Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 119

Chapter 119

KASMINE

Steam curled in the air as I stepped out of the shower, my damp skin prickling against the evening chill. I reached for a towel, rubbing it over my hair with slow, careful motions, but even that felt like too much effort.

The dizziness I felt some days ago only got worse. But I could swear it was from the fact that I had only eaten once in two days.

Usually, I could go two-sometimes three days without food If I had to. But this time, it was different. My body wasn't just tired, it felt drained like life itself was slowly bleeding out of me.

I swallowed hard, willing it away. Maybe it was just the exhaustion. Maybe I needed water. Maybe I just needed to lie down

Maybe...

1 blinked hard, steadying myself against the sink. My reflection in the mirror looked paler than usual, dark smudges under my eyes boldly highlighting the exhaustion refused to acknowledge.

I took a breath that didn't help, pressing my palm against my forehead as I exited the bathroom.

No, I wasn't sick. I wasn't weak. I just needed to pull myself together.

My stomach twisted with an uneasy nausea that hadn't left ine all day.

I tossed the towel aside and moved toward my bed, but the second I took a step, my vision dipped, and my balance wobbled.

What the hell was wrong with me?

Along with these strange feelings came the hurt. I had cried, but it felt like I hadn't cried enough. I hated myself for so many reasons. First, for letting myself let Kester fester his way into my heart. And secondly, for punishing. myself by not wanting to see him for two days.

He had come to my door more times than I could count. I had heard the knocks and heard his voice. And I had ignored every single one.

Because maybe if I stayed away and pretended this wasn't happening, it would all just... stop.

It was stupid.

I couldn't love Kester.

I can't

I shouldn't

And I won't.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, a shuddering breath slipping past my lips. I clenched my jaw, forcing back the

sting of tears. I had cried enough. It wouldn't change anything

Because for the first time in a long time, I realized something I hadn't wanted to admit.

I had fallen for Kester.

nothing I could do but watch

Chapter 119

wrong. I

did

my fingers against my temples as if I could knead the ache away. It was useless. Just like trying to push away the thoughts that had been eating

all that was

her finger, and whatever this thing between us was whatever it could

Whether from the nausea or the ugly clawing emotion gripping my chest, I wasn't sure. All I knew was that every time I thought about it

in

wasn't mine to touch. And I had told myself I didn't care. That I shouldn't care. But every

voice in my head kept laughing at me and mocking the because I had been living in self-denial for

who would

is the best option I have. He's the safest option for me.

Yes. I love Jake.

Maybe I should sleep, rest, or do anything other than sitting here, torturing myself with things

that, I knew sleep wouldn't come t never had, since

in a long time, I realized something I hadn't wanted to

fallen for

was nothing I could do but watch as

light

palm to my forehead. The pounding behind my eyes had only gotten worse like someone

Who the actual hell?

and more

like I did the last time. I'd rather let a pack of wolves eat me alive than sit through another minute with that conceited asshole. The audacity he had to ask for

duvet over my head, barely mustering the strength

but paused abruptly when I

you don't open this

Kester.

Chapter 119

He sounded angry.

like to see him try. Because there

lehin into my

#25 BONUS

He called again, quieter this time. That quietess from him that always came

headache or the nausea that hit me harder... or the pure, sharp ache in my

into the bed, I heard a loud thud

What the hell?

door-so loud I nearly fell

"I scrambled upright, still half tangled in sheets and my small, casual wear - a gown that barely covered my ass, "Is he serious right

Thud.

made the entire frame

jolt of electricity. I just recalled now that Mum and Dad weren't

Thud

door, my bare feet smacking against the floor