meal and go about serving myself from the piles of food in the middle of the table.

After a few minutes of strained silences and stilted discussion, Jesse smiles at me. "So, Lilah, are you excited about the senior showcase this year?"

"Yes," I nod, looking up to give him a small and polite smile while I continue to push the food around on my plate.

"Lilah has been talking about how much she wants to be in the senior showcase since she started at the academy," Mum says, staring at me pointedly, silently asking me to try harder at conversing.

Before I can elaborate or say anything more, however, Asher scoffs. "She has no hope of headlining."

Fury makes my hands shake, even as my stomach sinks and my heart plummets at his stupid assuredness. He is deliberately being a jerk, but I've no doubt he believes what said.

"Asher," Jesse and Ethan both scold him.

The academy acts as a feeder school to the university I want to get into, but it only takes a limited number of Academy students before opening their doors to the rest of the country. All the seniors will perform in the showcase - either in groups, or with partners, or as a solo act, top billing - but 'headlining' and mentoring are given to those who are selected as outstanding. Headlining in the showcase is the only way to guarantee I'm offered a spot.

"What?" Asher's gaze flicks between his father and brother. "I'm not allowed to tell the truth. Gayle Munroe and Janie Bentley are the best solo artists. She can't compete with them." 

Engaging with him makes no sense, and part of me even agrees with him, even as the other part of me desperately says I can do it. And yet, I meet Asher's dark eyes and say. "They have half a year to decide. My songs will be better in-"

"Your songs are bubblegum pop on steroids," Asher scoffs. "They have no substance."

His words make me flinch, and I know he sees me react. Kennedy and my mother will probably take me aside after dinner and insist I shouldn't listen to Asher's opinion of me, but neither of them knows that my teachers have more tactfully said pretty much the exact same thing Asher just did.

According to them, I need to work on "tapping into real emotions" because I tend to favour clichés.'

Jesse's face is red, his expression unhappy as he looks at his son. "Did you not hear a word I said earlier?"

"I did. Shut up and don't rock the boat, right?" Asher looks at me and juts out his lower lip, pretending to be sad. "I'm sorry for hurting your feelings, Lilah. I'm just trying to prevent you from being too disappointed."

"You have a heart of gold, Asher," I tell him, sarcasm dripping from my every word.

"She might be able to headline as part of a duet," Ethan says quietly. "Or a group. If she teams up with someone...or people..."

I ignore the hurt pressing on my chest. Even Ethan agrees with Asher about how likely I am to secure one of the headlining spots as a solo singer-songwriter in the showcase.

"I can help her," Ethan continues.

"Ainsley will love that," Asher says, scowling at his brother.

"Whether she has a partner or not, Lilah will succeed," Mum says. "Sometimes how much you want something makes all the difference. One per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration is a good motto. Ambition and drive go a long way."

The insincere smile Asher shoots my mother tells me just what he thinks of her opinion.

"I'm sure you'll get in, Lilah," Jesse says.

I can tell from his expression that he means it. It's nice that he's genuine, but he doesn't know who I'm up against. Will he be disappointed in me if I don't get in?

Will Mum?

"What are you planning to do tonight," Mum asks Kennedy and me, changing the subject.

"I might hang around and watch M.O.D while Lilah works," Kennedy tells her.

"You're working tonight?"

When I see the look of surprise on Mum's face, I say, "I told you I was, didn't I?"

Mum puts down her fork and stares at me. "You told me you were rostered on. But I thought you were going to switch with someone since we were moving in today."

I swallow hard, aware of everyone's eyes are on me. "I was going to, but the shift isn't until eight o'clock. I thought I'd have enough time to have dinner, get dressed and then go."

If anything, Mum looks even less impressed. She wipes her mouth with the cloth serviette and drops it back into her lap. "What time are you finishing?"

"Midnight."

"And just how are you planning to get home, Lilah?"

Crap, I haven't heard Mum use her pissed off voice in ages. Is it irritation or embarrassment causing heat to creep up my neck and face?

"The same way I usually do."

Jesse takes one look at my mother's face and says, "Lilah, that's quite late to be riding home."

I always ride my bike home, even after late shifts. Mum has never had a problem with it before.

"It wouldn't be the first time I've ridden home at that time," I tell Jesse.

"Yes, well, we weren't living so far away before," Mum says.

"What are you saying? You don't want me to take late shifts anymore?"

I can't work out what her deal is as she glares at me. Mum has always worked a lot – for my benefit – so she's given me a lot of freedom. My independence is something I've always valued and respected, meaning I've never taken it for granted or abused it. I hope she isn't about to try tightening the reigns because we're now living with Jesse. I mean, I don't see why she should.

"I think that's for the best, don't you?" she says finally.

"Perhaps you can speak with us before you accept a late shift," Jesse says softly. "That way we can see that someone is around to pick you up."

I don't want someone to pick me up, and I don't want to lose my shifts. It's unlikely I'll be rostered on as much when school goes back in two weeks, but until then I want to make as much money as I can. That means taking every shift offered so that I can buy a car when I turn eighteen in just over eight months.

"How about I ride home tonight, and I'll discuss future late shifts with you another time," I suggest, hoping to postpone the conversation until Mum and I can talk without an audience.

Jesse shakes his head. "Asher and I will come and pick you up. He needs extra practice driving before he goes for his license next month."

"I can't," Asher says, crossing his arms. "I have a date with Maddison after we're done rehearsing."

"I'll do it," Ethan says. "I could use the extra practice."

Asher glares at Ethan. "You have plans with Ainsley, remember?"

Ethan flushes and shifts in his seat, looking awkward while not meeting my gaze. "I forgot about that."

"Well, since the boys are both out, I guess I'll be your chauffeur for the evening," Jesse says. "I'd offer you the use of our driver, but it seems he'll be busy with the boys."

"It's fine, babe," Mum tells him, glaring at me. "Lilah is my daughter. I will pick her up."

"We're all family now, Cait," Jesse says, putting his hand on Mum's knee. "I'm more than happy to."

Somehow my personal hell has suddenly turned into an episode of the Brady Bunch.

Ethan clears his throat. "Actually, Caitlin, Dad. Ainsley and I were talking about going to the movies anyway. We can pick Lilah up when she's finished."

Panic flutters in my chest at the idea of Ethan turning up to watch a movie with Ainsley and then forcing me to catch a ride home with them. Yeah, no way. Ethan probably thinks he's helping me out, but we've talked about this before – I don't want to hang out with him, spend time with him, or accept lifts from him if he's with Ainsley.

"Thanks, Ethan, but you don't need to. Jesse will pick me up. Or Mum will." I look between Jesse and Mum. "Right?"

Jesse frowns. "I was going to, but if Ethan is going to the cinema anyway..."

"It makes sense for you to come home with Ethan," Mum says softly.

Ugh, usually Mum and I are on the same page. Not tonight, though.

"That way you're safe, and..." Mum continues, her expression mildly apologetic. "It's late and Jesse and I are tired after moving."

And she has a date in bed with her new husband. I shouldn't be annoyed. They've put off going on honeymoon until April so that we're able to settle into our new role as a "blended family". It makes sense that the two of them will want to retire early and celebrate moving in together. And I'm going to stop right now thinking about how they plan to celebrate. But still. Mum knows I don't want to spend time with Ethan and Ainsley, especially after all the crap Ainsley said about me.

"I'll ask Luke for a lift," I say without thinking about it.

Ethan scowls. "Luke Morrow?"

"Who is Luke Morrow?" Mum asks quickly.

"A co-worker who always offers me a lift home."

I've never agreed before because I like riding my bike home, but I'll ask him tonight. Hopefully, he will be free after work.

"He also drives like he's a NASCAR driver," Ethan adds.

Mum frowns. "I'm not sure I like the sound of you getting into a car with a NASCAR driver."

I kick Ethan under the table. "He's not that bad."

"He's worse," Asher chimes in, smirking when he sees the filthy look I'm throwing him.

"He's really not that bad," I tell everyone.

"Lilah, Ethan will-"

"No, there's no need for anyone to come to pick me up. Luke will drop me home, okay?"

Mum still looks reluctant to agree, but when she sees the look on my face she backs down. "Are you sure he'll be happy to give you a ride?"

"Yes."

"Maybe we'll catch a flick anyway," Ethan says.

I roll my eyes. He's making it impossible to escape him.

"Thank you, Ethan," Mum says. "I appreciate you looking out for Lilah." When she sees my expression, she says, "Just to be on the safe side. In case this NASCAR driver you mentioned is busy."

"Are you going to join them?" Jesse asks Asher.

Asher shrugs. "I'll ask Maddy if she wants to catch a movie."

Great. Just what I need, both Cassidy brothers visiting the cinema tonight.

"Good luck with that," Kennedy mutters under her breath.

"Thanks."

It will take a lot of luck and a hell of a lot of restraint not to strangle Ainsley if Ethan shows up with her.