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.

myself for making him worry and left him

his number, my heart slamming against my ribs

the room, my free hand clutching

Ring

Pick up..." I

Ring

The line went dead.

the screen as it flashed

No.

No, no, no-

I tried again.

Call Unreachable.

tightening. "Oh, Selene..." I whispered, gripping the phone

hit me hard occasionally when I recall how I always seemed to ruin Kester's plans whenever he had anything

for both of us.

be ours. He had planned for it, probably envisioned it down to the smallest detail. But

ruined

I didn't even have

quickly, dressing for work, eager to see

made

Chapter 56

looking for the dress I had returned from Jake's house with I wanted to give it

it with them when they came to clean my

open, and a certain tall, muscular, heart-stoppingly handsome man strode in with his usual charisma that made my knees

Gods.

his broad chest like it was fighting for

at the top, giving a hint of what lay beneath it, and

his hair-sleek,

Too perfect

To slide my fingers through it, tug until that maddening perfection cracks, if it would make him look less attractive. He was

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

why did he feel like a brand new sin

deepened as if he could

as gloomy as I

wrenched my gaze away before I could drown in him completely, attempting to break the silence between us, Did you see my dress?" I cleared my throat, scanning my wardrobe for

right away, and for a

spoke, "The one that maggot desecrated?" He asked, and I paused, my heart skipping a beat before I resumed rifling through my clothes. "I've burnt it.” He

prayed I hadn't heard him properly, "You what?" I asked,

repeated, coming to

of my favorites,

regarding me with the kind of detached curiosity that sent

another," he murmured, shifting his attention to my closet as

he

"Kester-

grateful," he cut in, his voice becoming lethal instantly. "Burning that dress was the only thing I did, Kasmine. Don't remind me of the

last night." I stiffened, the anger in his eyes passing

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

are you doing?"

hummed as he flipped through the dresses in my

Chapter 56

did. Every single

and bought by

to wear," he replied

when do you

work?"

returned as he pulled a dress from the rack and

like it was

small, red

was beautiful, but that wasn't the

problem was him.

I knew Kester.

let me

amusement swirling in

is what I want you to wear

and

step, he closed the space between us and placed the dress in my hands, his fingers brushing against mine. He