The Beast

Chapter 1

Chapter One
I'm Done Being Perfect

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HANNAH

My sister and my boyfriend are having a baby. That's how I found out he was cheating on me. On Christmas Eve.

At first, I laughed when my older sister announced that she was pregnant at the dinner table. Mostly because it was nearly impossible to happen, considering all her health issues. But all the humour drained from my face when she slowly reached across from her, where my boyfriend sat, and laced her fingers with his. She wore a small smile before telling me and our parents that they were expecting.

And my boyfriend had the gall to joke that I'd be the baby's step-mother and aunt.

It wasn't until that moment that I realized everyone thought I was a pushover. I mean, I was. But the fact that he thought I'd help raise my sister's kid and marry him? Even my parents, who doted on my older sister, disagreed.

They wanted him to marry my sister. They didn't want their first grandchild to be a bastard.

For the next few minutes, I just watched my sister cry crocodile tears while my parents negotiated with him. It wasn't until he looked at me and implied that I'd still be with him, even after marrying my sister, did I get up. Everything was hazy after that. From me aggressively pushing the seat back, grabbing my purse and jacket before shoving my feet into my boots.

No one followed. But I did get texts from my parents, accusing me of being a terrible sister and future aunt. That I was selfish. All my boyfriend had to offer were excuses and promises that we'd be okay.

I blocked all of them.

Well, I blocked them while sobbing like a crazy person.

"Hans?" There was a soft knock on the door before it cracked open, revealing my roommate standing there, eyes pleading. "Please, just eat with us. I can't eat knowing you're in here by yourself."

"It's okay, Nico. I'm okay," I lied easily, but had to lower my head. I didn't want him to see how red my face turned every time I cried. And it's been red for the last twenty-four hours.

Running a hand over my lap, I cleared my throat and waited a moment before lifting my eyes to his thin brown ones. "Go. Have dinner with your dad. I promise I'll be okay."

Nico pushed the door wider and filled the doorway before sizing me up. My roommate and one of my closest friends was attractive and way too attentive. Even though my face was already red, I felt them heating underneath his scrutinizing stare.

"If you don't get off your bed in the next ten seconds, I'm dragging you out."

I gave him a crooked smile, but my emotional ass ended up tearing up from his words. "Nico... don't make me ruin your Christmas dinner."

"Our Christmas dinner." He gave me a sparkling grin that had both men and women throwing themselves at him. "It's our apartment. It's our table, and it's our food. So it's our dinner."

"But he's your dad."

"Please, Hans. Come eat. For me."

His plea broke the heart I thought was already too damaged to repair. I couldn't stop the waterworks, but I managed to use my hands to cover my face, shame settling deep in my chest.

I heard him rushing toward me before falling to his knees in front of me. "Hannah. I've never seen you like this," he whispered, sounding panicked as he peeled my hands away from my face. He quickly pulled me into his chest and hugged me tight. "I'm sorry your family is filled with a bunch of small shaped dicks."