Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 45

KASMINE

Why the hell was I letting this get to me?

I had no right to feel this way-no right to feel... jealous. Offended. Hurt.

Gods, I was being so stupid.

I clenched my fists, pressing my nails into my palins, anything to ground myself before my emotions spiraled into something I couldn't control. I wasn't supposed to care. Not about Kester. Not about what or who he did behind closed doors.

And yet, the image of him of her was burned into my mind, playing in an endless, torturous loop.

I hadn't seen Kester all day. Hell, he hadn't even stepped out of his damn room this morning. He'd told the driver and his guards to take me to the office.

I never meant to knock on his door. I swear I didn't.

But anger was a reckless thing. It had a way of moving my body before my mind could catch up. I was too angry, too shaken, too in need of something close to an explanation that I didn't even know when my knuckles were rapping against the heavy wood of his door, pretending so fucking badly that I only wanted to check if we were leaving for the office together.

Lies.

But, to my utter dismay, June was the one who answered the door. She was in a different nightie from the one I had seen her in last night.

I didn't need to be told what that meant.

Kester had ruined the other one. Torn it apart. Probably while he was deep inside her.

My stomach twisted violently, but I swallowed it down, forcing my expression into something indifferent. Unbothered. But all I could see was the image of her on her knees, her lips wrapped around his cock while he....

Stop.

I forced myself to breathe. Forced my lips into a polite, meaningless smile.

“Is Kester inside?" I asked, my voice perfectly even as if I wasn't seconds away from breaking my own damm neck just to make the agony stop.

And what did she say? "Oh, Kasmine, Kester is a bit too tired this morning. He says you should go ahead of him."

My heart almost stopped at her words. My knees nearly buckled. I barely held my balance, biting the inside of my cheek so hard I swore I tasted blood.

Too tired.

Too tired to even get out of bed?

Kester never missed work. Never. Not for anything. Not for anyone.

-But today?

Today, he was "too tired."

Chapter 45

Because of her.

Because he'd spent the entire night fucking her senseless.

The bastard. The shameless bastardl

It was past 2 pm already, and he was still not here. Still probably fucking June. Asshole.

Yet He had the audacity to pretend with me, spin his pretty little lies, and act as if I meant something to him. Only a fool would take Kester's words seriously. And maybe just maybe I was the biggest fool of all.

"Kasmine!"

Jake's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and for the first time, I hated that he was here.

office? Better yet, why did Kester even have to bring

just let me

he flinched, looking so damn innocent, a pang of guilt hit

softer when he spoke again. "Is everything okay,

cut him off, forcing my voice into something controlled, something not reflective of the chaos inside me. "Sometimes I just need to

gentle, maddeningly considerate tone of his, he said, "I'm sorry. It's just... it's hard seeing you upset and not wanting

Oh, poor Jake.

was something precious,

was all Kester's

couldn't keep myself together. His fault that my mood was all over the place. His

"I'm

alright.” He gave me a small, reassuring smile before adding, "Sylvia asked you to bring the Jon

that, my mood plummeted

Sylvia.

of my existence. If I had the chance to avoid her for the rest of my time here, I'd gladly take it. But how could I when she always found a way to make

could respond, another unwelcome

"Hey, bestie!"

vibrant voice rang from the doorway, her head

was more than enough for the

Chapter 45

neither the patience nor

dam

Sylvia than pretend to be

or laugh

started as she stepped inside, but I

I'm

a brow, crossing her arms. "Wow. That was harsh." But instead of taking offense, she smirked. "This is about Sylvia, isn't it? I told you to tell Kester how she treats you, but you

Kester.

last name I wanted to hear

breath, forcing

in the drawer. "She's his favorite staff. If I complain, it'll only

favorites. Who knows if

huffed. "I can tell him if you

I nearly laughed.

she was offering but because I knew exactly

was a welcome idea for

pathetic?

bother responding. Didn't spare her or Jake another

files, turned on my heel, and

down the hallway, my grip on the files

I hated this.

letting Kester get to me. Hated that Sylvia bad this much power over me. Hated that I was stuck in this godforsaken office, forced to answer to people who thrived on making my life

floor, my chest was tight, and my breaths were shallow. I had intentionally used the stairs instead of the

into a dull, meaningless hum. My heels clicked against the polished floor as

she saw me, her eyes narrowing in

myself before I heard her voice, "Finally," she drawled, folding her arms. "I was beginning to think you got lost on your way here. Do you always take this

I refused to

from my hand without bothering to look at me.

few people turned to watch as she flipped through the documents.

Chapter 45

few seconds before she clicked her

the papers at me, a sneer curling her

hard. "I did everything exactly how you asked me to," I said,

were crumbling Sylvia's laugh was cruel.

mocked, "Oh, honey, that's adorable. But if you actually followed my instructions, then this wouldn't be

people nearby. My chest burned. I

neck, the humiliation sinking deep into