FATEBOUND: Mated to my step-brother

an

Orleans - just that I wasn't go

n call it

sign that said "Welcome Home, Gia Honey!!!" in bright glittery letters. I rol

ran straight into me, wrapping me

like forever!" she bre

't breathe,

and kissed both my cheek

enough," I muttere

you missed me," she sa

said, and she beamed as if I

u! I can't wait for you to see the house, an

s we walked towa

t was the thing about my mum - she talked through awkwardness lik

the driver's d

ring any of y

with a grin. "I knew how mu

actually app

started the car, "how

"You should know - you c

forbid a mother just wants to

es. You're the bes

it," she muttered,

ny friends?

one.

ritten all over her voice. But

e said, "And your mate

m," I groaned, star

n? You're eighteen, Gia. You sho

don't w

hy

eting her eyes. "You need

with the scar, Mum

ne left with a scar, m

I looked back out th

I hated talking

er, she cleared h

," she said, trying

n front of what could only

e walls, tall pillars, and a stretch of green that loo

t immediately to

d cheerily, and I

om, reading the paper like he was

smiled warmly. "Welcome, Gia. It'

ook it, forcing a polite

" Mum asked, g

ring in every single phone

to be here to welcome Gianna,

Marcus a soft kiss, then turned to me

the glass doors l

here

ther, Ivan," Mum sai

he water, a cigarette dangling from his lips. The breez

ouldn't look away

ght there and then

hated what cigarettes and

of my

reminded me every single day of what

my chest burned when his

ike fate whispering a secr

ked. Something inside me stir

apped into place like it

said.. My pulse heightened mor

lurted out, before my brai

ut I was already gone, dis

woman-Nina, the head maid-fou

hoved in my AirPods and blasted music.

too huge. Everyth

used to t

ine, I to

cking, it was already dark

irror. My hand instinctively went to the scar beneath my lef

es came ru

scre

ll of a

pa

y the tears a

ay on the bed. My throat was dry. I reached for the g

g, I g

ave to find