Lost Heiress of the Belfort Brothers

Yvonne's POV

"Hey, Adrian." I called out, my voice lighter than the breeze that rushed past the schoolyard. I couldn't hide the grin stretching across my face when I spotted the only guy I'd been crushing on since kindergarten. My heart always betrayed me when it came to him as it beat faster, almost like it wanted to leap out of my chest and throw itself at him. Finally, he'd said the words I'd been dying to hear: I'd be his girlfriend. And not just in secret, either. He promised he'd tell everyone at the homecoming event coming up in a few weeks.

My fingers tightened around the shopping bag in my hand. Inside was the dress my mom bought for me, and I couldn't wait to show it off. At least today I had a reason to feel proud. Not just about the dress but about being seen with Adrian, the boy everyone else wanted.

"Yvonne." The way he called my name the moment his eyes met mine-it sent a jolt through me. I swear he put something extra into it, some kind of warmth. Or maybe I was just hearing what I wanted to hear. Did you just hear that? I asked myself silently. He totally said it with love. It had to be mutual. Right?

"You finished my Fine and Creative Art assignment?" His tone shifted immediately. His hand stretched out like it belonged to him, like the paper I was holding was automatically his. He didn't even glance at the bag I carried. For a second, disappointment prickled through me. I'd expected his first question to be about the dress or even just a 'how are you?' But no. The assignment is what mattered to him more.

"Yeah," I said, shaking myself back to reality. "I was thinking... maybe I can tutor you in drawing and other stuff too? You know, it's not really good to keep up with this act of cheating." My words stumbled out half-pleading. I just wanted him to take me seriously, to see that I cared enough to want him to succeed. Maybe if he let me help, he wouldn't need shortcuts all the time.

But before I could even blink, he snatched the paper out of my hand. No thank you, no smile. Just a sharp grab. My heart sank. But then, as if realizing he'd been too harsh, he softened. His eyes scanned the sheet quickly before flicking up at me.

"Are you sure it's perfect?" he asked.

I opened my mouth to answer, but he didn't wait. He folded the paper in half and shoved it into his pocket like it wasn't even worth keeping flat. Still, a silly bubble of excitement rose in my chest. At least he cared enough to ask if it was good.

"Yeah, it is," I said eagerly, my voice betraying just how much I wanted his approval. "I triple-checked it and made sure everything was in place. The drawing, the shading, all