Forbidden Romance: Her Taboo Lover

A bolt of lightning slashed through the rainy night, illuminating a woman huddled against a stone pillar in the courtyard.

Brayden Davis paused briefly, his gaze indifferent as he stepped over her.

"Brayden, please, you're my brother," a soft familiar voice pleaded, the woman's fingers tugging at his pant leg.

He glanced down at her, his expression cold. "Kayley, I've told you, Roselyn is my only sister. You don't belong here."

Kayley Spencer's heart sank, but she couldn't refute his words.

She was a burden, an unwanted stepsister. She'd lost her place within the Davis family when her mother died.

Besides, Brayden had never acknowledged their familial bond.

"I'm so sorry. I just... I need help," she stammered, her voice trembling.

Brayden didn't respond. Through a flash of lightning, he saw her pale, fragile face clearly. Despite her pitiful appearance, she still looked undeniably beautiful... just as he remembered.

As he silently gazed down at her, Kayley tentatively withdrew her hand. "I..."

He had made his stance clear. She would have to pick up what remained of her dignity and face this alone.

With a forced smile, she pushed herself up, ignoring the pain in her ankle. "Sorry to bother you, Mr. Davis. I'll leave now..."

Before she could finish, he scooped her up and carried her into the villa.

He pushed his bedroom door open and tossed her onto the bed, his hands accidentally brushing against her injured ankle.

Kayley winced, instinctively grabbing his suit, but stifled a cry.

Brayden's eyes flashed. He cruelly squeezed her ankle.

She yelped. Tears streamed down her face as she begged, "Please stop, it hurts!"

Brayden withdrew his hand and stood up, looking down at her.

Kayley had thought her pitiful state might evoke his sympathy, but all she got was a mocking laugh. "How pathetic. After leaving the Davis family, you actually ended up like this."

Kayley clearly heard the taunts in his words but chose to ignore them. She braced herself and asked for his help, choking. "I can't dance anymore. My leg was broken. The injury healed but the nerves are still damaged. The doctor said it can't fully heal."

Tears flowed freely as she vented her shattered dreams. "Dancing is all I have left. It's the only way I can relive memories with my mother. Please, you're the best surgeon in the country. I believe you can cure me. Please..."

Brayden remained expressionless after hearing her pleas. He then sneered and asked, "What's that got to do with me? Go to Aaron Harding."

Kayley's eyes widened. How could Brayden possibly know about Aaron?

Had he been keeping an eye on her even after she left the Davis family?

Confusion filled her as she glanced at Brayden. When he offered no explanation, she awkwardly admitted, "We broke up. Aaron cheated on me with some rich woman."

He was behind her injury too, but revealing that would only invite more ridicule.

"Oh." Brayden's enigmatic smile held no clues. "I stopped doing surgeries three years ago to focus on the family business," he stated. "You should find someone else."

Feeling flustered, Kayley lunged forward, grasping his arm, pleading, "Brayden, please! You're the only one who can help me. I'll do anything."

His gaze swept over her hand on his arm, a sneer twisting his lips. "Trying to seduce me again, like three years ago, huh?"

His words were a dagger to her heart. She quickly pulled back, stammering an explanation. "No, I'm just..."

"Kayley, is that all you can do?" he interrupted, his eyes locking onto hers. A possessive intensity flared in his gaze, as if he wanted to consume her whole.

Shock washed over Kayley. Did he want her to continue?

But... she thought he despised her.

She had a lot of questions but no answers. There was only one way forward if she wanted to heal her leg. She stood on her tiptoes, her lips brushing his.

Brayden neither welcomed nor rejected her kiss. His Adam's apple bobbed as her moist lips awkwardly fumbled around his.

Seconds ticked by, and Kayley faltered, unsure of the next move. She pulled away, her voice tinged with despair as she asked, "Is this okay?"

"What do you think?" His tone was cold, mocking. "Your kissing hasn't improved one bit. No wonder Aaron left you."

Pain shot through Kayley. She bit her lip, determination hardening her resolve as her hand moved to his chest.

"Brayden, are you home?" a voice called from outside. It was Roselyn Davis, his sister.

Panic surged through Kayley as she tried to escape, but Brayden's grip held her fast, pinning her to the bed.

His hand cupped her chin as his lips descended forcefully, invading her mouth.

A hand slipped beneath her clothes, touching her with a possessive fury.

Kayley's entire body trembled as she struggled against his overpowering strength.

"Brayden, you're back, aren't you? I saw your car. Why didn't you even close the door?" Roselyn called again, her voice getting closer.

There was a brief knock on the door.

Terror seized Kayley's heart. She couldn't be seen by Roselyn - not like this.

Kayley grew increasingly terrified and struggled desperately, but the difference in strength was too great. She couldn't break free from under Brayden, only watching helplessly as the door handle turned.

Kayley's heart pounded in her chest.

Fortunately, Roselyn didn't push the door open as Kayley feared but was blocked by the locked door.

If Roselyn had barged in, Kayley didn't want to imagine the consequences.

"Brayden, are you in there? Why don't you answer?" Roselyn's confused voice echoed through the wood.

Kayley was worried Brayden would continue pressing her, but his weight lifted from her.

"Coming," Brayden said, releasing Kayley and standing to open the door.

Kayley quickly jumped from the bed to find a hiding spot.

As the door opened, Roselyn peered in curiously. "What were you doing?"

Brayden glanced at the bed corner where Kayley's clothes were visible. He let out a light chuckle.

He slightly turned, blocking Roselyn's view, then closed the door. "Nothing. Why the sudden visit?"

Inside, Kayley quickly got up, adjusted her clothes, and listened to the siblings outside. Brayden's tone was incredibly indulgent, completely different from how he treated her.

Memories flooded Kayley's mind.

She remembered her first day with the Davis family, coincidentally Roselyn's birthday.

The entire family showered her with blessings, even Kayley's own mother fawned over Roselyn, leaving Kayley alone and neglected in a corner.

She later learned Roselyn had a congenital heart condition, so the family pampered her, including the usually cold Brayden.

Kayley envied Roselyn for having such a gentle, caring brother. She naively believed she could become part of the Davis family - become Brayden's sister.

She tried to win Brayden's affection, even a little. But he was always indifferent and dismissive.

Until that day...

"Aaron drove me over," Roselyn said, her sweet voice coming from outside. "He's parking the car..."

The familiar name jolted Kayley from her reverie. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

Could the "Aaron" Roselyn mentioned be the same Aaron who had pushed her into despair?

Anxiety raced through Kayley. Then, despair consumed her.

"Roselyn." A familiar voice shattered her hopes.

It was undeniably her ex-boyfriend, Aaron.

Despite the distance, Kayley recognized his voice instantly. She would never forget it.

"You're here." Roselyn's voice was filled with girlish affection.

Kayley heard footsteps approaching.

"Are you free now, Brayden? We want to discuss our wedding date with you," Roselyn said. Her voice held a shy excitement.

"You've decided to marry him?" Brayden emotionless voice shot back.

"Yes, I love him, and he loves me. We want to get married as soon as possible."

"Rest assured, Mr. Davis, my love for Roselyn is genuine. I'll be with her forever," Aaron chimed in. His tone was sincere and loving, but it chilled Kayley to the bone.

The wealthy woman Aaron had cheated with was Roselyn!

No wonder Brayden knew Aaron and wasn't surprised by his relationship with Roselyn.

Had he known about Aaron's betrayal all along? So was he just toying with her earlier, making fun of her situation?

Anger and humiliation surged through Kayley. Her body violently trembled.

In her panic, she stumbled, knocking over a clothes rack. It crashed to the floor with a loud bang.

The loud noise startled the trio outside the room. "Brayden, is someone else in there?" Roselyn asked, confused.

A faint, amused smile appeared on Brayden's handsome face. "Just left the window open. Probably a stray cat."

Roselyn didn't believe him. "But how could there be..."

Brayden interrupted, "Roselyn, you should go. I'm busy today. We'll talk about your wedding later."

"Is it really that you're busy?" Roselyn asked sweetly. "Or do you not want to see me get married?"

"Guilty as charged," Brayden responded warmly, but his gaze didn't linger on her at all. Instead, he turned to Aaron and said seriously as if giving an order, "Take her home."

"Okay, it's indeed too late now. We're leaving," Aaron quickly agreed and led Roselyn away.

Brayden returned to the room, in a good mood. But he found the room was empty.

He looked around and saw an earring on the windowsill. It glowed softly in the moonlight, while Brayden's expression soured.

Meanwhile...

Kayley was at her best friend Melinda Barnett's house, telling her about her day.

"And you just ran away?" Melinda asked, frustrated. "Why didn't you confront him? Should've slapped that bastard!"

Kayley took a sip of water. "I didn't want Aaron and Roselyn to see me in Brayden's bedroom. So I ran without thinking."

Melinda fumed. "Brayden's no good either. He knew about Aaron and his sister but still played with you, not telling you the truth. Your step-siblings are a terrible pair - one hooks up with your man and the other laughs at your misery!"

Kayley was furious too, clutching the cup tightly. After a pause, she said, "The Davis family looks down on me, but I can't cut them off yet."

Her eyes grew downcast. "Only Brayden can cure my leg. I need to get close to him and ask for his help once again."

Melinda, a longtime friend, knew how important dancing was to Kayley. She was willing to do all she could to help Kayley.

"Brayden will be entertaining clients at the Wonderland Club tomorrow afternoon. One of my clients is going there too. I can find out his room number," Melinda offered.

"Really?" Kayley's eyes lit up with hope, and she gripped Melinda's hand. "You really are amazing, a top designer with so many connections. This means a lot to me, Melinda."

"Don't mention it. I wish I could cure your leg myself," Melinda sighed, sitting beside Kayley. "I should have studied medicine instead of fashion design. It's a useless profession."

"Don't say that." Kayley hugged her. "When my leg is better, I'll need you to design my performance costumes."

Melinda hugged her back. "Should I take a day off tomorrow to go with you? It would be better to have someone with you."

"No need," Kayley declined. "You've already helped me plenty. I don't want to drag you into this. Brayden isn't easy to deal with."

She truly felt that way, but she also had a different plan.

She wanted revenge.

Not just on Aaron and Roselyn, but on Brayden too.

If he hated her and wanted her to suffer, she would drag him down with her.

The next morning, Kayley got up early and prepared herself.

She chose to dress up, picking a long dress to hide her injured leg.

When she arrived at the Wonderland Club, Melinda sent her Brayden's room number.

She limped to her destination when she passed a half-open door.

"Kayley?" someone called out from inside. It was Aaron again!

Startled, Kayley tried to escape but couldn't move quickly.

Aaron caught up and blocked her path easily.

"What are you doing here? Your leg isn't healed. How can you be out running around alone? Come with me!" Aaron approached, pretending to be concerned.