365 Nights, Two Stepbrothers, One Me.

Lila Sinclair's POV

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, hardly recognizing the girl in front of me. The soft curls Ethan had fixed in my hair bounced over my shoulders, my dress hugged my body in all the right places, and the light makeup made me look like I belonged to this mansion, like I'd always been this polished.

Ethan leaned against the doorframe with that smug grin of his.

"Damn, Lila. If Damien doesn't thank my father for adopting you, I will."

I rolled my eyes, but heat rushed to my cheeks. "Stop flattering me."

"I'm not flattering," he said, stepping closer, his eyes scanning me slowly, deliberately. "I'm stating facts. Tonight, you're about to make one woman very jealous."

I raised my brow. "Stephanie?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Smart girl. You'll catch on quick."

I sighed. "So let me get this straight. You're dragging me to your ex's birthday party to... what? Parade me like some trophy?"

"Exactly." He smirked wider, his tone playful but sharp underneath. "Steph's the type who hates losing. She dumped me thinking she'd crawl back whenever she pleased. Tonight, you're going to help me prove she lost me for good."

I folded my arms. "And what do I get in return for being your little prop?"

"Fun," he said immediately, leaning in with a mischievous wink. "And maybe... a tiny crash course in surviving rich-people drama. Trust me, you'll need it."

I laughed despite myself. His energy was infectious...flirty, cocky, but so damn easy to be around.

***

The ride to the party felt like something out of a movie. The sleek black car, the city lights reflecting off tinted windows, Ethan in a perfectly tailored suit beside me. He was humming along to some playlist, relaxed, while I kept fiddling with my fingers.

"You nervous?" he asked, catching me.

"Of course I am," I muttered. "This is my first time walking into some glamorous party as... well, anything."

He reached over, brushing his fingers over mine in a casual but reassuring way. "Relax, Lil babyyy. All you gotta do is stand beside me, smile when I tell you to, laugh at my terrible jokes. Easy."

I smirked. "Your jokes are terrible already. That won't be acting."

"Exactly. You're perfect for this role." he smiled warmly and brushed my hair softly off my shoulders.

The mansion where the party was hosted was dripping in luxury, crystal chandeliers, waiters with champagne, the faint hum of a live band playing something jazzy in the background. And the people... God, everyone looked like they had been carved straight out of fashion magazines.

I froze for a second at the entrance, but Ethan pressed a hand to the small of my back.

"Breathe," he whispered, warm against my ear. "And remember, they wish they looked as good as you."

We entered, and heads turned. I swore I heard someone whisper, "Who's she?" The power of appearances was insane.

Then I saw her.

Stephanie.

She was tall, striking, with flawless red lips and a dress that clung to her like second skin. And the look on her face when her eyes landed on me and Ethan? pure venom dressed in a smile.

"Well, well," she purred as she walked over, champagne glass in hand. "Ethan. You finally learned how to accessorize."

I stiffened, but Ethan slipped his arm around my waist smoothly.

"Stephanie," he said warmly, almost mocking. "Meet Lila. My girl."

Her brows arched, lips twitching. "Your... girl?"

I forced myself to meet her gaze, faking confidence I didn't feel. "Hi."

Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Cute." She turned back to Ethan, her voice sugar-coated poison. "Didn't think you'd move on so fast."

"Didn't think you'd care," he shot back easily, then kissed my temple for good measure. My stomach flipped, though I reminded myself this was all for show.

Stephanie's laugh was sharp. "Enjoy the party, Ethan. Don't choke on your rebound." And with that, she sauntered off, hips swaying like she owned the floor.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. "She hates me."

"She hates losing," Ethan corrected, grinning. "And thanks to you, she's losing big time tonight."

I couldn't help but laugh. The rest of the evening blurred into music, laughter, and Ethan keeping me close, introducing me to his friends, making me laugh so much my cheeks hurt. For a moment, I forgot I was the outsider.

But somewhere between the toasts and the endless glasses of champagne, Ethan started to slip. His jokes got louder, his arm heavier around me. His laughter, looser.

By midnight, he was leaning against the bar, glass in hand, eyes half-lidded. "Lil babyy... you're the best fake girlfriend ever."

I frowned. "You're drunk."

"And you're... so pretty," he slurred with a lazy grin.

I sighed. "Great. Just great."

"Catch ya later, imma go hook up with some ass." he rose as he walked off

"Great! Time up, Lila." I muttered, and suddenly I felt out of place again. Alone, despite the crowd. Ethan was lost in his drunken haze, his friends laughing around him. Nobody noticed me slip away.

***

The night air was sharp as I walked down the driveway, heels clicking on pavement. I tried to call an Uber, but the app kept glitching. Figures.

Frustration bubbled in my chest. My first night out in this world, and of course, I end up stranded. I started walking, hugging myself, when headlights flashed across me. A car screeched to a halt inches away.

I gasped, stumbling back. My heart pounded as the tinted window lowered slightly.

"What the hell?!" I yelled, anger and nerves spilling out. "Do you not know how to drive? You almost killed me, you idiot!"

No answer. Just silence. My hands trembled as I stepped closer, glaring.

"Whoever you are, you need to open your damn eyes instead of speeding like a maniac..." I cursed.

Yes. This was me, whenever I get frustrated and confused.

"Move away!" I barked.

Then my gaze fell on the license plate.

My breath caught.

I knew that number. I knew the name written on the top of the plate.

My lips parted in shock, the words dying in my throat.

The car's engine revved, and before I could say anything else, it sped off into the night, leaving me standing frozen in the middle of the street.

Damien Blackwood.

It had been Damien.

The realization hit me like ice water, and my knees almost buckled. He'd seen me. Heard me. And the way I had screamed at him...God.

If looks could kill, I was sure I had just signed my death sentence.