When the party finally ended, Ezra ignored the look Grace kept throwing him—obviously hoping he'd drive her home—and insisted on taking me back to my dorm instead.

As we walked out, Grace muttered near the entrance, "Some people can play dress-up all they want, but it won't change what they really are. Let's see how hard she cries tomorrow."

I just smiled and climbed into his seven-figure supercar.

The engine roared to life. Neon lights blurred past the windows.

Ezra drove with one hand on the wheel, his side profile unfairly gorgeous under the streetlights.

This wasn't the first time I'd seen him up close.

Back at school, I'd watch him from the studio windows while he walked across campus surrounded by people.

The arrogant rich heir everyone knew.

And me? The invisible art girl juggling part-time jobs.

If not for that stupid dare, we would've stayed two lines that never crossed.

But tonight changed that.

Because of him, the kids at Evervale Home had next year's tuition covered.

At a red light, I flashed him a sweet, genuinely grateful smile.

Something shifted in his expression. His fingers tapped against the steering wheel.

Then he looked over at me, gaze dark and steady.

"Mia."

"Hm?" I blinked.

There was a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Have you been secretly staring at me this whole time?"

"Huh?"

I froze.

I literally just made fifty grand off this man. If I denied it now, was he gonna Venmo-request it back?

Maybe my silence lasted too long.

One of his brows slowly lifted as he looked at me.

My heart tightened.

I pulled my sketchbook from my bag and handed it to him.

"Since you noticed, you can have it."

He took it casually and flipped it open beneath the reading light.

Every page was him.

Playing basketball. Smoking. Sleeping under a tree.

I'd always told myself I drew them to sell as fan art to his fangirls.

Only I knew how hard my heart beat with every sketch.

Since I'd already been caught, I figured I might as well commit.

I let out a quiet sigh. "I've liked you for a long time. I just never had the guts to say it. So I drew you instead and pretended we were close."

Then I glanced at the floating comments—

[Mia: Art comes from life. Also from needing money. And okay, maybe from thinking he was hot.]

[Ezra, probably: She's been obsessed with me forever. She even knows what I look like asleep.]

[Mia: Money! I need money! Ezra: She's totally in love with me.]

He slowly closed the sketchbook.

His expression barely changed, but he couldn't fully hide the curve tugging at his lips.

Another comment popped up—

[He's acting calm, but internally? Absolutely losing it.]

The car rolled to a stop outside my dorm.

I checked the time. Almost curfew.

To secure my win, I put on a look of lingering reluctance to leave him,, pulled a tin of candy from my bag, and pressed it into his hand.

"I had a really good time today. This is for you. Smoke less. Eat candy instead."

Then I got out and shut the door behind me.

The comments kept flying—

[Watch. Ezra's gonna get home, hold that candy like it's a sacred artifact, and think, "She cares about my health. She's in love with me."]

[He's absolutely waking up at midnight to eat one and hate himself for almost missing a girl who loves him this much.]

I immediately sped up, scared that if I walked too slow, the fifty grand might magically disappear.

Right before entering the dorm, I glanced back.

The supercar was still parked there, headlights cutting through the dark like lovesick eyes.

That night, I hugged my phone and stared at my bank balance with the dumbest grin on my face.

What I didn't know was that the real billionaire-family chaos was only just starting.

And Grace's little "Let's see how she cries tomorrow" definitely wasn't an empty threat.

***

The next morning, on my way to my studio job, a Rolls-Royce pulled up and blocked my path.

The window rolled down.

A gorgeous face appeared. Elegant. Sharp. Rich enough to ruin lives.

Lisa Everton.

Ezra's sister.

The city's infamous fashion queen. Ruthless. Impossible to please.

My heart immediately tensed.

'Oh my God. Is she about to throw a check at me and tell me to stay away from her brother?'

I knew this storyline.

As I walked over, Lisa took off her sunglasses and gave me a slow once-over with razor-sharp eyes.

"You're Mia Madden?" she asked. "Get in. I'm taking you somewhere."

The comments instantly started freaking out—

[Mia, don't panic! That's your future sister-in-law! She looks terrifying, but she's just an overprotective sister to Ezra!]

[Tonight's the big checkpoint! Their grandpa is secretly watching. Pass this and the money multiplies by ten!]

[Don't back out. Win Lisa over and you're basically untouchable in the Everton family!]

Ten times?

Wouldn't that make it five hundred grand?

I instantly perked up, took a breath, and flashed her a sweet but confident smile.

"Hi. I heard Ezra's sister was gorgeous, but honestly? You're even prettier in person than in magazines. And those earrings look incredible on you. They make you seem really powerful."

Lisa's icy expression softened a little, something close to approval flickering in her eyes.

"You're bold," she said. "And you know how to talk. I heard you got Ezra under control last night. That brat barely listens to our dad, but he actually listened to you. Good. I like you."

[Smart. Very smart.]

[The ice queen almost smiled.]

[Billionaire family entry pass: secured.]

The car stopped outside a luxury designer boutique.

Lisa moved fast, ordering the staff to bring out every new gown from the season collection.

"There's a charity gala tonight," she said. "You'll be attending as Ezra's date. Don't embarrass him."

She motioned toward the rows of insanely expensive dresses.

"Pick one."

I checked a price tag and almost lost the ability to breathe. Instinctively, I reached for something simple.

Lisa frowned immediately. "Too boring. You won't own the room in that."

Right then, Ezra walked over and casually tossed a shimmering galaxy-colored gown toward me.

"This one," he said. "It shows off your figure."

Then he dropped a jewelry box beside it.

"And keep the jewelry."

Inside was a diamond set so bright it was basically blinding.

[I'm literally dying of jealousy.]

[Mia, congrats. I'm jealous to the point of physical pain.]

[That's not an evil rich sister-in-law. That's a fairy godmother.]

When I stepped out in the gown, Lisa's eyes instantly lit up.

She walked over and adjusted the hem herself.

"Tiny waist, long legs, nice skin. You've got the looks for this." Her lips curled slightly. "And that Grace Fakey? Never liked her. She's always putting on an act. You're way easier to look at."

Then her gaze sharpened.

"Tonight, I want you to outshine everyone. Understood?"

I nodded without hesitation.

"I won't embarrass the Everton family."

Suddenly, Lisa picked up a call.

"What?" She sounded shocked. "Ezra took that limited-edition helmet out of the display case?"

She hung up, then looked at me thoughtfully.

"That brat isn't planning to give it to you, is he? He treats that helmet like his firstborn."

My heart skipped.

A helmet?

He hadn't given me anything like that.

The comments immediately lost it—

[LOL! He's probably too shy to give it to her yet and hiding it until the perfect moment!]

[That's the helmet he won his championship with! There's only one!]

[Romantic keepsake incoming!]

I stayed quiet and lowered my gaze, pretending to look shy.

Lisa patted my hand lightly.

"Alright. Since he's chosen you, I won't interfere." Then she smirked. "Come on. Let's head to the gala and give those socialites something to choke on."

The luxury car rolled into the estate, camera flashes blowing up the night like daylight.

Inside, the gala sparkled with gold and crystal. Perfume and silk filled the air.

The second I walked in on Ezra's arm, every head turned our way.

He wore a black custom suit, his hair slicked back, sharp features impossible to miss.

Then he looked at me.

Surprise flashed across his face before he looked away fast, the tips of his ears turning red.

The comments exploded—

[Oh? Who's blushing? I'm not naming names.]

[Ezra's inner voice: My girl looks gorgeous. Every guy staring at her can lose their eyes.]

[The height difference. The visuals. They look straight out of a billionaire romance.]

I glanced down. My dress was a little too long.

I almost tripped.

Ezra caught me instantly and pulled me into his arms.

His warm hand settled against my waist, sending a shiver through me.

"Clumsy." He sounded annoyed but didn't let go. If anything, he pulled me closer. "Stay near me. Don't wander off."

I lowered my voice. "Ezra, you look really handsome tonight."

He stopped for half a second, swallowing hard. "Shut up. Don't butter me up."

"Oh."

We'd barely made it inside when Grace walked over with a wine glass in hand.

She was clearly dressed to impress, but next to my starry gown, she barely stood out.

"Ezra, Mia's dressed pretty expensively tonight. Rented, right? Better hope she doesn't ruin it. She could never pay for the damage."

She covered her mouth with a laugh, jealousy written all over her face.

I was just about to clap back—

Ezra beat me to it, voice cold. "My sister gave it to her. You got a problem with that?"

Grace stiffened. "Lisa gave it to her? Yeah right—"

"How's that impossible?" Lisa cut in as she stepped beside me. "Mia's my guest. I picked out everything she's wearing myself. Unlike you, showing up in a knockoff from last season. Aren't you scared people will notice?"

Grace's face went bright red.

Whispers and quiet laughs spread through the crowd.

She stomped off with watery eyes.

[That was insanely satisfying. Lisa's iconic.]

[Full female lead protection mode unlocked. I'm obsessed.]

[Grace came to start drama and got publicly destroyed instead.]

Lisa winked at me before heading off to greet the other guests.

I let out a breath and looked at Ezra.

He was staring at the diamond necklace around my neck.

"What?"

He reached up and brushed the center stone with his fingers. "That set belonged to my mom. She wore it at her wedding. Can't believe my sister gave it to you."

I froze and immediately reached for the clasp. "It's way too expensive. I can't take—"

Ezra caught my hand.

His fingers were cool.

His stare wasn't. "Leave it on."

"If she gave it to you, it's yours." He leaned in, voice low. "And if you're wearing my family's heirloom, that makes you one of us."

[Ezra's probably thinking: Perfect. One step closer to making her my wife.]

[That's not jewelry. That's basically a proposal.]

[Mia, don't take it off! Be brave for the $500,000 and keep wearing it!]

My face burned.

I slowly lowered my hand.

Halfway through the gala, a few older guests pulled Ezra away to talk.

I slipped into a corner and ate cake by myself.

Out of nowhere, a server "accidentally" slammed into me.

Red wine splashed across my skirt.

"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" His face went white.

I was about to tell him it was fine—

Then I caught the panic in his eyes.

Like someone had told him to do it.

So yeah. Definitely not an accident.

Across the room, Grace watched with a smug little smile.

She walked over and raised her voice on purpose. "Wow. You stained a dress that expensive? How're you gonna explain that to Lisa?"

Loud enough for the whole room to hear.

Heads turned. Whispers started immediately.

I frowned.

This was so painfully predictable.

I was about to fire back when comments flashed across my vision—

[Don't panic! Plot point incoming!]

[Take the left hallway! There's a lounge there. Ezra prepared a surprise for you!]

[Go! Don't waste your time on these clowns!]

I shot Grace a cold look. "Worry about yourself."

Then I grabbed my skirt and headed for the lounge.

I pushed the door open—

And froze.

The walls were covered in paintings.

Every single one was me.

Carefully framed. Hung like they mattered.

At the center was a huge oil painting.

Me by the studio window, focused on my canvas.

Sunlight spilled across my hair, turning it gold. Outside the window, hidden in the shadows of the trees, was the faint silhouette of a boy.

Signed in the corner:

[E.E.]

Ezra Everton.

I covered my mouth.

My eyes started burning.

Every painting had a date in the corner.

Even the weather.

All those days I was barely getting by, insecure about being poor, rushing past his building without looking up—

There'd always been someone watching me quietly.

Gently.

I thought I was just some broke girl trying to survive.

I never realized I'd already become someone else's moon.

The sketches I thought were part of some one-sided crush—

Had never been one-sided at all.

The comments exploded again—

[I'm crying. The king of romance just destroyed me.]

[Who said Ezra was just some campus bad boy? He's down horrendous for her.]

[Mia, stop overthinking. This man's a keeper.]

Footsteps sounded behind me.

Ezra walked in and shut the door.

He glanced at the paintings, then rubbed the back of his neck. "I was gonna show you later."

"Didn't expect you to find out this early."

I turned to him. "You painted all of these?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "Been taking lessons for a few years."

"Why?"

He walked over and stopped in front of me, more serious than I'd ever seen him.

"Because I wanted to be closer to you. Mia, I don't actually like racing. Or drinking. I only did that stuff to get your attention."

He paused.

"Every time I revved my car downstairs, you'd look out the window. Even if it was just one annoyed glance, it still made my day."

My heartbeat stumbled.

So all those roaring engines—

Had been his silent confession.