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.

had just

could see the effort she was putting into hiding the tears forming in

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

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

place, wondering where we should go first. Then, a dress just a little bit ahead of us stole my breath. Sleek.

and we both giggled

was as if the racks had been curated for me. I didn't even feel the urge to check elsewhere unless I just

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

out a stunning dress for Claire, too, as an appreciation and a way to pull her out of whatever heavy cloud was following

cheer up for a second?" I said to her, trying out

a sigh that came from somewhere deep. Her shoulders sagged. "It's not that

actually thought I had

second, I almost laughed. "You thought you had a chance?"

mean... no offense, Claire, but my brother never gave you

me on. And I don't think what he did after that is fair," she said. I stared at

second, I swear I thought I hadn't heard

Kester? My Kester?

Led Claire on?

words. She looked like she was

stared at her, heart beginning to thump weirdly. "What do you mean he led you on?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "Like

her breath, but it wasn't funny. Not even a little. Her arms folded across her chest like

that date I told you about?" she said, not looking at me. "The one where I said the guy

where this was going, but my pulse had started to race anyway. I remembered that date clearly. Claire had refused to tell me who the guy was. And she had come

said, turning to look at me now. "That guy was

My ears rang

"What?"

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

had kicked a wall inside my chest, and I didn't even have time

I