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.

cursed myself for making him worry and left him in the dark while

number, my heart slamming against my ribs as I brought the

room, my free

Ring

on, Jake. Pick up..." I

Ring

The line went dead.

at the screen as it flashed 'Call

No.

No, no, no-

I tried again.

Call Unreachable.

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

shouldn't have been. A pang of sadness and guilt hit me hard occasionally when I recall how I always

for both of us.

He had planned for

ruined

all day, and I didn't even

when I woke up today, just like Kester said I would. I moved quickly, dressing for work, eager to

thought made my stomach

Chapter 56

kept darting around the corners of the room every now and then, still looking for the dress I had returned

they already taken it with them when they came

heart-stoppingly handsome man strode in with his usual charisma that made

Gods.

suit clung to his broad chest like it was

what lay beneath it,

his hair-sleek, dark,

Too perfect

through it, tug until that maddening perfection cracks, if

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

wasn't the first time I'd seen him, so why did

deepened as if he could

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

to break the silence between us, Did you see my dress?" I

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 said casually, walking

properly, "You what?" I

burnt it." He repeated, coming to

one of my

me with the kind of detached curiosity that sent a chill down

his attention to my closet as if the conversation was already

he act so

"Kester-

voice becoming lethal instantly. "Burning that dress was the only thing I

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

swallowed, dropping my gaze, suddenly hyper-aware

you

through the dresses in my closet, his

Chapter 56

Every single piece

and bought

to wear," he replied without

when do you pick

work?"

he pulled a dress from the rack and turned to face me. "Since

slip through his fingers like it was

red flair

stopped well above the lavees. It was beautiful, but that wasn't

problem was him.

I knew Kester.

swallowed hard, "You never let me wear something like

amusement swirling

this is what I want you to wear

and Kester

in my hands, his fingers brushing against mine. He leaned in,