Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 56

KASMINE.

I stepped out of the bathroom, my bare feet sinking into the thick rug, but the

warmth did nothing to chase away the cold sinking into my bones.

This was breaking me.

Piece by piece.

No matter how hard I tried to ignore it, to suppress it, to pretend that I wasn't unraveling at the seams, it was destroying me.

I pressed a trembling, hand to my chest, my heart thudding too fast, too violently.

This couldn't continue.

It shouldn't have started in the first place.

But the more I told myself that, the more Kester's voice replayed like a loop in my head, dark and possessive, with promises that made me tremble.

'You can't and won't leave me.'

'You are my obsession, Kasmine.'

'After this, you will get addicted to me.'

And yes, I was getting addicted to him, and it was scary. He had devoured my light and left me craving his darkness.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing his words away, but they only burned deeper, carving themselves into the fragile parts of me that already belonged to him.

Because that was the truth, wasn't it?

I wouldn't deny the pull I felt toward Kester. In the last few days, he had managed to worm his way into my fragile heart, and despite reminding myself that he was my brother, my heart kept growing softer for him every second.

I pressed my fingers against my lips, remembering how he kissed me like he was trying to make me feel the obsession coursing through his veins, how he touched me like he was trying to carve his name into my very soul. And now that he had been the one who had taken my virginity, he seemed to have nestled himself deeper into the most fragile part of my heart where I couldn't pull him off easily, otherwise, I'd bleed.

But, no. This had to be controlled. Otherwise, we'd both bleed after this.

A strangled sob escaped my lips, and I clamped a hand over my mouth, my shoulders shaking.

He had been so broken when he left the bathroom. I saw it all in his eyes. My words always had a way of killing him each time, but I had no choice.

I forced my breathing to steady, swiping furiously at the tears streaming down my cheeks. I locked my door securely before reaching for my secret phone.

"Oh, Selene..." I gasped when the screen lit up, and my stomach dropped.

Missed calls: 12

Chapter 56

Mess

6

Jake.

BONUS

He was dying with worry.

was

My pulse pounded violently as I tapped on his name, my fingers barely able to keep steady.

Jake: Kasmine, where the hell are you?

Jake: It's been hours. Why aren't you answering?

Jake: Are you okay? Say something. Please.

Jake: I swear to the Moon, if he's hurting you-

I sucked in a sharp breath, my chest tightening painfully.

and left him in the dark while I let Kester consume me

my heart slamming

pacing the room, my free hand clutching the fabric

Ring

Pick up..."

Ring

The line went dead.

at the screen as it

No.

No, no, no-

I tried again.

Call Unreachable.

breath hitched, my throat tightening. "Oh, Selene..." I whispered, gripping the phone so tightly my knuckles turned

went on as quietly as it shouldn't have been. A pang of sadness and guilt hit me hard occasionally when I recall how I always seemed to ruin Kester's plans whenever he had anything

for both of us.

wanted today to be ours. He had planned for it, probably

ruined it.

leave his room all day, and I didn't even have

moved quickly, dressing for work, eager to see Jake to ensure he was okay. If he wasn't at the office, then I have no choice but

made my

Chapter 56

looking for the dress I had returned from Jake's house with

taken it with them when they came to

certain tall, muscular, heart-stoppingly handsome man strode in

Gods.

his broad chest like it was fighting for its

giving a hint of what lay beneath it, and the

hair-sleek, dark,

Too perfect

it, tug until that maddening perfection cracks, if it would make him look less attractive. He was so handsome that it felt

together, Kasmine! This isn't the first time you've seen Kester!'

why did he feel like a brand

if

better this morning. Wasn't as gloomy as I expected him to be. And sincerely,

to break the silence between us, Did you see my dress?" I cleared my throat, scanning my wardrobe for something to

for a

desecrated?" He asked, and I paused, my heart skipping a beat before I resumed rifling through my clothes.

properly, "You what?" I

repeated, coming to a stop in front of

That was one of my favorites, Kes.."

the kind of detached curiosity that sent

get another," he murmured, shifting his attention to my closet as if the conversation was already

could he act

"Kester-

grateful," he cut in, his voice becoming lethal instantly. "Burning that dress was the only thing

the anger in his eyes passing on the perfect

swallowed, dropping my gaze, suddenly hyper-aware of the anger

you doing?"

as he flipped through the dresses in my closet, his fingers trailing over the fabric like

Chapter 56

did. Every single piece in this

out and

to wear," he replied without

in confusion, "Since when do you pick out my

work?"

as he pulled a dress from the

letting the fabric slip through his fingers like it was

red

well above the lavees. It was beautiful, but

problem was him.

I knew Kester.

me wear something like this to

gaze flicked to mine, dark amusement swirling in

is what I want

and Kester didn't like

dress in my hands, his fingers brushing