A sickening thud cut off Ivan's vile words.

Mathew's fist connected with Ivan's jaw.


I barely saw him move—just a blur of motion and rage.

Ivan crumpled to the floor as Mathew pounced, raining down blows that landed with wet, meaty sounds.

The scene blurred with a memory from years ago—my first encounter with Mathew.


At the orphanage, everyone buzzed about a beautiful new boy. My friend dragged me to see him, but we found him savagely beating another child.

He fought three boys at once, never yielding, his fists connecting with sickening precision. Blood smeared his face and knuckles, beautiful and terrifying all at once.


It chilled me to the bone.

No adults had arrived yet, and no one dared intervene. Except me.

I noticed the bruises covering his own face and arms.

"Idiot, doesn't that hurt?"

My first words to Mathew Byrne.

We both froze.

The boys on the ground were the orphanage bullies. They'd targeted me when I first arrived, but I'd never fought back—I'd report them to the director, who always protected me.

I couldn't understand why Mathew would hurt himself this way.

"Mathew, stop!"

I lunged between them, facing Mathew, and grabbed his raised fist.

"Stop! You'll kill him!"

Mathew froze.

His arm trembled violently in my grip, muscles coiled with restrained power.

Slowly, he turned to face me.

Sweat-damp hair clung to his forehead and temples.

"He insulted you," he growled, eyes bloodshot. "What right does he have? And you're defending him?"

I said nothing, my eyes drawn to the bruise forming where Ivan had struck him.

"She's my girlfriend," Ivan spat blood. "Should she defend you—a foster brother who's been gone for years—over me?"

"Enough, Ivan."

I turned to Ivan, sprawled on the floor, and delivered my verdict.

"Get out. We're done."

"What?" Ivan's face twisted. "Crystal... you don't actually have feelings for him, do you?"

"Are you insane? He's my brother!"

"Right..."

Ivan sneered as he struggled to his feet.

"Brother? The way he looks at you is anything but brotherly. Meeting you two is the worst luck I've had in this lifetime!"

"Ivan!"

I slapped him hard across the face.

My palm stung from the impact.

Ivan glared at me. "You're hitting me for him?"

I bit my lip, struggling to keep my voice steady.

"He's my brother! And you cheated first. How dare you try to turn this around on me!"

...

Ivan left.

The door slammed, leaving the apartment in deafening silence.

I stood frozen, mind blank, strength draining from my limbs.

Until a burning chest pressed against my back.

I stiffened, then struggled wildly, but his grip only tightened.

"Let go of me, Mathew!"

I jabbed with my elbows, clawed at his arms—I don't know what I hit.

"Ugh—"

He hissed in pain, but his arms locked around me even tighter.

I went still.

Mathew loosened his grip slightly, his chin resting on my shoulder, his breath hot against my collarbone.

He laughed softly.

I felt the vibration against my back.

"I'm so happy, Crystal. So happy you didn't push me away..."

Tears spilled down my cheeks.

Mathew wiped them away.

I heard myself whisper—

"You're insane."