FORBIDDEN TIES {My brother's best friend}

Chapter 22

"Oh my God," she exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock before she immediately turned and fled.

"Stephanie!" I called after her, but it was too late. She had already bolted. Oh shit!

She was Marco's cousin, for goodness' sake. This was a disaster.

I turned to Cyrus, my anger flaring. "I told you to leave me alone! What part didn't you get?" My voice shook with frustration and fury.

"Well... she saw what she needed to see. No big deal," Cyrus said nonchalantly, making me gasp in disbelief at his callousness.

"You're so self-centered," I snapped, glaring at him. "You don't care about anyone but yourself."

"True, but I do care about you," he replied with a smirk, as if his words could erase the mess he had created.

I shook my head, rage and hurt boiling over. "Just shut up. I don't want you touching me again," I spat. "All you want is my body. Even if we hooked up right now, you'd still go around sleeping with other girls because you think with your dick, not your brain."

I tried to push past him, but Cyrus grabbed my arm, pulling me back forcefully. His grip was firm, his hand sliding to my neck, holding me in place. "Don't you dare say that again," he growled, his eyes darkening with anger.

"Let me go!" I hissed, my pulse quickening as his fingers tightened around my neck, making it hard to breathe. I could feel the panic rising in me, but I refused to show fear. I met his gaze with defiance, my heart pounding as I tried to pull away.

Cyrus's face was inches from mine, his breath hot against my skin. "You have no idea what you're talking about," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You think you know me? You don't."

I struggled against his hold, my mind racing. "I know enough to see that you're toxic," I shot back, my voice strained but steady. "You don't care about me. You just want to control me."

His grip tightened for a moment before he abruptly released me, shoving me away. I stumbled but caught myself, glaring at him with a mix of anger and fear.

"You're wrong," he said, his eyes flashing with something I couldn't quite decipher. "But if that's what you want to believe, fine. Just remember, you brought this on yourself."

I backed away, my heart still pounding, trying to catch my breath. "Stay away from me," I said, my voice shaking but firm. "I'm done with your games."

Cyrus didn't reply, just watched me with a cold, unreadable expression as I turned and hurried out of the room, desperate to put as much distance between us as possible.

~~

It seemed like people were already leaving, but a few lingered, talking, laughing, and eating. My heart raced as I scanned the crowd, trying to spot Stephanie. Panic gripped me-if she spread what she saw, it would be a disaster.

As I pushed through the remnants of the party, Eva suddenly appeared at my side. Her eyes were filled with concern. "Selena, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost," she said, her voice soft but insistent.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice. "I'm fine, really. Just needed some air and to clear my head."

Eva's eyes narrowed, her worry deepening. "Are you sure? You're acting really off. Did something happen?"

"I promise I'm okay," I lied, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "I just... need a minute to myself, you know?"

Eva studied me for a moment, clearly not convinced but unwilling to press further. "Alright," she said quietly, "but I'm here if you need me."