Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 57

Chapter 57

KASMINE

"By the gods, Kasmine!" Claire shrieked the moment I stepped onto the premises, "You look absolutely mouthwatering!"

I rolled my eyes. She was always too dramatic - or so I thought - but when I walked into the ground reception, I felt all eyes on me.

"Claire, keep it down," I muttered, tugging at the hem of my dress as I quickened my pace. "You're drawing attention."

"No, sweetheart, you're the one commanding attention." She laughed with a teasing lilt in her voice. "And, my dear, you deserve every second of it."

I looked around, and thankfully, Kester had stopped outside to speak with Mr. Edward about Sylvia's replacement. I didn't wait to pay attention to it because a part of me still feels guilty for Sylvia's displacement.

I had tried to talk to Kester about it, but he was adamant, saying there was no place for her at Zamford anymore.

I turned to Claire as we strode toward the elevators. "I'm so sorry again for canceling our weekend," I apologized, and guilt wore me a fine robe at how innocently she took the apology.

She waved it off with a grin, "It's fine. I am relieved to see you are okay," she replied, and I wondered why fate would connect me with people who are absolutely amazing like Claire, June, and Jake, who I continuously hurt without even thinking.

I forced a smile, desperate to feel like less of a terrible person. "We could reschedule. This weekend, maybe?" I suggested, just to make myself feel better.

Claire let out an awkward little chuckle, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "Uh..... actually, I have a date this weekend."

I blinked. "A date?"

The elevator doors slid open, and we stepped inside.

right?" she giggled, a light

so sudden and overwhelming I nearly stumbled in

he?" I asked, and for the first time all morning, I felt the corners of my lips lift into something genuine. "You'll get to know in due time, baby," she

was happy

to her office, I made my way toward mine, my heart pounding so loudly it drowned out the sound of my heels clicking against the

confront Kester about him.

I pushed open the door, a crushing wave of relief

"Jake! By the gods!"

Chapter 57

#25 BONUS

forced myself to steady them, desperate to get this over with before Kester arrived, "What happened? I was worried sick," I blurted, my words

by my own relief that I didn't even register the storm cloud hanging over him-the rigid line of his shoulders

reaching for him.

"I also tried, Kasmine!"

which he cut me off abruptly was new... Too new that it

into mine. "I didn't know if you got home safely after you outrightly refused to let me take you home. I didn't know if your brother-"he spat the word

Jake raised his voice at

justified. Every word cut deep because he wasn't

was I going to say? That I and my brother fucked all night while I spent the rest of the next day hurting over the things I had said to him that I didn't even have the strength to call Jake after I tried the first few times that

truth like bile, letting it fester

important as I thought I was," He said, and his words broke

I crouched beside him, grasping his arm. "Don't

Just... just until I turn

I was trying to

I was making a promise that was already seeming like an