Ava's POV
I was so happy when Dad told me he was in love. Finally, he was getting married. But I was also scared. What if they didn't like me?
Dad and I made sure everything was perfect. Our workers prepared a variety of food to welcome our soon-to-be family. I'd heard his soon-to-be wife had a daughter my age.
And then they came.
To my greatest surprise—it was Melissa. My bully. And her mother. What??
Melissa hugged me the second she saw me, acting like we were best friends at school.
"Oh, my dear Ava. We're going to be sisters," she said, holding me tightly.
They talked. Laughed. Ate. I sat there, silent. Anxious. Maybe even scared.
"So, Ava, I heard you go to Halcyon University. How did you and Melissa become friends?" Elara, Melissa's mom, asked.
"Uhmm…" I stammered.
Melissa jumped in, smiling sweetly. "Mom, Ava and I are very close. We literally do everything together. She's like a best friend to me. I think this is fate. I'm so excited we're going to be sisters."
"I'm so glad to hear that," Dad said, smiling at me. "I was worried you girls might not get along—but it seems everything is settled."
"How are you feeling, Ava? I mean, after the accident?" Elara asked.
"Oh. I'm okay," I replied quickly.
But I wasn't.
Melissa was now part of my life, and I didn't know what to expect. I was already depressed about the accident.
Dad and I had been on our way to the movies when it happened. Now I walk with crutches, and no one knows if I'll ever walk on both feet again. It's frustrating.
Finally, Melissa and her mom left. Just me and Dad.
"Honey," Dad began, "Elara and I are getting married on Saturday. I'm sorry I'm telling you now. I wasn't sure before, but now I know—I want her in my life. You're going to have a mom."
"That's good news, Dad. I'm happy for you." I forced a smile and hugged him.
"She's going to be a great mom," he added.
The next day at school. The usual hate. The usual names. I've always learned to be alone. I just have Dad.
"Well, well, well, my dear stepsister Ava. How are you doing?"
Melissa strutted to my desk with her crew during lunch.
"My lovely sister," she said sweetly—then poured her green juice all over me.
"Go clean that up, sister." She laughed.
I grabbed my crutches and went to the toilet, feeling the laughter and whispers trail behind me. What did I ever do to deserve this?
I burst into tears.
Thankfully, I had extra clothes in my locker. I changed before our driver came to pick me up. No one had to know.
On the ride home, I glanced out the window. Someone had moved into the house across the street. A boy stood outside. Tall. Dark hair. The kind of face you couldn't help but look at twice.
I stared too long.
He looked up. Caught my gaze. I quickly turned away, pretending I hadn't been looking.
When I got home, Melissa and her mom were already moving in.
"Honey," Dad said, "Elara and I decided they should move in today, so we can plan the wedding together."
"That's nice, Dad. I'll go help them settle in," I replied.
Dad smiled at me. I was happy for him.
He had never really let Mom go. He said he'd never stop loving her. Mom died giving birth to me. Dad doesn't let a minute pass without talking about her. But I'm glad he's moving on.
My father—CEO of Elloria Enterprises, one of the biggest companies in Veridale—is the kindest, best dad anyone could ask for.
"Hey bitch, come back here," Melissa snapped as I helped her in her room.
She leaned in. "You'll do everything I say. Or I'll make this house a living hell."
I nodded.
This is so cool, right? Melissa. My stepsister. What?? This is horrible. My worst nightmare.
I walked out of the house.
"Wow, my life is so great," I muttered.
"Hello, are you okay?" a voice behind me asked.
I turned—it was the boy from earlier.
"I'm okay," I said.
He didn't push. Just nodded. Walked away.
And somehow, I felt… noticed.
At school, I was overwhelmed—Melissa in the house, wedding planning, everything.
Then I saw him again. The boy.
He stared at me while I walked in, making sure I noticed.
He walked up.
"Hey, your school here?"
"Yes," I replied.
"I'd like to be friends. I don't know anyone here yet, and I've seen you twice." He winked.
"Oh, that's fine," I said, smiling a little.
I showed him around. We got along. He was actually funny.
And for once, I didn't feel broken.
Finally—wedding day.
It was beautiful. Dad was marrying someone he loved.
I wanted to look nice. I was inviting a boy—Ethan. But I didn't think I'd ever look beautiful, not with the way I walked. It embarrassed me.
The wedding was going well. Until I stepped into the garden for some fresh air.
"There you are, Ava," Ethan said, walking up.
"You came," I said.
"Yes, I live down the street, remember?" He smiled. "You look beautiful, Ava." He gently pushed the hair from my face.
I blushed.
"My lovely sister, Ava, is in love," Melissa's voice cut through.
She was coming toward us with her crew.
She reached out to shake Ethan's hand. "Hi, I'm Melissa, Ava's sister. She's told me all about you."
I tried to stop her. "Melissa, he's not my boyfriend. Ethan just moved in."
"But you told me about him," she said sweetly, pulling me closer.
The wine in her hand spilled all over me.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry, Ava." She smiled. "You should go clean up."
She walked off.
Just like that—she wrecked it.
I stood there. Stained. Humiliated. Ethan staring.
Perfect.
I turned to leave, but he gently caught my wrist.
"Hey, accidents happen. Go clean up—you still look great. Don't let it get to you."
That was the first time someone said that to me. And meant it.
After that day, we grew closer. Ethan started walking me to class. Sitting with me during lunch. Waiting outside after school. He was funny, kind—and he never once looked at my crutches like they were a problem.
We never said we were dating. But it felt like we were.
He made the world quiet when it got too loud.
But while things felt better outside, home turned into a loving hell.
Melissa smiled at me in front of Dad. Called me "sister" at the dinner table. Acted like we were best friends whenever Ethan was around.
He had no idea who she really was.
Behind closed doors, she made me clean up after her, blamed me for things I didn't do, and laughed when I cried. Elara pretended not to see any of it.
Dad? He was happy. And I couldn't ruin that for him.
So I kept smiling.
For Ethan. For Dad.
But inside, I was breaking.
And somehow, I knew—this was just the beginning.