Chelsea Blake did not grow up in a house full of dresses, makeup tutorials, and gossip about boys.
She grew up with boys.
Boys who argued over stocks at breakfast.
Boys who played competitive games like war was about to break out.
Boys who teased without mercy.
So no — she wasn't the typical "girly girl."
She wasn't delicate.
She wasn't dramatic.
And she definitely wasn't obsessed with romance.
While other girls her age were discussing celebrity crushes, Chelsea was learning how to code.
While they were watching makeup tutorials, she was learning penetration testing.
She loved gaming.
She loved hacking.
She loved the thrill of solving digital puzzles no one else could crack.
Now Rhianna Kyle?
That was a different story.
Rhianna was elegance and gloss and sparkle.
A real diva — effortlessly stylish, confident, dramatic in the best way.
Yet somehow…
They balanced each other perfectly.
"REMATCH!"
Chelsea's voice echoed through the game room.
Bryan leaned back in his chair, laughing.
"You lost."
"I did not lose. You cheated."
Jason, who was standing behind Bryan's chair, raised an eyebrow.
"I gave him one tip."
"One tip?" Chelsea scoffed. "You literally told him where I was hiding."
Jason shrugged lazily. "Strategy."
"It's sabotage!"
Bryan grinned victoriously, spinning slightly in the gaming chair.
"Accept defeat gracefully, cousin."
Chelsea turned sharply toward the door.
"Kelvin!"
Her voice carried down the hallway.
A few seconds later, Kelvin appeared at the entrance of the game room, still in his work shirt, sleeves rolled up neatly.
He looked between the three of them.
"What."
"They cheated," Chelsea said immediately, pointing at Bryan and Jason.
"We did not," Bryan argued.
"Jason helped him!"
Kelvin's expression remained neutral.
"Did you win?" he asked Bryan.
"Yes."
Kelvin nodded once.
"Then you won."
Chelsea gasped.
"That's it? That's your judgment?"
"Yes."
She stared at him in disbelief.
"You are a good-for-nothing elder brother."
Jason laughed.
Kelvin didn't even react.
"Accept that you lost."
Chelsea folded her arms tightly.
"I refuse."
"You lost," Bryan repeated sing-song.
She glared at both of them.
After ten more minutes of arguing, complaining, and dramatic sighing, she finally threw her controller onto the couch.
"Whatever."
Bryan smirked.
"If Mom were here, you guys wouldn't be able to treat me like this."
That made them pause.
Because she was right.
Thier mom would have sided with Chelsea, she always did.
Bryan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"But Mom's on a business trip, mehnn," he said playfully, making an exaggerated face at her.
Chelsea made an even uglier face back at him.
"Shut up."
She grabbed her phone and stormed out of the game room.
Jason chuckled softly.
Bryan watched her leave.
Chelsea flopped onto her bed and immediately dialed Rhianna.
The screen lit up with Rhianna's perfectly styled face.
"Girl," Rhianna said dramatically, "you look like you just lost a war."
"I was betrayed," Chelsea said flatly.
Rhianna gasped.
"By who?"
"Bryan. And Jason. And Kelvin is useless."
Rhianna laughed.
"You and Bryan were gaming again?"
"Yes! And Jason helped him cheat."
"That's not cheating, that's teamwork."
"Whose side are you on?"
"Yours. Always yours," Rhianna said sweetly.
Chelsea relaxed slightly.
They talked for hours.
About random things.
About school.
About some upcoming charity event their families would probably attend.
About Becca.
Rhianna was curious, of course.
"You're sure it's not messy?" she asked carefully.
Chelsea shook her head.
"No. It was contractual."
Rhianna blinked.
"Wow. Billionaire problems are crazy."
Chelsea laughed softly.
Eventually, they agreed to go shopping the next day.
"Meet at eleven?" Rhianna asked.
"Done."
"Goodnight, hacker girl."
"Goodnight, diva."
The call ended.
Chelsea placed her phone on her bedside table and lay back, staring at the ceiling.
The mansion was quieter at night.
Calmer.
She was just about to drift off when—
Knock.
Her door creaked open slightly.
Bryan's head appeared.
"You feeling okay?" he asked, wearing a look of exaggerated concern.
Chelsea narrowed her eyes immediately.
"What do you want?"
"Nothing."
She sat up.
"Then why are you here?"
Bryan leaned against the door frame casually.
"Were you talking to Rhianna?"
"Yes."
"Why are you even asking?"
He shrugged.
"No reason."
Chelsea crossed her arms.
"You're suspicious."
He smirked faintly.
"Goodnight."
And then, unexpectedly gently, he closed her door.
Chelsea stared at it for a moment.
"That boy is weird," she muttered.
She lay back down.
But in the hallway—
Bryan stood there for a second longer.
His playful expression gone.
He exhaled slowly.
Ran a hand through his hair.
Then walked toward his room in silence.