"Relax, Adrian can't really do anything to me," Anika whispered to Tessa as they stood outside the door.

"If he tries anything, just give him a piece of your mind. Don't let him get away with it," Tessa murmured back, then slipped away fast, pulling the door shut behind her.

Anika was alone with Adrian Murphy, seated in his wheelchair. She had a damn good idea why he wanted to talk; it had to be about what went down the night before. She decided to take the lead and steer this thing.

"About last night, yeah, I made the first move, but you didn't exactly stop me either. We're both adults, not the type to overthink crap. How about we just move on and never talk about it again?" Anika said, her voice smooth as silk.

Adrian's eyes glinted with something unreadable. Was she seriously trying to dodge this?

"So, what you're saying is, you have no intention of taking responsibility?" Adrian asked, his tone calm but cutting.

Responsibility? For *him*? How would that even work? He was Evan's uncle, and Anika had zero plans to turn into her ex's aunt. Besides, the alcohol had messed with her judgment last night.

Meanwhile, outside the room, Tessa hadn't really left. She had her ear flat against the door, stressing that Adrian might be giving Anika a hard time. But it was way too quiet in there.

What the hell was Adrian playing at?

Not about to leave Anika hanging, Tessa bolted downstairs and dragged her brother Evan up to the second floor.

"Evan, you gotta help Anika. She's in there with Adrian and hasn't come out yet. I know you two broke up, but you can't just leave her to fend for herself!" Tessa rushed out in one breath.

Evan's brows knitted up with worry. Was Anika deliberately going after Adrian to get back at him? Trying to climb the social ladder and turn into his aunt out of spite? If that's her game, she's playing with fire; Adrian had zero interest in women, especially after his accident.

Pushing the doubts aside, Evan yanked the door open.

Inside, Adrian sat calm as ever in his wheelchair, and Anika was standing in front of him, looking completely unfazed. Evan rushed over and grabbed her hand. "Adrian isn't someone you should mess with. If you've got a problem with me, bring it to me straight. Now let's go."

Anika blinked. Had Evan lost his damn mind? How had she never noticed his self-centered side before?

She shook off his grip. "I don't need you butting into my business."

"It's not like I want to. If Tessa hadn't dragged me up here, I wouldn't have bothered. Leave the Murphy estate. Adrian's not interested in someone like you. Let's go!" Evan reached out again, trying to steer her away.

Anika couldn't help but laugh. *Someone like me?* So this was how he talked about an ex-girlfriend, trash-talking her after the breakup? She was so done with him. Turning toward Adrian, she made a snap decision.

"Didn't you say I should take responsibility? Fine. Let's get married," Anika declared, her resolve locking into place.

She hadn't planned on saying yes at first, but now her mind was made up. If she stayed, she'd become Evan's aunt—a thought that cracked her up. Plus, she needed protection from her family's control, and the man in the wheelchair seemed to need a wife for his own reasons.

Evan sneered, his gaze flicking toward Adrian with poorly concealed condescension. "Anika, have you completely lost your mind? Asking Adrian to marry you? Look at him! With his physical condition, he can't even give you a real, functional marriage. Don't humiliate yourself just to spite me."

Adrian remained motionless in his wheelchair, but the temperature in the study plummeted to absolute zero. A slow, lethal smirk touched his lips.

"My 'condition'?" Adrian’s voice was smooth as velvet, dripping with chilling authority. He raised his dark, commanding eyes to Evan. "Whether I can satisfy my wife behind closed doors is something only Anika has the privilege to know. And believe me, nephew—she has zero complaints."

Anika nearly choked on her own breath, heat rushing furiously up her neck as memories of the hotel bed flashed behind her eyes.

"Agreed," Adrian continued, looking directly at Anika. "We'll get married."

Evan froze as if struck by lightning. "Are you serious?! She's only twenty, and you're nearing thirty!"

Anika quickly composed herself, stepping behind Adrian's wheelchair and resting her hand possessively on his broad shoulder. "That's right, Evan. You’d better get used to addressing me with respect. Shouldn't we give him a little Thanksgiving allowance, darling?"

Adrian calmly handed her his matte-black wallet. Anika pulled out several crisp hundred-dollar bills and shoved them into Evan's frozen hand. "From Adrian and me. Treat yourself."

Evan stared at the crumpled bills, trembling with humiliation. "Anika, you—"

"Show your aunt some respect," Adrian cut in, his voice dropping like an iron gavel.

Evan clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white, then spun on his heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Back in the room, Anika and Adrian signed a marriage agreement. To make it legal, she'd need to swing by her place to grab a few documents, but that could wait.

"I'm worried about how your family might react. Let's keep this between us for now and drop the news when the time's right," Anika suggested.

"That's fine," Adrian agreed without missing a beat. He had no problem making sure Tessa and Evan kept their mouths shut.

"So why do you want to marry me?" Anika ventured to ask. Her gut said this wasn't just about taking responsibility. "I've heard things about you before. You probably just need a wife for show, right?"

Adrian stayed silent. Couldn't it be that he genuinely liked her?

"I think I get it," Anika read the subtle look in Adrian's eyes. "We've got different goals but the same ending. Sounds perfect to me. Here's to a kick-ass partnership, Mr. Murphy." She extended her hand, her smile brighter than she'd ever felt.

After the meal, Tessa yanked Anika into the garden.

"You're not joking, are you? You're really gonna be with Adrian?" Tessa was still struggling to wrap her head around it.

"We've already signed the marriage agreement. I guess that makes me your aunt. Wanna try calling me that?" Anika teased, lifting Tessa's chin and loving her flustered reaction.

"But why?" Tessa asked, searching her face for answers.

"Last night, at the hotel—it was Adrian," Anika confessed.

*What?*

Tessa's head was spinning.

Her best friend had been with Adrian? No, wait—her friend made the first move? But Adrian wasn't supposed to be able to...

"Are you absolutely sure it was Adrian? Could you have mixed things up?" Tessa pressed, needing clarity.

Anika nodded. "Even drunk, I know who's who. And it was Adrian who suggested I take responsibility."

Tessa stood speechless, her brain short-circuiting over Adrian's intentions.

At the Powell household, Lorelai Wells had just gotten home and immediately yanked her mom, Rowan Mendez, into her room.

"Mom, Anika's taken refuge at the Murphys'. She's probably roped Tessa Grant into helping her. You've gotta call Anika's mom and get her back here—without access to Anika's account, we can't stream and fill our orders!" Lorelai's real fear was that Anika, staying with the Murphys, might catch Evan Murphy's eye.

"Don't worry, honey. I'll make the call right now." Rowan shut the door and walked to the end of the hall, her voice cold and commanding as she dialed Anika's mother, Myra Knight.

"What's going on with Anika? A little tantrum is one thing, but hiding out at the Murphys'? Is she planning on never coming back to the Powell house? If she keeps this up, I can't promise my judgment won't be clouded when it comes time to arrange her marriage."

Myra felt like the rug had been yanked out from under her. Anika hadn't come back to the Powells'?

"Rest assured, Mrs. Powell. I'll have Anika home by tomorrow. Please continue to look favorably on her marriage prospects for us," Myra pleaded, her voice thick with desperate humility. All she wanted was for her daughter to have a decent life and a grand wedding—even if it meant swallowing her pride.

"It better be that way. And remind Anika that the Powell house doors won't stay open forever. If she keeps running away, we won't be rolling out the welcome mat again. Make sure she hears that."

"Absolutely, absolutely..." Myra nodded over and over.

The call ended, leaving Myra deflated on the couch with a heavy sigh.

**

Over at the Murphy estate, on the second floor of the mansion, Anika and Tessa were sprawled out on a bed together, each cradling a phone. Anika opened her livestream app. Normally, this was when she'd go live, sharing her expertise in voice acting. She never showed her face, but her captivating voice kept fans eagerly awaiting her broadcasts.

"Hey, you okay?" Tessa knew Anika was upset. Even though she claimed she didn't care, Anika deeply valued her supporters' opinions, and the backlash was really getting to her.

"I'm fine," Anika replied, setting her phone aside.

"You sure don't look fine. Lorelai is so shameless, and I can't believe my brother is that clueless! It makes me so mad. I just wanna punch something," Tessa fumed, thinking about how her brother was completely oblivious to Lorelai's manipulations.

Anika just smiled, staying quiet.

"How about blowing off some steam? Hit me, yell at me—whatever you need," Tessa offered.

Anika ruffled Tessa's hair playfully. "When did you turn into such a glutton for punishment? Seriously, I'm good. Let's just go to sleep." Anika lay down, tugging the covers over herself, about to drift off when her phone chimed.

"Not streaming tonight?"

The message was from her top benefactor and long-time mentor on the platform, whose screen name was simply 'M'.

She had always addressed him as 'Mr. M' due to his sophisticated industry insights and composed, mature demeanor. He had a profound understanding of voice acting, clearly an elite veteran in the field.

"Not streaming tonight?" M messaged.

"Not tonight," Anika replied briefly.

"Rough day?" his response popped up almost instantly.

"A bit, but I'll manage. No need to worry about me, Mr. M."

"Get some rest, then. Don't let petty people drain your energy."

"Goodnight, Mr. M," Anika texted back, feeling an unexpected wave of calm wash over her.

Anika was just about to turn over when Tessa's face startled her, peering over the covers with nosy eyes, trying to sneak a look at her messages.

"Go to sleep," Anika grumbled.

Tessa, still wide awake, dug deeper. "That top-spending mentor of yours checking in again?"

"You're reading way too much into it. He just asked about my next stream, and I answered," Anika said.

Tessa wasn't buying it. "I'm telling you, he's into you. Wonder if he's good-looking. From his voice in your streams, he sounds decent and definitely loaded. Why don't you two meet up? There might be a spark."

Anika rolled her eyes, pretending to smack Tessa.

"He's an established professional—who knows how old. Plus, we only talk about voice acting. And FYI, I'm your aunt now. Aren't you worried Adrian will tear into you for pushing me toward other men? I don't mind telling him," Anika teased.

Tessa shrank back instantly. "Don't, please! You know I'm terrified of him. I was just kidding!"

Anika turned away, closing her eyes to finally get some rest.

"But seriously, are you really gonna be with Adrian?" Tessa asked.

"What, is calling me 'aunt' that big a deal?" Anika clearly had her reasons.

"Not at all—it's just that Adrian has a temper. I've literally never seen him smile. Ever. If you can handle him, more power to you. But my brother calling you 'aunt' every day? That's hilarious. If Lorelai marries him, she'll have to call you that too. I'm seriously thrilled for you!" Tessa kept chattering away excitedly.

Anika offered no response.

Tessa was beside herself with curiosity. She'd always found Adrian intimidating, but undeniably hot. The thought of him getting romantically involved with her bestie blew her mind.

Oh my god, oh my god!

Exasperated, Anika picked up her phone and turned on the recorder, aiming it at Tessa. "Why don't you repeat that? I'll make sure Adrian hears it tomorrow."

Tessa clammed up instantly. "Sleep, sleep."

Today was the first day of the new semester. Anika and Tessa drove to campus together; after classes, Anika would finally move into the dorms, freeing the Murphy family from any burden. Adrian had been tied up lately, and Anika hadn't caught a single glimpse of him during her stay.

Their luxury car pulled up at the school gates, and the two stepped out. All around them, students buzzed with gossip about Lorelai Wells, the newly crowned campus queen—a beauty and a social media influencer everyone either envied or obsessed over.

Tessa muttered under her breath, "Lorelai has zero shame. That account was yours, and yet everyone thinks it's hers. Look at 'em—all starry-eyed and envious. That recognition should've been yours. Don't you think?"

The more Tessa dwelled on it, the hotter her blood boiled.

Just then, a male student walked up to Anika, holding out a love letter. "You're our idol Lorelai's sister, right? I'm, like, her biggest fan. Could you pass this to her for me?"

Anika was flooded with disbelief.

Tessa cut in instantly. "If you've got the guts to write a love letter, why can't you hand it over yourself? Beat it before you really piss me off."

The guy was stunned. He'd only asked Anika to deliver the letter—never expected this kind of blow-up. With a dismissive wave, he shot back, "Our idol Lorelai is drop-dead gorgeous and has a voice like honey. I get it—being her sister's gotta be rough, but no need to be this jealous."

"Leave. Now." Anika's voice came out low, but it cut like steel.

"Pure jealousy, that's what it is. Just jealous of our idol Lorelai." He shoved the letter back into his pocket and stalked off.

Tessa was livid, practically steaming. "You better believe I'll slap you next time! What the hell is wrong with people? Ridiculous. Sis, don't waste your breath on them. They’re so not worth it."

Anika just gave a soft smile, slipping an arm around Tessa's waist. "Do I look upset to you?"

"That's my girl."

As they headed to class, they spotted Lorelai holding court by the door, surrounded by classmates. Her sidekick, Paige Wheeler, was handing out candy on her behalf. "Lorelai's treating everyone! Don't be shy, grab some!"

Lorelai basked in the attention, soaking up every drop of admiration. Ever since she'd set foot on this campus, she'd been the only topic of conversation. No one had figured out that Sugar, the internet's favorite voice, was actually their own Lorelai Wells.

From day one, girls had been green with envy and guys had been chasing her nonstop. She was drowning in flowers—way more than any ordinary campus beauty—and people were actually asking for autographs. Sugar's star power blew the campus queen title right out of the water.

Lorelai was beyond grateful. Thank God she'd shown her face on those streams; otherwise, all this adoration would've been Anika's. Just the thought made her stomach twist.

Standing at the classroom door, Tessa was fuming. "Sis, does Lorelai have a single drop of shame? She knows exactly how she got that 'voice goddess' title. How can anyone be this shameless?"

"It's not exactly news, is it? Just now figuring that out?" Anika remained calm, looping an arm over Tessa's shoulders. "Don't sweat it. Weren't you just comforting me a second ago?" Besides, Anika wasn't the type to be played easily.

The prouder Lorelai stood now, the harder she'd crash. Just wait and see.

"You're right," Tessa agreed, following Anika toward their seats. They were seatmates, but right now, their desks were taken over by Lorelai's little fan club, all busy singing her praises.

Tessa nudged Paige Wheeler aside. "Move it, move it—clueless people, step aside."

Paige shot back, "Who are you calling clueless? Tessa Grant, was that aimed at me?"

"If the shoe fits," Tessa said, raising an eyebrow, "then yeah, I'm talking to you."

"Tessa, you…" Paige lifted her hand, ready to strike.

Lorelai slipped in smoothly, her voice calm and her smile picture-perfect. "Tessa didn't mean that. She's just, you know, really upfront. Don't take it to heart." With Lorelai playing peacemaker, Paige had no choice but to fall back to her side, still shooting daggers at Tessa.

Lorelai turned to Tessa. "No hard feelings, Tessa. Paige didn't mean anything by it either. You're both just blunt. Let's not let a tiny thing ruin our friendship. Oh, by the way, Evan invited me to lunch today. Care to join?"

Truth was, Lorelai had invited Evan Murphy herself. Since Thanksgiving, she hadn't heard a peep from him, and his silence had her feeling seriously insecure. Dragging Tessa along felt like the safer bet.

Tessa shut her down flat. "No can do. I'd rather hang with my real sister. And we are not close enough for you to call me by a nickname. Use my full name." She linked her arm through Anika's, driving her loyalty home.

Lorelai kept her smile firmly in place. "How about you, Anika? Want to come? The more, the merrier."

"Not interested." Anika shot the idea down cold.

"No worries. Maybe another time." Lorelai returned to her seat, and within seconds, she was swarmed by classmates, all bombarding her with questions about her streams and why she'd been MIA lately. Everyone was dying for her next broadcast.

Lorelai flashed a smooth smile and explained she'd been swamped with family stuff over the holidays, but she'd be back to streaming in a few days.

Tessa couldn't help but scoff. "So fake. It's not even her account. Like she could even stream. Sis, what's she gonna do when she can't go live? How's she gonna handle that?"

Suddenly, it clicked for Tessa—Anika's calm wasn't weakness; she was just waiting for Lorelai to smash into a wall.

That afternoon, Anika planned to hunt for a part-time job.

"Sis, if you need cash, just hit me up. I can support you—no need for a part-time gig. It's exhausting!" Tessa protested, latching onto Anika's arm. If she were half as hardworking as Anika, her parents wouldn't be so fed up with her.

Anika just smiled. It wasn't about money. She just wasn't the kind of person to lean on anyone. She had her own goals to chase.

**

At Murphy Enterprises, in the CEO's office, Adrian Murphy sat in his tailored black suit, looking razor-sharp and exuding a cold, commanding aura that demanded respect. His long fingers flew over his phone's keyboard: "Streaming tonight?"

He'd gotten used to falling asleep to Anika's streams. Ever since his accident, he'd been wrestling with brutal insomnia. A few months back, he'd stumbled onto her stream, and her voice had hooked him instantly.

"No streams for now, Mr. M. I won't be using this account for a while," she replied.

"What are you up to right now?" Adrian shot back.

"Job hunting," she answered.

"Do you need money?" he asked.

He'd been swamped lately, and since signing the marriage agreement with Anika, he hadn't checked in on her finances. Looked like he needed to fix that.