Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 294

Chapter 297

Chapter 296

KESTER.

17 YEARS AGO.

It'd been four days since my sad, lonely birthday, and Mum and Dad had not been home yet.

No calls. No texts. Not even a note.

Caroline came to tell me two days after my parents didn't show up at home for my birthday that they had traveled for a business meeting.

I nodded then as if I believed her.

But I didn't.

I may be eleven, but I'm not stupid.

Mum was probably with one of the men Dad always yelled about, and Dad was probably with one of the women Mum said nasty things about when she thought I was asleep.

The card I made for them was still sitting on the hallway table. I drew stars on it. And a crown. I wrote "I love you with a blue marker.

I thought maybe they'd see it when they came back.

But they didn't.

Outside school this morning, I watched Mrs. Freya hug Norlan.

She kissed his head and said, "Be safe and eat your snacks, okay?" She kept looking at him with so much tenderness in her eyes, like he was the only thing that mattered in the whole world.

He laughed and hugged her back. His smile looked so easy. Like breathing. "Thanks, Mum."

It seemed a bit too strange to me. Can't recall when last I smiled that way.

Then she said, "Remember all we studied last night. You've got to win this, baby. Your dad would be proud."

I blinked. They had studied together for the upcoming interschool quiz competition? Great.

I studied too. But I did it alone. At the dinning. I was tired of locking myself up

alone in my room. Caroline brought me tea, but she didn't stay.

And it was okay. I discovered that I study better when alone.

I even combed my hair three times this morning. Made sure it was neat. Wore the shirt I ironed by myself. they'd be happy with me. Maybe they'd say something nice to me.

e if I won today,

"You, too, Kester. Be good," She smiled at me, offering what little warmth she could spare, before walking back to her car.

I and Norlan went into the school, ready to smash the completion.

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Chapter 296.

And we did!

It was a huge success!

The Ashmoor Crescent Academy beat the Vermillion Crimson Institute!

I was the team leader. I stood on the stage. My heart was going fast, and my hands were all sweaty, but I did it. I beat June Mellors, that spoiled brat from Crimson Valley. Her face when she lost-it made me feel... I don't know. Good?

She looked sad. Like me on my birthday.

Maybe I liked that.

Maybe I don't want to be the only one who feels like this!

Norlan beat Nagel Vale from the Shadow Valley pack.

Nagel was always picking on kids from our pack near the gate. Not me, though. He doesn't look at me funny. Maybe he's scared of my eyes. Or maybe he just knows there's no point.

faces felt so

clapped me on the back.

couldn't wait to get

award in my hand like it was

Mum and Dad and tell them about my

me. I got

we neared the gate. My legs were already twitching to

was saying. "Make her your friend. She seems

I blinked. "Huh?"

The one you saw through

Oh. Her.

had told him

didn't tell him what I was doing when

me and how

the

talking to her next

I'll try. I don't know... She's quite younger than me.

crinkling my

Making friends who are younger than you doesn't

each other and enjoy each other's

I nodded slowly.

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Chapter 296

Maybe I would,

first-1 had to tell Mum and

to Norlan and ran straight into the

Chapter 297

a soft thump and made a beeline for the drawer where we

my phone. But Caroline let me use it most of

sometimes... or to call Mum and Dad when they stayed away

long.

edge of the couch

do I call first? Mum or

my

Mum.

me now, she was

on the

was the maid. Caroline must have called her not too

and continued. Maybe she was just busy. "Mum?" I said, putting as much brightness in

actually won the competition! Crescent Moon beat Crimson Valley!" I leaned forward like it made it more real. "I-I was the team leader! I answered the final question. I got it right! Everyone clapped for me! Even Mr.

of me and tumbling over each other. I wanted her to hear

you know June Mellors? She lost,

busy, Kester," she cut in. Her voice wasn't

all about it when

I blinked.

asked quickly, my heart starting to race.

chest so fast it almost hurt.

was silence, and then the line

seconds, waiting stupidly for it to light up again. Maybe she'd call back and say she didn't mean

the screen stayed

it against my chest. I

felt jumbled-like the way my room gets when I turn

looking for something I never end up

She was coming home.

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Chapter 297.

good. That should feel

It didn't quite reach

my shorts, then tapped the screen

contact.

answered on the first

a bit

noise as if he were on

"It's me. Kester. I just

he said, cutting in. "I'm driving

warm crawled up

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