Falling for a Lie: My Stepbrother's Hidden Revenge

Chapter 4

Mom and Mr. Lancelot knew Jocelyn was coming to dinner. They’d been cooking up a storm since noon.

When Lorian arrived with Jocelyn, my parents handed her a card containing a ridiculous ten million dollars–just a casual “welcome to the family” gift.

I pretended to be sick so I could just chill in my room.

But Lorian came up anyway, carrying a gift box wrapped in silver paper.

As he slipped a bracelet onto my wrist, he pulled out a blue rose–still warm from being tucked against his body.

He dropped to one knee, his eyes full of what I used to mistake for love.

“I know, being with me but can’t show up like a proper couple isn’t easy. But after the wedding, I’m still your brother. And I’ll be living with you, just like before–I’ll always be here for you.”

“Sylvia, don’t be mad at me, okay? Please?”

I looked down at the Hermès logo on the bracelet. It was literally the free gift that came with Jocelyn’s handbag.

“Whatever. I’m not mad.”

“Let’s go eat. They’ve been cooking all day for this.”

Congratulatory voices floated up from downstairs. Mom stood awkwardly by the table, treated more like hired help than family.

Lorian casually ordered her around–serve this, ladle that soup.

The rage building in my chest finally exploded.

me over six years and hurled them

garbage can tipped over,

she smiled like

wrong? Can’t handle

even more pathetic than I imagined.”

15:26

Lie: My Stepbrother’s Hidde

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Chapter 4

from a whore but trash? Watching your own mom run around like a damn maid, not even able to

her, ice in my veins. “What exactly are

lips curled into a vicious

waved her chat history

didn’t you know? Your precious Lorian sends me videos of your little bedroom sessions every night.”

if these videos somehow found their way to mommy

meltdown?”

precious daughter, night after night…”

“HOW DARE YOU!”

so hard across the face my

the room

crashing into a glass picture frame.

burst in, gathering her into his arms. The look he gave me

hell? Have

came to invite you down for

face darkened like a

things down. “Sylvia didn’t mean it. There must be some misunderstanding.”