I looked at him, then jerked my thumb at the other man in the room, "Is the unmovable silent parasite going to be here for that?" I blinked innocently, ignoring the stifled sputtering. "I'd prefer if he was not."

There was a pause. "No. Lennox will be leaving." One look from him and the parasite-Lennox-left, scowling.

"Sit." It wasn't a request.

"I rather stand thanks." I stared him down. Surprisingly, it took a lot of my courage to say that.

Why did it feel like I had just walked into the lion's den?

James didn't seem like a man to take no for an answer. I wondered how long my mother would hold on to this one. He didn't seem like the guy to get manipulated by my mother's charms. Either that or one: I had overestimated the guy. Two: my mum's charms had increased.

Speaking of which...

"Where's my mother?" I look at him, frowning. Catherine would have made her presence known by now to show off her new man. No doubt with him being this rich and handsome she wouldn't.

"Catherine will be here momentarily," James answered calmly. "I already sent someone to get her from our room."

I opened my mouth to ask him when he did that when a soft knock on the door interrupted us.

Like she was summoned by the devil, my mother entered.

Catherine Aller was the epitome of perfection, a fact evident to anyone with even a modicum of eyesight.

Her long, blonde hair cascaded in perfect waves, framing her flawless complexion and delicate features. Every inch of her exuded elegance and sophistication, from the way her clothes draped effortlessly over her impeccable figure to the subtle grace with which she moved. And beneath that flawless exterior lay a sharp mind, equipped with degrees and qualifications that could have easily propelled her to success in any field. The complete opposite of me.

Anyone could see why she was the perfect match for a man as wealthy and powerful as James.

If only they knew the amount of times she visited her daughter in rehab. Or then.

Catherine only acted perfect on the outside. No one knew the broken person she hid on the inside.

"Fallon," she muttered, walking over to me air kissing my cheek. "You look well."

For someone coming from rehab.

Those unspoken words hung in the air.

She turned to look at James. Something flashed in her eyes for a second before it vanished. Love? Happiness? Anger? It vanished into her mask before I could tell.

"Have you discussed with Fallon all her new requirements and the changes? With the school and everything else?"

School? Everything else?

"No, Cat. I felt that Fallon would benefit more if you were the one to explain it to her."

"What changes?" I asked, biting my lips.

Catherine sighed, "As you know, we are getting married in a couple of months. And James suggested that it would be a good idea if you could live with us here permanently. Which would include a change in schools and-"

"Here?"

"Yes, Fallon," Catherine spoke. "We wanted to do this before but..." she trailed off slowly.

The accident.

Because of my accident, I was barely given any information about the wedding.

James stood up, and walked from his desk, to stand beside my mom. Compared to her, he was so tall and with a dangerous aura in contrast to Catherine's dainty figure.

"Atlas is the same age as you and goes to Bellemore High. He will make sure you feel comfortable with everything."

Who the hell is that?

"Atlas?" I asked in question, noting my mom's muted wince.

James glanced at my mother, "You haven't told her about Atlas?"

Yeah, who the fuck is this Atlas?

Catherine flinched and took a step closer to me. She opened her mouth a couple of times but no words came out.

James said, "Atlas is my son."

What. The. Fuck.

No seriously. What the actual hell?!

I HAVE A GODAMN STEPBROTHER?!

I opened my mouth to speak but not a single sound escaped.

"And you didn't think it was something I needed to know?!" I yelled, clenching my fists.

Catherine muttered something inaudibly as James casually leaned on his desk saying, "Atlas is the only child in case you were wondering. Starting on Monday you will begin going to school at Bellemore."

I paused.

Bellemore Elite.

Even the people in the slums knew that Bellemore was only for the richest of the rich could get accepted. It was one of the best schools in the world.

Only the elite of the elite were allowed.

This was my one chance to escape everything. Even him.

Is this why my married James Forester? But even I knew that James didn't need wasn't the type of man to get manipulated regardless of how magnificent my mother's charms were.

"Bellemore?"

"Yes, Fallon," my mother commented, walking over to me, placing her perfectly manicured fingers on my shoulders. "As I'm certain you know what a wonderful opportunity James has given you."

I lifted my chin and stared at my mother's blue eyes. That was his dream.

Bellemore Elite was his dream. Not mine.

You want me to live out his dream? Replace him?

Forget him?

No. Fuck no.

Hot scorching emotions twisted inside me and I had the urge to scream-cry.

I look at James and force a smile on my lips. "Thank you. I appreciate it." I flicked a glance at my mother's clenched eyes, "But I really must go. My friend Tyler and I decided to meet up since he hasn't been around much during the rehab."

"Tyler, yes of course." Catherine said, "But first let Elton show you your room."

"Sure," I muttered.

I stormed out past Elton and continued down the stairs.

Marriage was one thing. But taking away Luke's dream was a whole other.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice where I was going until voices snapped me out of it.

I looked up to see Lennox talking to a man. All I could see was a leather jacket covering the back of the person Lennox was talking to.

"Damn it Atlas, it'll be done."

I raised my brow.

Atlas Forester. As in my future stepbrother?

Whatever Lennox was going to say paused when he saw me behind them.

Atlas slowly turned around. The ends of his lips curling into a cruel smirk.

"You seem to be in a hurry."

I froze.

My gaze slashed against those green eyes.

Cruel.

Emotionless.

Those killer eyes.

The eyes of the man who tried to kill me three months ago.

Run.

☆

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xoxo madisson