CHAPTER 1

ANASTASIA BIAN

"Care to explain these, Anastasia?" My editor barked.

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice, but nothing came to mind.

"I don't know what those are, sir. I didn't take those pictures, and I certainly didn't share them,” I tried explaining.

"Don't lie to me," he shouted, stepping closer to the desk and pointing a finger straight at my face. "These were leaked to a rival sports blog an hour ago, and they came directly from your digital folder. You sold them out for a quick payday, didn't you?"

Around us, everyone completely stopped.

Several of my coworkers moved away from their cubicles, gathering in a small circle to stare directly at me, and I could hear them whispering to each other.

Their judgment made my chest tighten so much it became difficult to breathe.

"I didn't do this," I whispered, desperately trying to defend myself, but my editor cut me off before I could finish.

"You are a deceitful thief, Anastasia, and you are lucky we didn’t call the police to handle this right now," he said. "Pack up your things, clear out your desk, and get out of my office immediately."

No words could find its way out at that moment anymore. It was really clear nothing I'd say would convince anyone here I didn't do what they accused me of.

I walked out, staring directly at the floor, while a sudden wave of panic crashed over me.

My hands were shaking vigorously as I rushed toward the elevators as fast as my legs could carry me.

Immediately I got in, I was lucky to be the only person in there as I leaned my head backwards while my head pounded hard and I gripped my chest so tight.

I reached my table and immediately packed my things before the other staff would walk in after the break and rushed out of the building as fast as my legs could carry me.

Everything hit me at once.

I had just suddenly lost my job because I was accused of something I never did.

I began to recall the harsh words spoken to me and my eyes couldn't help but turn glassy.

I was beginning to fail, wasn't I?

I really couldn't live without my parents' help?!

I had refused to use my family's wealth to build my photography career because I wanted to prove I could survive on my own, but now I had absolutely nothing left.

*

By the time I reached my apartment building, my legs felt completely weak.

I walked up the steps, and my heart dropped when I saw my landlord, Mr. Henderson, waiting right outside my front door with a cold, unforgiving expression.

"Mr. Henderson," I said, trying to force a polite tone into my voice, but he didn't even let me finish my greeting.

"Your rent checks bounced completely this month, Anastasia," he said, holding up a piece of paper from the bank. "I told you last week that I couldn't wait any longer for the payment."

"I am so sorry," I said, my voice cracking slightly as I stepped closer to him. "My company withheld my freelance payment today because of a misunderstanding, but I can get the money to you next week. I just need a few more days, please."

"I don't care about your excuses or your workplace drama," he said, shaking his head without a single hint of sympathy.

“This is also business for me, Anastasia,” He said, and I tried speaking but he immediately cut me off again.

“I have already found a new tenant who is interested in this place and is completely ready to pay full deposit,” He explained. “So I need you to immediately pack your things and leave before tonight.”

“Tonight?!” I repeated. “That's too quick Mr. Henderson, please just give me until the weekend.”

“Tonight, Anastasia. Otherwise I will have no other choice but to have my men remove your things,” He warned before turning around and walking away, without looking back at me even for once.

I stood outside my door for a long moment, completely numb, and the reality of my situation finally sank in.

I just lost my job, I had no money and I was evicted out of my own apartment in less than three hours.

My life was damn well, pathetic.

I couldn't even contact my parents because they were out of the club and asking them for financial help would only mean admitting that I had failed completely.

So I was left with only one choice which was my older brother, Keir.

I let out a ragged breath and unlocked my door, walking in and immediately sank on my bed after I'd dropped my things from the office.

I pulled out my phone and stared at the screen for a long five minutes before I swallowed my pride and dialed his number.

The line rang three times before a deep voice answered the call.

“Ana?” My older brother called out, his tone already edged with impatience.

“Better have something very important to tell me because I'm in the middle of a team video session, so what's going on?

"Kier…" I dragged. "I kinda need your help. So I just lost my job, and my landlord is evicting me from my apartment today because my rent checks bounced and…I don't have anywhere else to go."

The line went completely quiet for a second, and then I could hear Kier sighing on the other end. "What do you mean you got evicted? Did you seriously run out of money completely?"

"Yes," I muttered, staring down at my shoes. "The magazine accused me of leaking photos, which isn't true, but they fired me and threw me out without paying me. Then I got home today and my landlord already rented the place to someone else."

“I already made it clear to you months ago that building a career by yourself was a bad idea,” Kier said and I couldn't help but scoff. His voice was now evident with that familiar, overprotective lecture he always gave me.

“You should have just let me help you with rent from the beginning instead of being so stubborn.”

“I can really survive on my own, Kier,” I said, closing my eyes tightly and gripping my phone tight. “But I just need a place to stay for a little while until I figure things out.”

"Fine," Kier said, and his tone softened just a bit, though he still sounded deeply annoyed. "I have a spare bedroom, and you can stay there until you get back your feet."

"Thank you," I breathed, feeling a tiny bit of relief wash over me. "Are you at the apartment now?"

"No, we have a late practice session today," Kier said. "I don't have time to drive over to your place or come home to open the door for you. Go pack your bags, take a cab to the Titans' practice arena, and you can find my spare apartment key inside the building."

"The team arena?" I asked, frowning. "Can't you just leave it under the mat or give me the code?"

"The building security is tight, and I don't leave keys lying around," Kier said firmly. "Just come to the rink, find the spare key in my locker, mine is already identified, you'd know it once you see it or ask the equipment manager, and then head straight to the apartment. And listen to me carefully, Ana. You stay away from anyone else. No distraction. Especially now we are under intense pressure for the championship this season, and the last thing I need is my little sister distracting my teammates or causing a scene. Do you understand me?"

"I'm not going to distract anyone, Kier and I'll leave once I get back on my feet," I said.

"Good. Pack your things and get over here," he said, and he hung up the phone.