Matt was done. Exhausted. Beyond drained. Every nerve in his body buzzed with frustration and disgust. Britney had violated him. The shock still gripped him like a vice, his stomach twisted in knots. Lying in bed, he clenched his fists, staring at the ceiling. "I hate that little shit. I wish she never came into this family." Darkness swirled around her, palpable, suffocating. Dinner had been unbearable—her constant, taunting stares slicing through him like daggers. He needed to sleep. To forget. To escape.
Sleep didn't come easy. And when it did, it was a goddamn nightmare disguised as a dream. Jenny. Her touch. Her lips. Her warmth. It all felt so real. Too real. Hands on his body, slipping lower, hands around his growing erection, igniting hot desire within him. But then—something was off. His eyes snapped open.
Someone was on top of him. Someone was kissing his neck, hands digging into his pants and—moving his manhood up and down but it wasn't Jenny.
His blood ran cold.
"The fuck?" His breath hitched in sheer horror as long pink strands of hair draped over his chest.
His stomach lurched.
"BRITNEY! GET THE FUCK OFF ME!"
Panic fueled his strength as he ripped her hand away. She resisted, fingers digging into his skin, her grip unnervingly strong.
"Get... off!" he roared, finally shoving her to the floor.
Britney barely flinched, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she grinned up at him. "You know you want me, Matty. You get aroused every time we kiss."
His jaw clenched so hard he thought it might snap. He bolted out of bed, grabbed her shoulders, and shoved her toward the door. "Get the fuck out of my room, you psycho bitch!"
The commotion sent a ripple through the house.
Anastasia's door flew open. "Oh dear God, what now?!" she groaned, storming down the hallway.
She barely had time to register what was happening before Britney giggled and took off toward the stairs.
Matt and Anastasia lunged after her, but then Britney did something impossible—she jumped.
Not a normal jump. Not a desperate flee-the-scene jump.
A two-story, no-human-should-be-able-to-do-this jump.
She landed effortlessly at the bottom, like some kind of goddamn supervillain, a wicked smile curling her lips before she strode into the lounge.
Matt and Anastasia stood frozen at the top of the stairs, wide-eyed.
"Did you see that?" Matt breathed.
"You mean the part where she just casually defied gravity or the part where she's acting like she didn't?" Anastasia shot back, pulse hammering.
"Uh... both? Maybe they taught that in military school?"
"Yeah, sure. Right after 'How to Be a Fucking Psycho 101.'"
They crept downstairs, tension thick in the air. Britney stood in the middle of the lounge, arms outstretched, lips curling into a challenge. "You want me? Come and get me."
Before they could take a step, a blur of motion shot between them—Dylan.
"Dylan?!" Anastasia recoiled.
He stood protectively in front of Britney, arms out like a human shield. "Look, I know you're pissed, but let's not do anything we'll regret."
Anastasia's eyes darkened. "I don't want to fight her. I want to rip her goddamn head off."
Britney tilted her head, amused. "Come and try."
Matt surged forward, but Dylan pushed him back. "No! Stop!"
Matt's temper snapped. "Whose side are you even on?!"
"I'm on the side of NOT ruining our lives," Dylan hissed. "There's no coming back from this. You hurt her? Wyatt and Beth will never forgive you."
The moment he said their names, Wyatt and Beth walked through the front door, their presence deflating the tension like a pin to a balloon. Britney's wicked expression melted into something angelic, all wide eyes and innocence.
Beth clapped her hands together. "Oh, look at them! Staying up late, bonding as a family. So precious!"
"Hey, kids. Thought you were turning in early?" Wyatt mused.
Anastasia forced a smile. "Yeah, Dad. I am. Night, everyone."
Matt glared at Britney one last time before following Anastasia up the stairs.
At the top, she muttered, "Lock your damn door. Some people clearly can't be trusted."
"Oh, trust me, I plan to. And tomorrow? I'm getting the fuck out of here."
Anastasia spun around. "Matt, no!"
"The fuck I can't! I woke up to her sucking my goddamn neck and..." he hesitated, his face going red. "...massaging my Bald Avenger."
Silence.
Then Anastasia blinked. "Your what now?"
"My Bald Avenger! You know, the bald-headed giggle stick, the Armadillo—"
Her face scrunched up. "What in the actual—?"
Matt groaned. "Oh for fuck's sake, MY DICK, ANA!"
Her eyes went wide before a strangled noise escaped her lips. Her shoulders shook. Then she completely lost it.
She doubled over, laughing hysterically.
Matt scowled. "Are you seriously laughing right now?!"
She shook her head, unable to breathe.
"It's not funny!" he barked, but her giggles only grew louder.
"Oh, piss off!" he grumbled, storming into his room.
She wiped tears from her eyes, finally regaining composure. "Alright, alright, I'll stop. But Matt, we need to tell Sean about this."
"Fine," he grumbled. "Tomorrow."
"Good. Now, I'll leave you and your 'Bald Avenger' alone."
"STILL NOT FUNNY, FUCKER!"
Her laughter echoed through the hallway as she disappeared into her room.
The next morning, Anastasia woke to the sound of a car outside.
Dread curled in her stomach. She rushed to the window just in time to see Matt throwing his bag into a taxi.
"Matt!" she hissed, throwing open the window.
Too late. He was already walking away. But Britney?
Britney ran after him.
Anastasia held her breath as she watched them exchange words, Matt's face twisted in rage.
"Listen, Britney, Bailey, whatever-the-fuck-your-name-is, I wouldn't be with you if you were the last person in the universe. You have some sick, twisted fantasy about step-siblings, but I'm not playing your goddamn game. So BACK THE FUCK UP. I'm leaving, and I don't give a damn what you think."
Britney's face was unreadable, but her voice dripped with something unsettling. "You'll regret this, Matty."
A chill shot up Anastasia's spine.
Matt's jaw clenched. "You can threaten, beg, and scream all you want. I. Don't. Care. And another thing—there are only two people allowed to call me Matty. And you? Ain't one of them. So get the hell out of my way."
He shoved past her, slammed the car door shut, and the taxi took off.
Britney watched it disappear, her expression eerily calm. Then, slowly, she looked up.
Right at Anastasia.
Anastasia yanked the curtains shut, heart pounding.
Britney was pure fucking evil.
And with Matt gone?
This was about to be the longest week of her life.