Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 128

Chapter 128

RASMINE.

Thurried to the front door to get it.

Finally, one normal person who isn't part of the whole drama in my life decided to pay me a visit.

Claire.

It was a Friday morning, and instead of dragging ourselves to school like every other week, Claire and I had made other plans. Shopping. We were lumting for my birthday dress and maybe-if we had time a dress for the engagement party tomorrow.

Anything to take my mind off things. Especially after watching the news clip I found on 1*******m over and over again where June spoke about Kester and their love story. Repeating, again and again, that the deal her father made with him had nothing to do with their engagement. That Kester earned it.

I could hear his voice behind every line.

He had made her say those things. And desperate, infatuated June would gladly walk barefoot across thoms if it meant pleasing him.

Let me grab my phone-uhm, just sit. I'll be right back," Itold Claire after a quick hug. Her smile was soft and tired, but it was the first sign of peace I'd seen all week.

I moved fast. I didn't want to bump into Kester. I didn't want to see him. I hadn't seen him since the night we fucked and let out steam, but I didn't need anyone to tell me that we were only able to let out half the steam. There was still a lot of friction between us.

"Okay, Claire, I'm ready-"I called out, hurrying down the stairs with my eyes glued to my phone.

But when I looked up, I stopped cold.

Claire and Kester were standing inches apart in the living room, staring at each other like they were locked in some silent, electric war.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, and Kester replied even before Claire had the chance to do so.

"Yes, Mine. Everything is fine." His voice was calm. His eyes were unreadable. And then-just like that-he turned and disappeared up the stairs without another word

But Claire didn't move.

stood there like someone had

have gotten to her a lot because I could see the effort she was putting into hiding the tears forming in her

to carry, and if Claire was bleeding inside, she'd have to

shopping mall, and our moods lightened instantly. Shopping was kinda a thing to me. I

Then, a dress

excitedly, and

racks had been curated for me. I didn't even

an hour to try out different dresses for the engagement party. But I found the one.

out a stunning dress for Claire, too, as an appreciation and a way to pull her

just cheer up for a second?" I said to

came from somewhere deep. Her shoulders sagged. "It's

actually thought

laughed. "You thought you had a chance?"

"I mean... no offense, Claire, but my brother never gave you his attention.

I don't think what he did after that

swear I

Kester? My Kester?

Led Claire on?

looked like she was done hiding whatever had been

I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "Like are you saying he flirted? What-what

little. Her arms folded across her chest like she needed to physically hold

"The one where I said the guy was

anyway. I remembered that date clearly. Claire had refused to tell me who the guy was. And she had come back from it looking crushed, and I'd told her the guy sounded like an

she said, turning to look at me now.

My ears rang

"What?"

once, lips pressed together. "Yeah. Your brother. He asked me out. We went for drinks and dinner at that exquisite restaurant off Silvergate Avenue. I didn't even know how to act. I thought maybe-maybe he had finally seen me

could feel my legs weakening underneath me. Like someone had kicked a wall inside my chest, and I didn't even have time

I whispered,