Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother novel Chapter 56

KASMINE.

I stepped out of the bathroom, my bare feet sinking into the thick rug, but the warmth did nothing to chase away the cold sinking into my bones.

This was breaking me.

Piece by piece.

No matter how hard I tried to ignore it, to suppress it, to pretend that I wasn’t unraveling at the seams, it was destroying me.

I pressed a trembling, hand to my chest, my heart thudding too fast, too violently.

This couldn’t continue.

It shouldn’t have started in the first place.

But the more I told myself that, the more Kester’s voice replayed like a loop in my head, dark and possessive, with promises that made me tremble.

‘You can’t and won’t leave me.‘

‘You are my obsession, Kasmine.‘

‘After this, you will get addicted to me.‘

And yes, I was getting addicted to him, and it was scary. He had devoured my light and left me craving his darkness.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing his words away, but they only burned deeper, carving themselves into the fragile parts of me that already belonged to him.

Because that was the truth, wasn’t it?

I wouldn’t deny the pull I felt toward Kester. In the last few days, he had managed to worm his way into my fragile heart, and despite reminding myself that he was my brother, my heart kept growing softer for him every second.

I pressed my fingers against my lips, remembering how he kissed me like he was trying to make me feel the obsession coursing through his veins, how he touched me like he was trying to carve his name into my very soul. And now that he had been the one who had taken my virginity, he seemed to have nestled himself deeper into the most fragile part of my heart where I couldn’t pull him off easily, otherwise, I’d bleed.

But, no. This had to be controlled. Otherwise, we’d both bleed after this.

A strangled sob escaped my lips, and I clamped a hand over my mouth, my shoulders shaking.

He had been so broken when he left the bathroom. I saw it all in his eyes. My words always had a way of killing him each time, but I had no choice.

I forced my breathing to steady, swiping furiously at the tears streaming down my cheeks. I locked my door securely before reaching for my secret phone.

“Oh, Selene…” I gasped when the screen lit up, and my stomach dropped.

Missed calls: 12

Chapter 56

Mess

6

Jake.

BONUS

He was dying with worry.

was

My pulse pounded violently as I tapped on his name, my fingers barely able to keep steady.

Jake: Kasmine, where the hell are you?

Jake: It’s been hours. Why aren’t you answering?

Jake: Are you okay? Say something. Please.

Jake: I swear to the Moon, if he’s hurting you-

I sucked in a sharp breath, my chest tightening painfully.

I cursed myself for making him worry and left him in the dark while I let Kester consume me whole.

With a shaky hand, I dialed his number, my heart slamming against my ribs as I brought the phone to my ear.

I swallowed, pacing the room, my free hand clutching the fabric of my robe.

Ring

“Come on, Jake. Pick up…” I whispered.

Ring

The line went dead.

I stared at the screen as it flashed ‘Call Unreachable.”

No.

No, no, no-

I tried again.

Call Unreachable.

My breath hitched, my throat tightening. “Oh, Selene…” I whispered, gripping the phone so tightly my knuckles turned white.

The rest of the day went on as quietly as it shouldn’t have been. A pang of sadness and guilt hit me hard occasionally when I recall how I always seemed to ruin Kester’s plans whenever he had anything good planned out

for both of us.

Kester had wanted today to be ours. He had planned for it, probably envisioned it down to the smallest detail. But I

-like always–had ruined it. Again.

He didn’t leave his room all day, and I didn’t even have the courage to face him.

I felt better when I woke up today, just like Kester said I would. I moved quickly, dressing for work, eager to see Jake to ensure he was okay. If he wasn’t at the office, then I have no choice but to confront Kester.

The thought made my stomach twist.

Chapter 56

+25 BONUS

My eyes kept darting around the corners of the room every now and then, still looking for the dress I had returned from Jake’s house with I wanted to give it to the maids for laundry.

Or had they already taken it with them when they came to clean my room yesterday?

My door creaked open, and a certain tall, muscular, heart–stoppingly handsome man strode in with his usual charisma that made my knees weak.

Gods.

The navy blue suit clung to his broad chest like it was fighting for its life, stretched taut over thick muscle, teasing,

His crisp white shirt was unbuttoned at the top, giving a hint of what lay beneath it, and the delicate gold chain resting against his collarbone only made it worse–made him worse.

He seemed better this morning. Wasn’t as gloomy as I expected him to be. And sincerely, it made me happy.

I prayed I hadn’t heard him properly, “You what?” I asked, turning to face him.

He tilted his head slightly, regarding me with the kind of detached curiosity that sent a chill down my spine.

“Then we’d get another,” he murmured, shifting his attention to my closet as if the conversation was already over.

“What are you doing?” I asked.