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.

someone had just cracked something inside

could see the effort she was putting into hiding the tears

own to carry, and if Claire was bleeding

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

Then, a dress just a

I pointed excitedly, and

me. I didn't even feel the

out different dresses for the engagement party. But I found

jewelry to match, couldn't resist a few extra pleces, and picked out a stunning dress for Claire, too,

you just cheer up for a second?"

Her shoulders sagged. "It's

"I actually thought

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

a soft, disbelieving chuckle. "I mean... no offense, Claire, but my brother never gave you

on. And I don't think what he did

for a second, I swear I thought I hadn't

Kester? My Kester?

Led Claire on?

like she was done hiding whatever

heart beginning to thump weirdly. "What do you mean he led you on?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "Like are you saying he flirted? What-what are you

laughed under her breath, but it wasn't funny. Not even a little. Her arms

I told you about?" she said, not looking at me. "The one where I said the guy was cold... barely

unsure 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 back from it looking crushed, and I'd told her the guy

to look at me now. "That

My ears rang

"What?"

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

a wall inside my chest, and I

I whispered, mostly to