Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 322

KESTER.

I felt alive. After having that moment of vulnerability with Kasmine yesterday, a new kind of hope sprang to life in me.

I felt like something inside me had cracked open, and light was finally starting to pour in.

I knew there was garbage in me... years of it, stacked like rotting furniture in a haunted house. But admitting it was never a thing. I never admitted any of it to anyone, not even to the so-called doctors at rehab or my therapist. But it only took Kasmine a second to get it all out of me.

As long as Kasmine stayed beside me, I'd do whatever it took. Therapy. Self- work. The whole fucking climb uphill.

I'd stop hurting people if that's what it took to see her smile again.

I'd chain my anger, muzzle it, watch every single word I said, just to make sure I don't get her worried.

Hell, a slit my own wrists and bleed out into a canvas if she ever said she loved red and wanted to see a shade no one had ever

seen before.

That's how far I'd go. That's how much she'd already changed me.

I was already going through a long list of the best trauma therapists in the country.

I was eager to start. If I do my best, I should be

ready to have a proper family with her - a wedding, a new home, welcoming our baby, and a lot of other things.

"Kester?" Her sweet, sugary voice called out softly, fresh from the bathroom, still damp with steam and the scent of lavender. She stood there with a towel wrapped around her like some sacred vision her hair dripping down her shoulders.

I looked up instantly, giving her my full attention.

"Yes, baby."

She hesitated for half a second. But it was enough to set my nerves on edge.

"I'm going to see Mum today," she said. “She asked for me the other day, but... you didn't let me leave."

Something inside me clenched.

Not again..

to keep the new leaf I had just turned evergreen

don't think that's a good idea, baby." I tried to smile, trying to make it sound like

suddenly began to race. I'd be a fool to let her

a door opening just wide enough for

was finally softening, understanding

I couldn't lose that.

1/3

Chapter 322

to control her. No. This wasn't

I was worthy of. This was me protecting myself and my family.

haven't been able reach her since the

hadn't heard from anyone. I had made sure no one would be able to reach her

calls, blocked certain contacts, and used every trick I knew to

accounts? They were also logged in,

messages that I felt might disrupt our peace and quiet, even

go nuts if she ever found out. So, I'd keep it at that

If something was wrong, we would've heard from the pack already. Don't beat

said all that two nights ago,

my jaw, trying to stay calm and keep myself

I was fisting the bed sheet beside me until

digging into my palm.

She stepped closer.

she called gently, "Look at

eyes

later, I felt the shift in the

my eyes

anywhere promised I'd

e.'m not

giving up

my breath catching

in and kissed

back," she whispered against my

cupped her cheek, pressing my

I lied hoping she'd

you, then. I also have

jaw gently. "Kester... no,"