Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 115

KASMINE

I have been feeling a bit too weak lately. It had been four days since we returned from the Maldives, yet my body still felt sluggish and drained.

At first, I thought it was the stress from the entire trip, but how I was beginning to think otherwise.

Could it be that I caught the flu during our stay there?

I couldn't afford that right now. My birthday was in eleven days, and the last thing I wanted was to look pale and exhausted on a day that was meant to be... perfect.

The reality hit me mildly.

Eleven days

And Thadn't even begun preparations yet. Murn was probably already deep into planning, shaping everything into her own version of perfect. But I also had some things I'd like to add to her 'perfect' list.

Scrap that.

This year's birthday is meant to be very significant. I needed to be in full control, not just a passive guest at my

own event.

She would have to work with me. Not the other way around.

I pulled open the drawer beside my bed, my fingers finding the small bottle tucked inside as I took a tablet of my birth control pills.

I was left with just a few. I hope we'll return to Kester's house in time before I exhaust them. I'd have to restock soon, but not from here-not anywhere near the house. If Mum ever found them, I wasn't sure how she'd react, and I wasn't about to find out.

It feels weird.

Some things were better left undiscovered.

Dropping the bottle in the drawer, which I always lock because I wouldn't want Kester to find out that I'm on the pills, my fingers brushed the jewelry box Jake had given me, and a smile spread across my face.

I borrowed Mum's phone last night and called Jake. We spoke at length, and I couldn't help the velvety tips of butterfly wings that brushed against my heart at all the sweet things he said to me.

"This if love."

each time I thought about Jake. Not that I was

already convinced what I felt for Jake was love. I didn't

Kester was nothing more than... I could call it a thrill..... I didn't feel anything

though he made my heart

unsettled something deep

glance from him sent fire

my thighs and dec inside my core until I could barely

very soul bent

Chapter 115

seeing him left me restless, unraveling, and on the verge of

wielded my senses like a master puppeteer, bending them

that meant

Right?

out of my spiraling thoughts and the stupid comparison I was making in my

and picked it up from the bed stand. It was

for days, and now, out of nowhere, she was ready

Perfect.

half-hearted apology or an excuse.

message that sent a strange ripple of unease

this

Sad news?

My pulse stuttered.

the hell was she

my chest as I tapped the link. It took me

screen loading in a tauntingly

Then-

heart screeched to a

What-?

me faster than my mind could process, my pulse pounding in my ears as 1 burst

hell, Kester! You never told me you had picked a date for..." The

I wished I hadn't stormet in so recklessly because what I saw

What the hell?

the sharp, hot twist in my stomach right now? The reason my heart stopped beating for a second and the heat leaking into my bloodstream