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.

felt

Hill clapped me on the back. Said, "Good

wait

my hand like it was some kind

eager to call Mum and Dad and tell them about my competition.

me.

as we neared the gate. My legs were

look for her," he was saying. "Make her

I blinked. "Huh?"

little girl. The one you saw through the

Oh. Her.

had told him about

him what I was doing when I saw her, I only told

said to me and how

happy to see me," I said, feeling the flutter again in my

shrugged. "Try talking to her next

know... She's quite younger than me. Won't

my nose,

course not. Making friends who are younger than you

like each other and enjoy

I nodded slowly.

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Chapter 296

Maybe I would,

had to tell

said goodbye to Norlan and ran straight into the house.

Chapter 297

soft thump and made a beeline

really my phone. But Caroline let me use it most of the time.

call Mum

long.

sat on the edge of

I call first? Mum

my lip,

Mum.

hated me now, she was the softer

on the

What now?" Mum hissed into the phone, thinking it was the maid. Caroline must have called

much brightness in my voice as I could. "Guess what?!" There was a small pause.

could see me. "We won, Mum! We 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!

rushing out of me and tumbling over each other. I wanted her to hear it all-how I kept my voice clear, how didn't freeze, how I remembered everything I

you know June Mellors? She

she cut in. Her voice wasn't angry.

it when I get home

I blinked.

I asked quickly, my heart starting to race. I

my chest so fast it

and then the line

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

screen stayed

against my

room gets when I turn my toy

I never end

She was coming home.

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Chapter 297.

should be good. That should

a little. It didn't quite reach

my shorts, then tapped the screen

contact.

on the first

sounded a bit louder than usual. There

noise as if he were on

"It's me. Kester. I just wanted

talk now," he said, cutting

as something warm crawled up my chest.

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