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."

kept repeating the mantra each time I thought

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

was nothing more than... I could call it a thrill..... I

he made my heart flutter in ways that

deep

a single glance from him sent fire licking up

and dec inside

body, my mind, my very soul bent to his will, answering him before he even

Chapter 115

him left me restless, unraveling, and on the verge

though he wielded my senses like a master puppeteer, bending them to his will with a mere flick of his

of that meant

Right?

out of my spiraling thoughts and the

from the bed

me for days, and now,

Perfect.

clicked on the message, expecting some half-hearted apology or an excuse. Instead, I saw a

a message that sent a strange ripple of

Girl! You never shared this sad news with me!

Sad news?

My pulse stuttered.

hell was

tightness gripped my chest as I tapped the link.

the screen loading in a tauntingly slow

Then-

screeched

What-?

than my mind could process, my pulse pounding

told me you had

vision adjusted. The dim light bled into my vision, and suddenly, I wished I hadn't stormet in so recklessly because what I saw sucked out all the air

What the hell?

did I just say about a thrill being what I felt for Kester? Because how else do I explain the sharp, hot twist in my stomach right now? The reason my heart stopped beating for a second and the heat leaking