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?”

any occasion with a lot of people,

great. I’ll make some calls today,”

anything else to do today, right? Can you give me a hand with

rises from the sola and says, “Well, I’ll leave you party experts to

exits the living room. I stare at his back and quickly stands up as well, “Mom,

Mr. Ramirez below the

thank you for…for everything you’ve done. And I really appreciate that you let me stay here

me. “This is your home, Natalia. The past is in the past now. So you are

He’s always nice to me and

about the party,” he says slowly

a leap. Yet I

meet my future sister-in law,” I say breezily “And you will be fine with that?” he

up the corner of my lip and try to smile as sincere as possible. “Of course.

know if he trusts me fully or not. But judging by the satisfied look on his face, at least he is not suspecting anything just

to hear that,” he pats me

return to the living room

have to meet his fiancé sooner or later. Better get it over

the

garlands and light strings, perfect for both daytime and nighttime display. A giant swag is situated on the top of the mantel, and beside the mantel is a grouping of four poinsettias.

golden and glittering ornaments hanging on it. There’s a huge pile

stand by my mom’s side giving

giving a big hug to each of them. Alex hasn’t changed at all.

excitedly. “T’ll forgive you

living room and offer them eggnogs. Then

he has moved on from his little crush on me. 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 backgrounds, they can easily get into any school they

in the same school?” I ask

she quickly changes

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 mysterious guest. Alex finally notices my absent-mindedness, “Nat are

for my mom.

they say yes, I quickly take over their empty cups and go into the kitchen to calm

to compose mysell. I can’t let anyone notice that

I bunp into Eason, who is dressed in a