Chapter 5

Sweat popped onto Kylie’s forehead, and she wiped her shaky hands on her jeans, totally freaking out inside. She couldn’t fess up to faking it—not now. Everything she’d worked for would fall apart, and she hadn’t played this game so long just to lose it all.

“N—no, no way!” she burst out, shaking her head hard. “Mom, why would I lie to you? I’ve been sick since I was little—you know that?”

Maris scrunched her face, glancing at the papers. “Then what’s up with these…”

“I don’t know!” Kylie’s tears kicked in fast, like she’d hit a button. “Maybe it’s some weird condition they can’t figure out. Mom. I’m your real daughter—don’t you believe me?”

Seeing Kylie bawling again, Maris softened up quick. She stepped over and pulled her into a big hug.

“Shh, don’t cry,” she said, all gentle. “Of course I believe you, honey. We’ll sort it out—I’ll make sure you’re okay, I swear.” Kylie was her little girl, after all—the one who’d had it rough for years. Doubting her felt wrong. Maris held onto that, her heart going mushy.

Kylie, smelling victory, didn’t skip a beat. She peeked up through teary eyes, turning on the waterworks for Brynn.

“Brynn,” she whined, voice cracking, “why do you have all my medical stuff? Did you snoop into my life? Were you trying to ditch me? I’m sorry, okay? Please don’t toss me out…”

Maris’s head whipped toward Brynn, eyes narrowing. Why would Brynn dig around like that? It didn’t sit right, and the more she chewed on it, the more it ticked her off.

“Brynn,” Maris said, her voice sharp with suspicion, “is she right? Are you really trying to shove Kylie out of the family! How could you?”

Her tone turned cold, like she’d already decided. Trust in Brynn? Out the window.

Brynn watched her once-cozy mom turn icy and let out a small, bitter laugh. No warmth—just an empty noise. Twenty years as a daughter, wiped out by one blood connection. It hurt, sharp and deep.

“Mom, you don’t need to stress about me kicking Kylie out,” Brynn said, her voice cool and solid. She locked eyes with Maris, too worn out to even get mad—just calm, done.

She announced, coldly, “I’m married now. As of today, I’m leaving the Everett house. From here on, I’m finished with this family.”

Chase blinked at her, clueless. “Wait, leaving? To my place? Uh, that’s not really—”

“Don’t kid yourself,” Brynn snapped, giving him a look that could stop a wildfire. “I’m going to my husband’s place. You’re not part of this.”

Chase’s mouth fell open. “I’m your fiancé! I didn’t even make it to the wedding—who’s this husband?”

Brynn smirked, arms crossed. “Oh, Chase, get a grip. I’m a catch—good-looking, talented, the full deal. Half the guys in Oceanfront would’ve jumped to marry me. You didn’t want me? Whatever. Someone else did.”

And that was it; she was done talking. She turned, headed upstairs to her room, grabbed her ID and some papers, then came back down, ready to walk out for good.

“Brynn, can you stop messing around?” Chase snapped, his forehead creasing with irritation. He was sure she was just venting—no way she meant it. He knew her too well; outside of him, there wasn’t a decent guy in her life. “Marry someone else? Please,” he thought, shaking his head. He was sure she was just trying to rile him up, and he wasn’t about to play along and run after her like some chump.

“Believe it or don’t, I don’t care.” Brynn was over dealing with him—total waste of breath. She threw him a killer eye roll and walked out of the Everett house without a second thought.

Chase still figured it was a fit. He was halfway through deciding whether to follow when his phone went off. With a grunt, he pulled it out, saw it was his mom, and slouched against the wall.

“Mom, what’s up?” he mumbled, half-checked out.

“Chase, you’re done with that little skank Brynn, you hear me?” Eleanor’s voice blasted through, loud and pissed.

He winced. “Mom, relax, Brynn and I—”

“She ran off with some guy at the wedding!” Eleanor steamrolled over him. “Made us look like a bunch of clowns!”

“What?!” Chase’s voice jumped, cracking. His eyes popped wide, and his phone almost hit the floor. Brynn actually married someone else. He stood there, stuck, brain frying.

Meanwhile, Brynn marched out of the Everett house, done with the whole circus. But bad news travels fast. She’d barely stepped past the gate when the gossip kicked up behind her.

“That’s Brynn, the Everett girl, right?” someone whispered, not quiet enough. “Heard her fiancé bailed on her.”

“Yeah, dude didn’t even show,” another piped up. “She got so mad she just picked some guy at the wedding and was like, ‘Let’s get hitched!’”

“No freaking way. That’s nuts,” the first one said, floored.

“She’s even saying she’s cutting off the Everetts—no more family, done,” someone else added, shaking their head.

“Sounds like she’s lost it. Who even says that?” a voice sighed.

Brynn froze mid-step. These loudmouths weren’t exactly discreet—she caught every word, clear as day, even their shocked little tones. Yeah, she’d decided to cut ties and move on, but hearing this crap? It still sucked. It stung bad, and her eyes started to burn. She dipped her head, trying to keep it together.

15:12 Tue, 8 Apr HAO.

Right then, a car pulled up next to her, headlights flashing. The tires squealed against the road, snapping her out of it. She jerked her head up, staring at the slick sedan. The window rolled down, and there was Dominic—sharp jawline, cool as ever, catching her eye with a small, laid-back grin.

“Mrs. Johnson,” he said, voice smooth and steady, “Need a ride?”