Nikolai Powell’s hand whipped through the air and landed a stinging slap across Anika Knight’s face.

Pain exploded through her skull, a thin trickle of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.

Her fists clenched until her knuckles ached, and she lifted her chin with defiant fire, her beautiful eyes locked onto his.

“I told you not to take anything from your sister. Are my words nothing to you? After all these years of putting a roof over your head, this is the thanks we get?” Nikolai’s hand was still raised, ready to strike again.

Anika didn’t flinch. She tilted her head back, a bold, taunting move. “I took something from her?” A sneer twisted her expression as she gestured toward the smashed laptop on the floor. “Lorelai used my computer without asking, commandeered my account to shill products, and went live. Who the hell gave her the right?”

Nikolai trembled with fury as Rowan Mendez guided him to a chair. “After all these years we’ve supported you, and she’s your sister—plus she actually helps out, promoting our family’s products, earning us some real money. Meanwhile, you’ve got millions of followers and all you do is post faceless short videos, never once lifting a finger for this family.”

Oh, really?

So now it was her fault, right?

A bitter laugh escaped Anika’s lips. Whatever hope she’d ever had for this family had died a long time ago. If it weren’t for her birth mother, Myra Knight, forcing her into the Powell household to give her a legitimate name and spare her from ridicule, she would have been out of here ages ago.

Her gaze turned ice-cold. “Fine. If you think I’m exploiting this family, then from this moment on, I’m done with you all.”

Resolute, Anika spun on her heel and walked away without a second glance. Nikolai didn’t try to stop her. Instead, he shouted after her, jabbing a finger toward the door, “Go! And don’t you dare come crawling back begging for help!”

Rowan felt a twinge of unease. If Anika really left, how was Lorelai supposed to keep using her account for live streams?

Anika’s account was a massive hit, boasting over eighty million followers. She never showed her face or took sponsorship deals, dedicating herself purely to voice acting for TV series, animations, and skits. Even when she rarely went live, it was only to share insights about the craft.

Her mesmerizing voice and professional training had shot her to overnight fame, flooding her with offers for live-streaming and endorsements—all of which she turned down flat. Voice acting was her passion, and she was determined to share her gift without selling out.

Publicly, Anika had made it clear she’d never do commercial deals, and that standoffish attitude only made her fans love her more. But Lorelai’s little stunt had completely wrecked Anika’s carefully crafted image of someone above fame and fortune.

“It’s freezing out there, middle of winter. If something happens to her, how are we gonna explain it to her mother?” Rowan fretted.

Nikolai remained stone-faced. “Explain what? She walked out. I didn’t kick her to the curb. You really think she can survive on her own with just that voice thing? She’ll come dragging back in a few days.”

Rowan conceded with a nod, recalling how Myra had always dragged Anika back within two days.

Thanksgiving filled the streets with laughter and the smell of turkey, but all Anika felt was a hollow, aching loneliness. She pulled out her phone to call her boyfriend, Evan Murphy. Walking away from her family meant losing the title of the Powell family’s second daughter, but she couldn’t care less—that label had never meant a damn thing to her.

Just then, Evan’s name lit up the screen. She answered, “Evan, where are you? I…” She had been about to spill everything—cutting ties, needing a place to crash—his perfect chance to step up as a real boyfriend.

“Anika, let’s break up.” Evan’s voice cut through the phone, cold and final.

“Break up?”

He was really dumping her on Thanksgiving? Freaking classy.

Before she could demand an explanation, she heard Lorelai’s fake little giggle in the background, dripping with that saccharine charm. So that was it—Evan had already hooked up with her stepsister.

“Fine.” Anika’s voice dripped venom. “I wish you both a long and miserable life together.”

A mocking smile curled her lips. She hung up and immediately dialed her friend, Tessa Grant. “Hey, want to spend Thanksgiving together?”

Tessa’s shock was audible. “Weren’t you supposed to be with my brother?”

“It’s over,” Anika said flatly, as if she were discussing the weather.

Tessa was stunned. “Wait, what? Who broke up with who?”

“Are you coming or not?” Anika pressed, impatience threading into her voice.

Tessa desperately wanted to join her, but she was stuck at her parents’ house for the holiday and couldn’t sneak out. Still, worried sick about her best friend, she booked a swanky hotel suite and promised to be there first thing in the morning.

**

At the hotel, Anika, her vision blurring from the bourbon, leaned heavily against the front desk. "Tessa Grant booked the suite," she slurred.

The desk clerk, flustered by the holiday rush, accidentally coded the keycard for penthouse Suite 6609 instead of standard room 6606.

Staggering off the elevator, Anika swiped the card and pushed the heavy double doors open. The room was bathed in dim amber light, thick with the intoxicating scent of cedarwood, masculine musk, and electric tension.

On the massive king bed lay a man. His tailored Victorian-cuff shirt was torn open to mid-waist, exposing chiseled, gleaming abdominal muscles that heaved with ragged, feverish breaths. His jaw clenched hard, veins corded along his neck—he was clearly battling the agonizing heat of a spiked drink from tonight’s charity gala.

A sleek carbon-fiber wheelchair stood near the bedside.

Before Anika’s tipsy brain could process the situation, the man’s piercing steel-gray eyes snapped open, burning with a raw, predatory hunger. Driven by heartbreak, the haze of alcohol, and an overwhelming magnetic pull, she stumbled toward him.

"Are you... in pain?" she whispered, reaching out.

His large, calloused hand shot out, locking around her wrist with iron strength. In one fluid, powerful pull, he yanked her down onto the mattress beneath him. His scorching breath brushed her lips, dark and guttural: "You shouldn't have walked in here..."

Before she could answer, his mouth crushed against hers, completely consuming her in a blazing firestorm.

The next morning, Anika woke up feeling as though every muscle in her body had been thoroughly dismantled and reassembled. A deep, sweet ache throbbed through her hips, making even shifting in the tangled sheets a breathless task.

The suite door swung open, and Tessa stepped in, freezing at the sight of torn clothing and utter chaos scattered across the floor.

"Holy hell," Tessa gasped, picking up a shredded shirt collar. "Did a hurricane hit this bed?"

Anika pulled the duvet tightly over her bare chest, her cheeks burning as vivid flashbacks from the night rushed in.

The wheelchair by the wall had suggested a physical handicap, but the man had been anything but helpless. His legs might lack motor mobility, but his core, his grip, and his untamed, ferocious virility were mind-blowing. He had dominated the night with ruthless stamina, leaving her completely wrecked until the early hours of dawn.

"Did you... you know?" Tessa’s jaw dropped. "With the guy in the wheelchair?"

"It was an accident," Anika croaked, her voice still raspy from the night before. "And trust me... his injury doesn't affect his physical capability in the slightest."

Tessa shook her head hard. "No way! My parents would lose it!"

Anika eyed her, half amused. "You’re always checking out guys, acting all bold."

"I just like to look. I’m not about to dive in," Tessa shot back, brushing off the tease. "By the way, what’s up with Evan?"

Anika shrugged. "He’s with Lorelai Wells now."

Tessa’s jaw dropped. "…Seriously?"

It was baffling. What could he possibly see in her? She needed more details.

"Lorelai used my account for her livestream last night. I’m pretty sure your brother realized his so-called 'idol' was actually her, and that’s what sparked the breakup. Doesn’t matter though—that’s their mess, not mine, and you don’t need to console me. I’m not bothered." Anika’s indifference was real; she never wasted time on people who weren’t worth it.

Tessa was speechless.

"But that account is yours!" Tessa insisted. "Technically, Evan’s idol should be you. You were about to reveal your secret identity, and instead he dumps you? My brother’s gonna be so pissed when he finds out the truth!"

"Stay out of it," Anika warned.

"Aren’t you upset, though? There’s major backlash online. Fans are accusing you of faking your whole 'not in it for the money' thing. They’re saying you won’t get your followers back if you keep posting under that account." Tessa’s tone was full of sympathy.

Anika just smiled. "I can start fresh with a new account."

Fame and followers didn’t matter to her. She was in it for the passion.

**

Tessa took Anika out for breakfast. Mid-bite, Anika’s phone buzzed—her mom, Myra Knight.

"Mom."

Myra’s voice came through in a shaky, tearful rush. "I’ve told you—no matter how hard it gets, you have to endure it. Why did you leave again? Mrs. Powell is livid this time. Go back to the Powell house and apologize. Don’t make her angrier."

Endure it. Always endure it. Why did her mom keep pushing this?

"Mom, I’m not going back. That place isn’t my home, and they don’t deserve to be my family," Anika said, her voice steady. Not even her mother’s pressure could shake her resolve.

Myra’s frustration hit its peak, and she laid down an ultimatum. "Either come home now, or forget you have a mother. You want to cut ties with the Powells? Fine. Try cutting me off first."

"Mom." Anika struggled to understand. "Why are you forcing this? What’s so amazing about the Powell family? We’d be fine on our own."

"No." Myra’s refusal was hard, her words weighted with hard-won experience. "Only as the Powell family’s daughter will you marry well. I won’t let you end up like me. Please, sweetheart, just come back."

Anika got it—her mom wanted a good life for her, a good marriage—but Anika was done letting anyone call the shots.

"Sorry, Mom. I’m not listening this time." She ended the call.

"Sweetheart, please don’t hurt your mother like this…"

Anika powered down her phone and went back to her breakfast like nothing had happened, glancing over at Tessa. Surprisingly, Tessa was the one who looked furious. "Why does Aunt Myra always tell you to just take it? You’ve already been through enough!"

"Well, your dear friend is officially homeless," Anika hinted.

Whenever she was down, Anika crashed at Tessa’s place, where Tessa’s family absolutely adored her. Especially her gift for mimicking any sound or emotion—she could entertain everyone for hours. Anika was like a real-life soundboard, bringing the fun wherever she went. Tessa always loved having her around and secretly wished she’d never leave. But today, Tessa hesitated.

"Is there a problem?" Anika asked.

Tessa nodded. "Not really, but Adrian is back in the country—my father's younger brother. He’s super into his privacy and has a seriously short fuse. You’re totally welcome to stay, just… steer clear of him. Even I avoid him. I’m too scared to say a word."

Anika lifted an eyebrow. Was it really that serious?

"And my brother. He texted earlier—he’s bringing his girlfriend home. Probably Lorelai Wells. I’m just worried you might…" Feel hurt.

Anika had dated Evan for two years and visited his family often, but they’d never gone public with the relationship, afraid of family pushback. They’d planned to announce it at twenty, but the relationship ended first.

"Why would I care? Your brother is just a blip." Anika’s coolness impressed Tessa, but it also tugged at her heart.

"Exactly. My brother is nothing. Even if Lorelai’s with him, she’ll never be my sister-in-law. You’re the one I call family," Tessa declared, picking her side.

"Cheers to that." Anika gave her a thumbs-up.

**

At the Murphy family estate.

"Hey, Forest." Anika greeted him warmly; she’d long been part of the family’s inner circle.

Forest Young helped with her bags, gushing over her generosity. "Miss Knight, you always bring so much! You’re way too kind. And by the way, the ringtone you made for me is amazing! Do you have time to make one for my wife?"

"Let me see your phone."

As they walked, Anika recorded a new ringtone. Her voice was captivating, smooth as a gentle stream, slipping into the listener’s ears and making them feel completely at ease.

"Does this work, Forest?" she asked.

He nodded eagerly, completely charmed by her sweet voice. "Thank you, Miss Knight."

"Miss Knight, can you record something for us, too?"

"Miss Knight, my son’s store is opening—could you record something?"

"Miss Knight, I’d love one as well."

"Me too."

Surrounded by staff like always, Anika took it in stride. Her voice drew them in every time. Her talent was just that irresistible.

"I’ll take care of it later, when I’ve got some time," she promised.

The staff made way, and Tessa grabbed her arm, steering her toward the mansion. "Girl, you draw a crowd everywhere you go. Everyone’s so jealous of you! Please stop being so freaking perfect—my parents just might trade me in for you!"

Inside the estate.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom, Anika's here!" Tessa announced, handing out the gifts Anika had brought. "These are all from her. I told her not to bring a thing, but she insisted it'd be rude to show up empty-handed on Thanksgiving."

"Hello, Grandpa, Grandma, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy," Anika said, her voice soft and warm.

There was something about her—soothing tone, those captivating eyes—that just pulled everyone in.

"Anika, come sit with us! It's been way too long since you last visited. I was just telling my husband—you've gotta stay a few days this time, keep me company," Martha said, beaming.

Anika smiled, genuinely pleased. "If you're sure I'm not imposing, I'd love to."

"Imposing? Of course not! We'd be thrilled!" Martha took Anika's hand gently. "Tessa, take Anika upstairs and let her pick a room, get settled."

"Got it, Mom." Tessa led Anika up the stairs. "You should just take the same room as last time. You're already familiar with it."

"Works for me," Anika said, totally easygoing about it.

She wasn't planning to stay long anyway. Once she found her own place, she'd be out.

"I'll grab you some fresh towels. Hold up!" Tessa darted off.

Anika pushed open the door to her room, about to walk in, when she heard noises from next door. That room had always been empty during her previous visits, but now it sounded occupied.

She decided not to be nosy and settled in, waiting for Tessa.

"Who's staying next door?" Anika asked, curious.

Tessa's voice dropped to a whisper. "That's Adrian's room. Just... do yourself a favor and stay outta his way."

Anika was puzzled. "Why? Is he dangerous or something?"

Tessa nodded, her face serious. "He's way more intimidating than you think. His mood swings—you never know what'll set him off. And the big thing: a while back, he injured his legs. Can't stand at all. Ever since, he's been even more volatile. Nobody in this family wants to poke that bear."

Anika's heart skipped. "..."

The image of the man from last night flashed through her mind—his legs injured, unable to walk.

No. It couldn't be. There was no way that man was Adrian Murphy.

She and Tessa hung out in the room until dinner. As they were heading out, a loud crash came from next door—something heavy hitting the floor.

Instinctively, Anika glanced around the corner, but Tessa yanked her back. Even so, Anika caught a glimpse: the man who had fallen from his wheelchair. Even sprawled there, unable to move, his intense gaze and that perfectly tailored black suit radiated authority.

She recognized his face instantly.

It was him—the man from last night.

"That's Adrian? Your uncle?" Anika asked, her voice barely a whisper, shock rippling through her.

She'd literally gotten tangled up with her best friend's uncle.

"Yeah, now come on, let's go," Tessa hurried, tugging Anika away without even checking if Adrian could get himself up.

Anika was floored. "..." Seriously? Just leave him like that?

"He fell," Anika pointed out.

"Someone else will help him. If we go in there and he freaks, we're dead," Tessa muttered.

Downstairs.

Evan Murphy had arrived with Lorelai Wells, and they were seated on the living room sofa.

Anika's eyes met Evan's for a split second. He looked pissed—probably thinking she'd shown up to patch things up. But he'd made it crystal clear over the phone: they were done. No going back.

His glare was a silent warning: don't cause a scene, or they wouldn't even be friends.

Anika read him loud and clear. But she had zero intention of making a scene. She didn't waste energy on petty stuff, least of all on someone like him. While Anika kept her cool, Tessa was the exact opposite. She grabbed Anika's arm and marched right over.

"Oh, so this is your new girlfriend, bro? She's alright, I guess, but she's nowhere near as stunning as Anika," Tessa said, dripping with sarcasm. It was her house—she'd say whatever the hell she wanted, especially when it came to defending her bestie.

Martha's face hardened. "Watch your mouth! Lorelai is your brother's girlfriend, and if things go well, she'll be your sister-in-law. Apologize. Now!"

Apologize?

Not a chance.

"Then my brother must be blind—trading a diamond for a damn pebble."

Evan jabbed a finger at Tessa. "Watch it, Tessa, or I'll slap you right in front of Mom and Dad."

Tessa leaned in, defiant. "Oh, I totally believe you. You can't tell a dog from a deer, so hitting your own sister? Sure, go for it. I won't even duck. Hell, I'll drop the family name if I flinch."

"You little..." Evan's jaw clenched.

Lorelai stood up, plastering on a gracious smile. "Aunt, Evan, don't blame Tessa. She's just... outspoken. I actually love her boldness. It's refreshing."

Smooth talker. A real piece of work.

Tessa wasn't buying it. She grabbed Anika. "C'mon, sis, forget her."

Everyone gathered around the table.

"Tessa, go invite Adrian down for dinner," Martha ordered.

No one wanted to do that. No one wanted to get caught in his crosshairs.

"Nope. Not going," Tessa said, clinging to Anika's arm.

"Then you don't eat. Go."

Tessa reluctantly dragged herself upstairs, but she was terrified. She turned pleading eyes to Anika. "Come with me, please! You're strong. If he flips out, you can totally throw him over your shoulder."

"Sure," Anika said. "You're my ride-or-die, remember?"

Tessa grinned. "You're the freaking best! Love you, sis!"

Upstairs, they spent a solid ten minutes arguing over who'd open the door. Finally, Anika gave Tessa a playful shove, and Tessa stumbled right into the room, landing in front of the wheelchair.

"Oops."

Tessa waved awkwardly. "Uh, hey, Adrian."

The man in the wheelchair was dressed in a sharp black suit, looking utterly relaxed yet radiating command. His piercing eyes fixed on Tessa, clearly irritated. He didn't have to say a word—the displeasure rolled off him in waves, ready to explode.

Tessa froze, her smile crumbling into a pathetic grimace.

His lips parted, about to speak.

Just then, Anika stepped in, smoothly helping Tessa up with a smile. "I know you wanted a Thanksgiving present from him, but there's no need to be so formal greeting him, right?" She met Adrian's eyes without a flinch, her voice easy and natural. "We came to invite you down for dinner, Mr. Murphy. It'd be rude to keep everyone waiting, don't you think?"

"Out."

Adrian's voice was low but absolute, sending Tessa scrambling backward. She grabbed Anika's arm, ready to bolt.

"I meant you can leave," Adrian clarified, his gaze locking onto Anika. "But she stays."

Anika's heart nearly stopped.

It was him.