CALHOUN'S POV.

The moment I stepped through the door, everything smelled the same-old money, polished wood, my mother's signature lavender oils that cling to every hallway like an invisible warning. Home sweet home, I guess. Or whatever version of home I've always forced myself to accept.

Meeting the Steward had already drained the little patience I had left in me. It should have been the last thing I did today, yet fate decided to twist itself around my neck and pull me straight into the one situation I was trying to avoid: seeing my so-called fiancée again.

I let out a tired exhale and dropped onto the luxurious dark leather couch, the kind that swallows your weight in seconds. I shrugged my jacket off and tossed it carelessly beside me. My parents would have frowned at that. "A man of stature doesn't toss his clothes," Dad would lecture. But I didn't care. Not today.

This-this whole madness-is what Mom and Dad want. They want to decide who I'll spend my eternity with. They want the perfect daughter-in-law, the perfect alliance, the perfect story that fits their polished image. And I've always played along because I'm an only child, because expectations were placed on me like chains, because the Calhoun legacy mattered more to them than my actual life.

But something inside me snapped today.

And it all started with that kiss.

Honestly, I thought I could just marry Beth, endure her presence, and get the damn thing over with. Settle into the role they carved out for me. But the kiss in the restroom with Maddie... God, that was heart-lightning. That shit hit deep-electric, wild, wrong in all the right ways. I wanted to f**k her senseless right there and then, consequences be damned, if that bloat-faced stranger hadn't interrupted.

And yeah, I noticed him when I walked out. I didn't say anything because I knew it would become Maddie's problem. People always have something to say when it comes to her.

To be honest, I fell for Maddie the first time I saw those teary, scared eyes-back in middle school. She'd run to her cousin crying after being bullied, her small shoulders shaking like she was trying to hold the whole world in. Jeremy couldn't do anything, and nobody expected me to do anything either. But something inside me cracked that day. Something sharp and protective.

How could someone else lay a finger on her?

I still remember the heat in my blood. I dragged her behind me, marched up to those idiots, and made her watch me beat the hell out of them. Her eyes were the same then as they were today in that restroom-fragile yet burning, scared yet stubborn, and somehow soft in a way that makes you want to destroy anything that threatens her.

The memory had barely settled before the door suddenly flew open.

Steven barged in like a tornado, voice loud enough to echo. "Heya! What's poppin'?!"

I didn't even flinch. He never knocks. He's been crashing into my life like this since we were kids. We're basically brothers-same chaos, same scars, same stupid impulsive decisions.

I sat up slightly. "Hey, dude."

He kicked the door shut with his heel and gave me that shit-eating grin. "So... how was your meeting with your dearest and beloved wife-to-be?" he sing-songed before bursting into laughter.

That's Steven for you. Everything is a damn joke.

I shot him a glare but couldn't help the smile tugging at my lips. "Is that what they call it now? I thought it was a business proposal."

Steven cracked up. "Says the business mogul!"

I chuckled under my breath. "Yeah. I'm pretty sure it's illegal to call it a marriage."

He threw himself onto the couch opposite mine, sprawling like he owned the place. "So what's she like?"

I studied him for a second, then asked, "Do you know Madeline-Maddie?"

His face lit up in instant mischief. "Ohhh... you mean the crybaby from middle school? The one insanely obsessed with you? Or-wait-is SHE the one you're marrying?"

"If you stop blabbering like a parrot, maybe you'd hear me out."

He held up his hands. "Okay, okay. I'm listening. Spill."

"So... that's the family I'm getting married into."

Steven's eyebrows shot up. "Wait. Does she have other siblings? Apart from Jeremy? Obviously, he's a guy."

I nodded slowly. "That's what I thought, too. You should've seen how flabbergasted I was when Cinderella descended the stairs."

"Hold on-she has a sister?" Steven leaned forward. "How come I've never met her? I come to Hillenbury every year."

I stood up and stretched. "Well... from what I've heard, she's too social. Elegant personality. Basically the princess of the family."

"And that's... not enough reason for us to know her?" Steven scoffed.

I shrugged. "She's all that. Plus, she was betrothed to me. They sent her to an all-girls elite school."

Steven shot to his feet dramatically. "Who knew you-Calhoun of all people-would end up marrying a virgin after screwing around with anything in a skirt?"

I laughed. "Who knows if she's a lesbian?"

Steven slapped a hand over his heart. "Oh my gosh, man! That's harsh... and kinda hot."

We both laughed before silence settled, thick and heavy.

Then Steven broke it with a low whistle. "So... what are you gonna do? Because from everything you've said... you liked the wrong sister."

I frowned. "Who said I liked Madeline? She's the one obsessed with me, remember?"

He poked my shoulder. "What do you think I am? A buffoon? You wouldn't suck a girl's injury for fun, dude."

I shrugged. "Maybe I did."

Steven's glare sharpened.

"Fine," I sighed. "Okay. Yes. I liked her. I wanted to let go of those feelings for my parents' sake. But after the kiss at the-"

"WAIT." He held up both hands. "You kissed Madeline?!"

"Technically... she kissed me."

Steven groaned and collapsed back onto the couch. "Oh boy. You're dead. So what now? Are you two hooking up or what?"

"I want that badly," I admitted, sitting down again. "But I know how much this marriage means to my parents."

Steven nodded, face serious for once. "Can't you like... ask for a switch?"

I shot him a glare. "Beth has been trained for years to be my wife. But Madeline..."

The words fell off.

He leaned forward. "Look, man. I've known you since preschool. I know how long you've been swallowing your parents' shit. Don't you think it's time to stand up for yourself? You own your money now. Your businesses. Your estates. What are you still scared of?"

He wasn't wrong.

I stared at my hands, thinking of everything I'd worked for all these years. The late nights, the deals, the pressure. All that grinding just for them to still control me like a puppet.

Steven watched me quietly.

"You're right," I finally breathed out. "I'm done playing the good son. We all know how bad I am."

He grinned. "There you go. For a second I wondered where the Calhoun I grew up with disappeared to."

"I might as well tell Beth off tomorrow," I muttered.

Steven raised a brow. "You don't even need to see her. Just talk to your parents."

"I know. But our parents arranged this date to 'get to know each other.' So..." I shrugged.

Steven stood up. "Good then. Tomorrow is your chance. Go blow it up." He smirked. "See you later."

He left the room as loudly as he entered.

Silence wrapped around me again, but it felt different now-heavy, charged, determined.

Tomorrow will probably be my last day in Texas. There's no need to come back after this. Not once I make my decision clear.

But honestly?

Being kissed like hell in a restroom...

Yeah.

That was worth coming back for.

MADELINE'S POV

"Mom! Mom!" Beth's voice cut through the house like a siren. I could already hear the panic in her tone before I even stepped into the living room. "I need today's date with Calhoun to be perfect... he wasn't impressed with yesterday's look."

There she was-standing in the middle of the living room like some frantic princess who'd just been told her crown wasn't shiny enough. Her hair was spread across her shoulders in perfect curls, her makeup already half-done even though it wasn't even noon. Typical Beth.

"You don't know that," I said, walking in. "You looked perfect yesterday."

She turned and gave me that signature glare... the one that could probably melt steel if she tried hard enough.

"I'm not taking advice from someone who barely looks at the mirror."

Ouch.

For a moment, I stared at her stupid perfect face. The smooth skin, the tiny nose, the annoyingly symmetrical features-everything about her screamed I was born to be adored.

And for a brief second, I imagined burying my fists right into her perfect nostrils. Just one good punch. One. Then we would see how "perfect" she looked after that.

But of course, I didn't. I never do. I just swallowed the heat rising in my throat.

Mom walked in. "Do you want to get something from the mall?" she asked Beth. "Or borrow something from Meemaw?"

"Eww." Beth wrinkled her nose like Meemaw's clothes were covered in fleas. "I'd rather stab myself. We're going to the mall."

I turned to Mom quickly. "Wait-Mom. You promised to teach me how to make those desserts today, remember?"

Mom paused. Her eyes darted between me and Beth. I already knew what her mouth was going to say even before she opened it.

"Yeah, but..." She sighed and rubbed her forehead. "This is more important. We'll do that some other time, okay?"

Of course. Always "some other time."

I nodded. I always nod.

She looked at Beth. "Come on, let's go find something for you to wear."

"Yay!" Beth shrieked so loudly my ears nearly bled. She grabbed the keys, practically skipping to the door.

They left without another glance in my direction.

I let out a long sigh. I was used to this. It didn't even sting as sharply anymore. I've been hinting at my parents for years-begging silently for attention, affection, acknowledgement-but... nothing. And I've learned something:

When you grow up invisible, you stop expecting anyone to see you.

I mean... what does it matter? I'll probably end up marrying some town farmer eventually. That's the most my parents seem to think I'm good for.

"Hey, Maddie."

I spun around, startled. Jeremy was leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets, watching me with that amused expression he always had when I didn't notice him.

"How long have you been standing there, you creep?" I asked.

He smirked. "Long enough to notice you're becoming mentally unstable."

I chuckled. "Honestly? I've been thinking the same thing."

He laughed, shaking his head. "Well... you have a mail." He lifted a white envelope. "You've never gotten mail before, so I'm kinda curious who it's from."

My eyebrows shot up. "Give me that." I snatched it from his hands. "Did you read it?"

"Does it look read?" he asked, raising a brow.

I inspected it-it was still sealed perfectly. Untouched.

He shrugged. "Besides, you know how much I hate invading people's privacy."

"Cute," I muttered, already tearing it open.

The bold headline hit me immediately:

FROM FRANCE'S SCHOLARSHIP DEPARTMENT

My breath slipped out of my lungs. I stared at the words, then at Jeremy, who was already narrowing his eyes at my expression.

I read further, my hands shaking, and then-

I screamed.

"What??" Jeremy snatched the letter from me. "Maddie-what is it?" He skimmed the page, and his jaw dropped. "Oh my God... you've GOT to be kidding me."

I nodded, tears springing into my eyes. "This-this is REAL. Jeremy-I applied before college. I thought they ignored me! But they emailed me and I never responded, so they decided to reach out through mail. I... I got a scholarship."

A full-body thrill shot through me. I could barely breathe.

"This is my dream come true," I said, hugging him tightly.

Jeremy hugged me back, and he was just as excited. "But... do you think your parents will agree? France sounds kinda expensive."

I froze.

I hadn't thought about that. At all.

"They should..." I said, forcing confidence. "They'll have to. Scholarships like this don't just fall from the sky."

Jeremy gave me that comforting smile of his. "Well then... this calls for a celebration."

I nodded eagerly.

He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Bills on me."

"Who else would pay?" I teased. "You're the man."

He grinned. "Exactly why I love you."

We laughed and walked out of the house together, talking about France, about dreams, about everything that felt suddenly possible.

---

When I returned that evening, Mom was in the kitchen, elbows-deep in dinner prep.

"Where have you been, Maddie?" she asked without looking at me. "Dinner isn't going to cook itself."

I stepped closer. "I was out with Jeremy."

"Mm-hmm." She pushed a bowl toward me. "Spare me the details. Start kneading this dough."

I washed my hands. I didn't even complain. I was too happy for that.

"Mom..." I started, heart thumping. "You know that college in France I applied to before starting here?"

"What about it?" she asked distractedly.

"Well... I got a mail today. They offered me a half-scholarship and-"

"You rejected it, right?" she cut in sharply.

I froze.

"Re... reject it?"

She turned, annoyed. "We have no money for that, Maddie. You know that."

"No, I don't know that!" My voice cracked. "How would I know? You never talk to me about anything! And studying abroad means everything to me-"

"Maddie." Mom sighed, stepping away from the beef she was marinating. "I know what it means to you. But we do NOT have the financial capacity for that right now. We just can't."

"Really?" My voice broke completely. "We don't have money NOW? You guys spent a thousand dollars-A THOUSAND-on Beth's dress. A dress she'll wear once! But MY future? MY dream? I'm supposed to just throw it in the trash?"

"Maddie, please don't start-"

"Oh, right." I laughed bitterly. "You expect me to bottle everything up like I always do. But it hurts, Mom. It fucking hurts." Tears spilled down my face uncontrollably.

"Maddie..." She stepped toward me.

I stepped back.

"Beth has ALWAYS had everything!" I shouted. "Getting betrothed to one of the most powerful families in Texas. Fancy boarding schools. Special treatment. And me?" My voice shook violently. "I get NOTHING. I'm always the second choice. I'm nothing. And you don't even care."

"We love you both equally-"

"THAT'S a lie," I snapped. "A bloody lie."

I turned and started toward the stairs-furious, broken, shaking-but then I froze.

Beth was standing at the doorway.

She'd been listening the whole time.

Good.

Let her.

I didn't care anymore. I wanted every single one of them to be hurt for once. To feel just a tiny bit of what I've felt my whole life.

I wiped my cheeks and walked past her without looking back.