I didn't speak to Theo for three days.
Not at breakfast.
Not in the halls.
Not in passing.
Nothing.
Not a word.
It wasn't for lack of trying—at least, not on my end. He avoided me like I was toxic, like that kiss never happened.
And maybe I was toxic. Because I couldn't stop thinking about it.
The pressure of his mouth.
The fire in his touch.
The way his voice cracked when he said, "You drive me f**ing insane."*
It haunted me. Kept me up at night. Burned in my dreams.
And I hated him for pretending it didn't happen.
But what I hated more… was how much I wanted him to do it again.
"You're distracted," Mom said gently as we walked the garden paths together. She was glowing, like always—dressed in a designer outfit Gregory must've bought her, looking every bit the trophy wife she swore she'd never become.
"I'm just tired," I lied.
She paused, taking my hand. "I know this is a big adjustment. But this family… it's a blessing."
I almost laughed.
A blessing?
With a stepbrother who kissed me like I was a sin he couldn't resist?
With a stepfather who stared too long and made my skin crawl?
"I'm fine," I said again.
She squeezed my hand. "Gregory really does want you to feel safe here. Just give it time."
Safe.
That word again.
I forced a nod. "Okay."
But inside?
I didn't feel safe at all.
That night, I wandered the halls again.
It was stupid.
I told myself I just needed air.
But really, I was looking for him.
For Theo.
Even if I didn't speak to him.
Even if I only saw him from a distance.
Even if it killed me.
I passed his door—it was cracked open.
I should have walked away.
I didn't.
I peeked inside and found him at his desk, shirtless, his muscles tense, his hand running through his hair in frustration.
He looked like a painting come to life—flawed, broken, perfect in the worst way.
And then… he spoke.
"I know you're there."
I froze.
Slowly, he turned toward me.
"You always wander at night, little sister?"
My throat tightened. "I wasn't—"
"Don't lie."
I stepped in, shutting the door behind me.
His eyes darkened.
"What do you want from me?" I asked quietly.
"Nothing I'm allowed to have."
He stood slowly, each movement controlled, like he was holding something back.
"I didn't mean for that kiss to happen."
"Then why did it?" I whispered.
"Because you looked at me like you wanted it."
Silence.
"You did want it," he said, voice rough.
I nodded slowly. "I still do."
In a flash, he was in front of me.
But this time—he didn't touch me.
"I can't protect you if you keep tempting me."
"From what?" I challenged. "What are you so afraid of?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he said something that made my blood run cold:
"There are things in this house you don't understand."
"What things?"
He stepped back, eyes unreadable.
"Go to bed, Aria. And lock your door."
But I didn't go to bed.
I waited.
Until the house was dark and quiet again.
And then, I did the one thing I wasn't supposed to do.
I followed him.
Theo left his room after midnight, silent and focused. He moved like he knew exactly where to go.
I crept behind him barefoot, heart pounding.
He walked past the library, past the study, down a back hallway I didn't recognize.
And then…
He opened a door I'd never noticed before.
It looked like a utility closet.
But when he stepped inside—it didn't lead to cleaning supplies.
It led to stairs.
Stone stairs.
Going down.
Into the dark.
I waited until I couldn't hear his footsteps anymore—then I followed.
The basement was cold.
Damp.
Silent.
And filled with… equipment.
Cameras. Screens. Servers.
What the hell was this?
I moved closer to one of the screens—and my breath caught.
It was a live feed.
Of my bedroom.
Another screen—Theo's room.
Another—the downstairs bathroom.
There were dozens.
Every room in the house.
All monitored.
All recorded.
My skin turned to ice.
Who was watching us?
I spun around—and gasped.
Gregory stood at the bottom of the stairs.
His eyes were calm.
His smile wasn't.
"You weren't supposed to see this."
My heart dropped.
"Wh-what is this?"
He stepped closer.
"A precaution. For safety. Of course."
"This is sick," I whispered.
He tilted his head. "You've been wandering a lot lately, Aria. You should be more careful. Especially when you don't know who's watching."
I backed away.
"You're not supposed to be here," he repeated, slower this time.
Then—he reached for something.
A switch? A panic button?
I didn't wait to find out.
I turned and ran—sprinting up the stairs, nearly tripping, my hands shaking.
I didn't stop until I reached Theo's room and slammed the door behind me.
He was there, already half-dressed, startled.
"Aria—?"
"There are cameras," I gasped. "Everywhere. Your dad—he's watching everything."
His face went pale.
"What?"
"In my room. In yours. In the bathrooms."
His expression hardened.
He grabbed his phone, hit a button.
"Get rid of them," he growled into the speaker. "Now."
He threw the phone across the room, fists clenched.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I whispered.
"Because I thought he'd stopped."
We stared at each other—two pieces of a puzzle that didn't fit.
And then… he pulled me into his arms.
For the first time, not because he wanted to kiss me.
But because he wanted to shield me.
"I won't let him touch you," he swore.
And I believed him.
Even if I wasn't supposed to.
Even if the real danger wasn't Gregory anymore…
But the fact that I wanted Theo more than anyone else in the world.