Page 23 of Broken Rivalry

“Why not?”

“Because your charity won’t change our lives, Ethan. And I can’t have my brothers getting used to dreams that won’t come true again. James… he’ll start asking for things I can’t give.” I cut myself off, firmly deciding. “No. I will go and buy him the set he wants.”

“With what money?” His voice is gentle, but the question stings. “You can’t even afford a proper cake or two pizzas.”

I wince at his words.

“No, Poppy, I didn’t mean it like—”

“Enough!” My voice breaks, a sharp edge of desperation cutting through each syllable. “It’s fine, and you know what? I’d rather you go back to calling me Pauper. I can sell this. It’s fine.” I pull my locket out from under my shirt and clutch it in my hand, its familiar coolness offering no comfort this time.

The Lunar Locket, with its crescent of rose gold and a moonstone glowing subtly like a captive piece of the night sky, has always been my silent comfort that rests against my chest, a constant reminder of that mysterious morning it had appeared on my doorstep. Tiny stars embedded around the moonstone twinkle with a faint iridescence while a hidden compartment at the back whispers of untold secrets. It’s more than jewelry; it’s a piece of the past, the only piece of luxury I had managed to keep, and a mystery that has become a part of me.

His expression softens, and he slows the car as we reach my building. “Let me buy it. I was the one who made the mistake. It’s the least I can do.”

I hesitate, then nod slowly. “Fine, get him the Millennium Falcon, please.”

He stops the car, his eyes searching mine. “Poppy…”

“No, there’s no discussion about this.” I open the car door. “Thank you,” I add quickly before stepping out into the night, the locket heavy in my hand, a tangible weight of the past and the choices yet to come. I clench it tighter as if trying to hold on to a feeble control that’s slipping through my fingers.

Chapter 9

Ethan

Each piece of Poppy’s life that I uncover only seems to deepen the mystery, like a puzzle that grows more complex with every bit I learn. It’s chaotic, yet instead of pushing me away, it draws me in, making me want to understand her more, to be a part of her world, even when it’s clear I don’t belong. And that’s why I am at her workplace instead of at my house to play our weekly FIFA tournament. I forfeit the game by not being there, meaning that I’ll be the one bankrolling pizza night at the end of the game next week.

I shouldn’t be here. I know that. I could’ve simply left the Lego set at her apartment and avoided this whole scenario. But something in me needed to see her, to be in her space, even if it was uninvited.

She’s not behind the counter like I’m expecting her to be but at a table in the back with a basketball player, the same one I suspect Liam saw her with. My fingers curl into fists at my sides, nails digging into my palms as I see them together. Her laughter, light and free, is meant for him and not me and leaves a sour note hanging in the air.

I observe her smile, the way he nudges her playfully, and I find myself wishing that was me. Wishing she’d let me in the way she’s let him in. But every interaction between us feels like there’s this invisible barrier, and I’m on the outside looking in. I’m searching for a way to break through.

Poppy turns the pages she was looking at and gives them to him. She looks up, and our eyes lock. Her smile doesn’t exactly fade; it sort of stumbles, hesitates, as if she’s caught between emotions. Her brows knit together, not quite a frown, more of a perplexed, guarded expression. She says something to the other guy, who looks at me with a matching frown. I raise an eyebrow challengingly. What he has on me in height, I make up in muscle, and despite what I always thought, I’m primitive enough to fight for what’s mine.

He shakes his head with a wide smile, and it grates at my nerves more than I thought it could have. He passes by me without even an acknowledgment, but I don’t care. My eyes remain on Poppy.

“What are you doing here, Ethan?” she asks, stopping in front of me.

“I brought the gift for your brother,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual as I raise the bag. “I thought I’d drop this off. And hey, what time do you finish work? I can wait and give you a ride,” I ask, knowing she must be done as she is carrying her backpack.

She hesitates, and I press on, “We could get a better cake, maybe throw another little party for him?”

She chews on her plump bottom lip, and I can’t help but let my thoughts navigate into dangerous territory as I imagine what it would be like to kiss her. It’s weird, and I try to shove it down, but the image of being close to her, too close, flickers in my mind, uninvited and yet not entirely unwelcome.

“Thanks, but my mom’s home. She wouldn’t understand you being there.”

My smile falters, a strange tightness in my chest as her words settle in; it stings more than I thought it would.

Her fingers tremble as they pull crumpled bills from her pocket. “I need to pay you back,” she whispers, her voice heavy with unspoken burdens. Her eyes, swirling with pride and reluctance, avoid mine yet silently plead for understanding.

My hand acts on its own accord, fingers delicately encircling her wrist. I like… no, I love touching her soft skin, but I’m more focused on the way her pulse jumps under my fingers, a silent testament to her surprise—or is it discomfort?

I keep hold of it despite having stopped her movement. “No need,” I reply, trying to keep the frustration from my voice.

Her frown deepens, and I can’t help but notice that she’s not trying to break free from my hold. “I don’t like being in debt. Please, Ethan. It’s more for me than it is for you,” she insists, pushing a loose strand of her short hair behind her ears. “Not after everything that’s transpired between our families.”

“I have no need for your money. I have more than enough.”

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