SIENNA'S POV
This had to be a joke, a twisted joke of some sort— but it wasn't. My mother was getting married to Robert Sinclair, Theo's father, and suddenly, the man I loathed the most was about to become family.
After the gala, mother had dragged me over to have dinner at her neighbour's just so she could spend more time with Robert.
Watching them from across the table, I kept stabbing the steak in my plate.
"We need to start planning the wedding." My mother smiled, caressing Robert's arm.
Gross.
"You two should get a room." I scowled, frustration seeping into my veins. "And you know what? Scrap the idea of having a wedding. I'm never going to allow this."
I was at a public dinner, fine.
But I wasn't just going to sit back and allow this demon from hell to become my step brother.
"Sienna!" My mom warned, watching me uneasily. "I'm getting married to Robert and that's final." She then glanced at Theo. "You two would learn to get along."
"Get along?" It was Theo this time. His voice was ridiculously cold, his blue eyes icy and sharp. "We both know that's impossible. This woman here lacks manners, etiquette, she's literally an illiterate who was fortunate to dive into the business world."
My eyes widened as people suddenly snapped their necks towards me.
The bastard was doing it again.
"Mr. Sinclair." I gritted out, clenching my fist. "I would not tolerate you—"
"She's never going to be welcomed into the Sinclair household." He cut in, keeping his voice sharp and brutal. "Not after how she has embarrassed herself several times."
"Your family should be delighted to have someone like me in it." I pointed out, chest heaving, eyes burning. "And just because you're the CEO of one of the largest companies, it gives you no right to ridicule a woman in public."
His lips stretched into a lopsided grin, his eyes landing on my small chest. "Unless you're not even one."
"Theo Sinclair!" My mother yelled in horror, but I didn't stay there to drown in the humiliation he effortlessly showered all over me, I slipped away from the dinner and went to the balcony instead.
As the breeze blew against my face, I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration.
I knew I had to do something about this.
Anything.
Theo wasn't going to be my brother.
He didn't deserve to be my brother.
Not after the scars he'd given me over the years.
I knew I had to—
"Running already?" Theo's sharp voice settled in my ears and my mouth soured. I turned around to stare at him, watching as he lazily clutched a glass of scotch in his hands.
My stomach twisted violently as he took slow strides towards me. "I knew you were a coward all along, backing down from the show even before it began."
"You know nothing about me." I spat, feeling the urge to punch his pretty face.
"I do know a lot." He smirked. "We've known each other right from college."
I winced, shaking my head at the memories I didn't want to remember.
"You know this whole sibling shit isn't going to work, right?" I took a step towards him, gazing right into his eyes. "You're never going to become my brother. Never going to be my family."
"You think I want you either?" He pinned me with a look before laughing out loud. "Who do you think you are? Some goddess who everyone would worship? Hate to break it to you, but you're just a plain and ordinary woman."
My whole body trembled with rage.
"I bet your boyfriend never thought he had such a bad taste."
I took another step towards him. "I'm only giving you this much respect because of your title."
"Or because you know I'd crush your tiny little company with a snap of my fingers." He brushed off his suit and smoothened the crumpled sides. "I know you way too well, Blake."
Tears pricked the corner of my eyes.
Great.
He always cornered my words, always humiliated me, always embarrassed me.
But I wasn't just going to let it slide this time.
I reached forward to grab his neatly combed air, eager to drive my sharp nails into his scalp, but he caught my wrist, pinning me against the wall.
"No, No, little sister." He smirked, filling my nostrils with the scent of his cologne. "You don't want to do something you'll regret."
My stomach coiled at the strange title.
"Don't call me that." I spat.
"Or what?" He taunted.
Theo was so close, our breaths mingled together.
His blue eyes swirled with mischief as he cornered me in place. For a brief second—just a few seconds—his eyes dropped to my lips and the air went still.
I couldn't move, couldn't breathe.
He tilted his head and leaned forward—like he was going to kiss me. His cold lips then grazed my ears. "You're even more cowardly than I thought."