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 slam

told you about?" His voice

told him that

had meant

when something inside

hard in the chest. "Stop!" My voice cracked. "Just stop and

my push, but he took a slow step back, tilting his head

I felt my throat

because of us. Because of

face was blank

he took another step

pulse skittered.

ignored me and reached for me

out of impulse and the frustration he was

As hard as my

came in harsh, panicked gasps, My hands

my vision. My stomach twisted with

was terrified of

way his head turned slightly from the impact of the slap and the

body went rigid.

No

silence

wiped at my tears with the back of my hand, but they kept coming. "You never listen," I whispered in a breaking voice. "You

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

burn where my skin

is hurting." I clenched my fists, forcing myself not to say

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

a word, but I could swear I saw a reaction in his eyes when I mentioned that I was feeling things 1 shouldn't feel. But he masked it immediately. My words dried up,

Chapter 68

was killing

the heels of my palms against my eyes, trying to steady my breathing, trying to make sense of the war raging inside me, but

throat.

"If-If Dad ever found out..." My lungs seized painfully. "If Mum ever knew... She would be heartbroken, Kester. She'd never forgive

laugh between my sobs, shaking my head. "We have to stop. We should've

falling apart in front of him, quickly unraveling at the seams. And still-he didn't

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 it to

away when he closed the distance between us. I barely had

before his arms were

engulfed me, his broad chest pressing against

No

against him, my lists pressing against

But he didn't.

head, one hand cradling the

"It's going

wracked

against my hair.

of warmth that made me