I know what he’s done.
I know what happens next.
I just lost Chad too.
ChapterOne
Ashley
3 months earlier - Start of Freshman Year of College
“This is the start of a wonderful new adventure,” Hera—my stepmom—says, bundling me into her arms. “College is such an amazing experience, and I want you to enjoy every moment.”
“I’ll try.” I grin as I pass the last suitcase to my boyfriend Chad. He pecks my lips briefly while throwing a glare at Hera before stalking off with my bag to load it in the back of his truck.
Pain flits over Hera’s face for a second, like it always does when she’s in Chad’s company.
We ignore that interaction, like usual. There isn’t much more to be said on the subject.
“I hope you like your new home.” She brushes strands of long, wavy midnight-black hair away from her face. “Your mom and I tried to design it with your style in mind.”
Mom and Dad bought a townhome close to Lowell University as a surprise for me. Mom visited from Switzerland with her new husband, Richard, and their cute four-month-old baby daughter, Emilie, in tow for a couple of weeks to work with Hera on the interior design. I knew nothing about it until three nights ago, believing I was moving into an apartment on campus with my boyfriend.
“I’ll believe that when I see it,” I murmur under my breath. It’s not like Mom has ever done much for me or done anything my way. I’m betting when I get there it’s all minimalistic and cold with stark white walls and little color. Although, if Hera had any say, I might be in luck.
My stepmom is the complete opposite of my mother. It’s almost like my dad purposely set out to find a woman who was the antithesis of Pamela Stewart.
My dad is head over heels in love for the first time in his life, and it wasn’t difficult to warm to Hera. We jelled fast after I met her last October despite initial reservations. I was shocked at how sudden and unexpected it all was. Plus, there was the Chad situation. I naturally sided with my boyfriend at first. Until she explained and I got to know her better and realized she’s not responsible for what happened.
Chad doesn’t believe it, and that’s his prerogative. It has made things super awkward though. He refuses to hang out at my house if Hera or Ares is there.
Now, Hera’s obnoxious son is an entirely different matter. I’m fully with Chad in that regard. Ares and Chad have already come to blows several times, and mention of his name instantly puts me in a bad mood. However, I refuse to let that crazy motherfucker occupy any of my headspace today. Today is a good day, and I won’t let Ares Haynes ruin it for me.
My dad, Douglas Shaw, married Hera five months ago, and she has been more of a mother to me this past year than my own mother has been in my eighteen, almost nineteen, years on this planet.
I expect Mom wants a pat on the back because she sacrificed time with her new family to work with Hera on furnishing and decorating the place I will call home for the next four years.
I’m not ungrateful, but she all but abandoned me last year, and she wasn’t around the previous couple of years either. I have pretty much been on my own since I was sixteen, so it will take a lot more for me to find forgiveness in my heart.
Dad is trying, and I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt. For now at least.
“Ready, babe?” Chad asks, interrupting my inner monologue as he comes up behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist and nuzzling his nose into my hair to avoid looking at my stepmom.
Hera wets her lips in an anxious tell and steps back. She glances at her cell. “Your dad wanted to see you off. He should be here any minute now. He left the conference early on purpose.”
Chad radiates anger as his arm tightens around my waist, and I know we need to get out of here before things escalate.
“I’m not sure why Dad felt it was necessary. We spoke on Tuesday before he flew to Seattle,” I say.
Hera runs a hand through her hair. “He wanted to speak to you about, uh, a new development.”
A frown creases my brow. “What new development?”
“I really think it’s best if we tell you together.”
“Can we please go?” Chad whispers in my ear. “You know how I feel about that woman.”
I exhale heavily, hating that Chad despises Hera so thoroughly. His hatred for Ares I understand and share. But I trust Hera when she says there is more to the situation. It would help if she explained, but she says it’s complicated and she can’t go into details because it’s likely to upset Chad even more.
