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..

best to keep the new

idea, baby." I tried

be a fool to let her leave. At

just wide enough for someone to reach in and pull her away

softening, understanding me,

I couldn't lose that.

1/3

Chapter 322

control her. No. This

me protecting what was finally starting to believe I was worthy of. This was me protecting myself and my family. I won't let anyone

really have to see Mum. She must be worried. I haven't been able reach her since the last time we

her I was the reason she hadn't heard from anyone. I had made sure no one would be able to reach her on her new

certain contacts, and used every trick I knew

accounts? They were

made sure to delete some chats and messages that I felt might disrupt our peace and quiet, even before she

turn a new leaf. But she'd go nuts if she

"Your mum is fine, baby. If something was wrong, we would've heard from the pack already. Don't beat yourself up,

You said all that two

my jaw, trying to stay calm and keep

bed

digging into my palm.

She stepped closer.

called gently, "Look

kept my eyes locked on

I felt the shift in the bed as

pulled my eyes

anywhere promised I'd stay with you through it all... Therapy, the

e.'m not

giving up

breath catching like a

leaned in and kissed

come back," she whispered against my lips. "I

up slowly and cupped her cheek,

the pack." I lied hoping

take you, then. I also have a thing or two I need

brushed my jaw gently. "Kester... no," she said softly. "You don't