In Love With My Evil Stepbrother

Chapter 77: Who can it be? Mom is thrilled that l’ou finally back. Upon seeing me, she pulled me into her arms for a biy. huc and didn’t let po for one minute. She asked me a lot of questions about my life in Miami and New York, and of course she didn’t miss out the chance to interrogate me about the reason I left Boston three years ago.

“I had always been thinking that after you graduate high school, you could continue studying here. There are lots of great college in Boston and you could pick the one you like…”

I sigh, “Mom, I’ve told you before. I can’t afford a fancy elite college.” Seeing she opens her mouth in disapproval, I quickly add to that, “– And don’t say that Mr. Ramirez is willing to help me! I’m not taking any more of his money.”

She pouts.

“Fine…but I still don’t understand why you needed to leave in such a hurry! You didn’t even tell me and just got on a flight and left. Do you know what kind of damage it did to me? I kept thinking that I didn’t something wrong,”

“Just let it go mom. It was three years ago. And I already said that I’m sorry.”

“But wliy? At least you could give me a reason? Is it only me or are you really keeping a big secret that I’m not aware of?”

She grabs my hands and looks at me beseechingly. This isn’t like when we were on the phone and I could simply make up an excuse and hung up. Now I’m literally trapped. Just then, Mr. Ramirez emerges from the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hand. He makes his way to us and sits down beside mom, “What are we talking here?” 1 Mom complaints, “I was just asking Nat why she left without a goodbye three years ago. She wouldn’t give me a good reason.”

Mr. Ramirez slightly raises his brows and I suddenly feel my stomach churn in nervousness.

He knows why I left. He even chased me down to Miami personally and made me promise that I would put an end to everything between me and Eason.

So is he mad now that I’m back into the picture?

Is he going to tell my mom?

I stare at him with a hint of pleading in my eyes. After a short eye contact with me, Mr. Ramirez turns to mom again and smiles, “Does she need a good reason to go back home? Because don’t forpet that Miami is also her home.”

I quietly let out a breath that I’ve been holding and give him a grateful look. He winks at me briskly

Mom didn’t notice the briel exchange between us and is still frowning perplexed, “Sure but I

still don’t understand,”

“OK enough of the interrogation and questioning. This is Christmas for god’s sake,” Mr. Ramirez gives a gentle pat on her shoulder and subtly changes the subject. “Ne you toll Natalia about the party yet?”

Mom’s face lights up at the mention of the party, which is probably her second favorite thing in the world, right behind slopping. “Shawn has a few business partners to entertain so we are throwing a party in a few days. But we don’t want to do it on Christmas because that day is for family only. So the party will be here on the day before Christmas Eve. You can invite all your friends over. How does that sound?”

a bad idea actually. Although I hate any occasion with a

some calls today,”

anything else to do today, right?

when Mr. Ramirez rises from the sola and says, “Well, I’ll leave you party experts to it.

back and quickly stands up as well, “Mom, I’ll

below the staircase before he goes

call on to him. “I-I just want to thank you for…for everything

Natalia. The past is in the past now.

a sheepish smile. He’s always nice to me and I wonder if

know about the party,” he says

leap. Yet I manage to keep my

engaged now, and I’d love to meet my future sister-in law,” I

to smile as sincere as possible. “Of course. I can’t wait to

he trusts me fully or not. But judging by the satisfied look

to hear that,” he pats me shoulder

the living room with

to meet his fiancé sooner

few days decorating the townhouse and by the day before Christmas Eve the entire house has

display. A giant swag is situated on the top of

is the giant Christmas tree, with hundreds of golden and glittering ornaments hanging on it. There’s a huge pile of beautifully

around 7:30. I stand by my mom’s side giving polite smiles to strangers I don’t know, until I finally see some familiar faces. “Alex!

exclaim in delight and rusli forward to greet my friends, giving a big hug to each of them. Alex hasn’t changed at all. And Katherine…well she looks fantastic She was already the center of attention

and cheers excitedly. “T’ll forgive you for leaving us in such a rush only if you

the living room and offer them eggnogs. Then we

And Katherine went to Harvard, same as Eason. I’m not surprised that both of them are in Ivy Leagues schools. With their GPAs and family

in the same

see him.” she quickly changes the subject,” Now enough about us.

begin to tell them about my life, but I get distracted a lot and keep checking the front door. I’m waiting for Eason’s fiance to show up. Yet up till now, I see no sign of that

I was just looking for my mom. Umm do you guys need

quickly take over their empty cups and go

can’t let anyone notice that

is dressed in a neat suit