In Love With My Evil Stepbrother

Chapter 43: Arranged Marriage

Oh. My. God.

I almost don’t know if I should laugh or spit in her face. But there’s one thing I’m sure of: she has absolutely no self-respect. She can reduce herself to Eason’s play toy all she wants. I’m not following her example.

Yet before I can voice out my thought, Eason speaks up before me, “Val just cut if off.”

Valerie widens her eyes in surprise, as if she didn’t expect Eason to go against her. But Eason has already risen up from his seat and walked up to her with one hand in his pocket. He takes the dress from Valerie’s hand and hands it back to mom with a faint smile, “Mrs. Ramirez, you have really a good taste. I’m sure everyone would fall for this dress. But we shouldn’t step in like this. Sorry about that.”

Mom’s face remains cold even in front of his compliment. I’m sure she’s just as offended as I

am.

“Don’t worry about it dear,” mom gives him a polite yet frosty smile. “If your girlfriend likes it, it’s totally fine she can keep it. Like I said, there are plenty of other choices for us to choose from.”

She ignores Eason’s hand and turns to me, “Nat sweetheart. Are you ready to leave?” I immediately stand up, “Yeah totally.”

I follow mom and march outside without even looking back. I didn’t change my mind about Eason simply because he stopped Valerie’s madness. He’s still an asshole. I guess he was just embarrassed by Valerie’s behavior.

When we left the store, mom lets out a long sigh, “Dear lord-what was that? That girl has absolutely no courtesy.” “Yeah…that’s Valerie.” I respond with a bitter tone. Guess Eason really likes the bitch type. “And she’s in the same school as you right? Has she ever treated you badly?” “A bit. But I don’t care much about what her.”

gently pats my shoulder.” Because soon enough there’ll be someone

guess whom my mom is referring to, “You are talking about

to college next year, so I guess Caroline will introduce the girl to Eason very soon. She will definitely get

mouth parts in shock

is already the 21st centuries? “Are you serious?” I gasp in a rather shrill voice, “A marriage partner? Is

OK with this?”

gives me a suspicious look and I quickly hide away the panic on my face, “I- I was just

strong woman. If she has picked the right daughter-in-law, I’m positive that she’ll force Eason down the aisle if

love,” I point out urgently. “Shawn is the head of the family, so he doesn’t have to listen to anyone. But there’s a long way ahead of Eason before

me to actually believe that there’s

will probably go to Harvard and take over the company after graduation. Then he will marry

nothing more than a

and lock myself in. Mom calls me for dinner once, but I simply tell her that I’m not hungry. I’ve lost all my appetite because of

lie on my bed staring at the ceiling spacing out, till someone knocks on my door. “Mom, I told you. I’m not hungry!” I raise my voice. Then the doorknob turns, and someone just open the door open and walks in. I jerk around and gaze in terror on him,

into his pocket. He closes the door behind him, walks over and sits down on the bed, like he’s the owner of

I sit up and

wicked grin on his lips. “And you didn’t ask for my permission

don’t have the energy to deal

say what