Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 68

Chapter 68

KASMINE

1 stormed past him. My fists clenched at my sides in an attempt to shake off the fury burning beneath my skin. Did Kester think the world revolved around him alone? He was a control freak, and it was freaking me out already. I barged into my room, the image of June's tear-streaked face plaguing my thoughts.

Kester's heavy footsteps followed behind me, and before I could slam the door shut, his strong hand caught it.

With an effortless push, he forced his way inside, closing the door behind him with an annoying calmness. He stood there, hands tucked into his pockets, completely unaffected by my rage.

His calmness was grating on my nerves.

"What the hell, Kester!" I spun around to face him, my voice barely restrained. “June could have heard what you said to me out there!"

His silence was infuriating

"I was out there consoling her, trying to ease the pain I was putting her through! And you-"My breath hitched, frustration swelling in my chest. "You had no right to speak to me like that!"

He still said nothing. He just watched me lose my control.

His eyes stayed locked on me, his face betraying nothing. But the longer I looked at him, the more I realized-this wasn't indifference. This was restraint.

His anger, which was usually lethal, actually simmered beneath the surface, and I know I should have stopped. I should have picked my words more carefully. But I was too frustrated and too exhausted to care.

"What actually is your problem, Kasmine?” His voice was eerily calm as if he were forcing himself to stay in control. Like he was holding something dangerous back.

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "You are my problem, Kester."

His jaw twitched.

It was a warning.

"I don't think I can do this anymore," I continued, my voice faltering. "This...

whatever this is between us. I can't keep pretending that it's okay. I'm hurting too many people." My chest tightened. "I'm hurting myself."

His expression didn't change. He just stood there, watching me.

Then, slowly, he smiled.

Not the kind that meant he was amused. Not even the kind that meant he was angry. It was something else- something dark and unreadable. The kind that made my stomach tighten

He took a step forward.

"Kester-"

Another step.

He reached out, his fingers brushing the side of my face. His touch was light and almost tender.

Chapter 65

my heart

the surprise I told you about?" His voice was soft, almost as if he was teasing

just told him that

meant

when something inside me

shoved him hard in the chest. "Stop!" My voice cracked. "Just stop and listen to

push, but he took a slow step

I whispered as I felt

because of us. Because of

was blank

took another step

skittered. "Don't.

ignored me and reached

out of impulse and the frustration he was igniting

As hard as my small self could

came in harsh, panicked gasps, My hands trembled at

My

terrified of what he'd do

head turned slightly from the impact

body went rigid.

No

slow, terrifying silence settled

but they kept coming. "You never listen,"

rising and falling with shaky breaths. My throat felt so raw, my voice barely holding

skin had met his, but Kester-he hadn't moved. Hadn't flinched. Hadn't even

is already hurting. Claire is hurting." I clenched my fists, forcing myself not to say 'his' name. Not to drag

all... I'm starting to feel things I shouldn't. That wasn't the plan, Kester. It was never

his eyes when I mentioned that I was feeling

Chapter 68

was

to make sense of the war raging inside me, but it was all useless. The moment I dropped my

throat.

to speak through the mess of tears. "If-If Dad ever found out..." My lungs seized painfully. "If Mum ever knew... She would be heartbroken, Kester. She'd never

out a bitter laugh between my sobs, shaking my head. "We have to stop.

him, quickly unraveling at the seams. And still-he didn't say a

in short, ragged bursts. I didn't have anything left to say. I was exhausted. Drained. I felt like I had just ripped my heart out and handed

he closed the distance between us. I barely

before his arms were

engulfed me, his broad chest pressing against my trembling

No

to push against him, my lists pressing against

But he didn't.

pressed his cheek against the top of my head, one hand cradling the back of it while the other rubbing slow, soothing circles against my

"It's going to be

sob wracked

whispered, his breath warm against my hair. "It's going to

registered was warmth. A slow, consuming kind of warmth that made me hesitate before fully waking up.