MADISON

"Who is she and why is she here?" The girl inquired when I stood there, wordless and interrupting whatever was about to commence.

My cheeks turned crimson. "Caden?" I finally managed, my voice barely audible.

As the girl tilted her head, a perplexed expression graced her face, allowing me a closer view. She appeared older than the boy hovering over her half-naked form. "You didn't mention you had company." She complained in a way clearly meant to impress the jerk whose company was clearly the least valuable in the building.

"She's not staying with me," Caden responded gruffly, intertwining his fingers with hers.

A discomfiting warmth surged through my veins, and I shifted my gaze to the window, where a gentle breeze played with the curtains.

"Then who is she?" she persisted.

"She's no one. Come here," he replied, grazing his lips along her jawline.

A tightness gripped my stomach. I knew exactly who and what Caden was, and how his involvement with various women had become a habit. So why did it hurt to watch him with someone else? I'd never cared before, so why now?

I swallowed hard, clutching onto my rebelliousness, that's vulnerable and was all too evident now. "Caden, we need to talk."

The whore rolled her eyes and whined before addressing me with an air of superiority. "Could you leave the room? It's clear we're in the middle of something important here."

It's pathetic how she revels in this moment, unaware that a mere fraction of a second after orgasm is enough to relegate her to the list of Caden's forgotten conquests. He'll eventually toss her aside, just as he did with me. The only distinction is that I live here, and she does not. At least he has to confront my presence in the apartment every day, regardless of how much I might repulse him.

"I'm here to talk to my brother. I suggest you stay out of it and remember your place. In case you're unaware, there's a distinction between a whore and a sister," I impulsively retorted to the woman who couldn't seem to keep quiet.

Caden immediately raised his body, propping himself up on his elbow, and directed his narrowed gaze toward me. "Is there? I seem to have trouble making that distinction," he taunted with a smirk that brought to mind the things we had done while he was drunk - things I had allowed him to do to me while I was sober.

Why did I let myself get involved with him? Of all the men in the world, I chose the most insolent one and gave him my first time.

It should have been with someone else, someone I loved deeply. It should have been an experience free from feelings of degradation.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I shook off the agony he had inflicted upon me and asked, "Where have you been?"

"Pleasing my dick, just like the other night," he replied, his tone tinged with amusement - amusement that was causing me pain.

He had always sought to expose my vulnerabilities, resorting to different methods to break me down. I resisted his attempts before, but now, I wasn't so sure. He was targeting a part of me that I had no control over.

"You were out the entire night, and I... I was..." My voice caught in my throat; I couldn't finish my sentence.

I sounded like the naive sister who couldn't control her emotions, and I certainly looked the part.

"Maybe I don't want to be here."

"Could she leave? I'm feeling a bit wet down there," I heard despite my blurred vision.

"Is that all?" Caden raised an eyebrow at me, clearly dismissing my presence.

"No, we need to talk," I insisted, raising my chin in defiance even though my voice betrayed my emotional vulnerability.

"There's nothing to talk about. Kindly leave my room," he stated firmly.

"Or what?" I scoffed.

He probably wouldn't do anything drastic; after all, I live here.

"Or I'll throw you out myself."

Caden had bullied me in ways I'm not proud of, but this was different. The way he looked at me and the tone he used were unlike anything I'd experienced from him, or anyone else.

"I'll inform Dad about your behavior." The words spilled out, sounding dumb and childish as they hung in the air.

Caden rose from the bed, a strange emotion flickering in his eyes, and a hard smile appeared on his lips. "Ah, there it is. Dad's favorite girl, always seeking refuge with her allies. I must say, I'm impressed. But shouldn't you start from the beginning?"

He approached me with hesitant steps, causing me to retreat until I was out of his room. He stood by the door, his biceps flexed, hands gripping the door frame.

His intense gaze bore into me, filled with rage, contempt, and loathing, all concentrated in one piercing stare. "Just so you know, I was only worried that you hadn't returned home," I mumbled, tears welling up.

Don't let him see. Don't let him see how deeply he's wounded you.

"There's some birth control shit on the worktop. Follow the instructions," he informed quietly.

I didn't know how to react to that.

That's just it. It causes bitterness in my throat.

His gaze softened, as did his expression, but in a moment, he shut the door in my face, leaving me standing there, staring at the door, trying to comprehend the strange turn of events until the sounds of their passion began and a tear slipped down my cheek.

I had to leave this place. I needed to go somewhere, anywhere.

I snatched the pack of pills he had mentioned and hurried into my room, causing my wardrobe to scatter across the floor.

With shaky hands, I changed into fresh jeans and a blouse, ignoring the mess I'd made. I stuffed everything I needed into my bag and slipped into black boots before fleeing the apartment on my bicycle.

The library should be open. I needed to lose myself in a good book and forget the turmoil my life had become.