Betrayed by Blood, Saved by a Billionaire

ade the place look "eco-chic." It was probably true, if you ignored the fact that the rest of our house was more like a high-tech fortress. I had my

n Hayes. My little si

ip. More like a "this is so, so wrong" flip. I let out a quiet sigh. It wasn't like

ion of an influencer, even if she doesn't officially have that job title yet. Perfect hair, perfect smile, perfect everything. She's got this energy that just pul

t, what I'm streaming, if I've played the latest update of that game we both like. He makes me feel, like, visible. Not just "Hailey's older, kinda awkward siste

Earth t

like she'd just stepped off a fashion shoot. Her outfit was probably worth more than my entire student loan debt

ailey said, flipping her perfectly waved hair. "You're going to forget how to use

Hailey's just showing me the latest plans fo

probably got it all planned down to the last organic, gluten-free, ethically sourced canapé." Our mom, Nicole Miller, was obsessed with appea

to me, her blue eyes, way brighter than my more muted hazel, scanning me up and down. "You're coming, obviously, Skye. But, like, try to wear something that actuall

delivered with a dazzling smile. I felt my cheeks heat

he said quietly. It was meant to be nice, a small defense. I appreciated it, more than he k

an look good, Dyl. She just needs a little... encouragement. Not everyone wakes up looking like a te

hed I could just pixelate out of existence. I pretended t

Skye get back to her drawing. We've got that tasting with the caterer in, like, tw

ing Dylan towards the door, her voice inst

ty view suddenly looked boring. Hailey's words, even the "nice" ones, always ha

to be the best, the brightest, the one everyone looked at. And if she thought anyone, especially me, was getting any attention that should

mplete with constant arm-squeezing and flirty looks, I escaped to the rooftop terrace. Our building had this amazing gr

n I heard footsteps. I tensed, half expecting Mom to tra

t was

voice barely a whisper over

flutter again. "Nah. Just... nee

mode. It's a big deal for her." He came to stand beside me, looking out at

words just slipped out. And they were true. Hailey,

I'm the lucky one." He sounded totally sincere. Then he added, looking

he actually got me. Not in a romantic way, I knew

I whispered, my v

ice cut through the night, sharp and sus

ht down!" he called. He gave me a quick,

Hailey was standing there now, a dark silhouette, her arms crossed.

econd, but Hailey's vibe had quickly killed it. I'd seen the look on her face, the way her whole body tensed up w

. Hailey didn't just want Dylan's attention; she needed all of it. And me, just by existing

her world perfect, to get rid of anything or anyone she thought was standing in her way. Her jealousy wasn't just