Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 127

KASMINE.

I hadn't even dropped the cup of coffee when a high-pitched, syrupy giggle broke the silence and nearly startled me into cardiac arrest.

My body jerked so fast in the direction of the sound that the dizziness I'd been ignoring all morning slammed harder into my skull, turning my vision into a funhouse mirror. Fantastic. If the walls spun any harder, I might start levitating. Maybe it was finally time I stopped playing tough and visited the damn hospital. "Look who I get the pleasure of meeting all alone in the kitchen!"

Karina's voice was a little too loud and sweet, like poisoned honey-and her expression? Pure sunshine with a chance of lunacy. Too abnormal to be this cheerful so early in the morning.

God. Was she high or something?

She had that glittery-eyed, overenthusiastic vibe of someone who'd either snorted something very illegal or returned from making a deal with the devil. Or maybe she was the devil. Who could tell with her?

Either way, I didn't have the energy for it.

I said nothing. Just dumped the mug into the sink like it had personally offended me and turned to leave. Since she moved into the house, I'd done a good job of avoiding her.

The only time I'd actually seen her face was during the family dinner last night- and even then, I'd pretended like, her entire existence didn't itch beneath my skin.

My being indoors because of Kester helped me stay away from her. I heard she was trouble, and Mum also told me everything she had done to Kester, including being the reason he was finally sent to the psychiatric hospital.

Everyone believed whatever story she made up back then because Kester already suffered from anger issues. So, it was easy for Karina to pull such a big one on him.

God, the girl was a walking red flag in designer shoes.

I wonder why I never knew about all these. I mean... Yes, I was still a bit too

young, but come on... They should have at least said something to me then.

"That's not a very nice way to greet your stepsister, you know?" she said, pouting dramatically.

Okay. Confirmed. She was high on something.

The playful frown didn't reach her eyes. Nothing ever did. Those eyes were always scanning and observing like a monster dressed in bubblegum pink.

But wasn't it too early for that?

“Hi,” I muttered flatly, already halfway out of the kitchen. My brain had filed her under irrelevant, and I was ready to go back to pretending she didn't exist.

But then her voice caught me mid-step.

"Why the rush, little sis?" she purred, still all sugar and verom. "You got some unfinished business to get back to? Hm?"

Chapter 127

She giggled again in a high, flirty, almost manic voice, and something in my stomach twisted so hard I nearly turned back to throw up in the sink.

in front of

with an exhausted eye- roll. My head was already pounding, and now she wanted to add herself

like a child pretending to think during

Her grin widened. "Just wondering... about last

heart decided that now was a good time to try and escape through my ribcage. I swear, I could feel it racing toward the

night?" I snapped, a little too fast and breathless, hoping it wasn't what I

the wicked twinkle

fun with him, didn't you?" She giggled again

her robe and the smugness of someone who knew exactly what she was

on my breath. What

Dinner or my room?

was the 'him'

Kester or Jaden?

Shit!

she hear

be. The room was soundproof.

Karina?" I tried to keep my voice steady, though it

in my throat. Cracked.

her? Abandoned. Crumpled and

back into

to face me, her lips curling in triumph. "Someone finally wants to talk

11

look on

I can't ignore your plea for attention. So, here I am. Talk to me." I said, standing at

on her chest like she was

over to the counter, hips swaying like she was on a runway, and reached for the glass jug

we chat about?" she mused as she poured herself a glass-slowly, like even her movements were a form of psychological torture. "The weather? Your stepbrother's upcoming engagement?" She paused and studied me as if waiting for a reaction, "Or me

look for a reaction from me? Or it was just my thoughts? This could all be

Chapter 127

to about last

as if I'd just asked her what the meaning of life was. Then she sighed and set the glass down with an exaggerated

dripped like

things to catch up on. Like-oh, I don't know-life? Love? How you've grown into such a curious little

to hell," I hissed, pushing off the

iT

circles and play her little mind games with

up and was already walking toward the door when she

your actions will

My legs froze in mid-step. The pulse in my throat slammed so loud I was convinced she could hear it. Hell, the neighbors could

She knew.