MIT After Heartbreak

The night before high school graduation, Ethan Luciano pulled me into his bedroom. His hands were rough, his touch demanding, yet my heart overflowed with a decade's worth of unspoken longing. I'd loved Ethan for ten years, and finally, it seemed my silent wishes had come true.

Afterwards, as we lay tangled in his sheets, he whispered that he'd marry me after graduation. Once he took over the Luciano family's empire from his father, he'd make me the most cherished woman in the family. I believed him.

The next morning, I sat curled up against his bare chest as he casually told my foster brother, Lucas, about us. My cheeks were flushed, and my heart raced, still clinging to the sweetness of the night before.

However, then their conversation shifted into Italian.

Lucas smirked, leaning back against the doorframe. "Not bad, Young Boss. Your first time, and the school's 'it girl' just threw herself at you. So, how's my little sister taste?"

Ethan gave a lazy chuckle. "Looks like an angel, but a freak in the sheets. Who would’ve thought?"

The room erupted in low, conspiratorial laughter.

Lucas raised a brow. "So, should I call her my little sister or my future sister-in-law?"

Ethan’s tone darkened, his arm tightening around my waist for a moment. Then he let out a sigh.

"She’s nothing. Just practice," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I’m trying to hook up with the cheer captain, Sylvia Dawson, but I don’t want her thinking I’m clueless in bed. Cynthia Saville’s just a warm-up."

He paused. "But don’t tell Sylvia. I don’t need her getting all emotional."

They didn't know that I’d spent months secretly learning Italian, preparing for the life I thought I’d share with Ethan.

I didn't say a word.

Later that day, I quietly withdrew my early decision application to Caltech and applied to MIT instead.

Lucas Saville smirked, leaning back casually. "Well, if it isn’t Young Boss. So, how's my little sister taste?"

Ethan Luciano chuckled, his tone careless. "Looks all sweet and innocent, but in bed? She’s a total freak in the sheets."

Lucas’s eyes glinted. "So should I call her my little sister or my future sister-in-law?"

Ethan frowned, shaking his head. "Future sister-in-law? Nah. She’s just practice. I’m trying to hook up with the cheer captain, Sylvia Dawson, but I don’t want her thinking I’m clueless in bed. Cynthia Saville’s just a warm-up."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, freezing me in place. My heart twisted painfully.

Lucas was stunned for a second too, but then he burst out laughing. "Classic Ethan. Even your practice girl is someone else's dream girl. You've got serious pull, man."

He leaned in closer, lowering his voice to say, "Man, I bet Cynthia’s fanboys would lose their minds if they knew about this."

Ethan snorted. "Cynthia? Please. She’s all over me. I barely have to lift a finger to get her in my bed."

Lucas grinned, throwing his