Isla's POV
I throw my phone across Sophia's tiny living room.
It hits the wall and bounces onto the floor. The screen doesn't crack, which is almost disappointing. I want something to break. Need something to break that isn't me.
"Whoa!" Sophia rushes in from the kitchen, her eyes wide. "What happened?"
"Someone just called me. Said I'm in danger. Said Mom's wedding was planned by someone who wants something from me." The words tumble out too fast. "Said I might not come out alive if I move into the Steele penthouse."
Sophia picks up my phone and checks it. "Unknown number?"
"Yes. They texted first. Said they have proof of what Natasha did. Wanted to meet me tomorrow at Café Noir." My hands won't stop shaking. "Then they called and said all that crazy stuff about danger and Mom's wedding."
"Isla." Sophia sits beside me on the couch. "This sounds like someone messing with you. You know the internet is full of trolls. They've been harassing you for weeks."
"But what if it's real?"
"What if it's Natasha? Or one of her friends? Trying to scare you?" Sophia puts her hand on mine. "You've been through hell. People are cruel. This is probably just another cruel prank."
I want to believe her. I do. But something about that voice on the phone felt real. Urgent. Scared.
My phone buzzes in Sophia's hand. She looks at the screen and frowns. "It's your mom."
I snatch it back. "Hello?"
"Isla? Are you okay? You sound upset."
"I'm fine." I'm not fine. I'm the opposite of fine. "What's up?"
"I wanted to talk more about this weekend. About you moving in." Mom's voice is excited, happy. "Richard is thrilled you're coming. He's already asking what foods you like so we can stock the kitchen."
Guilt twists in my stomach. Richard sounds nice. But that phone call...
"Mom, are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, Caspian obviously doesn't want me there—"
"Caspian doesn't run this household. Richard and I do. And we both want you here." She pauses. "Sweetheart, you sound scared. What's wrong?"
I glance at Sophia, who's watching me carefully. Should I tell Mom about the call? About the warning?
But what would I even say? Some stranger called and said vague threatening things? Mom would think I'm paranoid. Or worse, she'd think I'm making excuses because I don't want to live with them.
"Nothing's wrong," I lie. "I'm just tired."
"Of course you are. You're working yourself to death. That's exactly why you need to come here. You need rest. You need family. You need a real home, not a couch." Mom's voice softens. "Isla, I know the past two months have been horrible. Your father was cruel. Derek and Natasha were worse. But this is your chance for a fresh start. Richard's penthouse is huge. You'll have your own wing. Your own bathroom. Privacy. And you won't have to work three jobs just to eat."
Everything she's saying makes sense. Perfect sense.
So why does my stomach feel like it's full of rocks?
"What about Caspian?" I ask quietly.
"What about him?"
"He hates you. He said the wedding shouldn't happen. What if he makes my life miserable?"
Mom laughs, light and unbothered. "Caspian doesn't hate me. He's just protective of Richard. His mother died when he was young, and he watched his father grieve for years. He was worried Richard was rushing into things." She pauses. "But we've been together for six months, Isla. I didn't tell you because I knew you were dealing with your own relationship. I didn't want to burden you."
Six months? Mom dated Richard for six months and I didn't know?
"Why didn't you tell me?" Hurt creeps into my voice.
"Because you were engaged. Planning your wedding. I didn't want to distract you. And then everything happened with Derek, and I didn't want to seem insensitive by talking about my own happiness when you were suffering."
It makes sense. It does. But something still feels wrong.
"Caspian won't be a problem," Mom continues. "He works constantly. Barely comes home except to sleep. You probably won't even see him most days. And Richard already told him that if he can't be respectful to you, he can find somewhere else to live."
"Mom, you can't kick him out of his own home—"
"It's Richard's home. And Richard wants you there. So does Caspian's younger brother, actually. He's excited to have a new stepsister."
I didn't know Caspian had a brother. Mom never mentioned that either.
"How many people live in this penthouse?" I ask.
"Just the four of us. Well, five when you move in. Richard, me, Caspian, his brother Julian—who's twenty-five and very sweet—and you." She sounds so happy. So sure this will fix everything. "Please say yes, Isla. Let me help you. Let me be your mother."
The words crack something open in my chest. Let me be your mother. Dad never let her be that. He always undermined her, made her feel small, turned me and Natasha against her.
And after the engagement party disaster, Mom was the only one who called. The only one who cried with me. The only one who said it wasn't my fault.
"Okay," I whisper. "Yes. I'll come."
Mom makes a squealing sound that makes me smile despite everything. "Oh, sweetheart! This is wonderful! Come Saturday morning. I'll send a car for you. Pack everything. This is your home now."
We say goodbye, and I set the phone down carefully this time.
Sophia is still watching me. "You're really going to do this?"
"I have forty-two dollars in my bank account. I just got fired. And I can't live on your couch forever."
"You can live here as long as you need—"
"I know. And you're the best friend in the world. But Sophia, I'm drowning. I need help. And Mom is offering it." I look at my phone, thinking about that warning call. "Maybe that person was just messing with me. Like you said. A troll."
"Maybe." But Sophia doesn't sound convinced.
Neither am I.
Saturday morning comes too fast.
I'm shoving my last belongings into a suitcase when my phone buzzes. A text from unknown number. The same one from before.
You're making a mistake. Don't go to that penthouse. Check your email. I sent you something. Look at it before you leave. Please.
My hands freeze on the suitcase zipper.
Sophia appears in the doorway. "The car's here. Some fancy black Mercedes. Very Steele family."
I grab my phone and open my email app. There's one new message from an address I don't recognize. No subject line. Just an attachment.
I click it.
It's a photo. Grainy, like it was taken from far away. But I can see the people clearly enough.
Caspian Steele standing outside a building. Talking to someone.
That someone is Natasha.
My sister. My enemy. The woman who destroyed my life.
They're standing close. Too close. His hand is on her arm. She's smiling up at him like he just said something funny.
The timestamp on the photo is from yesterday.
My stomach drops into my shoes.
"Isla?" Sophia touches my shoulder. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."
I can't speak. Can't breathe. Can't think.
Why is Caspian meeting with Natasha?
Why is he touching her like that?
And why didn't Mom mention that her new stepson knows my worst enemy?
Another text comes through: Still think I'm just a troll? Be careful, Isla. The Steeles aren't what they seem. And Caspian Steele? He's the most dangerous one of all.
The doorbell rings. The driver, here to take me to my new home.
To the penthouse where Caspian Steele lives.
The man who's apparently friends with my sister.
I look at Sophia, my heart pounding so hard I think it might explode. "I think I just made a huge mistake."