Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother novel Chapter 212

Chapter 212

KASMINE.

I have been feeling a bit too weak lately. It had been four days since we returned from the Maldives, yet my body still felt sluggish and drained.

At first, I thought it was the stress from the entire trip, but now I was beginning to think otherwise.

Could it be that I caught the flu during our stay there?

I couldn’t afford that right now. My birthday was in eleven days, and the last thing I wanted was to look pale and exhausted on a day that was meant to be… perfect.

The reality hit me mildly.

Eleven days.

And I hadn’t even begun preparations yet. Mum was probably already deep into planning, shaping everything into her own version of perfect. But I also had some things I’d like to add to her ‘perfect‘ list.

Scrap that.

This year’s birthday is meant to be very significant. I needed to be in full control, not just a passive guest at my own event.

She would have to work with me. Not the other way around.

I pulled open the drawer beside my bed, my fingers finding the small bottle tucked inside as I took a tablet of my birth control pills.

I was left with just a few. I hope we’ll return to Kester’s house in time before I exhaust them. I’d have to restock soon, but not from here–not anywhere near the house. If Mum ever found them, I wasn’t sure how she’d react, and I wasn’t about to find out.

It feels weird.

Some things were better left undiscovered.

1/5

Chapter 212

Dropping the bottle in the drawer, which I always lock because I wouldn’t want Kester to

find out that I’m on the pills, my fingers brushed the jewelry box Jake had given me, and smile spread across my face.

I borrowed Mum’s phone last night and called Jake. We spoke at length, and I couldn’t

help the velvety tips of butterfly wings that brushed against my heart at all the sweet

things he said to me.

“This is love.‘

I kept repeating the mantra each time I thought about Jake. Not that I was trying to

convince myself, but… I mean… I was already convinced what I felt for Jake was love. I

didn’t need anyone to explain that to me.

What I felt for Kester was nothing more than… I could call it a thrill… I didn’t feel

anything other than that for him.

Even though he made my heart flutter in ways that felt… dangerous.

Even though his presence unsettled something deep inside me, something I refused to

name.

Even though a single glance from him sent fire licking up my spine, spreading low in between my thighs and deep inside my core until I could barely breathe.

Even though my body, my mind, my very soul bent to his will, answering him before he

even spoke.

Even though two days without seeing him left me restless, unraveling, and on the verge of losing my mind.

Even though he wielded my senses like a master puppeteer, bending them to his will with a mere flick of his gaze.

None of that meant I loved him.

Right?

The beeping on my phone jolted me out of my spiraling thoughts and the stupid comparison I was making in my head.

And a message that sent a strange ripple of unease through me.

What the hell was she talking about?

I could barely breathe as the scene unfolded like a sickening dream.

Kester and June.

Why was she straddling his thighs in that manner?

Why were her arms slung around his neck, fingers trailing over his skin like a lover

reacquainting herself with something she had every right to claim?

Why was her face so close to his that it was almost painful to look at?

And why the hell was he letting her touch him like that?

That twisting, suffocating heat coiled tighter in my chest, filling me, but I couldn’t- couldn’t–look away.

Then, the absurdity hit me.

What the hell was I feeling?

Was this jealousy? Did I even have the right to feel this way? I didn’t want him. Hell, I

didn’t even like him like that.

Right?

At least, not in that manner.

“I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt,” I managed to say.

But I did.

I wanted to interrupt. I wanted to shatter whatever stupid moment they were caught in

and tear the scene apart.

But instead, I turned on my heel and marched out, slamming the door shut behind me with all the strength I had left.