Alex's P.O.V.

Murder!

I want to murder my stepsister.

I'm still fuming from last night. Stella—my ill-mannered step-sister—threw my stereo into the pool like it was nothing. Who does that? That girl is out of her mind.

Last night, I planned to take revenge on her for ruining my shoes. I didn't want to let her sleep in peace, but she again did something—for which I want to kill her more now.

My arm still stings where she bit me. I can't believe she actually did that. I didn't expect her to get so... wild. Who does that? Is she a kid or what?

Now, I'm not going to leave a single chance to piss her off. I won't let her live in peace in my house for even a single second.

She doesn't know I'm Alex Blackwood, and I won't tolerate the way she is behaving with me. She has to pay for her deeds—for spoiling my shoes, for throwing my stereo, and for biting me.

I sit at the dining table the next morning, glaring at Stella who sits across me, glancing at me with a stupid smile on her face.

She thinks by winning last night, she won the world. But she doesn't know. It's the beginning of a war between us.

Beside Stella, her mother is sitting, and my father is sitting beside me.

I can't bear the presence of Stella any longer. I should leave.

As I'm about to stand up, Dad speaks up, "Alex, I need you to do me a favour."

"What?" I ask, annoyed, because I have to bear her loving stepdaughter because of him.

"I need you to drop Stella at her college."

My eyes widen at his words.

What the fuck! Dropping Stella to college. No ways! I can't bear her.

"What?" I ask, trying to keep my voice calm. "I'm not a chauffeur, Dad."

He chides me, "Shut up—"

Stella interjects, "I'll go myself, Uncle. I don't need his help." She glares at me through the corner of her amber eyes, and I roll my eyes.

"Call me Dad, Stella." My dad corrects her before turning his face towards me, his expression turning serious again. "And Alex, I'm not taking no for an answer. You'll pick her up, drop her at college, and bring her home safely every day. No arguments." He orders me in a stern tone.

"Fine. Whatever." I slam my fork on the table, too frustrated to argue. I don't want to deal with her, especially after what happened earlier. But I know when my dad's in this mood, there's no use. He has already made up his mind, and there's no changing it.

I know Stella doesn't want this either. That just makes me feel a little better. If I'm suffering, she is too.

The rest of breakfast is eaten in silence, and the only sound is the clatter of forks against plates. I can't even look at my stepsister without wanting to smash something.

***

After breakfast, I stand by the car, waiting for her to come out. Thanks to Stella, I've lost the freedom to drive my own car. There's no way I'm letting her sit in it.

She finally strolls out, hanging a bag on her shoulder. She is dressed up in a black sweater over a white shirt with loose jeans. What the fuck is she wearing the sweater in this heat?

Why do I care? Whatever she wears.

"Ready for our little ride, Mr. Grumpy?" She gives me a wink, causing me to roll my eyes.

"Fucking get in the car, Stella." I open the passenger door for her. I don't want to spend a single second more on this than I have to.

But she likes to test patience.

"I won't sit." She folds her arms across her chest, standing by the door like she's got all the time in the world.

I frown at her. "I don't have time. Just get inside."

"You have to request me first. Then I'll sit inside and go with you. Say... please, Stella, sit inside."

I've had enough. I can't bear her drama anymore.

Without a warning, I grab her, hoist her over my shoulder and toss her into the backseat like a sack of potatoes. "There. Now you're in the car."

She yells, "What the fuck? Are you crazy?"

"You deserve it, little Drama queen." I lock the door before slipping into the driver's seat.

"You're so mannerless." She huffs from the backseat, arms crossed, glaring at me through the rearview mirror. "You don't know how to respect women."

"Stop giving me a lecture on manners, Stella. You're the one who ruined my shoes, tossed my stereo in the pool, and bit me." I grit my teeth as I peel out of the driveway.

She leans forward between the seats, her face close to me. "Oh, come on. You were blasting that thing so loud it wasn't letting me sleep."

I grip the steering wheel tighter, trying to control my temper. "You spoiled my shoes. How could've let you sleep in peace?"

"So it means you deliberately turn up the volume last night." She raises her brows at me.

"Of course, I had to take my revenge," I smirk, glancing at her through the mirror, and she rolls her eyes and slumps back in her seat.

"You're unbelievable." She shakes her head before adding, "You know you should thank me for not throwing you in the pool with your loving stereo." She laughs, mocking me.

Oh God! This girl is getting on my nerves.

I ignore her, concentrating on the road. But Stella doesn't even bother staying quiet. She picks up her phone and starts chatting with someone like I'm not even there, laughing and making stupid little comments that annoy the hell out of me.

I turn the music up to drown out her voice, and she shoots me a death glare.

"I'll call you later, Leah. My stepbrother is a pain in the ass." She disconnects the call before taunting me. "Real mature, Alex."

I smirk, not even bothering to respond. I've already won.

Finally, we pull up to the college. I hit the brakes a little too hard on purpose, making her jolt forward in her seat.

"Seriously?" She snaps, flinging the door open.

"Have a nice day, my dear stepsister." I wink at her as she hops out.

I watch her storm off without saying a word, her eyes shooting daggers at me one last time before she disappears into the building.

I sit there for a moment, gripping the steering wheel, trying to figure out why she gets under my skin so much. She's just my step-sister, nothing more. But something about her drives me absolutely crazy—and not just in the I-can't-stand-you way.

God, what the hell is wrong with me?

***

So here begins the new journey. I hope you all like it.

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